Distance assisted training in sub-Saharan Africa: a program evaluation

Technologists working in nuclear medicine departments in sub-Saharan African countries do not have access to formal training in nuclear medicine and have been recruited mostly from related fields of radiologic technology. Because of the nature of the specialty, the numbers that require training are small, and it is therefore not cost-effective for higher-education institutions in these countries to set up training programs. There is also a lack of expertise in this field in Africa. Assessing the feasibility of running a distance assisted training program to provide training where none exists was undertaken as part of a project sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the African Co-Operative Agreement for Research, Development, and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology. Seven countries were nominated, but only 3 centers in 2 countries, Sudan and Tanzania, had the infrastructure to support training. Twenty-one students received the first modules in November 1999, and 13 completed the course in December 2001. All students except one were examined in their own departments. Students received an IAEA Certificate of Achievement at the end of the course, at which time the program was evaluated. Analysis of the data indicated that the conceptualization and design of the material were excellent. There were, however, some problems with the implementation of the program, notably the lack of preparedness of the supervisors, limited departmental resources, and a range of nuclear medicine investigations inadequate for clinical competency. The course was seen to have a positive impact, as it not only allowed technologists to develop skills necessary for the profession but also encouraged critical thinking, reflection, and problem solving. One third of untrained nuclear medicine technologists working in sub-Saharan Africa have now received cost-effective, structured on-site training.