Piloting online WellnessRx learning modules: demonstration of developmental evaluation.
WellnessRx is a health initiative focusing on healthy living through education, knowledge translation, and community engagement. Stakeholders of WellnessRx identified web-based education learning modules on nutrition and physical education as a priority to be integrated into existing health sciences curricula, as well as adapted for use by health professionals. Five learning modules were created with essential knowledge, skills, attitudes and resources or tools for health professional students and practitioners. As part of the 'developmental evaluation framework' for WellnessRx, two of these modules were piloted within two health professional student programs. This paper describes the pilot-evaluation experience involving student surveys, focus groups and interviews, and faculty perspectives. For both modules, student pre-post knowledge assessments indicated some improvements in post-module knowledge. Post module evaluations by students indicated benefits with the online delivery being flexible for access, self-health, case-based assessments and useful nutrition and physical activity guides. Challenges for students included their time to do the modules and the activity expectations. Instructors felt each module could be better targeted to different years within an undergraduate program. Through developmental evaluation, the pilot results along with recommendations and lessons learned provided the direction needed to further develop the WellnessRx logic model and proposed learning modules.
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: kathy.kovacsburns@ualberta.ca.
Katharina
K
Kovacs Burns
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: leah.gramlich@ualberta.ca.
Leah
L
Gramlich
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: lana.bistritz@ualberta.ca.
Lana
L
Bistritz
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: linda.mccargar@ualberta.ca.
Linda
L
McCargar
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: karin.olson@ualberta.ca.
Karin
K
Olson
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Health Sciences Council, 3-398 ECHA, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: avdagovs@ualberta.ca.
Melita
M
Avdagovska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Curriculum integration; Developmental evaluation; Health sciences students; Learning modules; Nutrition; Online; Physical activity; Pilot