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Clinical teaching models for the instruction of healthcare trainees in the 21st century: a scoping review
(BMC Medical Education, 2026-06-22) Clement Munguiko; Enos Mirembe Masereka; Joseph Atukwatse; Joseph Smitha; James Kateregga; Clare Nankinga; Alice Alum Collete; Josephine Namujju; Safina Akello; Sylivia Nalubega
Background: In the 21st century, health professions educators are required to adopt
contemporary clinical teaching models that equip trainees with competencies that are responsive
to the evolving healthcare needs of the population. Efforts to standardize clinical competencies
across the globe further demand aligned pedagogical frameworks to guide clinical teaching
across diverse contexts. However, evidence on such remains fragmented and inadequately
synthesized. This study mapped existing evidence on models guiding clinical teaching of
healthcare trainees in the 21st century.
Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guideline. Electronic
database searches were conducted between 1st and 4th January 2026 in CINAHL, PubMed,
Scopus, Cochrane, and Informit to identify articles published from 1st January 2000 to 31st
December 2025. Grey literature searches were conducted in google scholar and ProQuest.
Studies were screened at title, abstract and full text levels, and data were extracted using a
standardized Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction tool. Data was analyzed descriptively and
summarized in a tabular form.
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Results: The search yielded 3,526 records, of which 70 went through full text screening and 26
met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in the United States, with none from
Africa, and involved medical students. Eight clinical teaching models were mapped: i) One
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Minute Preceptor Model (OMP); ii) Summarize, Narrow, Analyze, Probe, Plan, Select
(SNAPPS); iii) Setting foundation, Tutor demonstrating without commentary, Explaining with
repeated demonstration, Practicing under supervision, and Subsequent practice (STEPS); iv)
Meeting, Introduction, In the moment, Inspection, Interruption, Independent thought, Patient
care, Learner’s questions, Attending agenda, and Next steps (MiPLAN); v) Bridge-in,
Objectives, Pre-assessment, Participatory learning, Post-assessment, and Summary (BOPPPS);
vi) Emergency Department Strategies for Teaching Any Time (ED STAT); vii) Reporter
Interpreter-Manager-Educator (RIME); and viii) Aunt Minnie. OMP and SNAPPS were the most
commonly reported models.
Conclusions and recommendations: Although eight clinical teaching models were identified,
supporting evidence remains geographically and methodologically uneven, with no single model
emerging as universally applicable. However, structured teaching, learner engagement,
reflection, feedback, and role modelling consistently appeared across the identified models as
core microteaching skills. Clinical educators and training institutions should strengthen these
competencies through faculty development and context-sensitive application of clinical teaching
models. Future research should prioritize methodologically rigorous and contextually grounded
studies on clinical teaching models, particularly in underrepresented low-resource settings.
Profiling the disease burden in Teso subregion during community-based medical education and research services at Soroti University: a prospective study protocol
(Archives of Public Health, 2026-06-18) Opito Ronald; Amos Odiit; Hellen Akurut; Emmanuel Ayikobua Tiyo; Joash Okoboi; Letizia Maria Atim; Clement Munguiko; Lawrence Obado; Bonniface Oryokot; Fred Kirya; Ruth Muhindo; David Aderu; Patrick Lubogo; Stephen Econyu; Simon Icumar Omeke; Samuel Kabwigu; Amos Deogratius Mwaka
Background: Community-based medical education and research services (COBMERS) place medical students in primary health care facilities to strengthen their skills in community health service delivery, teamwork, leadership and professional ethics within limited-resource settings. Beyond training, COBMERS enables universities to generate evidence on local disease epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and control practices, resulting in a tangible, contextualized impact on the communities. There is however limited data on disease profile in Teso subregion, with limited epidemiological research in the area. This prospective study aims to profile the disease burden in the Teso subregion through COBMERS, thereby informing community-level interventions and health policy. Methods: The study will employ convergent parallel mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative ARTICLE IN PRESS components will include cross-sectional surveys to determine prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ARTICLE IN PRESS infectious diseases, complemented by prospective cohort studies to assess temporal trends. Qualitative data will be gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to explore community perceptions, health system capacity, and effectiveness of preventive measures. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach will guide all phases, ensuring that research is co-designed with community members, health practitioners, and local authorities. Medical students, under the supervision of faculty and site mentors, will serve as primary data collectors, integrating research with their COBMERS training. Discussion: The study is expected to provide evidence on the prevalence, trends, and risk factors of major diseases in the Teso subregion, alongside community perspectives on health priorities and barriers to care. Findings will stir up debates to inform tailored interventions, strengthen primary health care, and guide policy formulation. Additionally, embedding research within COBMERS is expected to build local research capacity among site mentors and students, fostering sustainability and continued community university collaboration. This protocol therefore provides an integrated framework that combines epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, and capacity building. By leveraging COBMERS and CBPR, the study seeks to provide actionable evidence to reduce the burden of NCDs, infectious diseases, and NTDs while promoting health system resilience in ARTICLE IN PRESS Eastern Uganda.
Community perspectives and insights into cancer surveillance, prevention, and research: an engaged participatory approach to cancer epidemiology research in remote areas of Northeastern Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-24) Ronald Opito; Alfred Jatho; Wilber Sabiiti; Hellen Akurut; Emmanuel Othieno; Lawrence Obado Osuwat; Anthony Mugeere; Patrick Igulot; Jackson Orem
Background There is limited research on cancer screening, prevention and treatment in the remote areas of
Northeastern Uganda. Specifically, there is limited research presenting cancer control stakeholder perspectives in
remote settings, whereas stakeholders’ perspectives are critical for an engaged participatory approach to cancer
control. This study therefore aimed to establish the community (patients, caretakers, opinion leaders, health managers
and policy makers) perspectives on cancer surveillance, prevention, treatment and identify priorities for cancer
research in Northeastern Uganda.
Methods This qualitative research was part of a stakeholder’s consultation on cancer research priorities in Northeastern
Uganda for Wellcome Trust research grant application, conducted by a consortium of research partners. Six semi
structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), two focus group discussions (FGDs) and one community dialogue meeting
were conducted between July and August 2025. Thematic data analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes from
the interviews. Findings are presented using the key emergent themes, supporting quotes, and are presented in tables
and text. This study is reported in accordance with Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).
Key Findings There was delayed diagnosis in most cases for cancer patients. After the cancer diagnosis, patients
were referred to Mulago Hospital, approximately 300Km away from their homes for further treatment, with many
hesitations and incapacity to go to Mulago due to many social and economic challenges. There is no stand-alone
cancer surveillance system in the country and currently it depends on health facility data which have lots of
weaknesses including incompleteness and inaccuracy. Health facilities are ill-prepared to respond to the growing
burden of cancers. Priorities for cancer research include epidemiology and etiology of cancer and a focus on
population-based registry for unique populations in Uganda and strengthening cancer surveillance systems.
Conclusion This study highlights the importance of an engaged approach based on Participatory Action Research
theory to identify problems. Through this approach, the research team was able to accurately understand the
research context, identify research issues, and priorities. Priorities for cancer research identified by this study include
epidemiology and etiology of cancer, including the incidence studies and geographical mapping of these cancers,
conducting cancer disease surveillance at the landing site and investigating the contribution of the locally available
foods and environment to cancers.
There is need for community sensitization and screening for cancers in the entire region. Involvement of
community team leaders such as village health teams (VHTs), local council I (LCIs), traditional and church leaders
in cancer surveillance should be encouraged and the community case definitions of common cancers should be
refined and the capacity of the community workers (VHTs) built to detect cancers at community level.
Through this preliminary research, the groundwork for science anchored on the realities of the affected people has
been firmly laid upon which science can build on to solve the problem in a sustainable and equitable way.
Facilitators and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in a Rural District of Northeastern Uganda, a Qualitative Study
(Dove Medical Press Limited, 2026-04-23) Ibra Mutyaba; Hellen Akurut; Racheal Nabaasa; Jonathan Limo; Emmanuel Okupa; Christine Acari Omuke; Ronald Opito
Introduction: Cervical cancer screening in Uganda has remained relatively low, with fewer than one in 10 of eligible women
screened, despite the availability of cervical cancer screening services in most health facilities. The barriers and facilitators of cervical
cancer screening in remote rural settings of Northeastern Uganda like Ngora are not yet well understood. This study therefore aimed to
assess the barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in a remote rural district Ngora,
Northeastern Uganda.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative approach to gather in-depth insight into the barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer
screening. We conducted six focused group discussions (FGDs) (4 females and 2 males) with the community members and nine key
informant interviews (KIIs) with the health workers in Ngora district. The participants for FGDs were chosen through convenient
sampling while those for KIIs were chosen through purposive sampling methods. The interviews were audio-recorded and subse
quently transcribed for analysis. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis techniques to identify significant patterns and themes
related to cervical cancer screening behaviors, while inductive coding was conducted to identify codes and create meaning around the
texts.
Results: The facilitators of cervical cancer screening were active community sensitization, availability of screening services at
designated facilities, supportive national policies, and integration with other health services, while the barriers included myths and
misconceptions about cervical cancer screening, stock-outs of essential commodities for screening, long distances to the health
facilities, limited human resources, and informal costs charged by the health facilities.
Conclusion: Improving cervical cancer screening uptake requires a multi-pronged approach that strengthens health systems,
addresses myths and misinformation, reduces financial and logistical burdens, and mobilizes community support.
Keywords: cervical cancer, facilitators, barriers, community sensitization
Factors associated with modern contraceptive use among sexually active youths attending secondary schools in Mbale City, Uganda
(PLOS, 2025-10-03) Mary Abwola Olwedo; Nelson Bunani
Sexual and reproductive health of youths constitutes a significant public health
challenge because of the high risk for morbidity and mortality. There is low uptake
of modern contraceptives among the sexually active youths despite availability. We
investigated the factors associated with the uptake of modern contraceptives among
youths attending secondary schools in Mbale City. This was a cross-sectional study
that enrolled 2,690 students from six purposively selected high-volume secondary
schools in Mbale City. Data were collected using a validated semi-structured
questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic
regression to identify factors associated with modern contraceptive use. The factors
associated with modern contraceptive were stratified by sex. Statistical significance
was set at 5% confidence level. Out of 2690 participants, 38.0% were sexually active.
The proportion of sexually active participants who had ever used modern contra
ceptives was 60.9%. Factors associated with modern contraceptive use among
male participants were not knowing the fertility days of the female (AOR = 0.49; 95%
CI: 0.32-0.77; p = 0.002) and not receiving health education from a health worker
(AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.30-0.64; p < 0.001). Among females, factors associated with
modern contraceptive use were knowledge of fertility days (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI:
0.18-0.85; p = 0.018), history of abortion (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.02-0.62; p = 0.014),
and receiving health education from a health worker (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.22-0.59;
p < 0.001). Modern contraceptive use was low compared to the national average,
with knowledge of fertility days and health education significantly influencing uptake.
Among males, lack of fertility knowledge and absence of health education were
associated with low use of modern contraceptives. Among females, knowledge of
fertility, history of abortion, and health education were key factors. Strengthening
school-based sexuality education and increasing health worker-led reproductive
health counselling can improve modern contraceptive knowledge and uptake, with
gender-specific interventions needed to address barriers to access and use.