This presentation describes the development & implementation of an innovative educational offering using a newly developed mobile application in MCH public health graduate training. Successes, barriers & lessons learned in this process were discussed. This won an ATMCH Innovative Teaching Award for 2018-2019.
Program downsizing, budget constraints, and retirements over recent years have resulted in fewer MCH-trained professionals in the workforce. The successful use of smart phones and mobile apps is described in research, clinical work & patient education, but the use of mobile apps in public health/MCH graduate education is in its infancy. We implemented a new mobile app used in the student field experience for our introductory MCH course designed to promote collaborative learning & enhance cultural competency skills.
The app included a field experience checklist, web-based MCH self-assessments, organizational cultural competency assessments, online cultural competency training materials & a feature where students could share information learned at field sites with each other & the course instructor. ATMCH Innovative Teaching Award funds were used to (1) enhance & update the app to better promote & facilitate sharing & engagement; (2) create intermediate & advanced training modules in MCH communication, professionalism, ethics & leadership skills as related to web-based information sharing; & (3) introduce a "community manager" to foster a sense of community among MCH students & advance sharing to enhance student engagement & collaborative learning during MCH field experiences.
Advancing MCH Graduate Training via Mobile Technology
March 2020