About the Authors

Maxwell Ateni Assibi

Roles Conceptualization

assibimaxwell93@gmail.com

Affiliation Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, University for Development Studies

Bruce Ayabilla Abugri

Roles Writing – review & editing

Affiliation Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, University for Development Studies

Patience Afua Adwaapa Karikari

Roles Writing – review & editing

Affiliation Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, University for Development Studies

Shamsu-Deen Ziblim

Roles Supervision

Affiliation Department of Population and Reproductive Health, school of Public Health, University for Development Studies

Victor Mogre

Roles Supervision

Affiliation Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, University for Development Studies

Competing Interests

I have read the journal’s policy, and on behalf of all authors, I confirm that the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests to declare: We recognize the importance of transparency in disclosing any potential competing interests that may influence the conduct or reporting of research. This manuscript—titled “Exploring Perceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities of UDS Health Professionals’ Students and Faculty Regarding Community-Based Education Programs for Interprofessional Education”—is an independent academic protocol prepared by the authors as part of postgraduate training in health professions education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. The study is entirely self-funded. No grants, donations, or external financial contributions were received from public agencies, commercial enterprises, or private foundations during the development of the protocol. None of the authors have received salaries, honoraria, consultancy fees, or any form of monetary compensation related to this research project. The study has not been commissioned by any institution or third party with vested interest in its outcome. No author holds stock or shares in organizations that may benefit from this research, nor do any of the authors serve as board members, officers, or employees of such institutions. None of the authors are engaged in lobbying, advocacy, or advisory roles in organizations that support or oppose community-based education (CBE) or interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives. Regarding non-financial competing interests: none of the authors are aware of any personal, political, academic, or intellectual interests that could be perceived to affect the neutrality, objectivity, or integrity of the work presented. Though some authors are affiliated with departments responsible for implementing the COBES and TTFPP programs at UDS, this research is conducted independently with no direct influence from administrative authorities. Measures will be taken throughout the research process to mitigate potential bias, including triangulation, member checking, peer debriefing, and researcher reflexivity practices. The corresponding author, Maxwell Ateni Assibi, is a final-year Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) student conducting this research as part of the thesis requirement under faculty supervision. The faculty co-authors involved in this work contributed in their capacity as academic advisors and reviewers of the protocol and are not in positions of administrative power over program policy or student assessments related to COBES or TTFPP. The research has received no material support or endorsements from governmental health departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or donor agencies involved in healthcare or higher education policy within Ghana or abroad. Neither the study’s conception, methodology, nor expected dissemination is intended to promote the interests of any particular stakeholder or institutional agenda. Furthermore, there are no pending patents, patent applications, or proprietary technologies arising from this study. The protocol does not involve testing or evaluation of any medical products, interventions, or services that could result in commercial gain or product development. All authors have agreed to the contents of this statement and confirm that they have nothing to hide that could constitute a financial or non-financial competing interest in relation to the content of this manuscript. Should any future conflict of interest arise during the study execution or publication phase, the authors pledge to immediately notify the journal editorial team and update the disclosure accordingly. In conclusion, the authors have declared that no competing interests exist, financial or otherwise, that could be perceived to influence this study. This declaration is made in good faith and in alignment with the PLOS ONE editorial and ethical standards for responsible conduct of research.