Interactive Multimedia Rich Technology Enabled Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness Training Package – An Innovative Approach in Health Education
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Interactive multimedia, Mobile learning, e-learning, Health trainingसार
The School of Health Sciences (SOHS) of the Indira Gandhi
National Open University (IGNOU) introduced Integrated Management
of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) as a part of Post Graduate
Diploma in Maternal and Child Health (PGDMCH) in 2003. A crucial
feature of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) System followed at
IGNOU is the learner support services. For non-practical based
programmes the support services are limited to organisation of theoretical
counselling sessions and evaluation of assignments at the study centres,
which are mostly degree colleges. This does not pose much of a
challenge once the brick and mortar infrastructure and the resource
persons with desired credentials are arranged. Providing effective support
for the practical-based programmes through the ODL system by
maintaining a perfect balance vis-à-vis the theory had always been an
intriguing issue and thus, a big challenge for the practitioners in particular
when the practical programme is not of conventional nature and does
not find much of a parallel in the labs of degree colleges. The solution
eventually lies in undertaking an innovative approach.
The focus of the article is the innovative approach adapted towards
providing ICT enabled mechanism for training purpose. It also
discusses how under severe constraints and trying conditions, the
interactive multimedia rich IMNCI training package was developed to
change the way education and training are imparted to pre-services
and in-services doctors for the IMNCI component by designing,
developing and testing the IMNCI training package for the health
professionals. It also reports the effectiveness and user-friendliness of
the interactive multimedia rich training package and suggests various
training models depending on the type of technology used. The article
also discusses the diffusion of the training model for health professionals.