Can health professionals learn qualitative evaluation methods on the World Wide Web? A case example

Abstract

The Enhancing Data Utilization Skills through Information Technology (EDUSIT) project trained Maternal and Child Health professionals to collect, analyze and interpret data via a year-long web-based course. The overall goal of the project was to strengthen the technology and analytic skills of the public health workforce. This article describes and analyzes a web-based module for training public health professionals to use qualitative research and evaluation methods that was one of six offered within the EDUSIT project. The qualitative module consisted of six units: overview of qualitative methods, planning qualitative studies, conducting field observations, qualitative interviewing, analyzing qualitative data and presenting qualitative findings. Evaluation results found no statistically significant changes in specific knowledge or beliefs about qualitative methods. However, the change in participants' self-efficacy was statistically significant. Participants' self-reports also showed significant changes in perceived skill levels in 'collecting qualitative data through an interview' and 'analyzing and interpreting qualitative data'. Most participants rated each lesson within the qualitative methods module as valuable, and most found the teaching methods used satisfactory, emphasizing the value of both the didactic teaching and the practical exercises and team project. The most common difficulty reported was finding the time to complete the module requirements while also working full-time. Implications of these findings for web-based teaching of public health professionals are discussed.

Preferred modalities for delivering continuing education to the public health workforce: a scoping review

“…We identified public health training programs delivered in over 11 countries: Australia, 10,16,17 Bolivia, 18 Brazil, 19 Canada, [20][21][22] Greece, 23 the Islamic Republic of Iran, 24 Mexico, 25 Rwanda, 26,27 Uganda, 28 the United Kingdom 29 and the United States of America (USA). [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] One program offered trainings in over 77 countries, 46 and another trained participants in Austria, Lithuania and the Netherlands. 9 Within the past 7 years, 19 of these articles were published.…”

“…The objectives of and the methods used to gather evaluations varied across studies. Approaches to evaluation included surveys; 26,27,38,42,43 pre/post questionnaires; 30,31,33,41 participant completion statistics; 19 interviews; 28,45 and mixed methods (a combination of either focus groups or interviews and surveys or questionnaires with participants). 9,10,[16][17][18][20][21][22][23][24][25]29,32,[34][35][36]39,40,44 Evaluations after participation captured participants' demographic information, subject knowledge before and after training, satisfaction with and post-training use of their newly gained knowledge.…”

Partnering to Meet Training Needs: A Communicable-Disease Continuing Education Course for Public Health Nurses in North Carolina

“…[5][6][7] In North Carolina, 40% of the state's population is considered rural as classified by the U.S. Census 2000. 8 The NCCPHP assessment showed that most North Carolina public health nurses had Internet access at home (79%) or at work (89%), making a computer-based course both practical and feasible.…”

Evaluation strategies for midwifery education linked to digital media and distance delivery technology

“…No differences were found in course grades; however, online students reported that they paced themselves differently (more slowly) and that this often resulted in "rushed assignment." Steckler et al 63 During the pelvic examination, if the student cannot feel the size, shape, or position of the first trimester and/or non-pregnant uterus, the preceptor can assist the student by placing a hand on the patient's abdomen over the uterus and applying firm but gentle pressure. The student is then instructed to place the two vaginal fingers in the lateral fornices to palpate for uterine size.…”