Physiology

Permanent URI for this community

http://41.93.62.172:4000/handle/123456789/145

Browse

Browsing Physiology by Subject "Afya Bora"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The afya bora fellowship in global health leadership: dual mentorship to strengthen the next generation of African health leaders
    (Annals of Global Health, 2015-02) Mashalla, Yohana J.
    Program/Project Purpose Mentorship is critical to develop effective leaders. The Afya Bora Fellowship in Global Health Leadership program, a consortium of four African and four U.S. universities formed in 2008, has incorporated a robust dual mentorship component into its training of over 70 fellows. Each Fellow was assigned two mentors to guide professional growth over the fellowship period. Here, we evaluate 39 Fellows’ experiences with their mentors between 2012 and 2014, and identify how these relationships prepare Fellows to lead major health programs in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Structure/Method/Design As part of their 12-month training, Afya Bora Fellows participate in two 4.5 month experiential learning attachments in the African countries. The attachments take place at pre-accredited “attachment sites”, which include governmental (Ministries of Health) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Fellows were assigned a Primary Mentor, who is an academic member of the Fellowship Working Group, and a Site Mentor, who is a senior supervisor at the Fellow's attachment site. Mentors assist in providing support to each Fellow to achieve Fellowship objectives and personal goals, and to gain insight into the realities of building a successful career. Evaluations from the Fellows on both mentors were collected once after the first attachment site rotation (January) and again after the second rotation (June). Outcomes & Evaluation Content analysis of Fellow interview and journal data showed Fellows were positively impacted by their relationships with mentors. Key domains of mentor influence included relationship attributes (“friendship and support”), scientific knowledge and skills (“teaching/guiding me on how to conduct official research”), provision of feedback (“he gives constructive feedback to my work every time we meet”), career or other guidance (“she advised me to apply for a job...luckily I was taken for that position”), and professionalism (“keeps his word and time despite busy schedule”). Fellows reported some differences between Site and Primary Mentors. Primary Mentors were better able to provide emotional support for professional issues (“discussed culture shock/adjustment”) and encouragement for Fellows to go outside their comfort zone (“urged me to work tall and take up distinctive tasks...without fear/hesitation”). Site Mentors were better able to serve as an advocate for attachment site assignments (“prepared the ground for orientation, information, and technical assistance from her and other staff”). Going Forward Dual mentorship can provide a rich range of complementary skills and expertise that is valuable to Fellows, including modeling professional behaviors and teaching specific skills. This aspect of the Afya Bora Fellowship is of great value to participants and will continue for future cohorts. Funding The President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, Office of AIDS Research, and US Health Resources and Services Administration
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Afya Bora Fellowship: an innovative program focused on creating an interprofessional network of leaders in Global Health.
    (Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2017-09) Mashalla, Yohana J.
    Problem: Most current health professions education programs are focused on the development of clinical skills. As a result, they may not address the complex and interconnected nature of global health. Trainees require relevant clinical, programmatic, and leadership skills to meet the challenges of practicing in an increasingly globalized environment. Approach: To develop health care leaders within sub-Saharan Africa, the Afya Bora Consortium developed a one-year fellowship for medical doctors and nurses. Fellows from nine institutions in the United States and sub-Saharan Africa participate in 12 learning modules focused on leadership development and program management. Classroom-based training is augmented with an experiential apprenticeship component. Outcomes: Since 2011, 100 fellows have graduated from the program. During their apprenticeships, fellows developed projects beneficial to their development and to host organizations. The program has developed fellows’ skills in leadership, lent expertise to local organizations, and built knowledge in local contexts. Most fellows have returned to their countries of origin, thus building local capacity. U.S.-based fellows examine global health challenges from regional perspectives and learn from sub-Saharan African experts and peers. Next Steps: The Consortium provides ongoing support to alumni through career development awards and alumni network engagement with current and past fellow cohorts. The Consortium expanded from its initial network of five countries to six and continues to seek opportunities for geographical and institutional expansion.