Introduction Literature in education and training supports the notion that distance learning (DL) is the most effective mode of learning for health care workers to improve the quality of patient care. However, implementing DL requires pre-assessing learners' perspectives and attitudes for providing better delivery, essential support, and facilities. This study aimed to identify the viewpoints and attitudes of dental graduates toward DL in medical education and their point views of the effectiveness and efficacy of DL tools. Methods A structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to registered adult graduates working in government- or private hospitals in a permanent position or for a long term (3 months or more). Data were collected and analyzed. Results Two-thirds (67.9%) of the participants had previously attended a DL course. The highest ranked items on the participants' views on DL were ease of access, ability to take the course from any location, and be taught from anywhere in the world. Their perception of DL was analyzed in relation to gender and previous exposure to DL. Conclusion This investigation revealed a positive attitude among graduates on the effectiveness of DL. Most respondents appreciated DL's convenience in terms of time flexibility and online attendance. Residents' attitudes toward DL and DL characteristics are major factors to consider when instituting or planning for DL. Continuous medical education through DL will continue to generate considerable interest as an international movement.

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Exploring Adult Learners' Viewpoints and Motivation Regarding Distance Learning in Medical Education.

The purpose of the study is to explore students’ and faculty members’ responses to universities’ migration from face-to-face to online instruction as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. To this extent, a qualitative approach was used for data collection and involved a number of qualitative methods: an open-ended question survey, focus group discussion, social media data, and university reports. Additionally, a thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The findings of the study reveal that students and faculty members were overwhelmed and stressed at the beginning, but as they started to acclimate to it, faculty members were satisfied. However, students seemed to be dissatisfied with this new approach to learning. Furthermore, faculty members and students both mentioned different challenges they had faced. The study reports on the technological tools used to mitigate the emerging challenges of both students and faculty members. Evaluating and assessing students was a main challenge for faculty members as the study analyzes the assessment and evaluation tools that they use in their online teaching. Comparative studies from Palestine and other countries are suggested for future research.

Virtualization of Higher Education during COVID-19: A Successful Case Study in Palestine

There are few studies evaluating awareness of Chagas disease among healthcare professionals attending migrants from Latin America or working in Chagas-endemic areas. The objective of this study was to design and validate instruments for assessing knowledge about Chagas disease among healthcare students and residents as well as students and professionals of social and other health science disciplines. Two validated scales have been developed: the 10-item Chagas Level of Knowledge Scale for healthcare professionals (ChaLKS-Medical) and the 8-item ChaLKS-SocialH P < 0.001). Respondents' knowledge of Chagas disease was greater in those who had previously received information on the disease; this was true in both respondents from the healthcare sector (mean correct answers, ChaLKS-Medical: 7.2 versus 4.3, P < 0.001) and in potential aid workers (mean correct answers, ChaLKS-Social&Health: 5.1 versus 1.1, P = 0.001). The metric properties of both scales are adequate for their use in supporting aid operations in Chagas-endemic countries or in providing health and social care to migrant populations in non-endemic countries.

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Healthcare Professionals and Students' Awareness of Chagas Disease: Design and Validation of Chagas Level of Knowledge Scale (ChaLKS).

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a global public health priority due to its high morbidity and mortality. In Tanzania, SCD accounts for 7% of under-five mortality. Cost-effective interventions such as early diagnosis and linkage to care have been shown to prevent 70% of deaths but require knowledge among healthcare workers and availability of resources at health facilities. In Tanzania, data on these critical determinants are currently lacking. Objective: To assess healthcare workers’ knowledge and resource availability for care of SCD at health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 among 490 nurses and clinicians at Regional Referral Hospitals (Temeke, Amana, and Mwananyamala) and Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of 13 knowledge questions (scored good knowledge if correct response in >7) and an inventory check list to record available resources. Pearson’s χ2 was used to determine the association between level of knowledge and demographic factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to ascertain the strength of associations. A two-tailed p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Of the 490 participants (median age 28 years [IQR = 26–35]), only 25.1% had good knowledge on SCD. The odds of good knowledge was 82% lower in nurses than clinicians (AOR = 0.177; 95% CI: 0.090, 0.349; p < 0.001); 95% lower in diploma than Master’s degree holders (AOR = 0.049; 95% CI: 0.008, 0.300; p = 0.001) and 4.6 times higher in those with 5–9 years than ≥10 years of experience (AOR = 4.564; 95% CI: 1.341, 15.525; p = 0.015). The regional-level hospitals lacked diagnostic tests and hydroxyurea therapy. Conclusion: There was general lack of knowledge on SCD among healthcare workers and limited availability of critical resources for the diagnosis and care of SCD, especially at regional-level hospitals. Efforts are needed for their improvement to enhance care to patients, thus reducing the morbidity and mortality due to SCD in Tanzania.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.773207/pdf

Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge and Resource Availability for Care of Sickle Cell Disease in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objetivo:adaptar culturalmente e validar o instrumento Protective Nursing Advocacy Scalepara enfermeiros brasileiros.Metodo:estudo metodologico, realizado com 153 enfermeiros de duas instituicoes hospitalares do Sul do Brasil, uma publica e uma filantropica. Realizou-se a adaptacao transcultural do instrumento Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale, segundo recomendacoes internacionais e sua validacao para utilizacao no contexto brasileiro, atraves de analise fatorial e verificacao da consistencia interna pelo alfa de Cronbach.Resultados:mediante avaliacao de comite de especialistas e realizacao do pre-teste, a validade de face e conteudo do instrumento foi considerada satisfatoria. A partir da analise fatorial, foram identificados cinco constructos: implicacoes negativas do exercicio da advocacia, acoes de advocacia, facilitadores ao exercicio da advocacia, percepcoes que favorecem o exercicio da advocacia e barreiras ao exercicio da advocacia. O instrumento apresentou consistencia interna satisfatoria, com valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,70 e 0,87.Conclusao:conclui-se que o Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale- versao brasileira e um instrumento valido e fidedigno para ser utilizado na avaliacao das crencas e acoes da advocacia em saude, exercida por enfermeiros brasileiros no ambiente da pratica profissional.

Adaptación transcultural y validación del instrumento Protective Nursing Advocacy Scalepara enfermeros brasileños

Knowledge of professional healthcare providers about sickle cell disease: Impact of a distance education course

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Development and validation of an instrument to assess Brazilian healthcare professional providers' knowledge on sickle cell disease.

A EAD e considerada uma importante estrategia na capacitacao dos profissionais da area da saude. Nesta perspectiva e desenvolvido o curso de educacao a distância em Doenca Falciforme. O objetivo e apresentar os resultados do curso. O curso e dividido em modulos com carga horaria de 95 horas e atuacao de tutores especialistas. http://ueadsl.textolivre.pro.br/blog/?p=7719

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Katy Karoline Santos Diniz

Papers

Knowledge of professional healthcare providers about sickle cell disease: Impact of a distance education course

Development and validation of an instrument to assess Brazilian healthcare professional providers' knowledge on sickle cell disease.

Educação à distância – doença falciforme na atenção primária à saúde