Improving understanding of disease control implementation research through a mooc with participants from low- and middle income countries: Evaluating participant reactions and learning
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Date
2023
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
Abstract
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases developed a mas sive open online course (MOOC) on implementation research with a focus on infectious dis eases of poverty (IDPs) to reinforce the explanation of implementation research concepts
through real case studies. The target MOOC participant group included public health offi cers, researchers and students. By reshaping institutions and building resilience in commu nities and systems, implementation research will allow progress towards universal health
coverage and sustainable development goals. This study evaluates learners’ knowledge in
implementation research after completing the MOOC using anonymous exit survey
responses. Of the almost 4000 enrolled in the two sessions of the MOOC in 2018, about
30% completed all five modules and the assessments, and were awarded certificates. The
majority of the participants were early to mid-career professionals, under the age of 40, and
from low- and middle-income countries. They were slightly more likely to be men (56%) with
a Bachelor or a Master’s degree. Participants were public health researchers (45%), public
health officers (11%) or students (11%). On completion of the course, an exit survey
revealed that 80.9% of respondents indicated significant improvement to strong and very
strong implementation research knowledge. This evaluation clearly shows the usefulness of
the MOOC on implementation research for reaching out to field researchers and public
health practitioners who are facing problems in the implementation of control programmes
in low- and middle-income countries
Description
Research Article
Keywords
infectious dis eases of poverty (IDPs), middle-income countries, Tropical Diseases d
Citation
Citation: Nwameme A, Dako-Gyeke P, Asampong E, Allotey P, Reidpath DD, Certain E, et al. (2023) Improving understanding of disease control implementation research through a mooc with participants from low- and middle-income countries: Evaluating participant reactions and learning. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 17(3): e0011139. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011139