Development, Implementation, and Outcomes of a Global Infectious Disease Training Course

Area of Science:

• Global Health Education
• Pediatric Oncology
• Infection Prevention and Control

Background:

• Quality pediatric cancer care relies on skilled healthcare professionals.
• A global deficit exists in specialized training curricula for infection care and prevention (ICP) in pediatric oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a blended learning course focused on Infection Care and Prevention (ICP) for healthcare professionals in pediatric cancer care.
• To assess the impact of the course on participants' knowledge, confidence, and professional activities.

Main Methods:

• A 10-week blended course combining four 2-week distance learning modules with a 2-week in-person workshop.
• Modules covered infectious complications, quality in infection care and prevention, and sustainability.
• Included pre/post-tests, webinars, lectures, clinical observations, and a capstone project presentation.

Main Results:

• Significant knowledge improvement was observed (P < .001) based on pre- and post-test scores.
• Participants reported high satisfaction with both distance (91%) and in-person (87%) learning components.
• Graduates demonstrated increased confidence in infection management and engagement in quality improvement initiatives, with 77% initiating project implementation.

Conclusions:

• The ICP course effectively enhances knowledge and fosters professional collaboration among healthcare providers.
• The program serves as a successful and adaptable model for developing future global healthcare training programs.