Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda
Abstract Background Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide face barriers in accessing inclusive healthcare due to disabilities, leading to worse health outcomes, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is a lack of training of healthcare workers about disability, b...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10918-z |
| _version_ | 1831885995343085568 |
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| author | Tracey Smythe Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata Sande Slivesteri Femke Bannink Mbazzi Hannah Kuper |
| author_facet | Tracey Smythe Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata Sande Slivesteri Femke Bannink Mbazzi Hannah Kuper |
| author_sort | Tracey Smythe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide face barriers in accessing inclusive healthcare due to disabilities, leading to worse health outcomes, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is a lack of training of healthcare workers about disability, both globally and in Uganda. Objectives To use mixed research methods to develop a comprehensive training program with standardisedelements for healthcare workers in Uganda, focusing on improving their knowledge, attitudes, and skills inproviding care for people with disabilities. Methods The Medical Research Council (MRC) approach was employed to guide the development of the training intervention. We conducted an umbrella review to gather relevant literature on disability training for healthcare workers. Interviews were conducted with international experts to gain insights and perspectives on the topic. Additionally, interviews were undertaken with people with disabilities and healthcare workers in Uganda to understand their experiences and needs. A participatory workshop was organised involving key stakeholders, to collaboratively design the training material based on the findings from these data sources. Results Eight review articles examined training programs for healthcare workers on disability. Training settings ranged from specialised clinical settings to non-clinical settings, and the duration and evaluation methods of the training varied widely. Lectures and didactic methods were commonly used, often combined with other approaches such as case studies and simulations. The impact of the training was assessed through healthcare worker reports on attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Interviews emphasised the importance of involving people with disabilities in the training and improving communication and understanding between healthcare providers and people with disabilities. Five themes for a training on disability for healthcare workers were generated through the workshop, including responsibilities and rights, communication, informed consent, accommodation, and referral and connection, which were used to guide the development of the curriculum, training materials and training approach. Conclusion This study presents a novel approach to develop a training program that aims to enhance healthcare services for people with disabilities in Uganda. The findings offer practical insights for the development of similar programs in LMICs. The effectiveness of the training program will be evaluated through a pilot test, and policy support is crucial for its successful implementation at scale. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:41:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6ded0f873d3b476db310f39af902e693 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-21T23:36:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-6ded0f873d3b476db310f39af902e6932024-05-19T11:13:31ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-04-0124111210.1186/s12913-024-10918-zCo-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in UgandaTracey Smythe0Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata1Sande Slivesteri2Femke Bannink Mbazzi3Hannah Kuper4International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research UnitMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research UnitInternational Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineInternational Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineAbstract Background Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide face barriers in accessing inclusive healthcare due to disabilities, leading to worse health outcomes, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is a lack of training of healthcare workers about disability, both globally and in Uganda. Objectives To use mixed research methods to develop a comprehensive training program with standardisedelements for healthcare workers in Uganda, focusing on improving their knowledge, attitudes, and skills inproviding care for people with disabilities. Methods The Medical Research Council (MRC) approach was employed to guide the development of the training intervention. We conducted an umbrella review to gather relevant literature on disability training for healthcare workers. Interviews were conducted with international experts to gain insights and perspectives on the topic. Additionally, interviews were undertaken with people with disabilities and healthcare workers in Uganda to understand their experiences and needs. A participatory workshop was organised involving key stakeholders, to collaboratively design the training material based on the findings from these data sources. Results Eight review articles examined training programs for healthcare workers on disability. Training settings ranged from specialised clinical settings to non-clinical settings, and the duration and evaluation methods of the training varied widely. Lectures and didactic methods were commonly used, often combined with other approaches such as case studies and simulations. The impact of the training was assessed through healthcare worker reports on attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Interviews emphasised the importance of involving people with disabilities in the training and improving communication and understanding between healthcare providers and people with disabilities. Five themes for a training on disability for healthcare workers were generated through the workshop, including responsibilities and rights, communication, informed consent, accommodation, and referral and connection, which were used to guide the development of the curriculum, training materials and training approach. Conclusion This study presents a novel approach to develop a training program that aims to enhance healthcare services for people with disabilities in Uganda. The findings offer practical insights for the development of similar programs in LMICs. The effectiveness of the training program will be evaluated through a pilot test, and policy support is crucial for its successful implementation at scale.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10918-zDisabilityTrainingHealthcare workerEducationLow- and middle-incomeDevelopment |
| spellingShingle | Tracey Smythe Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata Sande Slivesteri Femke Bannink Mbazzi Hannah Kuper Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda BMC Health Services Research Disability Training Healthcare worker Education Low- and middle-income Development |
| title | Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda |
| title_full | Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda |
| title_short | Co-development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda |
| title_sort | co development of a training programme on disability for healthcare workers in uganda |
| topic | Disability Training Healthcare worker Education Low- and middle-income Development |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10918-z |
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