Feasibility outcomes from the pilot implementation of a virtual QualityRights training intervention for the East African young psychiatrists' and trainees’ association

Background: Human rights violations against individuals with serious mental illness remain widespread globally due to low awareness and inadequate legal protections. Knowledge and training gaps related to these violations persist in mental healthcare and training. The World Health Organization's QualityRights e-training program was developed to address these issues by promoting human rights-based, recovery-oriented mental health services. In 2023, the East African Young Psychiatrists' and Trainees' Association (EAYPTA) piloted this free e-training initiative, aiming to enhance awareness and advocacy among young psychiatrists. Methods: We present the outcomes of this pilot implementation strategy and of an e-learning intervention; including demand; technical, financial, and operational feasibility; knowledge gain, and engagement. These implementation outcomes were assessed through trends of participants numbers from registration to graduation and feedback from post-training surveys. Results: 87 participants registered for e-training, 24 (27.6 %) of whom graduated after two months. Feedback highlighted that the implementation strategy – virtual access to training content, the content itself, and EAYPTA leadership and course facilitation were adequate and highlights of the QualityRights intervention. The intervention was endorsed as a source of knowledge gain. Fidelity of the implementation strategy was completed at 100 %. Barriers to training included work- and home-related responsibilities. Conclusion: Findings from this pilot implementation underscore the feasibility of integrating short-term, cost-effective training into professional development and association frameworks. Future strategy efforts should focus on increasing participation, scaling up to more professional associations, and integration within professional associations and postgraduate curricula for sustainability.

Duke Scholars

Author Kim Madundo Duke Global Health Institute