title: Implementation and Evaluation of a Blended Learning Course on Tuberculosis for Front-Line Health Care Professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-module blended learning course on tuberculosis diagnosis for Ethiopian health care professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This implementation science research was conducted within the routine in-service training for health care professionals in Ethiopia. A combined web-based and face-to-face acid-fast bacilli microscopy course was designed and its applicability studied after 6 weeks of enrollment of 108 medical laboratory professionals. A survey was conducted to capture participants' feedback on the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 108 participants enrolled, 81 attended and 73 (90%) completed the course; 72 (94%) had no experience taking online courses. Mean percentages of quizzes, assignments/exercises, and hands-on scores were 88%, 70%, and 95%, respectively. No significant differences were found in scores between participants from public, private, and nongovernmental health facilities ( P = .386) or between higher and lower level facilities ( P = .533). Participants' overall satisfaction with the course was 88%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blended learning was an effective pedagogic approach for this category of professionals because of the crucial need for hands-on training for practicing and translating knowledge into skills. This approach also had the advantages of keeping the costs of the entire course low and reaching a greater number of participants, all without significant disruption of work schedules.
authors.affiliation: From the Mayo Clinic US PEPFAR Program, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tsegahun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manyazewal
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marinucci
authors.affiliation: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: Getachew
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belay
authors.affiliation: Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau, Health Research and Laboratory Services Version Process, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.affiliation: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: Amha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Yewondwossen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tadesse
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Zelalem
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Temesgen
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical; D005002:Ethiopia; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Blended course; Ethiopia; Health care professionals; In-service training; Tuberculosis