Lessons from a community based interdisciplinary learning exposure: benefits for both students and communities in...

Area of Science:

• One Health
• Interdisciplinary Education
• Community Health

Background:

• Makerere University established the One Health Institute (OHI) in 2016.
• Undergraduate students from various disciplines participated in theoretical training and community field attachments.
• The OHI aimed to provide experiential learning in a One Health approach within communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present students' experiences and contributions during their One Health field attachment.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the OHI's experiential learning model.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study employing qualitative data collection.
• Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with students and community members.
• Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and manually analyzed.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated a strong understanding and appreciation of the One Health concept, recognizing the need for cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Students reported significant gains in communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills from the multidisciplinary field attachment.
• Communities acknowledged students' contributions to addressing health issues, including health education and sanitation improvements.

Conclusions:

• The One Health Institute (OHI) effectively equipped students with essential One Health competencies.
• An interdisciplinary university teaching model with field placements enhances critical skills for future health workforces.
• This approach is vital for tackling complex health challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.