Improving training in low-resource settings with clinical videos

Purpose of work: We are producing and distributing clinical videos to improve the knowledge and practice of frontline health workers in low-resource settings. These providers often lack basic information essential to providing safe, effective health care. Data and information: Our first series of videos comprises 35 videos on newborn care best practices. The films follow international guidelines from WHO, Save the Children, and others. Methods: We film at international clinical sites so providers can closely identify with the setting and situation. Animation is used to illustrate key concepts. The films are practical and concise, showing step-by-step instruction that is easy to understand and put into action. Voice-over enables narration in many languages. Major results: Ten newborn videos are complete, and about a dozen more are now being field-tested. These videos can be used as complementary training tools in pre-service or in-service education, for review at the point of care, and as stand-alone health care references. Videos are shot and formatted for mobile devices. They are available open access under a creative commons license, and our partnerships with organizations ensure the videos are broadly disseminated. Recommendations/policy implications: Although numerous studies have demonstrated the powerful teaching potential of video, the higher retention rate, and improved receptivity to learning, videos remain vastly underutilized and largely unavailable in developing countries. Our current work helps fill this knowledge gap for newborn care. Integrating these videos into training programs can improve instruction, thus helping to reduce newborn morbidity and mortality around the globe.