Factors contributing to successful engagement in on-line discussions in a global distance education program for public health professionals

The need for building the skills of the global public health workforce has been identified by the WHO and distance learning has emerged as an inexpensive and accessible option to address this need. The Global Learning Program at UNC Chapel Hill, currently being piloted in eight countries, is a non-degree program intended to enhance management skills of public health practitioners. A key component of the program is the use of facilitated on-line discussion forums for promoting cross-country knowledge sharing and joint problem solving. This presentation examines the factors that contribute to the success of these forums. In the discussion forums, participants focus on the application of the content to a case study or to their own work. Maintaining the quality and consistency of on-line discussions has been a challenge . Our evaluation of the pilot included several methods for assessing reasons for this. In this presentation, the results of our evaluation and our interventions to address the issues identified are described. Our data collection consisted of a baseline survey to assess participants' distance learning readiness, a telephone interview with each participant, and detailed face-to-face interviews with selected participants after they completed multiple learning units. Detailed participation statistics from the learning management systems were also used. Work pressures, internet access in the field, time commitments and organizational support emerged as proximal factors, but individual, organizational and cultural attitudes towards sharing knowledge are other factors influencing participation. Our findings will be useful to other organizations involved in training the international health workforce.