On March 26th, 2021 the Health in Africa working group held their Post-COVID-19 opportunities and need: exploring potential collaboration event. Dr. Elizabeth Devos and Kim Dunleavy led the session. The session focused on what participants had experienced during COVID-19 to research and collaborative partnerships. The session had faculty join from international institutions such as the University of Rwanda to speak about the work that was ongoing in country. University of Rwanda Dr. Nuhu Assuman and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Saghatu shared insights.
The workshop held time for participants to share their personal insights as to what post-COVID collaborative partnerships would look like. The conversation centered around what students in a local and global context would suggest for the future. Ideas such as integrating virtual exchanges and mentorship opportunities was shared. The group discussed how curricula can be better streamlined in the future and be made more accessible. Participants also shared that COVID-19 has allowed for perceptions to shift regarding what changes or improvements would be required in future and current partnerships.
Students that attended the session shared the needs for mental health support for themselves as well as clinicians during this moment in time and the future. They brainstormed about what strategies can and should be taken in these academic and medical training spaces.
Topics for the session also included injury prevention, disability and rehabilitation, low back pain in agricultural workers, medical ethics, and interprofessional education.
- Sports injury prevention & management, exercise – pre and post-COVID
- University of Rwanda Dr. Nuhu Assuman PT, PhD
- University of Cape Town Dr. Theresa Burgess PT, PhD
- University of Florida Dr. Kim Dunleavy, PT, PhD, OCS, FNAP
- Ethical issues related to health professional education during/post COVID
- University of Cape Town Dr. Theresa Burgess PT, PhD
- Interprofessional education in clinical settings
- University of Rwanda Dr. Jean-Baptiste Saghatu PT, PhD
- University of Florida Dr. Kim Dunleavy PT, PhD, OCS, FNAP
- Impact of COVID on health professional education – what have we learned
- University of Rwanda Dr. Nuhu Assuman PT, PhD, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Saghatu, PT, PhD
- University of Cape Town Dr. Theresa Burgess, Heather Talberg MS, PT
- Low back pain/repetitive strain injury management in agricultural and seafood workers
- University of Florida Dr. Kim Dunleavy PT, PhD, OCS, FNAP
Written by: Karen Awura-Adjoa Ronke Coker