Near-peer mentorship for undergraduate training in Ugandan medical schools: views of undergraduate students
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Date
2016-04-15
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PanAfrican Medical Journal
Abstract
Introduction: Masters Students are major stakeholders in undergraduate medical education but their contribution has not been documented in
Uganda. The aim of the study was to explore and document views and experiences of undergraduate students regarding the role of masters
students as educators in four Ugandan medical schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using qualitative data collection
methods. Eight Focus Group Discussions were conducted among eighty one selected preclinical and clinical students in the consortium of four
Ugandan medical schools: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Makerere College of Health Sciences, Gulu University and Kampala
International University, Western Campus. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. Participants' privacy and confidentiality were respected
and participant identifiers were not included in data analysis. Results: Undergraduate students from all the medical schools viewed the
involvement of master's students as very important. Frequent contact between masters and undergraduate students was reported as an important
factor in undergraduate students' motivation and learning. Despite the useful contribution, master' students face numerous challenges like heavy
workload and conflicting priorities. Conclusion: According to undergraduate students in Ugandan medical schools, involvement of master's
students in the teaching and learning of undergraduate students is both useful and challenging to masters and undergraduate students. Masters
students provide peer mentorship to the undergraduate students. The senior educators are still needed to do their work and also to support the
master's students in their teaching role.
Description
This article is available online at: http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/23/200/full/
Keywords
Undergraduate medical education, Near peer mentorship, Ugandan medical education