MAPPING THE EVOLUTION AND LANDSCAPE OF THE MESAU CONSORTIUM (MEPI Uganda) Presented by Florence Ayebare Makerere University College of Health Sciences MAPPING THE EVOLUTION AND LANDSCAPE OF THE MESAU CONSORTIUM (MEPI Uganda) Presented by Florence Ayebare Makerere University College of Health Sciences

MESAU Consortia Busitema University Gulu University Kampala International University Mbarara University of Science and Technology Makerere University Busitema University Gulu University Kampala International University Mbarara University of Science and Technology Makerere University

Presentation Outline Background of Anthropological study Objectives Methods Preliminary Findings Reflections on Sustainability Intended uses of collected data Background of Anthropological study Objectives Methods Preliminary Findings Reflections on Sustainability Intended uses of collected data

Background Why the consortium approach? Novel approach in implementation of such project An anthropological study to document the progress Why the consortium approach? Novel approach in implementation of such project An anthropological study to document the progress

Objectives Document the evolution of MESAU initiative Examine acceptability and feasibility of consortium in five Medical education settings Examine perceived benefits and influence of consortium to partners and beyond Document the evolution of MESAU initiative Examine acceptability and feasibility of consortium in five Medical education settings Examine perceived benefits and influence of consortium to partners and beyond

Methodology Study design - Longitudinal study utilising anthropological techniques Setting: 5 medical education institutions Other stakeholder institutions: MoH, MoES, Community Study design - Longitudinal study utilising anthropological techniques Setting: 5 medical education institutions Other stakeholder institutions: MoH, MoES, Community

Data Collection Key Informant Interviews – implementers, stake holders Records Review – literature, meeting minutes, work plans, reports Participant Observation of MESAU events and activities Key Informant Interviews – implementers, stake holders Records Review – literature, meeting minutes, work plans, reports Participant Observation of MESAU events and activities

Preliminary Findings Benefits on Leadership/Institutions Enhanced Communication through Networking/Partnership has opened up institutions to new possibilities Stronger partners building capacity of younger/growing institutions Harmonization and cohesion towards common goal much easier “ MESAU has enhanced cohesion within the consortium members, we are more open and can sit and talk together. It has enhanced dialogue” (KII, Gulu University) Enhanced Communication through Networking/Partnership has opened up institutions to new possibilities Stronger partners building capacity of younger/growing institutions Harmonization and cohesion towards common goal much easier “ MESAU has enhanced cohesion within the consortium members, we are more open and can sit and talk together. It has enhanced dialogue” (KII, Gulu University)

Benefits on Institutions Update in medical education curriculum Members of Faculty accessing research grants Innovative ideas spreading across consortium “Trainings have really built on capacity across institutions and there is a diffusion of ideas and innovations across all MESAU partner institutions” (KII, MUST) Update in medical education curriculum Members of Faculty accessing research grants Innovative ideas spreading across consortium “Trainings have really built on capacity across institutions and there is a diffusion of ideas and innovations across all MESAU partner institutions” (KII, MUST)

Preliminary Findings Benefits of MESAU on Students Improvement in the student experience during COBERS Through the skills acquired, students are able to impact communities positively Access to research grants enabling involvement in rigorous research and mentorship Improvement in the student experience during COBERS Through the skills acquired, students are able to impact communities positively Access to research grants enabling involvement in rigorous research and mentorship

Preliminary findings Benefits of MESAU on Policy Ability to constructively interface with policy- makers Strong voice to address of issues of national importance (Busitema) Ability to constructively interface with policy- makers Strong voice to address of issues of national importance (Busitema)

Preliminary Findings Benefit on Communities/Services Communities benefitting due to contributions from Students at COBERS sites More COBERS training sites Graduate tracking Communities benefitting due to contributions from Students at COBERS sites More COBERS training sites Graduate tracking

Challenges Variable Pace and scale of consortium program implementation at institutional level Meaningful investment from policy makers (Resources) At inception, there were initial fears about how this would work and be sustained Variable Pace and scale of consortium program implementation at institutional level Meaningful investment from policy makers (Resources) At inception, there were initial fears about how this would work and be sustained

Reflections on Sustainability Sustainable activities - Curriculum Development - Competency Based curricular for COBERS - Mentorship - Physician tracking Activities that will still require resources to continue: - Consortium Maintenance – How do you keep the momentum going now and beyond the grant? - Training Sustainable activities - Curriculum Development - Competency Based curricular for COBERS - Mentorship - Physician tracking Activities that will still require resources to continue: - Consortium Maintenance – How do you keep the momentum going now and beyond the grant? - Training

How collected data will be utilised Guide Book - towards sustainability by providing a framework for partners Scientific Publication in peer-reviewed journal (such as Academic Medicine, BMC) Policy Brief targeting policy makers Guide Book - towards sustainability by providing a framework for partners Scientific Publication in peer-reviewed journal (such as Academic Medicine, BMC) Policy Brief targeting policy makers

Acknowledgements Study team MESAU administration MESAU partner universities and stakeholders Community Funders – PEPFAR, NIH, OGAC, HRSA,ACHEST, Study team MESAU administration MESAU partner universities and stakeholders Community Funders – PEPFAR, NIH, OGAC, HRSA,ACHEST,

“The key ingredient to progress, to getting ahead, is to leave a foundation behind” Dov Seidman THANK YOU! “The key ingredient to progress, to getting ahead, is to leave a foundation behind” Dov Seidman THANK YOU!