title: Mobile learning for HIV/AIDS healthcare worker training in resource-limited settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present an innovative approach to healthcare worker (HCW) training using mobile phones as a personal learning environment.Twenty physicians used individual Smartphones (Nokia N95 and iPhone), each equipped with a portable solar charger. Doctors worked in urban and peri-urban HIV/AIDS clinics in Peru, where almost 70% of the nation's HIV patients in need are on treatment. A set of 3D learning scenarios simulating interactive clinical cases was developed and adapted to the Smartphones for a continuing medical education program lasting 3 months. A mobile educational platform supporting learning events tracked participant learning progress. A discussion forum accessible via mobile connected participants to a group of HIV specialists available for back-up of the medical information. Learning outcomes were verified through mobile quizzes using multiple choice questions at the end of each module.
  
  
  METHODS
  In December 2009, a mid-term evaluation was conducted, targeting both technical feasibility and user satisfaction. It also highlighted user perception of the program and the technical challenges encountered using mobile devices for lifelong learning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a response rate of 90% (18/20 questionnaires returned), the overall satisfaction of using mobile tools was generally greater for the iPhone. Access to Skype and Facebook, screen/keyboard size, and image quality were cited as more troublesome for the Nokia N95 compared to the iPhone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training, supervision and clinical mentoring of health workers are the cornerstone of the scaling up process of HIV/AIDS care in resource-limited settings (RLSs). Educational modules on mobile phones can give flexibility to HCWs for accessing learning content anywhere. However lack of softwares interoperability and the high investment cost for the Smartphones' purchase could represent a limitation to the wide spread use of such kind mLearning programs in RLSs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. mzolfo@itg.be.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zolfo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kiyan
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Echevarria
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fucay
authors.forename: Ellar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llacsahuanga
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Waard
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suàrez
authors.forename: Walter Castillo
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Llaque
authors.forename: Lutgarde
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lynen
references.citation: BMJ. 2003 Oct 4;327(7418):790-3
references.pmid: 14525880
references.citation: Pediatr Surg Int. 2008 Feb;24(2):223-6
references.pmid: 18064470
references.citation: Hum Resour Health. 2009 Apr 01;7:28
references.pmid: 19338669
references.citation: Lancet Infect Dis. 2008 Dec;8(12):738-9
references.pmid: 19022188
references.citation: Stud Health Technol Inform. 2007;129(Pt 2):1372-6
references.pmid: 17911938
references.citation: Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2007 Dec;4(4):201-7
references.pmid: 18366952
references.citation: Health Info Libr J. 2005 Dec;22 Suppl 2:51-65
references.pmid: 16279976
references.citation: J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2009 Nov-Dec;16(6):792-801
references.pmid: 19717793
references.citation: Global Health. 2006 May 23;2:9
references.pmid: 16719925
references.citation: Telemed J E Health. 2009 Apr;15(3):231-40
references.pmid: 19382860
references.citation: Med Teach. 2008;30(8):795-801
references.pmid: 18608948
references.citation: Hum Resour Health. 2009 Apr 08;7:30
references.pmid: 19356239
references.citation: Nurs Prax N Z. 2009 Jul;25(2):30-40
references.pmid: 19928649