Investigating e-Learning's Potential to Strengthen Healthcare Workforces in Developing Nations

*Prof. Muhammad Miah

doi:10.65301/dias.2023.20.1.1

Articles 39th Edition of DTR Apr 2023 – Sep 2023

DOI 10.65301/dias.2023.20.1.1

Investigating e-Learning's Potential to Strengthen Healthcare Workforces in Developing Nations

Authors

PR

*Prof. Muhammad Miah

178 Views

180 Downloads

Published 2023-09-30

Pages 10-19

Abstract

This study examines how e-learning can strengthen the skills of healthcare professionals in developing countries combined with existing and emerging issues, including Covid-19. The objective of the study is to assess the rapid embracement of distance learning facilitated by digital technologies in meeting human resource and training challenges. While this is easier than ever, barriers such as technology constraint, digital literacy or relevance of the content are still common today. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review and analysis of major case studies and success stories. The key elements highlighted in the literature review include institutional support as well as tailored e-learning strategies to increase efficacy. The study seeks to reveal proven initiatives of e-learning post assessment through different case studies which have situated themselves as the leaders by changing healthcare delivery and outcomes. The findings reveal a significant shift towards e-learning for healthcare workforces in developing nations. The results underscore the necessity of a multi-stakeholder partnership to design sustainable e learning interventions aimed at addressing educational access challenges and capacity building as part strengthening the health systems with limited resources.

Keywords

E-learning Healthcare professionals Developing countries Digital technologies Distance learning Capacity building Covid-19 impact Human resource development

References

i. Akmanimpaye, F., & Fakude, L. P. (2015). Attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards e-learning at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa: teaching and learning in health care professions. African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 21(sup-1), 418-433. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC183624
ii. Ardestani, S.F.M, Adibi S., Golshan, A. & Sadeghian, P. (2023). Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of E-Learning in Healthcare: A Fuzzy ANP Study. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jul 16;11(14):2035. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11142035
iii. Aryee, G.F.B., Amoadu, M., Obeng, P. et al. (2024). Effectiveness of eLearning programme for capacity building of healthcare professionals: a systematic review. Human Resources for Health volume 22, Article number: 60, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00924-x
iv. Barteit, S., Guzek, D., Jahn, A., Bärnighausen, T., Jorge, MM., Neuhann, F. (2019). Evaluation of e-learning for medical education in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review, Computers & Education, Volume 145, 103726, ISSN 0360-1315, doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103726. https://www.sciencedirect.com/
v. Barteit, S., Jahn, A., Banda, SS., Bärnighausen, T., Bowa, A., Chileshe, G., Guzek, D., Jorge, MM., Lüders, S., Malunga, G., Neuhann, F. (2019). E-Learning for Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Low-Resource Settings: Viewpoint. J Med Internet Res. 9;21(1):e12449. doi: 10.2196/12449. PMID: 30626565; PMCID: PMC6329426.
vi. Bussotti, E. A., Leite, M. T. M., Alves, A. C. D. C., & Cristensen, K. (2016). Online training for health professionals in three regions of Brazil. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 69, 981-985. https://www.scielo.br/j/reben/a/ZZtxmB9XYT9tKMQH5w4QM8b/?lang=en
vii. Davids, M. R., Halperin, M. L., & Chikte, U. M. E. (2015). Optimising cognitive load and usability to improve the impact of e-learning in medical education. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 7(2), 147-152. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhpe/article/view/128352
viii. Frehywot S, Vovides Y, Talib Z, Mikhail N, Ross H, Wohltjen H, Bedada S, Korhumel K, Koumare AK, Scott J. (2013). E-learning in medical education in resource constrained low- and middle-income countries. Hum Resour Health. 2013 Feb 4;11:4. doi: 10.1186/1478-4491-11-4. PMID: 23379467; PMCID: PMC3584907.
ix. Jarosławski, S. & Saberwal, G. (2014). In eHealth in India today, the nature of work, the challenges and the finances: an interview-based study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2014 Jan 6;14:1. doi: 10.1186/1472-6947-14-1
x. Jensen, L. X., Buhl, A., Hussain, S., Karan, A., Konradsen, F., & Bearman, M. (2023). Digital education for health professionals in India: a scoping review of the research. BMC Medical Education, volume 23, Article number: 561, doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04552-2
xi. Kalega, A. (2020). The Future of E-Learning in Health Care Settings for Developing Countries. HELINA Health Informatics in Africa. Last accessed on November 11, 2024 from https://helinanet.org/index.php/2020/07/31/the-future-of-e-learning-in-health-care-settings-for-developing-countries/
xii. Kiberu, V.M., Scott, R.E. & Mars, M. (2019). Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility–based survey. BMC Health Serv Res 19, 266 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4057-6
xiii. Kiguli-Malwadde, E., Forster, M., Eliaz, A., Celentano, J., Chilembe, E., Couper, ID., Dassah, ET., De Villiers, MR., Gachuno, O., Haruzivishe, C., Khanyola, J., Martin, S., Motlhatlhedi, K., Mubuuke, R., Mteta, KA., Moabi, P., Rodrigues, A., Sears, D., Semitala, F., von Zinkernagel, D., Reid, MJA., Suleman, F. (2023). Comparing in-person, blended and virtual training interventions; a real-world evaluation of HIV capacity building programs in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Jul 24;3(7):e0001654. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001654 PMID:37486898; PMCID: PMC10365303.
xiv. Lawn, S., Zhi, X., & Morello, A. (2017). An integrative review of e-learning in the delivery of self-management support training for health professionals. BMC Medical Education volume 17, Article number: 183, doi: 10.1186/s12909-017-1022-0
xv. Lonescu, A. et al. (2021). A scoping review of the use of e-learning and e-consultation for healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries and their potential complementarity. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Volume 29, Issue 4, April 2022, Pages 713–722, doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab271
xvi. Ruggeri, K., Farrington, C. & Brayne, C. (2013). A Global Model for Effective Use and Evaluation of e-Learning in Health. Telemed J E Health. Apr;19(4):312–321. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2012.0175
xvii. Sagi, MR., Aurobind, G., Chand, P., Ashfak, A., Karthick, C., Kubenthiran, N., Murthy, P., Komaromy, M., Arora, S. (2018). Innovative telementoring for addiction management for remote primary care physicians: A feasibility study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2018 Oct-Dec;60(4):461-466. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_211_18. PMID: 30581211; PMCID: PMC6278210.
xviii. Sayed, S. et al. (2021). Future of e-Learning in Medical Education—Perception, Readiness, and Challenges in a Developing Country. Front. Educ., Volume 6, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.598309
xix. Barteit, S., Jahn, A., Banda, SS., Bärnighausen, T., Bowa, A., Chileshe, G., Guzek, D., Jorge, MM., Lüders, S., Malunga, G., Neuhann, F. (2019). E-Learning for Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Low-Resource Settings.

Download

Download Pdf

How to Cite

*Prof. Muhammad Miah . (2023). Investigating e-Learning's Potential to Strengthen Healthcare Workforces in Developing Nations. DIAS Technology Review, 20(1), 10-19.

About This Journal

DIA

DIAS Technology Review

Published by Journalskart

P-ISSN 0972-9658

✓ Citation copied to clipboard

[1] i. Akmanimpaye, F., & Fakude, L. P. (2015). Attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards e-learning at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa: teaching and learning in health care professions. African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 21(sup-1), 418-433. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC183624

[2] ii. Ardestani, S.F.M, Adibi S., Golshan, A. & Sadeghian, P. (2023). Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of E-Learning in Healthcare: A Fuzzy ANP Study. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jul 16;11(14):2035. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11142035

[3] iii. Aryee, G.F.B., Amoadu, M., Obeng, P. et al. (2024). Effectiveness of eLearning programme for capacity building of healthcare professionals: a systematic review. Human Resources for Health volume 22, Article number: 60, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00924-x

[4] iv. Barteit, S., Guzek, D., Jahn, A., Bärnighausen, T., Jorge, MM., Neuhann, F. (2019). Evaluation of e-learning for medical education in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review, Computers & Education, Volume 145, 103726, ISSN 0360-1315, doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103726. https://www.sciencedirect.com/

[5] v. Barteit, S., Jahn, A., Banda, SS., Bärnighausen, T., Bowa, A., Chileshe, G., Guzek, D., Jorge, MM., Lüders, S., Malunga, G., Neuhann, F. (2019). E-Learning for Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Low-Resource Settings: Viewpoint. J Med Internet Res. 9;21(1):e12449. doi: 10.2196/12449. PMID: 30626565; PMCID: PMC6329426.

[6] vi. Bussotti, E. A., Leite, M. T. M., Alves, A. C. D. C., & Cristensen, K. (2016). Online training for health professionals in three regions of Brazil. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 69, 981-985. https://www.scielo.br/j/reben/a/ZZtxmB9XYT9tKMQH5w4QM8b/?lang=en

[7] vii. Davids, M. R., Halperin, M. L., & Chikte, U. M. E. (2015). Optimising cognitive load and usability to improve the impact of e-learning in medical education. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 7(2), 147-152. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhpe/article/view/128352

[8] viii. Frehywot S, Vovides Y, Talib Z, Mikhail N, Ross H, Wohltjen H, Bedada S, Korhumel K, Koumare AK, Scott J. (2013). E-learning in medical education in resource constrained low- and middle-income countries. Hum Resour Health. 2013 Feb 4;11:4. doi: 10.1186/1478-4491-11-4. PMID: 23379467; PMCID: PMC3584907.

[9] ix. Jarosławski, S. & Saberwal, G. (2014). In eHealth in India today, the nature of work, the challenges and the finances: an interview-based study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2014 Jan 6;14:1. doi: 10.1186/1472-6947-14-1

[10] x. Jensen, L. X., Buhl, A., Hussain, S., Karan, A., Konradsen, F., & Bearman, M. (2023). Digital education for health professionals in India: a scoping review of the research. BMC Medical Education, volume 23, Article number: 561, doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04552-2

[11] xi. Kalega, A. (2020). The Future of E-Learning in Health Care Settings for Developing Countries. HELINA Health Informatics in Africa. Last accessed on November 11, 2024 from https://helinanet.org/index.php/2020/07/31/the-future-of-e-learning-in-health-care-settings-for-developing-countries/

[12] xii. Kiberu, V.M., Scott, R.E. & Mars, M. (2019). Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility–based survey. BMC Health Serv Res 19, 266 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4057-6

[13] xiii. Kiguli-Malwadde, E., Forster, M., Eliaz, A., Celentano, J., Chilembe, E., Couper, ID., Dassah, ET., De Villiers, MR., Gachuno, O., Haruzivishe, C., Khanyola, J., Martin, S., Motlhatlhedi, K., Mubuuke, R., Mteta, KA., Moabi, P., Rodrigues, A., Sears, D., Semitala, F., von Zinkernagel, D., Reid, MJA., Suleman, F. (2023). Comparing in-person, blended and virtual training interventions; a real-world evaluation of HIV capacity building programs in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Jul 24;3(7):e0001654. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001654 PMID:37486898; PMCID: PMC10365303.

[14] xiv. Lawn, S., Zhi, X., & Morello, A. (2017). An integrative review of e-learning in the delivery of self-management support training for health professionals. BMC Medical Education volume 17, Article number: 183, doi: 10.1186/s12909-017-1022-0

[15] xv. Lonescu, A. et al. (2021). A scoping review of the use of e-learning and e-consultation for healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries and their potential complementarity. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Volume 29, Issue 4, April 2022, Pages 713–722, doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab271

[16] xvi. Ruggeri, K., Farrington, C. & Brayne, C. (2013). A Global Model for Effective Use and Evaluation of e-Learning in Health. Telemed J E Health. Apr;19(4):312–321. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2012.0175

[17] xvii. Sagi, MR., Aurobind, G., Chand, P., Ashfak, A., Karthick, C., Kubenthiran, N., Murthy, P., Komaromy, M., Arora, S. (2018). Innovative telementoring for addiction management for remote primary care physicians: A feasibility study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2018 Oct-Dec;60(4):461-466. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_211_18. PMID: 30581211; PMCID: PMC6278210.

[18] xviii. Sayed, S. et al. (2021). Future of e-Learning in Medical Education—Perception, Readiness, and Challenges in a Developing Country. Front. Educ., Volume 6, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.598309

[19] xix. Barteit, S., Jahn, A., Banda, SS., Bärnighausen, T., Bowa, A., Chileshe, G., Guzek, D., Jorge, MM., Lüders, S., Malunga, G., Neuhann, F. (2019). E-Learning for Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Low-Resource Settings.