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Family Medicine in Botswana: A Resident's Perspective on the Program's Strengths and Challenges

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Explore the experiences and satisfaction levels of family medicine residents at the University of Botswana. Discover their insights on program improvements and future career paths."

Family medicine is a relatively new field in Botswana, and the University of Botswana (UB) has recently implemented a Family Medicine (FM) residency training program. As with any new program, it's essential to evaluate its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Understanding the experiences of residents is crucial for shaping the future of family medicine in Botswana.

A recent study explored the experiences and satisfaction of family medicine residents at the University of Botswana. Researchers aimed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program, as well as gather suggestions for improvement. The study focused on residents' perspectives on various aspects of the program, including supervision, training, and career prospects.

This analysis delves into the experiences of family medicine residents at UB, highlighting their challenges, satisfactions, and recommendations for program enhancement. By understanding their perspectives, we can gain valuable insights into the development and growth of family medicine in Botswana.

What are the Key Challenges Faced by Residents?

The study revealed that while residents appreciated the diversity of patients and diagnoses they encountered, many were dissatisfied with other aspects of the FM training program. Several key challenges emerged:

Many residents expressed concerns about the program's organization, teaching sessions, and the guidance and mentorship they received. This lack of satisfaction highlights the need for improvements in these areas to enhance the learning experience.

Staff Shortage: Inadequate staffing levels were a major concern, leading to insufficient supervision and mentorship.
Program Organization: Poor organization and coordination of the program created challenges for residents.
Teaching Quality: Some residents felt that the teaching sessions were not as effective as they could be.
Performance Evaluation: Dissatisfaction with how performance was evaluated.

While the study highlighted several challenges, it also identified potential solutions proposed by the residents themselves. These solutions offer valuable insights for improving the FM training program at UB.

Looking Ahead: Improving Family Medicine Training in Botswana

The experiences of family medicine residents at the University of Botswana offer valuable lessons for strengthening the program and advancing family medicine in the country. By addressing the challenges identified and implementing the solutions proposed by residents, the UB FM training program can better prepare future family physicians to meet the healthcare needs of Botswana.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4102/phcfm.v8i1.1098, Alternate LINK

Title: New Family Medicine Residency Training Programme: Residents’ Perspectives From The University Of Botswana

Subject: Family Practice

Journal: African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Publisher: AOSIS

Authors: Deogratias O. Mbuka, Stephane Tshitenge, Vincent Setlhare, Billy Tsima, Ganiyu Adewale, Luise Parsons

Published: 2016-08-31

Everything You Need To Know

What is Family Medicine in Botswana and why is it important?

Family Medicine in Botswana is a relatively new but essential field. The University of Botswana (UB) implemented a Family Medicine (FM) residency training program to address the healthcare needs of the country. It's significance lies in its potential to provide comprehensive and continuous care to individuals and families within their communities. This program aims to train skilled family physicians who can effectively manage a wide range of medical conditions and promote preventive healthcare.

What were some of the main problems identified in the Family Medicine program at the University of Botswana?

The study highlighted several challenges, including staff shortages leading to insufficient supervision, poor program organization, concerns about the quality of teaching sessions, and dissatisfaction with performance evaluation methods. These challenges have implications for the learning experience and overall satisfaction of the residents. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the Family Medicine training program at the University of Botswana.

What is the goal of the Family Medicine residency training program at the University of Botswana, and what career paths are available?

The University of Botswana's Family Medicine residency training program aims to prepare future family physicians to meet the healthcare needs of Botswana. By strengthening the program and addressing the challenges identified by residents, the program can better equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality care to patients and communities across Botswana. Future career paths in Family medicine in Botswana would allow residents to provide comprehensive healthcare services within their communities.

Why is it important to understand the experiences of the family medicine residents at the University of Botswana?

The experiences of family medicine residents at the University of Botswana offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the program. By understanding their perspectives on supervision, training, and career prospects, stakeholders can identify areas for improvement and implement targeted interventions. This will contribute to the ongoing development and growth of family medicine in Botswana, ensuring that it meets the evolving healthcare needs of the population.

What kind of solutions were suggested to improve the Family Medicine program?

The study mentions potential solutions proposed by the residents themselves. These solutions likely involve improvements in program organization, enhanced teaching methods, increased supervision and mentorship, and more effective performance evaluation processes. Implementing these solutions is essential for addressing the challenges faced by residents and creating a more supportive and effective learning environment within the Family Medicine training program at the University of Botswana.