Abstract
This paper describes a partnership between the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences (CHS) Library and the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL). The libraries are collaborating to develop best practices for the CHS Library as it meets the challenge of changing medical education information needs in a digital environment. The collaboration is part of a Medical Education Partnership Initiative. The library project has several components: an assessment of the CHS Library, learning visits in the United States and Kenya, development of recommendations to enhance the CHS Library, and ongoing evaluation of the program's progress. Development of new services and expertise at the CHS Library is critical to the project's success. A productive collaboration between the HS/HSL and CHS Library is ongoing. A successful program to improve the quality of medical education will have a beneficial impact on health outcomes in Kenya.
Highlights
The World Health Organization’s 2006 World Health Report drew attention to the shortage in health care workers in resource-poor countries, in Africa, in which 24% of the global burden of disease is managed by only 3% of the global health workforce [1]
The library component of the Partnership for Innovative Medical Education–Kenya (PRIME-K) project began in 2011, when the principal investigator on the PRIME-K project from the University of Maryland School of Medicine approached the Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL) Library executive director and the associate director for services to review the program’s aims and discuss ways in which the HS/HSL could support the aim of improving the quality of medical education in Kenya
Programs that aim to address weaknesses in medical education must address improvements to their libraries, which is carried out most effectively with library staff participation. This participation can take a variety of forms, as there is a range of strategies that global partnerships employ to expand and enhance medical education
Summary
The World Health Organization’s 2006 World Health Report drew attention to the shortage in health care workers in resource-poor countries, in Africa, in which 24% of the global burden of disease is managed by only 3% of the global health workforce [1]. The report outlined a plan of action in which these countries, using a variety of strategies, would build their health care workforces with the support of global partners. In 2010, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) committed $130 million over 5 years to advance the education and training of health care workers in Sub-Saharan African countries that receive PEPFAR support. The program, Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), supports global partnerships to expand and enhance models of medical education, thereby strengthening medical education systems, increasing the number of new health care workers, and building clinical and research capacity in Africa [2]. Fogarty International Center and the HIV/AIDS Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
