Did an Innovative Approach to Technical Assistance by Nurse Mentors improve PMTCT Standard of Practice among Community Health Extension Workers at Primary Health Care Centres in Ebonyi Nigeria?

Abstract

their experiences. These journal entries were analyzed utilizing a grounded-theory approach to identify major themes and determine the short-term effects of the trip. Content was additionally analyzed for the positive or negative tone with which students described their experiences. To evaluate long-term effects, participants will complete a survey derived from the salient themes of the journal entries. Findings: All participants completed a total of 35 unique journal entries with 667 out of 958 sentences coded (70% coverage). Analysis revealed ten major themes, which we grouped into 3 broad categories: (1) knowledge, (2) attitudes, (3) perceptions. In a majority of the entries (89%), participants reported learning about a breadth of topics including border politics, Native American health, and rural healthcare. 43% of entries described experiences that would impact the participants' future medical career decisions, and 37% noted experiences that improved their clinical knowledge and skills such as patient education and communication. The participants' reflections also revealed more abstract benefits such as becoming aware of privilege within society (40%) and the importance of studying an individual's motivations when evaluating his/her actions (51%). Interpretation: This study suggests that, participation in shortterm service learning trips (<1 week) has a significant impact on medical students' educational development and on how they envision themselves as medical professionals and their role in society. Analysis of survey results will clarify the enduring impact of this experience on the student participant's medical education.