Using the Kolb's experiential learning cycle to explore the extent of application of one health competencies to solving global health challenges; a tracer study among AFROHUN-Uganda alumni

Flipped classroom assisted by Rain Classroom for anatomy practical classes: Challenges and opportunities of anatomy education

Anatomy practical classes are an essential part of learning human anatomy. The flipped classroom teaching model has been used in medical education in recent years. However, its precise impacts on anatomical knowledge acquisition and learning outcomes remain controversial. With the development of information technology, new educational tools, such as Rain Classroom, have recently attracted much interest. The Rain Classroom is an application that can easily connect students and teachers through smartphones or computers. However, whether and how to apply it to the flipped classroom in anatomy practical classes needs to be evaluated. In this study, we designed a teaching model of flipped classroom assisted by Rain Classroom and carried it out in anatomy practical classes at our university. Results showed that the final exam scores of the experimental group were significantly improved, compared with the control group (p < 0.01); the final exam score was significantly correlated with both the pre-class quiz score (p < 0.05) and the in-class quiz score (p < 0.001). Student satisfaction was measured by a questionnaire on a Likert scale of 1-5. All the mean scores were greater than 4.5, indicating that most students had positive attitudes toward this teaching model. The present study suggests that the Rain Classroom helps support students throughout the learning processes of the flipped classroom, and the model of flipped classroom assisted by Rain Classroom could improve students' learning efficiency and ultimately increase their exam performance in anatomy practical classes.

Leveraging Data and Technology to Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Health Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To give an overview of recent research and propose a selection of best papers published in 2022 in Informatics for One Health.

METHODS

An extensive search using PubMed and Web of Science was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published between December 2021 and December 2022, in order to find relevant publications in the 'Informatics for One Health' field. The selection process comprised three steps: (i) eight candidate best papers were first selected by the two section editors; (ii) external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams reviewed each candidate best paper; and (iii) the editorial committee of the Yearbook conducted the final best paper selection.

RESULTS

The candidate best papers represent studies that characterized significant challenges facing Informatics for One Health. Other trends of interest related to the deployment of medical artificial intelligence tools and the implementation of the FAIR principles within the One Health broad scenario. In general, papers identified in the search fell into one of the following categories: 1) Health improvement via digital technology; 2) Climate change/Environment/Biodiversity; and 3) Maturity of healthcare services.

CONCLUSION

The topic turns extremely important in the next future for what concerns the need to understand complex interactions in order to safeguard the health of populations and ecosystems.

Employment status of AFROHUN-Uganda one health alumni, and facilitators and barriers to application of the one health approach: a tracer study

Background

The One Health (OH) approach integrates multiple competencies in the prevention and control of disease outbreaks. Through a range of OH competence-based activities, the Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) built the capacity of selected students at Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. This study applied the Systems Theoretical Framework (STF) of career development to establish the employment status of AFROHUN-Uganda alumni, and the facilitators and barriers to application of the OH approach in their organisations.

Methods

We conducted an embedded mixed-methods study among a random sample of 182 AFROHUN-Uganda alumni of the 2013–2018 cohorts. For quantitative data, descriptive statistics were computed using Stata 14.0 statistical software. A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted, and NVivo 12 Pro was used to organise data during thematic analysis.

Results

While the majority, 87.4% were or got employed after participating in the AFROHUN Uganda capacity building programme, 68.1% were employed at the time of the survey, 57.7% had worked with their current employer for at least a year, and 39% held managerial positions. The facilitators of applying the OH approach into employing organisations included being knowledgeable about OH, the presence of a multidisciplinary workforce, the nature of activities implemented, and existing partnerships and collaborations between organisations. The barriers to the application of the OH approach included limited funding, a negative attitude towards working with people from other disciplines, and limited knowledge of the One Health approach.

Conclusion

Notably, more than two-thirds of the OH alumni were employed, and more than a third held managerial position. While these findings portray a fairly good absorption rate of the OH alumni into the workforce, they also highlight the facilitators of application of the OH approach that need to be promoted as well as the barriers that need to be addressed if the application of the OH approach is to be improved within the workforce.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08537-7.