Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 2 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Qualitative needs assessment for paediatric emergency care in Kampala, Uganda
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 2 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Qualitative needs assessment for paediatric emergency care in Kampala, Uganda
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Qualitative needs assessment for paediatric emergency care in Kampala, Uganda
Subject
Qualitative research
Emergency medicine
Paediatrics
Uganda
Emergency medicine
Paediatrics
Uganda
Description
Introduction: Acute childhood illnesses, such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea, represent the leading causes
of under-five mortality in Uganda. Given that most early child deaths are treatable with timely interventions,
emergency units dedicated to paediatric populations have been established in the country. In light of recent
developments, the department of paediatrics at Makerere University requested a needs assessment in the paediatric
acute care unit (PACU) at Mulago National Referral Hospital, which could guide the development of a
new training curriculum for medical providers.
Methods: We administered a survey for medical providers working in the PACU at Mulago Hospital, which
assessed their self-rated comfort levels with paediatric assessment, treatment, and teamwork skills. We also
conducted focus groups with a smaller subset of medical providers to understand barriers and facilitators to
paediatric emergency and critical care.
Results: Of 35 paediatric assessment, treatment, and teamwork skills, 29 (83%) questions had the median comfort
rating of 6 or 7 on a 7-point Likert scale. The remaining 6 (17%) skills had a median comfort rating of 5 or lower.
Focus groups identified a number of major barriers to caring for critically ill children, including limited resources
and staffing, training gaps, and challenges with interprofessional teamwork. In terms of training development,
focus group participants suggested continuous training for all medical providers working in the PACU led by
local leaders.
Discussion: This study identified the need and desirability of continuous trainings in the PACU. Key components
include objective skills assessment, simulation-based scenarios, and interprofessional teamwork. Training
development should be augmented by increases in resources, staffing, and training opportunities in collaboration
with the Uganda Ministry of Health.
of under-five mortality in Uganda. Given that most early child deaths are treatable with timely interventions,
emergency units dedicated to paediatric populations have been established in the country. In light of recent
developments, the department of paediatrics at Makerere University requested a needs assessment in the paediatric
acute care unit (PACU) at Mulago National Referral Hospital, which could guide the development of a
new training curriculum for medical providers.
Methods: We administered a survey for medical providers working in the PACU at Mulago Hospital, which
assessed their self-rated comfort levels with paediatric assessment, treatment, and teamwork skills. We also
conducted focus groups with a smaller subset of medical providers to understand barriers and facilitators to
paediatric emergency and critical care.
Results: Of 35 paediatric assessment, treatment, and teamwork skills, 29 (83%) questions had the median comfort
rating of 6 or 7 on a 7-point Likert scale. The remaining 6 (17%) skills had a median comfort rating of 5 or lower.
Focus groups identified a number of major barriers to caring for critically ill children, including limited resources
and staffing, training gaps, and challenges with interprofessional teamwork. In terms of training development,
focus group participants suggested continuous training for all medical providers working in the PACU led by
local leaders.
Discussion: This study identified the need and desirability of continuous trainings in the PACU. Key components
include objective skills assessment, simulation-based scenarios, and interprofessional teamwork. Training
development should be augmented by increases in resources, staffing, and training opportunities in collaboration
with the Uganda Ministry of Health.
Creator
Boyoung Ahn , Ezekiel Mupere , Bel´en Irarr´azaval , Robert O. Opoka ,
Hellen Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa , Corey B. Bills , Dorothy Gingo , Nicolaus W. Glom
Hellen Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa , Corey B. Bills , Dorothy Gingo , Nicolaus W. Glom
Source
www.elsevier.com/locate/afjem
Publisher
ELSAVIER
Date
7 March 2021
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Citation
Boyoung Ahn , Ezekiel Mupere , Bel´en Irarr´azaval , Robert O. Opoka ,
Hellen Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa , Corey B. Bills , Dorothy Gingo , Nicolaus W. Glom, “Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 2 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Qualitative needs assessment for paediatric emergency care in Kampala, Uganda,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 4, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2631.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Qualitative needs assessment for paediatric emergency care in Kampala, Uganda,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 4, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2631.