Exploring the Pedagogical Practices used in Competence Based Education Training of Nurses and Midwives in Uganda

Abstract

In Uganda CBE was introduced in 2006 and since then no study has been done to find out its suitability in the preparation of competent nurses and midwives. In recent years, there is increased attention given to Competence Based Education (CBE) in nursing and midwifery training programs as means of improving quality healthcare services. The use of suitable pedagogical practices in CBE training is critical for assisting students to effectively learn important concepts needed for their practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the suitability of pedagogical practices utilized in the CBE training programs in Uganda. The study was conducted from March to June 2015, at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH). Concurrent mixed methods were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from respondents. A total of 193 participants were drawn from nurses and midwives trained under the CBE program and other key stakeholders, namely school principals, nursing and midwifery tutors, hospital administrators/medical consultants, officials at both Uganda Nursing and Midwifery Examination Board (UNMEB) and Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC). Results by the majority of nurses and midwives who benefitted from the CBE training, revealed that the pedagogical practices used were suitable to enable them become competent nurses and midwives. However, the opinion of some key stakeholders differed. They noted that the implementation of suitable pedagogical practices in CBE training faced numerous challenges that needed to be addressed. These challenges included inadequate resources in terms of medical supplies and equipment as well as insufficient support given to trainees during clinical training due to shortage of staffing. This resulted into big workloads due to large student numbers, coupled with insufficient follow up by their tutors who are poorly motivated and have negative attitudes towards students. The study recommended the necessity to sensitize all implementers and stakeholders on the best pedagogical practices for CBE programs. There is also need to improve resources and conditions of students’ practicum training sites as well as to recruit more clinical instructors to specifically support the increasing numbers of students during their practicum training sites. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.17.1.8