Advancing MCH Graduate Training via Mobile Technology at Drexel University
Drexel University's MCH Catalyst Program is revolutionizing graduate training in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) through mobile technology. Led by Dr. Renee Turchi, the program integrates innovative mobile apps to enhance collaborative learning among students, focusing on MCH competencies and field experiences. The app development funded in 2016 aims to promote cultural competency and enrich students' MCH education during site visits. With mobile apps reshaping various industries, this initiative signifies a shift towards efficient and interactive MCH education through digital innovation.
- Drexel University
- MCH Catalyst Program
- Mobile Technology
- Graduate Training
- Maternal and Child Health
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ADVANCING MCH GRADUATE TRAINING VIA MOBILE TECHNOLOGY Drexel University MCH Catalyst Program PI: Renee Turchi, MD, MPH, FAAP March 2, 2020 ATMCH Innovation in MCH Education Award
Drexel MCH App Team Renee Turchi, MD, MPH - Professor/MCH Catalyst Program Director, Drexel Dornsife SPH & College of Medicine Renee Davis, MD, MPH - MCH Program Coordinator/ Research Associate, Drexel Dornsife SPH Ray Lum, MPhil, MS - Professor Emeritus, Drexel Dornsife SPH Joel Rodriquez, EdD - Consultant, Instructional Designer, PA College of Health Sciences. Formerly, Adjunct Professor/Consultant, Drexel Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Vivianna Bermudez, MA - Professional Developer, Director of Communication & Events, Drexel Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Nicole Briody Roberts, BM Community Manager/Consultant
Background Technology & mobile apps are central to today s society. 75% of the world s population accesses mobile phones. In an era of multi-tasking, desire for efficiency, and instant access to information or services, mobile apps have incited a cultural shift redefining expectations and experiences in today s society. Today we can Check if a movie theater show is sold out without leaving home Order food and groceries from home Board a plane using a boarding pass on our smart phones Pay parking meters without going outside Connect with others personally & professionally using social media
Background Mobile apps are redefining how we live and are becoming industry standards of many professions. Mobile apps are successfully used in: Research Clinical Work Patient Education Less is known regarding use in graduate education.
Background MCH App development funded in 2016 (ATMCH) Goal: To promote collaborative learning among students related to MCH competencies, specifically, cultural competency, & activities / experiences during MCH field experiences. Design Team MCH Faculty Instructional Designers Media & App Design Personnel Director of E-Learning
Background Developed for use by students in Overview of MCH course during MCH site visits 10 week course Each students attends 1 site visit typically around week 6 Site visits are typically half-day visits
MCH App Initial app features Video tutorial Access to MCH Navigator MCH Competencies Self- Assessment Field Visit Checklist Site Confirmation Form Share Experience Cultural Competency Resources Student Feedback Survey
Cultural Competency Resources Students select & complete a relevant organizational cultural competency assessment from the National Center for Cultural Competency website related to their field experience site. Additional resources to increase knowledge in cultural competency.
Student Feedback Survey (2016-2018) N (%) Degree Program 33 (66) 6 (12) 3 (6) 3 (6) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (2) MPH MD/MPH MCH Certificate Undergraduate degree program Doctoral (DrPH or PhD) Other Master s Degree JD/MPH Year of Study 3 (6) 9 (18) 34 (68) 4 (8) Undergraduate student 1styear graduate student 2ndyear graduate student 3rdyear or higher graduate student Ethnicitya 5 (10) 44 (90) Hispanic Non-Hispanic Race 22 (44) 15 (30) 12 (24) 0 1 (2) White Black/African American Asian American Indian/Alaska Native Other Category of Site Visit 30 (60) 12 (24) 5 (10) 2 (4) 1 (2) Government/city health department Community agency/program Clinical, not a hospital Hospital Community panel, town hall, or workshop Total number of surveys = 50 (89% Response Rate). aOne student did not complete the question regarding ethnicity (n=49)
Student Feedback Sample of initial pilot testing results (2016-2018): 5 course offerings (10 week course) 1st cohort in-person, but app introduced late in course Remaining cohorts all courses online Overall Experience 60 % favorable Companion Desktop 80 % favorable 18% used app only 24% used desktop only 58% used both the app and the companion website I think the website was easier. I always find it easier to type on the computer. However, I used the app more because it is mobile and I could review the questions right at [the field experience site] without having my computer up.
Student Feedback Checklist The checklist was efficient and easy. Guiding questions were nice pointers. Giving me guidance on what to look for in the field experience. I was able to have everything that I needed for the assignment in one location. The app allowed me to ask the most appropriate questions, allowing me to receive the most accurate information during the allotted time frame. It made me look at the visit in a different perspective, by giving me guidance on what to look for in the field experience. Share Feature I like the idea of the share feature of the app but I think students need to be more aware of it and encouraged to use it. Many students did not use the Share feature citing lack of time and they did not know how or what to share as primary reasons.
Information Sharing in MCH The importance of effective communication in MCH education using scientific writing, public speaking, & advocacy is well established. The emerging use & popularity of mobile apps / social media necessitate training in web-based communication among MCH trainees. Team determined additional training on the Share feature and how to share professionally was warranted.
Revising the App 2018 ITA Award Goal: To further enhance collaborative learning during MCH field experiences by providing formal training in professional online information sharing. Professional Developer & Community Manageradded to project team to design professional online sharing training module & facilitate student sharing. Professional Developer MA in Digital Communications; experience in social media, visual communications, and data visualization in the communications field Community Manager Skilled in Graphic Design & Social Media Marketing Share Feature modified to Community X-change aimed to increase engagement, facilitate peer mentoring, and build community. A more user-friendly interface was created. The app is not public, allowing students to practice sharing information in a safe space, facilitating collaborative learning, mentoring, and team building.
Revising the App New Trainings Developed Succinct self-contained training module on professional sharing guidelines were developed & added to app. Training video on sharing developed & added to app. Introduce Community Manager Review how to use the Community X-Change Samples of good & sub-par posts using training module on professional sharing guidelines In person Training session developed for Dornsife Global Development Scholars (Summer 2019)
Assumptions Structured training specifically related to professional, ethical, and culturally competent web-based communication and information sharing, utilizing mobile apps and social media will enhance personal leadership skills; increase MCH leadership competencies; and may raise the overall efficiency and effectiveness of MCH professionals. By utilizing the app, students will practice learned professional sharing techniques in a safe space while not increasing their social media footprint .
Predicted Value / Benefits Creates a safe space for students to practice learned skills without increasing social media footprint. Sharing occurs in a more controlled setting than on existing open or private social media platforms. Data is not collected for marketing purposes We have the ability to add the tools we want to use from Wordpress Students can receive timely feedback via Community Manager. User-friendly platform to practice photo and video sharing, storyboarding, and other techniques to professionally convey messages. Professional development training on web-based information sharing. Fosters a sense of community among students who may otherwise not engage with each other.
MCH Leadership Competencies Communication Share thoughts & ideas effectively Write clearly & effectively Communicate clearly & effectively utilizing technology Cultural Competency (CC) Conduct an organizational CC assessment of field experience site Assess CC strengths & needs of field experience site Develop CC recommendations for site Developing Others through Teaching, Coaching, & Mentoring Facilitate learning in groups Facilitate opportunities for students to serve as teachers
Implementation of Revised App Dornsife Global Development Scholars (Summer 2019) 9 undergraduate & graduate students participating in global field experience (Africa). Prior to departure, students received both online and in-person training on the app, the Community X-Change, role of the community manager, and training related to online information sharing. Use of the app and share feature were extremely limited despite several prompts from the student advisor, community manager, and a peer designated as a student champion. Challenges: Time constraints due to more time spent adjusting to new cultures/customs and being away from home. Possible internet access issues. App not linked to a course or grade. Mixed cohort (undergraduate and graduate) not specifically connected to MCH Program.
Implementation of Revised App Overview of MCH Course Field Experience (Fall 2019) 20 students in the 10 week online course Field Visit Sites (3 local & 3 distant): Govt. (city health department) Community agency/program Clinical (not a hospital) Students provided with written instructions of how to use the app, 2 video tutorials ( How to Use the MCH App & How to Use the Share Feature ), and How to Share online training slides (set up as first thing user sees when logs into app). Students encouraged to share by Community Manager, course instructor / TA, and program coordinator via Prompts in the app, Blackboard course announcements, and emails.
Information Sharing Using the App 10 students (50%) used the Share Feature (increased) 10 original posts describing site visit experience 5 peer response posts - students replied to an original post 3 threads with 3-4 student posts (interaction / discussion) Original posts were similar to Blackboard Discussion Board posts (longer in length and report-like ) Peer response posts were brief and either asked questions or provided additional comments Posts did not incorporate the skills / techniques provided in the trainings.
Student Feedback 11 students completed the survey (55%) Only 2 students indicated they reviewed the How to Share training slides (these 2 students also used the Share Feature) 5 students viewed the video by the Community Manager related to sharing. (3 of these students shared via the app) Of the students who shared via the app, only 5 completed the feedback survey Overall, the student reception and engagement with the app did not change significantly from prior cohorts. More students shared via the app, but several reported this was done more out of obligation rather than having a desire to share and learn from peers.
Predicted vs Perceived Value of App Predicted Value All field experience info located in one easily accessible place/mobile Privacy posts are not public and won t affect students in future Safer environment than open social media platforms, opportunity for practice/learning/development No data collected for marketing purposes as on social media Creates an established MCH community/network based on shared interests Team has control to be able to add relevant tools (unlike using existing social media sites) Can be shared across locations (users don t need to be registered with the university as with Blackboard) Potential for scaling include site preceptors, community manager, other trainees across institutions, etc.
Predicted vs Perceived Value of App Student Perceptions App is useful for information related to the field experience Helpful to have the checklist items, sign off form, etc. Very limited engagement via Share Feature so far despite multiple cohorts and modifications. Students don t see the value/difference from using Blackboard Discussion Board (DB) (what they use in all courses at Drexel) Students wrote their posts in the app similarly to DB posts Some resistance to online peer to peer discussion Peer response posts not very robust This is also often true with DB peer response posts in the course Students see the app as one more thing to do in a course with many assignments in addition to other courses they are taking. Many cite lack of time as a reason for not sharing or accessing additional resources.
App Progression Chart (2016-2019) Cohort Personnel Training PH graduate students (online course) Instructor / TA Program Coord. Technical Support How to use the App written guidelines & video tutorial MCH Course 2016 - 2018 Undergrad & grad students from across Drexel (no associated course) Above PLUS: Dornsife Scholars Advisor Professional Developer (Instructional Design) Community Manager Above PLUS: How to Share slides in app In-person training on app & sharing Dornsife Scholars Summer 2019 PH graduate students (online course) Above PLUS: Student Leader to help prompt sharing How to Use the App written guidelines & video tutorial How to Share slides in app Video training on Sharing by CM MCH Course Fall 2019
Discussion / Lessons Learned Still limited student engagement and decreased student uptake despite Pilot testing in multiple, varied cohorts; Modifying app features; Adding relevant/experienced personnel based on best practices; and Adding training specific to online information sharing. Training not always reviewed Although training slides added to be first thing user sees when logging in, most students stated they did not review them. Many students also did not view the video trainings provided. Time course requirements / competing needs App features seen as busy work Course requirements or other needs (such as when abroad) are higher priority for students. Limited time period for use of app during course.
Discussion MCH App concept well-received at professional level despite lack of uptake among students Presented at conferences with positive feedback Drexel E-Learning Conference (2016) Drexel Spring Collaborative (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3bYSMKw0MM (TS: 7.04) Quality Matters Conference (2016) Making Lifelong Connections (2019) MPH student highlighted in Dornsife publication https://drexel.edu/dornsife/students/dornsife-life/Transforming- Maternal-and-Child-Health-Training/ ATMCH website Manuscript under development
Discussion Despite challenges, we believe app has value Enhance peer-to-peer learning / mentoring Professional development in MCH education and communication Positive feedback at conference presentations 1 suggestion: use app over a longer period of time & add weekly themes that correlate to specific social media platforms (e.g. one week create a post with a max of 240 characters, the next week, a post that has to have a picture to represent Twitter and Instagram, etc.). Consider use in different setting? Not associated with course work Extended time of use Original goal was to promote collaborative learning among MCH students. Give MCH students more control of the app and how they use it.
Next Steps? Consider MCH Student Groups in training programs? Cohort of MCH trainees with a vested interest Most, if not all, training programs have MCH student groups Larger sample / cohort over a longer time period Not linked to a course (not competing with graded assignments) Students can share experiences, activities, and resources Students can provide feedback, suggestions, reflections, etc. Students would have control, while a CM can provide prompts, feedback, guidance, and regulation (risk management) MCH App provides more privacy & control vs. platforms such as Google Hangouts and Facebook (even private pages) Potential to unify the MCH experience across programs
Thoughts? Valuable to other training programs? Suggestions related to increasing engagement from those who have taught online or hybrid courses or have implemented technology into courses? Other perspectives?
THANK YOU Contact Information Renee Davis: rk38@drexel.edu
