Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42343312›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2026

Impact of the micro-research model on building research capacity in undergraduate health professions students in HIV-related research: a comprehensive evaluation using the RE-AIM framework.

Godfrey Zari Rukundo, Peace Kellen, Christine K Karungi, Edith K Wakida, Edward Kumakech, Samuel Maling, Jane Kabami, Samantha Mary, Jastine Gutu, Jenipher Asasira and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Godfrey Zari RukundoDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. grukundo@must.ac.ug.
Peace KellenMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Christine K KarungiMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Edith K WakidaMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Edward KumakechDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.
Samuel MalingMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Jane KabamiDepartment of Nursing Science, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale, Uganda.
Samantha MaryMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Jastine GutuMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Jenipher AsasiraMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Moses OcanDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Jessica E HabererDepartment of Medicine, Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Elialilia S OkelloMwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Celestino ObuaMbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.

Funding

Health-professional Education Partnership Initiative - Transforming Ugandan Institutions Training Against HIV/AIDS (HEPI-TUITAH)R25TW011210 · FIC · MBARARA UNIVERSITY/SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY · PI OBUA, CELESTINO · 2018 to 2022
$3.3M
FIC NIH HHS R25 TW011210FIC NIH HHS R25TW011210
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLow-income settings such as Uganda bear a disproportionately high burden of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, but contribute little to knowledge production to address their health challenges. The training of health professionals traditionally focuses on clinical skills with less emphasis on research; yet, in practice, health professionals are expected to do operational research. In this study, we evaluate the impact of a micro-research model on building the capacity of undergraduate health professions students to conduct locally relevant biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and operations research on HIV and its co-morbidities.

methodsThis study was within the Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative - Transforming Ugandan Institutions Training Against HIV/AIDS (HEPI-TUITAH; 2018-2024), using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. We collected quantitative data on sociodemographic, number of trainings, concepts and written manuscripts. Thereafter, we conducted in-depth interviews and analyzed them using a thematic content approach. We used the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework to evaluate the impact (number trainings, protocols written, manuscripts written, publications, and change in attitudes) of the HEPI-TUITAH micro-research model.

resultsOf the 24 participants that were interviewed, 15 (62.5%) were male, aged 24-63 years (mean age, 35.3 years). Despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 risk management measures, 41 (57%) out of the expected 72 manuscripts were published. Most participants expressed satisfaction with the recruitment process and the opportunities provided by the program. The process was described as transparent, competitive, and inclusive, allowing participation of multiple disciplines within the health professions training domains. The multi-disciplinary approach to team formation enriched the research process by leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise. Our data show that effective mentorship was a key driver of program success, facilitating skill development, fostering strong relationships, and ultimately contributing to the advancement of both mentees and mentors in their academic and professional pursuits. Training and mentorship sessions encompassed proposal development and manuscript writing. There was a general positive outlook regarding the sustainability at participating institutions.

conclusionThe micro-research model is a successful model for building research capacity for undergraduate health professions students. This model is highly recommended for integration into curricula for health professions programs.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchCapacity BuildingEducation, Medical, UndergraduateHealth OccupationsHIV InfectionsStudents, Health OccupationsAdultFemaleHumansMaleUgandaYoung AdultHIV and its co-morbiditiesLow-income settingsOperations researchUndergraduate health professions students

Identifiers

PMID42343312
PMCPMC13551985

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.