Preparing the Next Generation of Community Health Workers: The Power of Technology for Training

This document describes the opportunities that mobile technology offers for training community health workers (CHWs).For many people, community health workers provide essential access to basic health care. They are especially important because many developing countries do not have enough health workers, which is causing significant health challenges. Technology can help to make sure more people are trained to become CHWs and to improve their effectiveness.Despite enthusiasm expressed by the global health sector about the potential of mobile technology, mobile health (mHealth) has not been widely used in the training of community health workers. Of the CHWs that were trained by organizations surveyed by this report, fewer than 10% were trained with multimedia applications.This is a missed opportunity considering the many advantages that technology has to offer when it comes to training CHWs, including:  

• Increased coverage:  

Mobile access is as high as 80% in some countries, creating access to train many people. In addition, digital training could significantly lower the cost of disseminating training.

• Improved learning:

Combining live with digital training can be more effective, especially for people with limited education or levels of literacy. Multimedia can also enable faster and better training.

• Standardization:

Standardization and the creation of open, easily sharable digital training content would provide opportunities for developing new approaches to future training and learning.The following investments are needed to capture these opportunities:

• Develop content that addresses the needs of CHWs in fresh and engaging ways;
• Funders and implementers should ensure greater collaboration in the creation of training content and implementation;
• Experiment with blended training approaches and pedagogies;
• More evaluation of these approaches to inform future training strategies;
• Support innovation that supports continuous learning;
• Continue to support CHWs through broader advocacy and providing an enabling environment.

To read this article in full, click here.Dalberg Global Development Advisors (2012). Preparing the Next Generation of Community Health Workers: The Power of Technology for Training. Cork: Iheed Institute.