Online learning needs, facilitators, and barriers for continuous professional development among nurses, midwives, and physicians in RwandaShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, E-ISSN 2214-1391, Vol. 18, article id 100574Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background: Continuous professional development (CPD) is necessary for every healthcare professional, but it is even more important in developing countries. In addition to the traditional need for CPD to keep improving the quality of service delivery, in developing countries, some health professionals work in remote areas where they lack the experience of senior colleagues. In this regard, online CPD is among the strategies that can improve the quality of health care services delivery. Aim: Thus, this study assessed the needs, facilitators, and barriers of using online learning for continuous professional development among nurses, midwives, and physicians in Rwanda. Design: The study used a cross-sectional study design and a survey to collect quantitative data from physicians, nurses, and midwives on their views about online learning for continuous professional development needs, facilitators, and barriers. Method: The study used proportionate stratified random sampling strategy to collect quantitative data from 261 participants from 51 health institutions. The major analysis used was descriptive statistics in terms of describing the responses of participants in percentages and frequencies. Results: The findings indicate that 97.3% of participants consider the importance of CPD, 71.6% prefer blended approach for CPD, and 86.5% use smartphones. About the internet status, 28.0% of participants reported to have fast and stable internet, 57.1% to have fast but not stable internet, and 14.2% reported to have not fast and stable internet. Conclusion: Nurses, midwives, and physicians perceive online learning as a good source of continuing professional development, but its implementation must depend on improved internet access, compatible technology with smartphones, or increasing the availability of computers and tablets at health institutions. © 2023 The Author(s)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2023. Vol. 18, article id 100574
Keywords [en]
Continuous professional development, Midwives, Nurses, Online learning, Physicians, Sub-Saharan Africa region
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Smart Cities and Communities, LEADS
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-51403DOI: 10.1016/j.ijans.2023.100574Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85159267265OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-51403DiVA, id: diva2:1788037
Funder
Sida - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, 2019–2024 grant (No 11277)
Note
Funding: The study was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in the University of Rwanda-Sweden Research Partnership 2019–2024 grant (No 11277).
2023-08-152023-08-152023-08-16Bibliographically approved