Efficacy and acceptability of an acute illness management course delivered to staff and students in Uganda by staff from the UK

Background: Recent reviews report that healthcare professionals have limited training in managing acutely ill patients and that significant gains could be made in low-income countries by focussing on care of the critically ill. We aimed to determine if a UK-developed acute illness management course (AIM) was acceptable to staff and students in a low-income country and if it improved their knowledge.

Methods: A total of 188 students and staff attended one of 8 one-day courses teaching a systematic approach to the recognition, assessment and management of acutely ill patients.

Results: A pre and post course test of knowledge was completed by 146/188 participants (77.7%) with a significant (p<0.001) increase in knowledge post course. Median increases in percentage scores by professional group ranged from 16-24%. A questionnaire about their experiences of the course and their intentions to use the AIM approach was completed by 81/188 participants (43.1%). The course was acceptable and participants indicated a high level of intention to use the approach.

Conclusions: A UK-developed acute illness management course was acceptable in a low-income country and delivered significant increases in knowledge and a high intention to change practice. Future research must focus on understanding the implementation of education into clinical practice.