• Damalie Nakanjako, Grace Bamuturaki, Harriet Nambooze, and Nelson Sewankambo.
• Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
• Afr Health Sci. 2022 Aug 1; 22 (Spec Issue): 717971-79.

IntroductionIndividual Development Plan (IDP) is a multi-component career planning worksheet that guides trainees through an iterative self-assessment. This paper provides the first investigation of IDP use and experiences among junior faculty at academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where IDP is seldomly used by trainees.MethodsAn online survey determined the utilization and impact of IDP among junior faculty trainees enrolled on "NURTURE" mentored research program to support career development for faculty at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) between 2016-2020. Responses were received between March and June 2021, a period of intense COVID-19 pandemic in the country.ResultsOf 64 trainees 64(39%) were female and 60/64(98%) developed an IDP during the fellowship period; of whom 45/60(75%) had never been exposed to IDP. Trainees' benefits included intentional thinking about own career goals and support to execute the goals as well as self-management skills of time management and communication, among others.ConclusionIDP was well-received by junior faculty trainees, with several self-management and motivation benefits to the scholars. We recommend that academic programs and faculty at academic institutions in LMIC should consider taking on the IDP approach to promote focused career development for all trainees including junior faculty.© 2022 Nakanjako D et al.

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