developing+and+implmenting+an+online+rmu+module

School of Public Health University of the Western Cape

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Developing and implementing an online Rational Medicines Use

ModuleHazel Bradley, Nondumiso Ncube & Ziyanda Mwanda on behalf of Rational

Medicines Use Module team

Background

Online Rational Medicines Use Module 2015

Irrational medicines use is a problem in SSA countries with adverse health and financial impacts for individuals and governments

It is critical that health professionals are adequately equipped with skills to investigate and improve rational medicines use (RMU)

Purpose


To develop and implement an online masters-level Rational Medicines

Use module for health care professionals, including pharmacists and medical practitioners.

Purpose (cont’d)


Part of a broader initiative to build area of specialisation in Pharmaceutical Public Health

•15 credit modules (NQF9)– Elective Modules in MPH (& other

Masters)– Continuing Education Modules

(registered occasional students)

RMU Online Module -Approach


Approach


• Planning – Purpose of module– Target audience– Team– Funding

RMU Team


Team


Pharmacists, clinicians, adult education & information technology specialists

• School of Public Health, UWC• School of Pharmacy, UWC• Prof Richard Laing, Boston University School

of Public Health & extraordinary Prof SOPH• SIAPS/Management Sciences for Health• Input National and Western Cape Dept of

Health• Input CIECT

Module Development


Module learning outcomes & assessment criteria (Module Descriptor, Institutional registration)

Storyboard - Sessions, outcomes, activities Develop content – materials, videos, ppts,

gather readings Develop Assignments Convert materials into eXe Upload onto iKamva site

Storyboard


Develop Content


• Session template – Word + videos, ppts, gather readings

Session Template (Word)


Develop Assessments


• Session activities – weekly– One assessed activity each week

• Two Assignments (formative & summative)– Case study– Used authentic learning principles

Creating e-Learning Site


• Create Rational Medicine Use iKamva site:– Add Module Intro, Module Outline,

Study Schedule to site– Convert session Word docs into eXe– Upload sessions, assignments & all

module resources onto iKamva

Rational Medicines Use Module


• 11 weekly Sessions - paced• Facilitated by session convenor• Uses range of e-tools for teaching &

learning• Uses file sharing for submitting

activities & assessments

Home Page

Module Outline

Module Resources

Announcements

Sessions

Discussion Forum

Chat room

Assignments

File Sharing

Implementation


• 1st cohort – 2nd semester 2015

• 12 participants – 5 MPH elective module– 7 CE module

• All pharmacists – public sector, private, NGO, hospital, primary care, academia, regulation,

• SA – WC, EC, Gauteng, Botswana, Nigeria

Mid-Module Evaluation: Students

Online Rational Medicines Use Module 2015.

Positives•Module relevant to work situations•iKamva easy to log on and navigate•Study anywhere (internet connectivity) & anytime of day•E-tools add to learning experiences - videos, chat room, Discussion Forum•Valued weekly interactions with convenors & peers

Challenges•Internet connectivity sometimes difficult•Meeting weekly deadlines

Lessons Learnt


• Value of highly motivated & experienced developers with range of professional backgrounds

• Importance of conceptual & logistic leadership in process

• Effective induction, regular paced contact with participants

• Opportunities provided by Authentic activities for quality learning

Online Rational Medicines Use Module 2015.