Development and evaluation of a novel massive open online course in travel medicine for undergraduate healthcare students
https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.2.5
- Author:
Gerard Thomas Flaherty
1
,
2
;
Lydia Sze Teng Lee
3
;
Aida Lina Alias
4
;
Hasnain Zafar Baloch
4
;
Bryan Chang Wei Lim
1
,
2
,
5
;
Kok Leong Tan
6
;
Victor Lim
7
;
Lokman Hakim Sulaiman
6
,
8
Author Information
1. School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
2. School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
4. Department of Learning Resources, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
6. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Department of Pathology, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8. Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Travel medicine;
global health;
MOOC;
medical education;
e-learning
- MeSH:
Travel Medicine;
Global Health;
Education, Medical
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2020;14(2):5-25
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Massive open online courses (MOOCs)
are designed to accommodate large numbers of
geographically dispersed learners. Few healthcare
students receive exposure in travel medicine. We aimed
as partner medical universities to develop a novel
introductory MOOC in travel medicine suitable for
undergraduate healthcare students, and to evaluate it
among a cohort of learners.
Methods: A course development team, comprising
a senior travel medicine academic from National
University of Ireland Galway, local International
Medical University faculty and instructional/graphic
designers, was convened in November 2017. The
MOOC proposal was subsequently refined. Course
construction commenced in December 2017 and
involved communication between team members
based in Malaysia and Ireland. Lectures were recorded
in January-July 2018. Development of learning and
assessment material and the pilot phase were completed
in December 2019. Course evaluation was based on
the results of a questionnaire and qualitative free text
comments from users.
Results:The MOOC is being delivered to a
multinational cohort on a rolling basis. It is organised
into five four-themed units: travel health risk assessment;
pre-travel health advice; tropical infectious diseases;
specialised travellers; and illness in returned travellers.
Pedagogical methods include short video lectures,
journal articles, a discussion forum, and self-assessment
quizzes. Learners have the option of completing an
online test to receive a certificate of achievement.
Participant evaluation from the first run of the MOOC
has revealed very high levels of satisfaction with content
and mode of delivery.
Conclusions:This is the first MOOC in travel
medicine and it may provide a model for development of
other collaborative international e-learning courses. It
will address a significant deficit in undergraduate health
professional education.
- Full text:20250811145419945524.OriginalArticle.pdf
