The NOMA track module on nutrition, human rights and governance: Part 2. a transnational curriculum using a human rights-based approach to foster key competencies in nutrition professionals
Date
2016-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: In response to the challenge of the global health needs of the 21st century, four academic institutions in Norway, South Africa and Uganda, each offering a Master’s degree in nutrition, collaboratively developed the NOrwegian MAsters (NOMA) track module on nutrition, human rights and governance, integrating a human rights-based approach into graduate education in nutrition.
Objective: To capture students’ perceptions about the NOMA track module, focusing on the development of key competencies.
Methods. Employing a qualitative approach, 20 (91% response rate) in-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with participating students, voice recorded and transcribed. Through an inductive process, emerging themes were used to compile a code list for content analysis of the transcribed text.
Relevant themes were reported according to the professionals’ roles described by the CanMEDS competency framework.
Results: Participation in the module enhanced key competencies in the students, e.g. communication skills and the adoption of a holistic approach to interaction with people or communities. Their role as collaborator was enhanced by their learning to embrace diversity and cultural differences and similarities. Students had to adapt to different cultures and educational systems. They were inspired to contribute in diverse contexts and act as agents for change in the organisations in which they may work or act as leaders or co-ordinators during interaction with community groups and policy makers. Higher education institutions offering transnational modules should support lecturers to manage the inherent diversity in the classroom as a way of enhancing student performance.
Conclusion: The development of future transprofessional modules will benefit from the inclusion of desirable key competencies as part of the module
outcomes by following a competency by design process.
Description
CITATION: Marais, M. L., McLachlan, M. H. & Eide, W. B. 2016. The NOMA track module on nutrition, human rights and governance: part 2. a transnational curriculum using a human rights-based approach to foster key competencies in nutrition professionals. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 8(2):160-165, doi:10.7196/AJHPE.2016.v8i2.554.
The original publication is available at http://www.ajhpe.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.ajhpe.org.za
Keywords
Curriculum evaluation -- Research, Medical students -- Cape Town (South Africa), Medical students -- Uganda, Medical students -- Norway, Medicine -- Study and teaching (Continuing education)
Citation
Marais, M. L., McLachlan, M. H. & Eide, W. B. 2016. The NOMA track module on nutrition, human rights and governance: part 2. a transnational curriculum using a human rights-based approach to foster key competencies in nutrition professionals. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 8(2):160-165, doi:10.7196/AJHPE.2016.v8i2.554.