Development and Validation of a Competency-Based Education Model for Strengthening Undergraduate Training in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in Uganda
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Kikomeko, Peterson Kato
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Human Nutrition/Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HN/HND) training in Uganda follows the traditional credit system of education, a system criticized for inadequately equipping graduates with the requisite competencies for health systems performance. Competency-based education (CBE) is advocated to improve the competency of health professionals for health systems performance. However, the competencies expected of HN/HND graduates are undefined in Uganda limiting undertaking CBE for the profession. This study aimed to develop and validate a CBE model suitable for strengthening undergraduate HN/HND training in Uganda under four main objectives: to determine the nutrition/dietetic needs in Uganda; to establish the competencies required of HN/HND graduates for health systems performance in Uganda; to assess the current scope of HN/HND training and practice in Uganda; and to develop and validate a competency-based education model suitable for teaching HN/HND at the undergraduate level in Uganda. This study used a cross-sectional mixed method and was undertaken in two phases from December 2017 to June 2020. The first phase (competency needs assessment) targeted 450 HN/HND graduates, 14 HN/HND academic staff, and 11 HN/HND employers/internship supervisors. Data from graduates were collected using a cross-sectional email-based survey; while that from other participants were through face-to-face interviews. The second phase (model development and content validation) had three stages; validation workshop, focus group discussion, and consensus development undertaken in two modified Delphi rounds. The workshop had 31 participants, the focus group had eight; the first and second modified Delphi rounds had 70 and 55 respectively. Graduates' responses from the first phase were coded in Microsoft Excel Professional Plus version 10, emerging themes and sub-themes were quantitized, and descriptive and multiple response analyses done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 20. Other participants‘ responses, coding, and content analysis were done using NVivo 12 Plus software. For data from the modified Delphi study, content analysis and analysis of percentage responses were done in Microsoft Excel Professional Plus version 10 with participant consensus for each statement set at ≥80%. Of the 450 targeted graduates, 132 responded to the needs assessment phase, 64.4% of these, and 64.3% of academic staff were females. 63.6% of the work/internship supervisors were males. Generally, results show that respondents viewed communities as facing multiple nutrition/dietetics challenges; graduates were expected to possess diverse competencies but had competency gaps even in core areas. Undergraduate HN/HND curricula differed across universities; besides accreditation of universities and their curricula, mechanisms for regulation, registration, and certification of HN/HND graduates were slowly established. In the second study phase, a HN/HND competency-based education model framework was developed and validated. It comprised seven domains, 22 subdomains, and 153 competency statements evaluated as both relevant and suitable for undergraduate HN/HND training in Uganda. The study recommends evaluating the extent to which HN/HND curricula in Uganda‘s Universities address the competencies comprised in the developed CBE model; translating the developed CBE model into a standard curriculum that can be taught and evaluated; and assessing Uganda‘s higher education institutional capacity readiness to offer CBE in HN/HND.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics of Kenyatta University, May, 2022
Keywords
Development, Validation, Competency-Based Education Model, Strengthening, Undergraduate Training, Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Uganda