ELEARNING OF PUBLIC HEALTH PHARMACOLOGY

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E-LEARNING OF PUBLIC HEALTH PHARMACOLOGY

• Huss R, Summers R, Pries K
• Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg
  -Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health
  (ATHOEG),
• Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA),
  
• Intercultural Consultance and Studies (INCCAS)

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Abstract

• Title E-Learning of Public Health Pharmacology
• Authors Huss R, Summers R, Pries K
• Institutions University of Heidelberg -
  Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health
  (ATHOEG), Medical University of Southern Africa
  (MEDUNSA), Intercultural Consultance and Studies
  (INCCAS)
• Opportunity E-learning can be defined as any
  form of learning that uses electronic media for
  imparting content and communication. One option
  is web-based training with tutoring and
  networking of learners. This provides a unique
  opportunity where participants who are separated
  by geographic distances and work in different
  parts of the health sector can learn together as
  a cyber group. Public health pharmacology (PHP)
  is especially suitable for such a learning
  process where a group of international and
  interdisciplinary students work together, because
  it has a global population perspective. The goal
  of PHP is the rational use of pharmaco-therapeutic
  resources in order to promote the universal
  human right to adequate health care.
• Objectives To describe the structure, learning
  objectives, methodology and content of the
  E-learning course Management of Medicines in
  International Health.
• Target Audience Health professionals from
  Africa, Asia and Latin America interested in PHP
  and with sufficient command of English to
  participate in a combined E-learning and contact
  course.
• Design A 3-phase design combines an online
  introduction, the course and a contact workshop
  at the end. During the first phase the
  participants get to know each other, familiarise
  themselves with the tools and methods of
  E-learning and make a short situation analysis of
  medicine management in their local context. The
  course consists of 6 modules, each module divided
  into four lectures. Other parts of the course are
  a case scenario, exercises at the end of each
  lecture, and a multiple choice test at the end of
  each module. Different methods of learning and
  media for communication are combined. All these
  activities are continuously assisted by a tutor
  and facilitator. The course ends with a workshop
  in which each participant presents a project to
  improve medicine management in her/his work
  environment.
• Outcome Measures Evaluation of critical events
  and a qualitative and quantitative participant
  evaluation. The results of exercises and
  responses to the multiple choice questions are
  analysed.
• Results and Conclusions These can only be
  presented at a later date.
• Acknowledgements Many people have contributed in
  different ways to this course. In particular we
  would like to thank Veronique Heon-Klin from
  INWENT, Sonja Horchler, Doreen Montag from the
  University of Heidelberg, and Monika Zweygarth of
  the School of Pharmacy, MEDUNSA.
• Funding and Coordination Internationale
  Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH
• (INWENT), Capacity Building International, Germany

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Background

• E-learning provides an opportunity for
  participants who are separated by huge geographic
  distances and work in different parts of the
  health sector can learn together as an
  international and interdisciplinary cyber group.
• Public health pharmacology Taking a population
  perspective to the availability and use of
  medicines has been referred to as public health
  pharmacology. Its aim is to inform society about
  the required pharmaco-therapeutic resources and
  their best use for the common therapeutic good of
  the whole population to fulfil the universal
  human right to adequate health care.
• This course deals with 3 important themes
• 1. The methodological theme concerns the role and
  importance of e-learning in international health.
  
• 2. The moral and ethical issue of relevant and
  effective health care as a universal human right.
  
• 3. The political and economic issue which
  concerns the way global society creates and
  distributes immaterial wealth such as knowledge
  about new therapies and the discovery of new
  active substances for the treatment of human
  diseases. There is an essential difference
  between material and immaterial wealth. While the
  former is lost, if passed on to someone else, the
  latter remains with the original owner even if
  shared and passed on to other people and
  societies.

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Web Design Concept

• In designing the online component of the course
  particular attention was paid to the needs of
  participants from low income countries who are
  often faced with limited Internet access and high
  connection fees. To keep the amount of data
  transfer to a minimum, flash animation, videos
  and similar features were left out.
• The aim was to create a visually attractive and
  modern interface while simultaneously ensuring
  that each web page can be accessed quickly (max.
  size 350 KB). Graphic elements were designed
  accordingly (small graphics, with the option to
  obtain larger ones). The course materials can
  also be downloaded, so the participants can do
  much of their work offline.
• The design concept adheres to the principles of
  an Internet without barriers (simple design,
  highly contrasting color combinations for
  print/graphics/background, etc.), except
  concerning access for the visually impaired.
  Fulfilling these requirements is an issue for the
  Global Campus 21 in general where the course is
  located http//www.gc21.de
• User-friendliness was a priority in creating both
  the individual web pages (full-screen view that
  does not require scrolling) and the clearly
  arranged menu. The modules are marked by
  different colors, and the background color scheme
  changes along with each new module.

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Target Groups - General Objectives

• The target groups of the course are health
  professionals, prescribers and other doctors,
  pharmacists, health service managers,
  administrators and nurses from Africa, Asia and
  Latin America.
• As general objectives the participants are able
• To define medicines as an essential part of
  preventive, curative and rehabilitative health
  care services,
• To regard medicines from a holistic public health
  perspective as one of several possible
  alternatives to deal with a health problem,
• To explain the best use of a medicine budget,

To describe the opportunities of the internet to
obtain information through email discussion
groups and websites, To use the internet to find
the required information and to establish a
virtual professional network
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Specific Objectives

• After studying the 7 modules participants should
  be able
• Module 0 to describe how globalisation effects
  the management of medicines,
• Module 1 to describe the historical evolution
  and the current context of medicine use in
  different health care systems,
• Module 2 to describe the framework and
  components of a medicine supply system,
• Module 3 to describe certain concepts,
  procedures and tools used with essential
  medicines,

Module 4 to apply the personal medicine
concept, Module 5 to explain the concept and
factors of rational medicine use, Module 6 to
describe quality, price and financing of
medicines and the training of health
professionals as important determinants for the
provision of essential medicines.
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Course concept and structure
Blended learning Mix of online modules and F2F
Mix of online and offline media
C O N T A C T P H A S E
Face to Face Workshop for
Project Planning 1 week
C O A C H I N G
Interaction with tutors and other participants
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Module Structure
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Case Scenario

• Objective of Case Scenario
• Emotional identification, motivation and change
  of attitude
• Each Module is introduced with a story from the
  Case Scenario of Dr. Good Will and Dr. Common
  Good. These names are not random but intentional
  choices The common good for people is a very
  short description of what public health
  pharmacology wants to achieve.

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Lectures

• Each of the lectures consists of text documents
  which are supported by drawings, graphs, tables
  or photographs.

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Exercises

• After each lecture follows an exercise linked to
  the case scenario of Dr. Good Will and Dr. Common
  Good. These exercises are continuously assisted
  by the tutor.

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Glossary and Case Studies

• The glossary appears in pop-up widows to explain
  technical terms, as they occur in the texts. A
  search function allows participants to call up
  technical terms referred to throughout the
  course.
• Case studies are provided to give students a
  better understanding of a subject such as a
  National Drug Policy in a specific environment.
  Participants are also invited to provide case
  studies from their own working environment which
  may become part of the course.

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Expectations

• Outcome Measures Evaluation of critical events
  by the course organisers and a qualitative and
  quantitative participant evaluation. The results
  of exercises and responses to the multiple choice
  questions are analysed. These will be available
  after the first pilot course at the end of 2004.
• Your analysis and contribution
• Please browse through the course
• on the CD-ROM available with this presentation.
• We invite you to give critical comments
• regarding course concept, objectives, structure
  and contents.
• A semi-structured questionnaire is provided for
  this purpose.
• Thank you!