A tele-education framework for continuous medical education in Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Access to quality Continuous Medical Education (CME) remains a challenge to health workers (HWs) working in rural or hard to reach areas, which poses a threat to quality of healthcare. This study therefore sought to understand the current CME practices and challenges among the HWs with the aim of developing a Tele-education framework for the implementation of Tele-education for CME in the rural or hard to reach areas of Uganda. Methods: The study was conducted in Mpigi district, targeting the District Health Services (DHS) and the public health facilities (HFs). Key Informant Interviews were conducted. A systematic review of related studies was conducted to explore more components which facilitated the development of the Tele-education framework. The developed framework has been evaluated by e-Health experts for validity. Results: HWs were knowledgeable about CME that they obtain through attending refresher courses, seminars and workshops. Major challenges included include; poor attitude of HWs, insufficient facilitation of CME activities in terms of logistics, refreshments and finances, understaffing creating heavy workloads, poor time management of participants and biased selection criteria of participants to attend CME activities outside the HFs. The major components of a Tele-education framework for CME, identified included; framework organization (general design), building blocks (needs, stakeholder, strategy, curriculum and pedagogy, regulations and governance), planning (information systems, sustainability, benefits and Program management) and action (training and support plan, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and scale up). Conclusion: The Tele-education framework was developed basing on evidence gathered and it addresses an eHealth need in rural or hard to reach areas.