Ayikoru Jackline

By Francis Pebolo Pebalo and Jackline Ayikoru

Episiotomy is one of the most commonly practiced obstetric procedures done to enlarge the diameter of the vulval outlet to facilitate the passage for the fetal head and prevent an uncontrolled tear of the perineal tissues in the second stage of labor. Historically, the procedure was indicated to prevent third- or fourth-degree perineal tears as well as for prolonged second stage, macrosomia, non-reassuring fetal heart rate, instrumental delivery, occiput posterior position, and shoulder dystocia. Routine episiotomy is now considered to be obstetrics violence, rates of not exceeding 10% have been recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this recommendation, episiotomy is still practiced routinely in many settings.

Part of the book: Current Challenges in Childbirth

By Jackline Ayikoru, Akello Harriet, Raymond Otim and Pebolo Francis Pebalo

Globally, midwifery is the safest, most cost-effective, and most satisfying method of birth assistance. This age-old profession embraces the most non-interventionist philosophy that childbirth is a natural and normal process in which the attendant merely assists in the healthy routine progression. Midwifery is commonly assumed to be all about assisting labor and childbirth, but there is more to it than that. This noble profession entails skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate care for childbearing women, newborn infants, and families across the continuum throughout pre-pregnancy, and pre, intra, and postpartum periods. Over decades, midwifery has evolved from being informal and invisible to independent professional practice with major shifts in the scope of practice, gender, economic, and career dynamics concerning the profession. With maternal and child health being at the center of most important developments, the midwife stands out in his/her role as a primary care provider, advocate, and teacher.

Part of the book: Midwifery

By Pebalo Francis Pebolo, Ayikoru Jackline, Maxwell Opwonya, Raymond Otim and Felix Bongomin

The integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in medical education is crucial to meet the evolving needs of the global population and ensure competency among healthcare trainees. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are limited, leveraging advanced ICTs has the potential to revolutionize medical education by promoting student-centred learning through asynchronous and distributed access. The recent introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) = in medical education has transformed learning into a personalized experiences, virtual simulations, and real-time feedback. Our experience with use of simple technology in Uganda serves as a prime example of how innovative technologies are being utilized to enhance medical education in a LMICs setting. Our experience in the implementation of interactive displays in simulation training and the establishment of low-cost content production studio has significantly improved trainings and learnings. By integrating these technologies closer to the learning environment, students can access information before or after interacting with their teachers, engage in higher cognitive activities, and stimulate problem-solving skills. The success of these initiatives demonstrates their potential for adoption to elevate the quality of medical education in LMICs. Embracing ICT in medical training not only bridges educational gaps but also fosters inclusive and equitable access to resources in LMICs.

Part of the book: Advances in Medical Education and Training