Transcript CHA Basic Training Via Distance

COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE
(CHA)
BASIC TRAINING
VIA DISTANCE
Outcomes & Lessons Learned in
Alaska
Mary M. Rydesky & Dorothy Hight
© 2008
Project Proposal
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Goal
 workforce training via distance
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meeting expressed learning objectives
Attitudinal goal of socializing students into role of village
health care provider (CHA) - imperative
Honoring the learners’ culture & ways of learning
Target learners
 CHA/Ps & others in the CHA/P field
 Trainers - a mutual learning process
Lessons & methods
 introduced via DLN; synthesis & skills via
videoconferences & clinic practice
Results of Investment
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Learning management system (LMS) implemented for
registrar functions & student interface
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Course(s) developed & tested - multiple tools
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“Know How” amassed among team members
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CHAM & CHAP field/training center interface
Technology & technical/human interface
Instructional design/adult learning theory
Distance learning
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Learning management & administration
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Distance Learning in Rural Alaska:
a Good Fit?
PRO
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Highly desired by villages,
CHAs, & tribal entities
Technology now available to
villages
CON
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Resources/grants available
Stable curriculum & outcome
standards for learners
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Sensitive to village/
clinic/family demands
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Few instructors with distance
learning experience
Skepticism about village
connectivity, student abilities,
ongoing support,
time/resources available
Fear of change in already
successful program
“It can’t be done…”
Seven Lessons Learned
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Many skills/experienced professionals of diverse
backgrounds are required
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Technical
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Creative (graphic design, html proficiency)
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Management (services & products, health care
administration)
Content specialist (clinical experience & credentials)
Adult learning (educator/trainer & instructional
design proficiency)
Lessons Learned -2
Learning curve is extensive; result is a major advantage
in terms of knowledge & skills
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Distance learning = many tools
 Not just a website or videoconferencing
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Cannot be quickly replicated from scratch
Not just audio or video or webinar conferences
Mix = correct tool to meet the learning objective
Redundancy
Content development timelines exceed best expectations
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Projected 83 hours per hour of content delivery - that was low!
Lessons Learned -3
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In-kind support represents the major $
investment
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Technology
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Time
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Expertise
Under-capitalization risks growth
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Too few $, too few hours = product that
does not meet customer satisfaction
Lessons Learned -4
Once developed, the learning network (DLN) provides
infinite capacity
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Numerous partners, sites, target groups possible
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Communities of Interest & virtual meeting sites
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Compliance courses
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Specialty courses (customized to organization)
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Continuing education courses with credit
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Patient oriented courses
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Registrar services
Student Perceptions of
Advantages of Distance Learning
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What Went Well
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Ability to explore information in more depth
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Sense of group camaraderie
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Strong ties created with coworkers & supervisors
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No travel & compressed learning time (less stress)
Challenges
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Varied with the learner & site - no trends
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Opportunity to train in flexibility
Instructor Perceptions of Advantages
of Distance Learning
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Ability to check progress of all students, all the time
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Content access - frequency & length
Assignments & quiz results
Email ‘alerts’ of submitted items helpful
Constant interaction via multiple methods/media
Enhances assessment of knowledge of shy,
introverted, or “quiet” students
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Equity when culture discourages perception of promoting
self-importance
Project Conclusions
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Most suggestive predictor of success in Session II
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adequate amount of supervised clinical practice between
sessions
True for both classroom & distance trained students
Repetition, practice, & feedback were critical to
both skills & confidence building
Distance learning equally successful to traditional
classroom training in preparing CHAs for villagebased practice
Time & expenses of development are sizeable
Efficiencies realized from auto-grading, electronic
record keeping, & alerts when assignments arrived
Requirements
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Sustainable funding & resources
Adult learning tenets in place
 Coordination with the training structure & process
 Core team dedicated to creating, revising, &
presenting via distance
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Experienced & trained in distance learning
Onsite mentorship for skills development & oversight
Evaluation process & tools
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Continually meet program standards
Specific to distance delivery methods
Successful Distance Learning
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Support
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Selection of
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Course & class design, syllabus, lessons
Learning management system, connectivity
Supervision
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Students, clinical instructors, facilitators, mentors
Correct technology for each learning objective
Structure
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Technical, software, design, business administration
Both at training source & field/village location
Clinical skills practice in village, online, & videoconferences
Sustainability
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More than money - commitment to change & delayed ROI
Lesson for the Future
If you want a quality product, leave
nothing to chance!
Applications - Workforce development
Behavioral health
Dental health
CME
Applications - Patients & community
Wellness
Health issues
CoI or CoP circles
Applications - Healthy socialization
New writers circle
Social networking
More Information
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Mary M. Rydesky [email protected]
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Dorothy Hight [email protected]
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Kas Healy [email protected]
Abbreviations used herein:
ANTHC Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
ARC Academic Review Committee of CHAP
CHAP Community Health Aide Program
CHA/P Community Health Aide/Practitioner
CHAM Community Health Aide Manual
DLN Distance Learning Network
EAT & EATs Eastern Aleutian Tribes
LMS Learning Management System
Moodle Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment
ROI Return on Investment