A systems approach to implementation of eLearning in medical education: five MEPI schools' journeys

Yianna Vovides; Selamawit Bedada Chale; Rumbidzayi Gadhula; Masego B Kebaetse; Netsanet Animut Nigussie; Fatima Suleman; Dativa Tibyampansha; Glory Ramadhan Ibrahim; Moshi Ntabaye; Seble Frehywot; Oathokwa Nkomazana

doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000000347

A systems approach to implementation of eLearning in medical education: five MEPI schools' journeys

Acad Med. 2014 Aug;89(8 Suppl):S102-6. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000347.

Authors

Yianna Vovides¹, Selamawit Bedada Chale, Rumbidzayi Gadhula, Masego B Kebaetse, Netsanet Animut Nigussie, Fatima Suleman, Dativa Tibyampansha, Glory Ramadhan Ibrahim, Moshi Ntabaye, Seble Frehywot, Oathokwa Nkomazana

Affiliation

¹ Prof. Vovides is learning design and research specialist, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Ms. Chale is research and communication specialist, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Ms. Gadhula is senior systems administrator, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. Prof. Kebaetse is distance learning specialist, University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana. Mr. Animut Nigussie is assistant program coordinator, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prof. Suleman is associate professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. Ms. Tibyampansha is learning management system specialist, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania. Ms. Ibrahim is learning management system assistant, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania. Prof. Ntabaye is executive director, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania. Dr. Frehywot is associate research professor, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Dr. Nkomazana is associate program director, University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana.

PMID: 25072558
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000347

Abstract

How should eLearning be implemented in resource-constrained settings? The introduction of eLearning at four African medical schools and one school of pharmacy, all part of the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) eLearning Technical Working Group, highlighted the need for five factors essential for successful and sustainable implementation: institutional support; faculty engagement; student engagement; technical expertise; and infrastructure and support systems. All five MEPI schools reported strengthening technical expertise, infrastructure, and support systems; four schools indicated that they were also successful in developing student engagement; and three reported making good progress in building institutional support. Faculty engagement was the one core component that all five schools needed to enhance.

Publication types

Multicenter Study
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Africa South of the Sahara
Computer-Assisted Instruction*
Education, Medical / organization & administration*
Education, Pharmacy / organization & administration*
Humans
Models, Educational
Schools, Medical / organization & administration*
Schools, Pharmacy / organization & administration*
United States