JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

E-learning is a widely accessible, low cost option for learning remotely and at various settings that allows interaction between an instructor and a learner.

Objective:

We describe the development of a free and globally accessible multilingual e-learning module that provides education material on topics in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes, and that is specifically intended for first line physicians and health workers but also targeted to trainees or medical specialists in Resource-Limited Countries (RLC).

Methods:

Complementary to concise chapters, interactive vignettes were constructed, exemplifying clinical issues and pitfalls, with specific attention to the three levels of medical health care in RLC. The module is part of a large e-learning portal (htpps://www.espe-elearning.org) which is based on ILIAS, an open-source web-based learning management system (‘Integriertes Lern-, Informations- und Arbeitskooperations-System’). Following a review by global experts, the content was translated by native speaking colleagues into French, Spanish, Swahili and Chinese using a commercial web-based translation tool (SDL Trados Studio; Maidenhead, UK).

Results:

Preliminary data suggest that the module is well received, particularly in targeted parts of the world and that active promotion to inform target users is warranted.

Conclusions:

The RLC e-learning module is a free, globally accessible, multilingual and up-to-date tool for use in RLC that has been utilized thus far with success. Widespread use will require dissemination of the tool on a global scale.