Improving interprofessional collaboration: building confidence using a novel HIV curriculum for healthcare workers across sub-Saharan africa

Abstract

The 21st century presents significant global health challenges that necessitate an integrated health workforce capable of delivering person-centered and integrated healthcare services. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) plays a vital role in achieving integration and training an IPC-capable workforce in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has become imperative. This study aims to assess changes in IPC confidence among learners participating in a team-based, case-based HIV training programme across diverse settings in SSA. Additionally, it sought to examine the impact of different course formats (in-person, synchronous virtual, or blended learning) on IPC confidence. Data from 20 institutions across 18 SSA countries were collected between May 1 and December 31, 2021. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate associations between variables of interest and the increases in IPC confidence. The analysis included 3,842 learners; nurses comprised 37.9% (<i>n</i> = 1,172) and physicians 26.7% (<i>n</i> = 825). The majority of learners (67.2%, <i>n</i> = 2,072) were pre-service learners, while 13.0% (<i>n</i> = 401) had graduated within the past year. Factors significantly associated with increased IPC confidence included female gender, physician cadre, completion of graduate training over 12 months ago, and participation in virtual or in-person synchronous workshops (<i>p</i> < .05). The insights from this analysis can inform future curriculum development to strengthen interprofessional healthcare delivery across SSA.