Assessment of Community-Based Experience and Service in Medical School Education: A Study in Akyemansa District, Ghana

Abstract

Community-Based Experience and Service (COBES) as a pedagogical approach in medical school education exposes students to the primary health care needs of rural and underprivileged communities and further provides students with a first-hand experience of medical practice in these areas. This study assessed the contribution of COBES to the health needs of rural communities, the perception of students on the perceived usefulness of COBES as an instructional method to their medical education as well as the perception of faculty members on whether the COBES is meeting its set goals. The research employed a mixed-method approach and a cross-sectional research design where purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select study participants. To elicit respondents’ opinions, a questionnaire, semi-structured interview guide, and focus group discussion guide were used. From the perspectives of community leaders, the COBES programme provides them with easy access to health care services, social amenities and quality health education. The majority of students perceived COBES to be essential to their training because it exposed them to healthcare practice within rural areas. From the perspective of the lecturers, the COBES aim of providing practical knowledge on theoretical concepts taught in the classroom and helping community members in obtaining health education and prompt treatment for their diseases is being realised. The study recommended that, owing to the positive impact of the COBES programme on healthcare delivery, it should be therefore scaled up to cover more deprived communities in the country. It was further recommended that provisions should be made by the University to ensure that students are present at COBES centres throughout the year to positively deliver health care.