Health Informatics Education and Capacity Building in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

P. J. Murray; H. J. Betts; G. Wright; N. V. Tshayingca-Mashiya

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1638656

Yearbook of Medical Informatics, Table of Contents

Yearb Med Inform 2009; 18(01): 158-163
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1638656

Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart

Health Informatics Education and Capacity Building in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

P. J. Murray

¹Centre for Health Informatics Research and Development (CHIRAD) and The University of Winchester, Hampshire, England; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

,

H. J. Betts

¹Centre for Health Informatics Research and Development (CHIRAD) and The University of Winchester, Hampshire, England; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

,

G. Wright

¹Centre for Health Informatics Research and Development (CHIRAD) and The University of Winchester, Hampshire, England; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

,

N. V. Tshayingca-Mashiya

¹Centre for Health Informatics Research and Development (CHIRAD) and The University of Winchester, Hampshire, England; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Objectives To describe the experience of, and lessons learned from, a collaborative project developing and delivering an MSc in Health Informatics in South Africa.

Methods The description and discussion is based on the experiences of the staff delivering the course, and formal and informal evaluations, the former conducted as part of the University of Winchester’s quality assurance processes.

Results Some of the lessons learned from adapting the course to meet local needs are described and discussed.

Conclusions Simply attempting to transpose a successful course from one country and culture to another is not a guarantee of success. Educational staff delivering such courses need to take account of local context and culture, be flexible and prepared to adapt to students’ needs and circumstances, which may be beyond anyone’s control. However, by meeting real identified needs, success can contribute to sustaining capacity building and the development of the local health informatics workforce.

Keywords

Health informatics - education - South Africa - capacity building

Full Text

References

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