Stakeholder involvement in time table design to achieve curriculum completion school of Orthopaedic Medicine, Uiahms-Mulago, Kampala

Abstract

This study is addressing non curriculum completion at Orthopaedic Medicine School, Uganda Institute of allied Health and Management Science (UIAHMS) - Mulago. From a future workshop that was held with the stakeholders from Orthopaedic Medicine School, non-completion of curriculum was pointed out as a causative factor in the mismanagement of patients in the world of work. The study employed a participatory action research approach to investigate and generate knowledge and solutions in a participatory manner. This involved generating both short term and long term solutions by the stakeholders during the Future workshop. One of the short term solutions that was selected by the stakeholders to be implemented was the involvement of part time tutors in the designing of the class time table as a solution to achieve curriculum completion. Following the stakeholder’s involvement in the designing of time table, it was then implemented and finally the impact of the implemented time table was evaluated. Findings from the evaluation of the study revealed that the ten (10) part time tutors who were involved in the study exhibited improved performance in teaching due to more commitment compared to those that were not involved. However, some tutors also expressed feelings of frustration due to the low and untimely pay of their salaries, lack of adequate office space and not being part of the institution’s regular communication channel while others expressed a need to become full time tutors. The study recommends that motivational strategies to both tutors and students, which would lead to their improved commitment to completing the curriculum, should be explored. Future research should focus on interventions and studies that would not only increase tutor’s presence but would also help them use this time in pedagogical activities so that student achievement is indeed increased. Future research should also include time management, communication, large curriculum content and how these affect curriculum completion.