Developing a training on disability for healthcare workers in Uganda: a mixed methods study
Authors: Smythe Tracey , Ssemata Andrew Sentoogo , Slivesteri Sande , Mbazzi Femke Bannink , Kuper Hannah 
Published: July 2023

Background

Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide face barriers in accessing inclusive healthcare due to disabilities, leading to worse health outcomes, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is a lack of training of healthcare workers about disability, both globally and in Uganda.

Objectives

To use mixed methods to develop a comprehensive training program with standardised elements for healthcare workers in Uganda, focusing on improving their knowledge, attitudes, and skills in providing care for people with disabilities.

Methods

The Medical Research Council (MRC) approach was employed to guide the development of the training intervention. We conducted an umbrella review to gather relevant literature on disability training for healthcare workers. Interviews were conducted with international experts to gain insights and perspectives on the topic. Additionally, interviews were undertaken with people with disabilities and healthcare workers in Uganda to understand their experiences and needs. A participatory workshop was organised involving key stakeholders, to collaboratively design the training material based on the findings from these data sources.

Results

Eight review articles examined training programs for healthcare workers on disability. Training settings ranged from specialised clinical settings to non-clinical settings, and the duration and evaluation methods of the training varied widely. Lectures and didactic methods were commonly used, often combined with other approaches such as case studies and simulations. The impact of the training was assessed through healthcare worker reports on attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Interviews emphasised the importance of involving people with disabilities in the training and improving communication and understanding between healthcare providers and people with disabilities. Five themes for healthcare worker training on disability were generated through the workshop, including responsibilities and rights, communication, informed consent, accommodation, and referral and connection, which were used to guide the development of the curriculum, training materials and training approach

Conclusions

This study presents a novel approach to develop a training program that aims to enhance healthcare services for people with disabilities in Uganda. The findings offer practical insights for the development of similar programs in LMICs. The effectiveness of the training program will be evaluated through a pilot test, and policy support is crucial for its successful implementation at scale.

Key messages:

Healthcare workers require training to effectively address the health concerns of people with disabilities, yet this is rarely included in curricula worldwide

Uganda recognises the importance of addressing this issue and is taking steps to improve training programs about disability for healthcare workers

We used mixed methods to co-develop a comprehensive training program with standardised elements for healthcare workers in Uganda, focusing on improving their knowledge, attitudes, and skills in providing care for people with disabilities.

The developed training material could be adapted for healthcare workers in other resource-limited settings, and policy support is needed to ensure its implementation at scale