JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In the face of growing modernity and COVID-19 pandemic, open and distance learning (ODL) is considered as playing an important role in increasing access to education worldwide. There is a robust evidence base demonstrating its cost effectiveness in comparison with conventional class- based teaching; however, the transitioning to this new paradigm of learning for nursing and midwifery courses has been difficult in low income countries. While there are notable efforts to increase internet and education access to healthcare professionals, not much is known about ODL for nurses and midwives in East African countries.

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to understand whether ODL programmes for nursing and midwifery education exist, what drives their adoption, how they are implemented, topics/courses covered, their acceptability and impact in East African countries

Methods:

The scoping review methodology employs the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. Using an exploratory approach, a two-stage screening process consisting of a title and abstract scan and a full-text review will be used to determine the eligibility of articles. To be included, articles must report on an existing ODL initiative for nurses and midwives in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. All articles will be independently assessed for eligibility by pairs of reviewers, and all eligible articles will be abstracted and charted in duplicate using a standardized form.

Results:

Details of the ODL for nursing and midwifery education initiatives and study outcomes will be summarized in a table. The extracted data will undergo exploratory descriptive analysis and the results will be classified into learner and clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

Evidence on ODL for nursing and midwifery education will inform the ongoing development and restructuring of healthcare professional education in East Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Trial: Not applicable