Appropriateness of curriculum content in competence based education training programs of nurses and midwives in Uganda

Abstract

Competence-based education (CBE) has been increasingly emphasized in optimising the preparation of healthcare professionals. Uganda like many other countries of the world, has taken considerable strides in implementing CBE training of nurses and midwives. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of professionals regarding appropriateness of the CBE curriculum content in terms of organisation, clarity, relevance and suitability in training programs of nurses and midwives of Uganda. The study was conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH) that recruits the biggest number of trained CBE nurses and midwives. The study used concurrent mixed methods to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from respondents. It used a total sample of 193 professionals comprising of 102 CBE trained participants and 91 Key stakeholders. Findings of this study indicate that the CBE curriculum content used in the training of nurses and midwives was appropriate. However, it was concluded that the CBE curriculum implementation process remains a challenge due to inadequate sensitization of implementers, as well as standardization of the CBE curriculum content implementation process. It was recommended that sensitization and orientation of stakeholders is necessary for adapting the CBE curriculum content in the training of nurses and midwives.