ABSTRACT
Background. The University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (UZCHS), Harare, which has a long tradition of community-based education (CBE), has not been evaluated since 1991. An innovative approach was used to evaluate the programme during 2015.Objectives. To evaluate the CBE programme, using a peer-review model of evaluation and simultaneously introducing and orientating participating colleagues from other medical schools in southern Africa to this review process.Methods. An international team of medical educators, convened through the Medical Education Partnership Initiative, worked collaboratively to modify an existing peer-review assessment method. Data collection took the form of pre-visit surveys, on-site and field-visit interviews with key informants, a review of supporting documentation and a post-review visit.Results. All 5 years of the medical education curriculum at UZCHS included some form of CBE that ranged from community exposure in the 1st year to district hospital-based clinical rotations during the clinical years. Several strengths, including the diversity of community-based activities and the availability of a large teaching platform, were identified. However, despite the expression of satisfaction with the programme, the majority of students indicated that they do not plan to work in rural areas in Zimbabwe. Several key recommendations were offered, central to which was strengthening the academic co-ordination of the programme and curriculum renewal in the context of the overall MB ChB curriculum.Conclusion. This evaluation demonstrated the value of peer review to bring a multidimensional, objective assessment to a CBE programme
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Peer Review , Students, Medical , Universities , ZimbabweABSTRACT
Objective. To analyse paediatric-specific goals and objectives in the HIV et AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan (NSP) for South Africa 2007 - 2011. Methods. This paper reviews key interventions described in the NSP regarding HIV prevention; management and treatment in children under 14 years of age. A general overview of the plan and its implications for the health system was previously published. Results. The NSP contains 4 priority areas; which were disaggregated into 19 goals. Each goal specifies several clearly worded objectives together with 5-year targets; and identifies lead agencies responsible for the achievement of these targets. Nine of the 19 goals (47) address interventions which mention or affect children directly. Paediatric-specific objectives encompass HIV prevention and treatment; legislation; social security; education; mental health; and developmental monitoring. If implemented comprehensively; it will appreciably improve the country's chances of achieving Millennium Development Goal 4; i.e. the reduction by two-thirds of the mortality rate among children under 5 years of age by 2015. However; substantial resources are required to achieve the goals and objectives of the NSP; including legal and policy amendments. Conclusion. The NSP is an important framework document; which should provide the necessary direction for addressing the paediatric HIV epidemic in South Africa