Education and Training Adaptations for Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Lessons Learned and Innovations

International Partnerships in Health Education: Adapting E-Learning Models for Conflict-Affected Myanmar

BACKGROUND

In the wake of Myanmar's 2021 military coup, the University of Parma, in partnership with Myanmar and Brazilian institutions, developed an asynchronous e-learning program to sustain healthcare education amid severe disruptions. The program aimed to address urgent training needs in emergency medicine, public health management, and mental health, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals.

METHODS

An educational needs assessment involving 298 surveys and 10 interviews identified training priorities. Based on these findings, a four-module e-learning course was created, covering basic life support, trauma care, pediatric emergencies, and psychological assistance. The course utilized prerecorded high-fidelity telesimulations with multilingual support to ensure accessibility. Evaluation included participant satisfaction using the MSSE questionnaire and knowledge acquisition through post-module quizzes.

RESULTS

Over 750 students participated, with significant knowledge acquisition observed-60% scored 8 or higher across all modules. The MSSE questionnaire, completed by 152 students, revealed high satisfaction, with 88% agreeing that the course enhanced clinical reasoning, decision-making, and self-reflection Conclusions: This program demonstrates the value of international partnerships and e-learning in sustaining medical education during crises. High student engagement and strong learning outcomes affirm its efficacy. Future iterations will aim to improve completion rates, refine feedback mechanisms, and expand accessibility. This scalable model offers a blueprint for addressing healthcare training needs in conflict-affected and resource-limited settings, contributing to global health resilience and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

The effect of WhatsApp-based training on nurses' genetic knowledge levels and awareness in Turkey: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Genetics plays an important role in healthcare, and it is crucial for nurses to have a good understanding of this field. However, studies have shown that nurses often lack genetic knowledge and awareness. Furthermore, innovative educational approaches, such as WhatsApp-based education, have been proposed to address this knowledge gap, unlike traditional educational methods. These approaches use technology and interactive platforms to engage nurses in dynamic and immersive learning experiences.

AIM

This study aimed to examine the impact of WhatsApp-based training on nurses' genetic knowledge levels and awareness.

METHOD

A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design was used. A total of 121 registered nurses participated in a WhatsApp-based training program comprising presentations on genetic issues. Data were collected using Genetics and Genomics in Nursing Practice Survey. Values, means, percentage frequency distributions, and paired-sample t-tests were used.

RESULTS

In the pre-training period, the mean knowledge score of the nurse group was found to be 3.31 ± 1.30 in the pre-training period and 9.58 ± 1.73 in the post-training period. The applied WhatsApp-based training was found to have an effect size of 0.752 on the GGNPS (Genetics and Genomics in Nursing Practice Survey) knowledge score of the sample group (F = 374.882, p = 0.000). In the post-training period, there were significant increases in all the GGNPS items.

CONCLUSION

WhatsApp-based educational programs have the potential to improve nurses' genetic knowledge and awareness. To fulfill the expanding needs of the nursing profession and to enhance patient care outcomes, this study emphasizes the importance of incorporating innovative educational tools into nursing education.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical care and patient-focused outcomes of advanced nursing practice: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted advanced practice nurses' practice and posed great challenges in patient care delivery.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of advanced practice nurses in mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Methods A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted March 2021 and January 2022. Advanced practice nurses were invited to participate in an online survey. The questionnaire described the socio-demographic characteristics, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on advanced nursing practice, patient outcomes, education needs about COVID-19, and the challenges, support, and concerns related to the advanced practice nurse practice during the pandemic. Wilcoxon signed-rank test or McNemar test were applied to measure the practice of APNs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Respondents (N = 336) were from mainland China (n = 234) and Hong Kong SAR (n = 102). Participants reported increased practice-related workload during the pandemic. The proportions of advanced practice nurses focused on disease prevention (36.9%) and psychosocial well-being (15.5%) for patient-focused outcomes during the pandemic were higher compared to before the pandemic. Key challenges and concerns during the pandemic included heavy workloads and health concerns for themselves and their families. Despite difficulties, there were reports of positive changes since the outbreak including implementation of innovative measures to facilitate the advanced practice nursing and education about COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

The study findings highlight that advanced practice nurses' work and responsibilities have changed in response to the pandemic. Providing education about COVID-19, innovative measures to facilitate advanced practice nursing, and understanding advanced practice nurses' concerns and challenges in providing patient care may inform future developments for improving their professional practice.

The impact of the massive open online course C19_SPACE during the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical knowledge enhancement: a study among medical doctors and nurses

PURPOSE

During the initial phase of the pandemic, healthcare professionals faced difficulties due to the limited availability of comprehensive learning resources on managing patients affected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 Skills Preparation Course (C19_SPACE) was tailored to meet the overwhelming demand for specialized training. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and impact of this program on enhancing clinical knowledge and to identify factors affecting this improvement.

METHODS

As part of the project, data were collected prospectively to measure the baseline knowledge. After the descriptive statistics, multiple and multivariate logistic regression models were executed to identify the factors associated with knowledge increase.

RESULTS

The final sample included 3140 medical doctors (MDs) and 3090 nurses (RNs). For the primary analysis, the mean value of the baseline knowledge test score of MDs was 62.41 (standard deviation, SD = 13.48), and it significantly (p < 0.001) increased to 84.65 (SD = 11.95). Factors influencing overall knowledge scores were female sex (AOR = 1.34 [1.04-1.73]), being a specialist qualified for intensive care medicine (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 0.56, [0.33-0.96]), and performance on the pre-test (AOR = 0.91, [0.90-0.92]). As for the RNs, the mean value of the total knowledge score was 63.25 (SD = 13.53), which significantly (p < 0.001) increased to 81.51 (SD = 14.21). Factor associated with knowledge was performance on the pre-test (AOR = 0.92 [0.92-0.93]).

CONCLUSIONS

C19_SPACE effectively increased the clinical knowledge of doctors and nurses. The effect was more pronounced in the program's target group of healthcare workers with less experience in the intensive care unit (ICU). Other factors associated with knowledge enhancement were sex and being a specialist in intensive care.

Healthcare professionals' perceptions of challenges in vaccine communication and training needs: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) can play an important role in encouraging patients and their caregivers to be vaccinated. The objective of this qualitative study was to investigate HCPs' perspectives on challenges in vaccine communication and unmet training needs in this domain.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 HCPs (mainly nurses and physicians) with vaccination roles (23 in England; 18 in France), gathering information on: (1) HCPs' approach to vaccine conversations with patients; (2) Challenges of communicating about vaccines; (3) Vaccine-related training and learning resources available to HCPs, and; (4) HCPs' training needs around vaccine communication.

RESULTS

HCPs described a range of communication experiences that indicated insufficient time, information, and skills to confidently navigate difficult conversations with vaccine-hesitant patients. Communication skills were especially important to avoid conflict that could potentially damage the patient-provider relationship. Some HCPs interviewed had received communication training, but for most, this training was not specific to vaccination. Although general communication skills were transferable to vaccine conversations, most HCPs welcomed specific training and informational resources to support countering patients' misconceptions or misinformation about vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

HCPs would benefit from training tailored to address vaccine communication with patients, and this should be part of a systemic approach that also provides time and space to have effective vaccine conversations.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Teaching Personal Protective Equipment Skills: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Training on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for infection prevention among health care workers. Traditional methods, such as face-to-face and video-based training, can strain resources and present challenges.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of 360° virtual reality (VR) training for PPE donning and doffing compared with face-to-face and video training in enhancing the PPE use skills of prospective health care practitioners.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A blinded, prospective, and randomized noninferiority clinical trial was conducted from August to December 2021 at Teikyo University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, with a mixed population of medical students. Participants were second- to fourth-year medicine, medical technology, or pharmacy students aged 20 years or older with no prior PPE training. Participants were randomized into 1 of 3 training groups (VR, face-to-face, or video) based on their enrollment order. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

Intervention

A 30-minute lecture on PPE procedures was delivered to all participants before the training. After the lecture, the VR group trained with an immersive 360° VR tool, the face-to-face group trained with actual PPE, and the video group trained by watching video footage on a computer and a projector. After 3 days, a standardized practical skills test was administered.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the mean score on a 20-point practical skills test, and the secondary outcome was the percentage of correct execution.

Results

A total of 91 participants were recruited and randomized into 3 groups: VR (n = 30), face-to-face (n = 30), and video (n = 31) training. After excluding 1 participant due to illness, 90 participants (mean [SD] age, 24.2 [3.15] years; 54 males [60.0%]) completed the assessment. The mean (SD) scores were 17.70 (2.10) points for the VR group, 17.57 (2.45) points for the face-to-face group, and 15.87 (2.90) points for the video group. The VR group demonstrated no significant difference in performance from the face-to-face group. However, the VR group had significantly higher effectiveness than the video group (17.70 vs 15.87 points; P = .02).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this trial indicate that VR training was as effective as face-to-face training in enhancing PPE donning and doffing skills and was superior to video training. The findings suggest that VR training is a viable resource-conserving training option.

Trial Registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: jRCT103021029.

Global pandemic preparedness: learning from the COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed unprecedented vaccine innovation, revealing critical shortcomings in achieving equitable vaccine access and underscoring the need for a focused review of the lessons learned to inform future pandemic preparedness, with emphasis on vaccine delivery, equity, and challenges in LMICs.

AREAS COVERED

We critically analyzed the pandemic vaccine development and distribution journey and the operational mechanisms that facilitated these achievements. For this purpose, we primarily searched pandemic vaccine stakeholder websites, reports, and publications. The analysis extends beyond the scientific narrative to address the 'how' of the process while anchoring the discussion on equity and global health security as fundamental to preparing for future pandemics.

EXPERT OPINION

Drawing on the insights gained from the COVID-19 pandemic, we identify several key challenges requiring immediate attention to fortify preparedness for future pandemics. These are cultivating leadership in the field of vaccinology, guaranteeing equitable global access to diagnostics, therapeutic agents, and vaccines, securing adequate funding for ongoing research and development, ensuring the fair distribution of vaccines, and strategically allocating biomedical manufacturing facilities to ensure a balanced global production capacity. Addressing these challenges is imperative to establish a robust pandemic response framework and mitigate the impact of future global health crises.