ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the expansion of access to the UWI Diploma in the Management of HIV Infection by converting it from fully in-person to a blended model. DESIGN AND METHODS: A proposal to convert the Diploma at the St. Augustine Campus to a blended model was developed for the class of 2014/15. Collaborative approaches were used to design and develop interactive materials in The UWIs Learning Management System (LMS) myeLearning and 2 courses were delivered online to the 2013-2014 cohort. Post-delivery, an assessment was conducted using online surveys and virtual debrief discussions with students and faculty to assess effectiveness of the content design. RESULTS: Students felt that course content was clear, appropriate, interesting, and applicable to their work. They reported a preference for recorded lectures and relevant videos, anytime/anywhere access and interactions with instructors and peers. Faculty enjoyed building new skills and teaching online. Areas for improvement included: reducing workload, better time estimations for activities and grading guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The online development and delivery of the two courses were implemented. This will increase access to the programme by health care professionals anytime and anywhere.
Subject(s)
Internet-Based Intervention/analysis , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of parents of children with cancer and to determine level of satisfaction with the paediatric oncology services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). DESIGN AND METHODS: Parents of children with cancer were surveyed during the period 12-27 October 2009 as part of a wider needs assessment project using a questionnaire designed to obtain information on their perception of medical, physical and psychosocial resources during the family encounter at the EWMSC. RESULTS: Overall, parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of delivery of medical and pharmaceutical services which were at no direct cost to the patient. Issues of concern included a lack of a structured clinic appointment system, inadequate patient care assistance on the ward for very young patients and the housing of non-oncology patients in the oncology specialty unit. Apart from their child's illness, fear of job and income loss was a major stressor for parents. CONCLUSION: Medical needs of patients were perceived to be well met, but there was need to address the psychosocial, physical and educational needs of parents.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/standards , Needs Assessment , Parents/psychology , Patient Satisfaction , Quality of Health Care , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Medical Oncology , Pediatrics , Trinidad and TobagoABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the needs of the departments at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Comlpex (EWMSC) which provide critical support to the paediatric oncology service. DESIGN and METHODS: Key members of staff actively involved in the delivery of paediatric oncology services at the EWMSC were surveyed using self-administered questionaries. Information sought was related to medical, operational, human resource, financial, administrative, infrastructural and psychosocial challenges in providing the service. RESULTS: Twenty members of staff from six departments participated and reported priority challenges in human resources, operational and infrastructural areas in all six departments, Medical diagnostic, administrative and financial issues were high priority in four departments and social/psychological issues in the social work department. CONCLUSION: Human resources, infrastructural support of services and data management needs were identified as key challenges. Using a combination of basic and novel approaches to overcome these challenges would lead to improved patient outcome.
Subject(s)
Oncology Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of parents of children with cancer and to determine level of satisfaction with the paediatric oncology services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). DESIGN AND METHODS : Parents of children with cancer were surveyed during the period 12-27 October 2009 as part of a wider needs assessment project using a questionnaire designed to obtain information on their perception of medical, physical and psychosocial resources during the family encounter at the EWMSC. RESULTS: Overall, parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of delivery of medical and pharmaceutical services which were at no direct cost to the patient. Issues of concern included a lack of a structured clinic appointment system, inadequate patient care assistance on the ward for very young patients and the housing of non-oncology patients in the oncology specialty unit. Apart from their child's illness, fear of job and income loss was a major stressor for parents. CONCLUSION: Medical needs of patients were perceived to be well met, but there was need to address the psychosocial, physical and educational needs of parents.
OBJETIVO: Evaluar las percepciones de madres y padres de niños con cáncer, y determinar el nivel de satisfacción con los servicios de oncología pediátrica del Complejo Eric Williams de Ciencias Médicas (EWMSC). DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se hicieron encuestas a los padres y madres de niños con cáncer, durante el periodo del 12-27 de octubre de 2009, como parte de un proyecto de evaluación de las necesidades. Se diseñó un cuestionario para obtener información acerca de su percepción de los recursos médicos, físicos y psicosociales durante el encuentro de familias en el Complejo Eric Williams de Ciencias Médicas Complejo (EWMSC). RESULTADOS: En general, padres y madres manifestaron un alto nivel de satisfacción con la calidad de los servicios médicos y farmacéuticos sin costo alguno para los pacientes. Los problemas de mayor preocupación incluían la falta de un sistema bien estructurado de citas médicas, atención inadecuada en relación con la asistencia en la sala de los pacientes muy jóvenes, y el alojamiento de los pacientes no oncológicos en la unidad de especialidad de oncología. Aparte de la enfermedad de sus niños, el miedo a perder el trabajo y los ingresos, era una de las causas principales de stress en los padres. CONCLUSIÓN: Las percepciones daban por bien satisfechas las necesidades de los pacientes, pero apuntaban al imperativo de atender las necesidades psicosociales, físicas y educativas de padres y madres.