Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jan 10, 2020
Date Accepted: Nov 24, 2020
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Scoping review protocol: open and distance learning programs for medical-related courses in East Africa
ABSTRACT
Background:
In the face of growing modernity, open and distance learning (ODeL) has been thought of as playing an important role in increasing access to medical 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 medical related courses has been difficult in low income countries. While there are efforts to increase internet access to healthcare professionals, not much is known about the availability, acceptability and effectiveness of ODeL in East African countries
Objective:
The objective of this scoping review is to understand whether ODeL programs for medical education exists, how they are implemented, their acceptability and impacts
Methods:
The scoping review methodology employs the strategies developed by Arksey and O’Malley (15). The search strategy will be co-developed by the research team and applied in different formal and informal medical databases that promote African contents. 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 ODeL initiative for healthcare providers in any East African country. 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. The extracted data will undergo a descriptive analysis of the contextual or process-oriented data and simple quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics.
Results:
To date, a research team has been fully mobilized and data collection tools have been finalized. The review is projected to commence in mid-May this year.
Conclusions:
ODeL appears to gain much attention in many countries. The results of this scoping review will inform future development of ODeL initiatives emerging from Aga Khan University and other healthcare institutions in East Africa. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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