Submission ID 118466
| Issue/Objective | Since 2008 MicroResearch (MR) has conducted workshops to train healthcare workers and community advocates to develop and implement local solutions to health and community problems that fit the local culture, context, and resources. MR has taught over 1,600 trainees and helped launch over 150 MR projects in partnership with local community and health institutions. Prior to COVID-19, MR training was done through in-person two-week workshops at local sites with Canadian and local teachers and coaches. Since 2020, most workshops have been done virtually using Zoom with teachers in Canada and coaches and trainees in Africa or Asia. However, the effectiveness of the two formats under these real-world conditions has not been assessed. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of MR workshops with virtual or in-person formats to identify the limitations and remediations may be required for cost-effective training strategies. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We reviewed MR workshop ratings of trainees on workshop quality and internet access. Since trainees experienced only one of the workshop formats, we surveyed MR teachers who had experienced both virtual and in-person workshop formats to rate overall effectiveness on a 10-point scale. Their comments were analyzed independently by the authors to identify themes. Recommendations for improvements to the virtual format will be developed using a Delphi process. |
| Results | Trainees attending 5 in-person and 6 virtual workshops rated them as excellent, 78% (n=117) and 72% (n=167) respectively (p> 0.05). Access to internet by trainees was rated as "less than ideal" by 49% and "poor" by 12%. Teachers (n=7) with experience in both formats rated virtual as 5.83+/- 0.9 vs 9.6 +/- 0.5 for IP (p< 0.001). While virtual workshops were less expensive, the teachers identified several drawbacks: workshop teacher-trainee communication, networking opportunities and IT support. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | With diminishing resources, implementing effective, low-cost reforms to health systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries will be very important. Our study indicates that conducting virtual workshops in LMIC is very well accepted, but several aspects need to be modified to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the workshops: improved interactive teaching and better internet access. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Robert Bortolussi Dalhousie University Bob Bortolussi Dalhousie University Kelly Hunter IWK Healtth Centre |
