Telementoring initiative for newborn care providers in Kenya, Pakistan and Tanzania

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Medical Education
• Neonatal Care

Background:

• Neonatal mortality remains a significant global health challenge.
• Limited access to specialized training hinders effective neonatal care in many regions.
• UNICEF and the American Academy of Pediatrics initiated a telementoring project to address these gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a telementoring program in improving neonatal care knowledge and practices.
• To identify key factors contributing to the success of telementoring initiatives in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 12-session individualized telementoring curriculum based on site visits and needs assessments.
• Implementation of the program in Kenya, Pakistan, and Tanzania.
• Post-program surveys and focus group discussions with participants, administrators, and UNICEF staff.

Main Results:

• Participants reported enhanced knowledge and improved newborn care skills.
• Qualitative analysis revealed critical success factors: strong local buy-in, integration with existing training frameworks, and attention to technological requirements.
• Telementoring demonstrated flexibility and accessibility compared to traditional in-person training.

Conclusions:

• Telementoring is a potent tool for neonatal education, offering greater flexibility and accessibility.
• The project's success factors provide a model for scaling telementoring initiatives, especially relevant during periods of physical distancing.
• This approach holds significant potential for global neonatal mortality reduction efforts.