Usability and Feasibility of an Innovative mLearning Approach for Nurses Providing Option B+ Services in Manica and Sofala Provinces, Mozambique

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

OBJECTIVE

Although the provision of e-learning (EL) training for healthcare workers (HCWs) and provider-to-HCW e-consultation (EC) is considered useful for health outcomes, research on their joint use is limited. This scoping review aimed to create an overview of what is currently known in the literature about the use and implementation of EC and EL by HCWs in LMICs and to answer the question of whether there is evidence of complementarity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scientific databases were searched and peer-reviewed papers were reviewed systematically according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were extracted including the study focus (EC/EL), year of publication, geographical location, target population, target disease(s) under study, type(s) of study outcomes, and article type.

RESULTS

A total of 3051 articles were retrieved and screened for eligibility, of which 96 were kept for analysis. Of these, only 3 addressed both EL and EC; 54 studies addressed EL; and 39 addressed EC. Most studies looked at gain in knowledge/skills usability, efficiency, competence, and satisfaction of HCW, or barriers/challenges to implementation. Descriptive studies focused on the application of EL or EC for targeting specific health conditions. Factors contributing to the success of EC or EL networks were institutional anchoring, multiple partnership, and capacity building of local experts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review found an important gap in the literature in relation to the complementary role of EL and EC for HCWs in LMICs evidenced by outcome measures. There is an important role for national and international academic institutions, learned medical societies, and networks to support regional experts in providing EL and EC for added value that will help the clinical performance of HCWs and improve health outcomes.

Use of eHealth for HIV Medical Education: a Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The complexity of HIV care and its expanding clinical workforce has created a need for new distance learning models to deliver medical education. We conducted a narrative review to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of recent eHealth HIV education interventions supporting HIV healthcare providers.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence from 24 articles revealed that synchronous (real time), asynchronous (any time), and hybrid (combination) models of eHealth education are feasible and acceptable. Only two interventions (one asynchronous, one hybrid) of 19 included in the review utilized a randomized controlled design. Some studies showed improvement in confidence and perceived quality of case management, but few studies were designed to demonstrate impact. Successful eHealth education interventions require a thorough understanding of the target community's capacity and needs. Both synchronous and asynchronous strategies appear acceptable and potentially effective, but more studies are needed to assess impact on knowledge and practices to determine the most effective delivery models.