Building the next generation of Clinical Instructors across East Africa.

June 26, 2026 Clinical Physiotherapist Instructor Course

Martin Dagala, PT, Clinical Coordinator in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at AMREF International University, shares practical clinical teaching strategies with participants during the CPTI training course in Nairobi.

Forty-one physiotherapy practitioners and academics from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania recently completed the Clinical Physiotherapist Instructor (CPTI) course in Nairobi, gaining practical tools to strengthen clinical teaching in their workplaces and communities.

The training marked the completion of the fifth and sixth CPTI cohorts. Each cohort participated in an intensive two-day, 16-hour course.  The same team of instructors and teachers-in-training supported both groups, helping provide a consistent and collaborative learning experience.

The course brought together clinical and academic professionals committed to preparing the next generation of physiotherapists to be exceptional clinical instructors. Two nursing professionals also attended as observers, reflecting the broader relevance of the clinical teaching methods presented.

The training was hosted and fully supported by AMREF International University, which generously provided the venue, course materials, and catering for all participants at no cost. The event was coordinated by Martin Dagala, PT, Clinical Coordinator in AMIU’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, whose organization and attention to detail helped ensure that both sessions ran smoothly.

The CPTI courses are facilitated by Jenn Bell, PhD, PT, Emmah Njuguna, PT, and Melissa Wolff-Burke, EdD, PT. They are joined by five physiotherapists from Kenya and Uganda who are preparing to lead future CPTI courses, an important step toward expanding the program’s reach and sustainability in East Africa.

After completing the CPTI course, participants received certificates from the Physiotherapy Council of Kenya. They now return to their institutions with new strategies for mentoring students, supporting clinical learning, and creating more effective educational experiences.

Through regional collaboration and the development of local course leaders, CPTI continues to strengthen physiotherapy education across East Africa—one clinical educator at a time.