Clinical training at remote sites using mobile technology: an India–USA partnership

Abstract

Christian Medical College (CMC), India, and Tufts University School of Medicine, USA, have developed an ‘institutional hub and spokes’ model (campus‐based e‐learning supporting m‐learning in the field) to facilitate clinical education and training at remote secondary hospital sites across India. Iterative research, design, development, and testing merged three key elements for effective mobile learning: an underlying learning management system to organize data; mobile access to a knowledge repository using commonly owned phones; and mobile applications that match the learner, learning theory, and mode of learning based on student‐articulated needs. CMC is institutionalizing academic and technical support for e‐learning and m‐learning, ensuring future sustainability. Assessing and sharing best practices for mobile‐supported training and resources will leverage strengths and build capacity across the CMC–secondary hospital mobile/e‐learning network. This model can advance interdisciplinary health training initiatives in developing countries, improving clinical services and health for underserved populations across the world.

Keywords:

• mobile learning
• distance learning
• medical education
• rural health services
• institutional partnerships
• open source software

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the numerous individuals and organizations who contributed to the development and advancement of e‐learning and mobile technologies at Christian Medical College, Vellore. From CMC: the E‐Learning team of M. Raj, N. Shalini, M. Leena, S. Chinna, S.A. Liju, S. Syamala, E. Vasanth, and M. Santhiya Swetaka; and CMC students, faculty, and FSHM trainees who provided input and testing. From Tufts University: faculty, staff, students, TUSK programming and technical support, and program development, particularly Caroline Cao and her students in the Human Factors Engineering Seminar – Theodora Hadjimichael, Daniel Jozwiak, and Benjamin Schwartz; and Scott Cordeiro, TUSK staff. Finally, our work would not have been possible without the generous support from an anonymous foundation.