Building capacity for remote, rural knowledge exchange: a global health collaboration

Aim This THET-funded, NES-led multicountry collaboration aimed to build on the capacity of remote, rural nurse training schools (NTS) to deliver nurse education, including continuing professional development (CPD), to improve evidence-based nursing practice in maternal and child and mental health work.¹ Methodology Social Networking theories² and Participatory Action Learning and Research (PAL/R) methods ³were used to pilot a range of technology-enabled (TEL) e-learning solutions, at 6 remote, rural nurse training schools (NTS), 5 in Zambia, 1 in Ghana. Results • Technology enabled a range of learning activities including: • ICT Champion training (at Macha Works Zambia, http://www.machaworks.org/) to support building of e-learning capacity at partner NTS • Initiation of 2 email e-learning networks: - Maternal and Child Health (MCH) - Mental Health (MH) • Piloting of Skype Clinical Supervision (CS) between MH staff in eastern Zambia and NHS Scottish Highlands • Development/piloting of 2 computer platforms: - eGranary (internet-free ‘internet in a box’, http://www.widernet.org/ egranary/), donated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Sparkman Centre for Global Health - The Africa Knowledge Network (http:// www.africaknowledge.org/), a prototype of NHSScotland Knowledge Network http://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/ home.aspx • Use of Dropbox (https://www.dropbox. com) as interim information ile store • Provision of ilms on MCH issues - Piloting of MAF Films (http:// medicalaidilms.org/) at a partner NTS in Zambia - Exploration of suitability of NES teaching tools on Postpartum Haemorrhage (PH) and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) for rural African contexts: http://www.rrheal.scot. nhs.uk/Default.aspx

• Information exchange through the Health Information for All (HIFA) Global Health Network: http://hifa2015.org/ • Exposure to diverse cultural contexts facilitated reciprocal learning surrounding different approaches to similar challenges of remote, rural healthcare delivery. Conclusions This project showcased NHSScotland’s potential for global collaboration on improving remote, rural healthcare delivery through effective knowledge exchange. It demonstrated the value of TEL for both sharing the beneits of the NHSScotland quality ambitions4 5 with other global regions and enabling Scotland to learn from them.

THET-Multilink Global Health Collaborators Scotland/UK • NHS Education for Scotland (NES) - Knowledge Services Group - Remote and Rural Healthcare Educational Alliance (RRHEAL) • NHS Highlands of Scotland • The Tropical Health Education Trust (THET) • University of Edinburgh, Learning Technology Section, School of Medicine/ Veterinary Medicine • Medical Aid Films (MAF) • Health Information for All (HIFA) Global Health Network Zambia • Chipata Nurse Training School (NTS), Eastern Province • Chitambo NTS, Central Province • Kasama NTS, Northern Province • Macha Works, Southern Province Ghana • Jirapa Midwifery College, Upper West Region • Ministry of Health, Ghana • University of Development Studies (UDS)

Nurse Training - Zambia

References 1. Vallis, J. M., Mason, A. C., Afari-Dekyi, K., Ansotinge, E., Antwi, J., Chifwaila, L., Fraser, F., Moyo, P., Mudenda, C., Turner, C., Urquhart, G, van Stam, G., Wales, A. Building Capacity for E-learning for Nurse Training in Zambia and Ghana: Appropriate Computer Technologies? Presented at the Appropriate Healthcare Technologies (AHT) for Developing Countries Conference, London: September 2012. 2. Bell F. Networking Theories for Technology-enabled Learning and Social Change: Connectivism and Actor Network Theory. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Networked Learning. Lancaster, England: 2010. 3. Stringer, E.T. Action Research. London: Sage Publications. 1999. 4. Scottish Government: The Healthcare Quality Strategy for Scotland. Edinburgh; 2010. 5. NHS Education for Scotland (NES). Getting Knowledge into Action for Healthcare Quality: NES Knowledge Services Delivery Plan. Edinburgh. 2013.

Netherlands • Macha Works Netherlands United States of America • University of Alabama at Birmingham Sparkman Centre for Global Health