Developing digital learning to help reduce laboratory inequalities: a viral haemorrhagic fever case study

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) viruses pose significant risks in low-resource nations with limited health expenditures, hindering surveillance and outbreak control.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated training challenges for researchers and public health professionals by restricting travel and in-person collaboration.
• Digital learning presents a viable solution to address critical training gaps in laboratory diagnostics and public health preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of effective digital learning tools for laboratory training in VHF virus detection.
• To outline the teaching methodology employed in creating these digital resources.
• To identify barriers to implementing digital learning in this context and propose solutions.

Main Methods:

• Development of digital learning modules focused on VHF virus laboratory training.
• Implementation of a structured teaching methodology within the digital platform.
• Analysis of challenges encountered during the development and initial implementation phases.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of digital training tools designed to enhance laboratory skills for VHF virus surveillance.
• Identification of key barriers including technological infrastructure, internet access, and digital literacy.
• Development of strategies to mitigate these barriers, such as offline content and blended learning approaches.

Conclusions:

• Digital learning offers a scalable and accessible method for training laboratory professionals in VHF virus detection, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• Addressing identified barriers is crucial for the effective and equitable implementation of digital health education globally.
• Continued development and adoption of digital training tools can strengthen global capacity for infectious disease surveillance and response.