O'Sullivan Cliona, Kazibwe Herman, Whitehouse Zillah, Blake Catherine
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Department of Physiotherapy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Front Public Health. 2017 Jun 12;5:107. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00107. eCollection 2017.
There is a strong correlation between disability and poverty and it is acknowledged that until disability issues are addressed, the goal of poverty reduction in low-income countries is unlikely to be achieved. Despite the high prevalence of disability in developing countries, there remains a significant shortage of rehabilitation professionals as highlighted by the WHO report, Human resources for Health (2006). The purpose of this project was to develop a collaborative and sustainable partnership to strengthen educational and research capacity in global health, disability, and rehabilitation between two physiotherapy schools; University College Dublin, Ireland, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda. This article aims to describe the approach used and initial project outcomes.
This project involved a bilateral visit to both institutions by two members of staff of respective physiotherapy programs. These visits entailed stakeholder meetings, clinical site visits, and workshops to identify the priorities for the partnership and shape the collaboration going forward. Appreciative inquiry methodology was used during the workshops and the four-dimensional framework for curriculum development was used to guide analysis and underpin findings.
The key priorities identified were (i) development of joint global health learning initiative, (ii) to explore the possibility of postgraduate learning and research opportunities for Ugandan colleagues, and (iii) to develop joint clinical placements. The rationale and context and a plan of action is described.
The project is ambitious and in order to be sustainable, the importance of long-term interinstitutional commitment and further funding cannot be ignored. This work provides a framework for other universities and institutions wishing to undertake similar activities. Such partnerships provide rich learning opportunities for students and health professionals and facilitate a deeper understanding of global health issues, social and cultural health determinants, and development of enhanced professional skills.
残疾与贫困之间存在着紧密的关联，并且人们认识到，在残疾问题得到解决之前，低收入国家的减贫目标不太可能实现。尽管发展中国家残疾人口比例很高，但正如世界卫生组织《卫生人力资源》（2006年）报告所强调的，康复专业人员仍然严重短缺。本项目的目的是建立一种合作性的、可持续的伙伴关系，以加强两所物理治疗学校（爱尔兰都柏林大学学院和乌干达马巴拉科技大学）在全球卫生、残疾与康复方面的教育和研究能力。本文旨在描述所采用的方法和项目初期成果。
本项目涉及两所物理治疗专业的两名工作人员对双方机构进行双边访问。这些访问包括利益相关者会议、临床实地考察和研讨会，以确定伙伴关系的优先事项并规划未来的合作。在研讨会上采用了肯定性探究方法，并使用课程开发的四维框架来指导分析并支持研究结果。
确定的关键优先事项包括：（i）开展联合全球卫生学习倡议；（ii）探索为乌干达同事提供研究生学习和研究机会的可能性；（iii）开展联合临床实习。文中描述了其基本原理、背景和行动计划。
该项目目标宏大，为实现可持续发展，不能忽视长期机构间承诺和进一步资金投入的重要性。这项工作为其他希望开展类似活动的大学和机构提供了一个框架。这种伙伴关系为学生和卫生专业人员提供了丰富的学习机会，有助于更深入地理解全球卫生问题、社会和文化卫生决定因素，并促进专业技能的提升。
