Adopting Novel Approach Towards Optimized Learning Outcomes Amongst Healthcare Personnel: Key Takeaways from a Support Mission
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION Training is essentially a two-way process; wherein, the “trainer” also gains by learning from the “trainee.” This paradigm assumes a special connotation when both teams involved are health-care professionals, from different settings, and when the training message is on the prevention of a pandemic. Such unique scenarios offer a wide array of opportunities for both groups. Applying a novel methodology to address the training requirements thereof, resulted in a win–win situation in terms of outcomes. Gainful experiences while engaging with health-care professionals of a Friendly Foreign Nation as part of a support mission are shared herewith. BACKGROUND-MISSION Launched in May 2020, “Mission SAGAR” was a noble initiative by the Government of India to deliver COVID-19-related assistance to countries in the Indian Ocean littoral states. The acronym “SAGAR” stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region.” Countries included in phase I of the mission were Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles, as shown in Figure 1.Figure 1: Indian Ocean littoral states covered in mission SAGAR I. Map courtesy: Maps of the world, available at www.mapsoftheworld.comThe Indian Navy deployed its ships to deliver medical and humanitarian aid to counties in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. As part of the mission, the Indian Naval Ship carried a consignment of COVID-19-related essential medicines for the people of Comoros. In addition, a 14-member Indian Navy Medical Assistance Team (INMAT) comprising Indian Navy doctors and paramedics also embarked onboard this ship and visited Comoros from Jun 1, 2020, to Jun 18, 2020. The aim was to support our counterparts in the Union of Comoros and together render assistance for the prevention of COVID-19 and dengue fever.[1,2] TRAINING AND AWARENESS ONCOVID-19 PREVENTION As part of comprehensive support for COVID-19 prevention, the INMAT team had interactive exchanges with the health-care professionals of Comoros. The objective was to enable the health team assimilate the latest information on COVID-19 and its prevention, imbibe best practices, and thus fine-tune disease prevention strategies. Given the unique setting resulting from the pandemic and resultant restrictions on traditional modalities of training, it was envisaged to adopt a novel approach for achieving the intended results within the given time frame. THE TRAINING OF TRAINERS MODEL Training of trainers (ToT) can be defined as a framework for training potential instructors or subject matter experts, to enable them train other people in their organizations. In other words, a group of professionals receives a compact training program that focuses both on specific training content and also on how to pass on this information to other target audience.[3] Its goal is to not only educate but also empower the person being trained to affect the cascading levels of disseminating the knowledge and skills. This approach is usually applied by enterprises and educational institutions to upscale their learning and development programs.[4] On an altruistic level, ToT can be envisioned as an engagement between experienced and fresh trainers on a particular topic or skill. While endeavoring to raise the knowledge levels of fresh professionals, the imparters themselves get to imbibe new ideas, concepts, and thoughts from the trainee. A well-conceived and successfully conducted ToT can thus become a mutually enriching two-way process. Center for disease control enlists the components of a good ToT model[5] as: (i) Train, (ii) Direct, (iii) Lead, (iv) Listen, (v) Observe, and (vi) Support, as illustrated in Figure 2.Figure 2: Components of training of trainers modelHARNESSING TRAINING OF TRAINERS FOR OPTIMAL TRAINING–LEARNING OUTCOMES Taking a leaf from the ToT elements mentioned above, an effort was made to apply its cardinal principles to the COVID-19 prevention training support program underway. This was worked out innovatively within the contours of the existing mandate and effected in a systematic pattern. The 5 “E”s applied in the process are enumerated as follows: (a) Engage. (b) Evaluate, (c) Educate, (d) Exchange, and (e) Empower. Actions evinced by following this stepwise approach are depicted in Table 1.Table 1: The 5-E approach to Training of Trainers (Health Care Professionals)Salient points which emerged based on engagement and evaluation are enlisted below: Immense mutual goodwill and a strong sense of bonding Diverse cultural backgrounds and varied language medium Good receptivity and eagerness to imbibe knowledge and best practices Excellent IT support, facilitating smooth transmission of audiovisual materials Certain lifestyle practices common to both cohorts. Education and exchange components revolved around the following key result areas: Develop language-neutral training material, with more of pictorials, infographics, and less of text Start with commonalities, like customs/traditions prevalent in both cultures which have a bearing on health. For example, frequent handwashing is a practice innately ingrained in the daily lifestyle of both Indian and Comorian societies Harness information technology prowess by maximizing both e-modes of information (e-poster, videos, etc.) and its transmission (mobile phones, mass media, etc.) Customize training as per levels of healthcare system, the duty charters and felt needs of staff at each level. The mandate, staff uptake levels, resources available, and training requirements were generally different for each echelon, with few common basic features. Tailor-made strategy adopted during ToT – health-care professionals in various layers is as summarized in Table 2. Table 2: Setting-specific Training of Health Care PersonnelEmpowerment was effected by assessing the impact of the program on the trainers trained. The upscaling/gains on health information for applying to self and for further transmission to community was measured by informal interactions, using subjective and objective methods. Concurrent feedback and final feedback were obtained to further fine-tune and sharpen the training–learning program. KEY TAKEAWAYS Adopting a systematic and prevalidated approach (ToT model) to the training support program yielded optimal outcomes Training–learning is a mutually gainful enterprise, in that the trainer team also gains valuable experience and new insights from the receptive team Applying a stepwise pattern of “5-E”s while planning and implementing the campaign, helped in achieving objectives with judicious utilization of resources Moving from “known to unknown” information zones and from “common to new” health-care practices is a sound strategy It is imperative to have a holistic perspective of the envisioned goals, with soft skills playing a pivotal role. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Authors: Arti Sarin, Anand Neelakantan, Abhish Mohan, Benjith Paul, Jishnu Raj
Institutions: Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4404395341