Classroom without Walls

With diverse cultures, sparse populations, severe temperatures, vast coastline, and outdoor lifestyles, Alaska experiences many unique health care challenges. One such challenge is the delivery of health care and specifically, people to provide the care. The Community Health Aide Program (CHAP), authorized by Congress in 1968, was designed to provide emergency and primary health care services to Alaska Natives and others living in remote communities in Alaska. Community Health Aides (CHAs) are selected and hired by local Tribal Health Organizations and must live in the community while employed. In addition they must meet minimal math and English reading and writing requirements. Preferably they speak the Native language of the village. Historically (CHAs) have had to leave their village, their families, and support systems to travel to one of four training centers to obtain their basic training when and if training was available.

A pioneering approach to teach basic skills to CHAs by distance education began in 2007. Overcoming the distance and isolation of remote Alaskan communities was made possible through a partnership with Eastern Aleutian Tribes' Distance Learning Network and the use of state-of-the-art videoconferencing systems, translating into immediate access to learning resources. This classroom without walls sets a new paradigm for clinical distance learning in Alaska. Distance learning allows students to stay in their villages during the 16 week course, reducing disruption to families and communities, while at the same time saving considerable funds in travel and per diem for the sponsoring tribal entities.