Strengthening Primary Health Care Through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: After the increased number of COVID-19-positive patients, a plateau phase and a decrease in the numbers were expected, followed by a second phase which could lead to an increased health system workload. The importance of training well-educated and qualified healthcare professionals (HPs) has been reconsidered. The rapid spread of the epidemic revealed the limitations of traditional method education. Massive online courses (MOOCs) were offered as a solution to keep the information up-to-date and accessible. The aim of our study was to evaluate the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals on strengthening the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional multi-centered study, an online survey was applied to HPs between February-May 2021. There were 28 participating countries. Due to international participation, the survey was conducted in English. Results: There were 88 female and 87 male participants. Most of the participants were from Europe and Euroasia. Most of them reported their income as $501-$1500 US Dollars). The duration of job experience was between 5-15 years. 111 of them have completed a postdoctoral degree. Conclusion: According to the survey, all the groups reported as the effect of strengthening primary care by MOOC was positive.

Keywords

• primarycare
• MOOC
• COVID-19

Birinci Basamak Sağlık Hizmetlerinin MOOC’lar (Yoğunlaştırılmış Açık Kurs) Aracılığıyla Güçlendirilmesi- Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Artmış COVID-19 pozitif hasta sayısının ardından, bir plato dönemini ve sayılarda bir azalma, sağlık sistemine artan bir iş yüküne yol açabilecek ikinci bir faz tarafından takip etmesi bekleniyordu. İyi eğitimli ve nitelikli sağlık profesyonellerinin (SP'ler) yetiştirilmesinin önemi tekrar gözden geçirildi. Salgının hızla yayılması geleneksel yöntemle eğitimin sınırlılıklarını ortaya çıkardı. Kitlesel çevrimiçi kurslar (MOOC'lar), bilgiyi güncel tutmak ve erişilebilir kılmak için bir çözüm olarak sunuldu. Çalışmamızın amacı, COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında sağlık profesyonellerinin sağlık sisteminin güçlendirilmesi konusundaki algılarını ve deneyimlerini değerlendirmekti. Yöntemler: Bu tanımlayıcı kesitsel çok merkezli çalışmada, Şubat-Mayıs 2021 tarihleri arasında SP'lerine çevrimiçi bir anket uygulandı. Katılan 28 ülke vardı. Uluslararası katılım nedeniyle anket İngilizce olarak gerçekleştirildi. Bulgular: 88 kadın ve 87 erkek katılımcı vardı. Katılımcıların çoğu Avrupa ve Avrasya'dandı. Onların çoğu gelirlerini 501-1500 Amerikan Doları olarak bildirdi. İş deneyimi süresi 5-15 yıl arasındaydı. 111'i doktora sonrası dereceyi tamamlamıştı. Sonuç: Araştırmaya göre, tüm gruplar MOOC aracılığıyla birinci basamağın güçlendirilmesinin etkisinin olumlu olduğunu bildirdi.

Keywords

• Birinci basamak
• MOOC
• COVID-19

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