Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development is Monitoring and Evaluating the Effectiveness of e-Learning Implementation in Africa Open Access

Abstract

Background: Africa’s health infrastructure has made strides, but still has many needs. Many regions lack the workforce capacity to meet the high demand of medical and public health needs. Africa is using new strategies and collaborations to address their public health surveillance (PHS) needs.

Methods: This report reviews the e-Learning implementation developed by the Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development (IWD). Using monitoring and evaluation methods, an assessment of the evolution of e-Learning and its impact on public health practice in Africa was completed. The Africa CDC (IWD) strives to use e-Learning as an effective and efficient method to training Africa’s healthcare professionals to improve health needs. An evaluation was conducted on the four e-Learning courses offered through Canvas: (1) Transforming Public Health Surveillance (TPHS); (2) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) (3) Proposal Writing; and (4) Leadership and Management.

Results: Outcomes indicated that the Africa CDC IWD provides strong scientific evidence that e-Learning is an effective method of training health professionals. As health professionals were trained through the learning management system, Canvas, they acquired the necessary skills and competencies to grow in their respective fields. In addition to developing skills, the training program proves to be useful in reducing brain drain within the healthcare community, bridging gaps of global health inequities, and providing a platform for healthcare workers to collaborate and share innovative strategies throughout Africa.

Conclusion: It is recommended that Africa continues to adopt e-Learning methods of training for its healthcare workers to efficiently improve Africa’s health infrastructure and well-being. The Africa CDC IWD should continue its collaboration with the African Union (AU) in implementing its e-Learning training for healthcare professionals, but also expand its efforts to other healthcare professionals and students in public health institutions. Lastly, it is also recommended that the IWD use its successful platform to train similar programs existing in Africa and provide outreach in other public health needs beyond the scope of the four pilot courses offered on Canvas.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Tables and Figures Acronym List

Chapter 1: Introduction............................................................................................ 1

Problem Statement.......................................................................................... 3

Purpose Statement........................................................................................... 3

Research Objective.......................................................................................... 4

Significance Statement.................................................................................... 4

Definition of Terms......................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2: Literature Review.................................................................................. 6

Introduction..................................................................................................... 6

e-Learning (Systems, Advantages, Reviews).................................................. 6

Workforce Capacity...................................................................................... 12

Brain Drain.................................................................................................... 17

Public Health Informatics.............................................................................. 24

Conclusion..................................................................................................... 27

Chapter 3: Methods................................................................................................ 29

Introduction................................................................................................... 29

Study Site...................................................................................................... 30

Population Sample......................................................................................... 30

Research Design............................................................................................ 31

Courses Offered............................................................................................. 31

Instruments.................................................................................................... 33

Plans for Data Analysis................................................................................. 33

Limitations..................................................................................................... 34

Conclusion..................................................................................................... 35

Chapter 4: Results................................................................................................... 36

Introduction................................................................................................... 36

Participation Feedback.................................................................................. 39

Conclusion..................................................................................................... 40

Chapter 5: Discussion............................................................................................. 41

Overview....................................................................................................... 41

Implications................................................................................................... 41

Recommendations......................................................................................... 45

Clinical Community of Practice.................................................................... 47

Field Epidemiology Training........................................................................ 49

Conclusion..................................................................................................... 50

References................................................................................................................ 51

Table of Tables and Figures

Table 1. Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development Course by Time and Component, 2019................................................................................................................................. 37

Table 2. Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development Transforming Public Health Surveillance Course Registration, by Country and Region, 2019................................................................................................................................. 39

Table 3. Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development Courses by Representation, 2019................................................................................................................................... 39

Table 4. Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development Yr-1 Impact to Address Africa’s Health Needs................................................................................................................................. 44

Table 5. Africa CDC Institute for Workforce Development Solutions to Meet e-Learning Needs

........................................................................................................................................................45

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Public Health Education Sub Saharan Africa Studies
Keyword	brain drain e-Learning workforce capacity Public Health Surveillance Africa CDC
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Scott JN McNabb, Emory University

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