e-Health at IUHS

DIGITAL LEARNING AND E-HEALTH AT International University of Health Sciences
THE HUB of the International University of Health Sciences will be the Centre for Digital Learning and e-Health because IUHS is committed to providing relevant and practical training, not only through innovative and invitational teaching, but also by using the latest electronic modalities.

It is envisaged that our sandwich/distance-learning and remote-learning students will study on a flexible basis so as to attract as many up-country health workers as possible. Thus, the In-Service Certificate programmes will be offered as individual units (one-off training courses) that can also be used by students as building blocks to a diploma and/or eventually a degree. Thus, life-long learning can be brought to Uganda's healthcare workforce in a flexible, pocket-friendly, and manageable fashion through the use of ICTs.

In order to become a Centre of Excellence in health-related training, IUHS plans to change the way training in the health sector has traditionally been done. The latest breakthroughs in diagnostic practices (CAT, MRI), the latest treatment techniques, and the use of ICTs in the health sector, means that students and professionals today need to be continually stimulated to keep up-to-date with the latest development in health care and health education.

One feature of the IUHS that will set it apart from other tertiary institutions will be its use of ICTs to assist learning. It is envisaged that up-country students will attend a full week of intensive learning at IUHS and, on return to their station with additional learning materials (CDROM), will be required to log on to a software programme that will enable them to post short assignments, enter discussions with their peers, and keep in contact with their course tutor.

Here at IUHS, we have tested both a diagnosis consultation and teaching via webcam. Both worked using very simple technology and were extremely successful. The diagnosis was based on digital images captured from a camera and was accurate. The classroom teaching session enabled the teacher to see her remote students and take and answer questions in real time while they also saw her live on screen. These classes will be recorded on DVD for those unable to link electronically. It is also hoped that we can explore the use of PDAs to keep constant contact not only with current students, but also with alumni who may need assistance in their professions. Through all these means, we will ensure that our students receive the best training possible given the current circumstances in Uganda today.

In setting up a Digital Learning and e-Health Centre, we have three aims. Given that we will have the correct equipment in place:

1.we will enable professionals in remote up-country areas to attend courses either in real time or using a blended multi-media rich approach to learning (CDROM base, teleconferencing, email, and other tools in a structured Learning Management System). Thus, continuing medical education can be made much easier and much more cost effective. It also allows professionals to exchange views, share knowledge and experiences, and learn from each other. We will use an Open-Source e-Learning package (as an alternative to Blackboard) to strengthen our support and academic services to remote-learning students.

2.we will connect the rural health facilities run by IMG with International Hospital’s team of professionals in order to bring health knowledge into health-deprived rural locations. The software and hardware needed for simple diagnostic consultations are minimal.

3.our digital library (of 40,000 journals and full-text books) will be available to health workers up-country, our students and staff, and registered members of the general public. In this way we shall facilitate the spreading and sharing of knowledge for the betterment of Uganda's population.

Our centre will have four main functions:
the facilitation of DIGITAL/REMOTE LEARNING
the facilitation of TELEMEDICINE
student and staff TRAINING and SUPPORT
the COMPILATION OF MULTIMEDIA e-RESOURCES (for website and intranet)

We believe that this proposal is a creative response to engage with the emerging challenge of ICTs for health. We support the idea that universities must spearhead an engagement with this emerging technology by prompting local healthcare workers to take a lead in developing and operating telemedicine projects. However, at this stage in our development, we will concentrate on simple, low cost techniques that will hopefully develop as connectivity improves.