Putting it to the test: Use of a

spaced Iearning pIatform for

heaIth professionaIs
Catherine Carr
June 24, 2013
Objectives
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ldentify at least 3 strengths of using a spaced
learning program
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Discuss how to present new content using
questions
!
Review the findings of a series of Qstream
courses used in a leadership development
project
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Why spaced Iearning? Timing
Timing is not everythingbut it is important
Low Dose/High Frequency presentation of
materiaI improves retention
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Example: 15 minute (low dose) weekly
sessions over 2 months (high frequency) can
improve retention 4-fold
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Why spaced Iearning? Testing
The testing effect
improves retention
because
Testing is active learning
and more engagement
improves retentionthe
more engagement the
better the learning
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Why eIectronic media?
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Computer-based equally or slightly better
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One RCT found:

Greater efficiency

Three months post-test results found no

difference in retention (Harrington and
Walker).
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Two RCTs found: computer-simulated
patients equal and less expensive than live,
standardized patients
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However..
Media is onIy as
effective as its
technique
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lnteractive
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Engaging
!
Repeated
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How did we use spaced Iearning?
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Presented content to busy health care
professionals
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LD/HF fits into crowded schedules
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Pre-course presentation reduces time spent
on basic content in group settingmore time
for deeper exploration
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What we did
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Used Qstream to present content to
participants in a leadership development
initiative, the MNH Africa Champions
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Content courses on
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BEmONC May 2012
!
Teaching skills Sept 2012
!
PMTCT March 2013
!
Malaria in pregnancy March 2013
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Was it feasibIe?
A resounding YES (after a few bumps)
Getting logged in was a very frustrating
experience for me, until (facilitator) assisted, but
now I can teach others to log in perfectly
Usually use it after a busy clinical day mainly from
office machine and many IT issues. Net is not
always accessible
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Was it acceptabIe? Yes again!
! This experience was really good because
I learned a lot before coming to the SONU
course. It was like a game.
! It is called real time learning for the mobile
generation. It is as good as CME on the go.
! Qstream was easy to be accessed and it is a
good method of passing on information to many
people. I would love to continue using it.
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! I use the computer very well but sometimes
it is difficult to download especially when the
document is long and/or has a lot of graphics

! I definitely will like to use Qstream in the
future and I am willing to use Qstream in
teaching/training others
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Take home Iessons
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Registering was not easy for somedo it in
person
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Clear instructions on timing questions
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Need for thoughtful, criterion referenced
questions with useful resources
!
lnternet is always a challengeconnectivity,
cost to participant
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How did we do? CompIetion rates by
group*
BEmONC May 2012 Effective TS Sept 2012 MlP March 2013 PMTCT March 2013
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Anglophone
Francophone
Column1
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What next?
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April: Caribbean Regional Midwives Association
21 signed up and using
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May: St Lucia, Orientation to nursing education
leaders, more signed up and using
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Requests for more courses to use in PSE, CPD
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Other potential uses: Developing courses with
field offices? How would you use it?
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Now it is YOUR turn
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Register for Qstream
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Sign up for a course (you can drop it later)
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Lets try a few questions
For problems or questions
Contact GLO@jhpiego.org
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Questions, comments and ideas
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Resources
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General information about Qstream: http://
app.qstream.com/info/howitworks
http://qstream.com/solutions/cme/
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Effective lnservice Training Techniques, Timing,
Setting and Media: Evidence from an lntegrative
Review of the Literature
http://reprolineplus.org/resources/effective-service-
training-techniques-frequency-setting-and-media-
evidence-integrative
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