Abstract
Background: By 2050, 80% of the world’s older population will reside in developing countries. There is a need for culturally appropriate training programs to increase awareness of eldercare issues, promote knowledge of how to better allocate resources to geriatric services, and promulgate elder-friendly policies. A monthly distance geriatric education programme between a public hospital in Singapore and health institute in Uganda was implemented. This study explored the enablers and barriers to the delivery of culturally appropriate geriatric education programmes via a videoconferencing platform. Methods: We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with six teachers from Singapore and six learners from Uganda. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach to analysis with the aid of the NVivo software. Results: Enablers included inter-personal real-time interactions between teachers and learners whereas misaligned perceptions of cross-cultural differences between Singaporean teachers and Ugandan learners were a barrier. Rapport building, teacher motivation and institutional support were perceived to contribute to the programme’s sustainability. Overall, Ugandan learners perceived that the training improved knowledge, skills, attitude and practice of geriatric care. Participants suggested that future initiatives consider aligning cross-cultural perceptions between partners, conducting a training needs analysis, exploring complementary modes of information dissemination, and allotting time for more interaction, thereby reinforcing mutual sharing. Adequate publicity and appropriate incentivisation may also better sustain the programme. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cross-cultural training via a videoconferencing platform was feasible. Our results inform planners of future distance educational programmes of how to improve standards of cross-cultural competency and forge promising international partnerships.
Highlights
Between 2000 and 2015, the world’s number of adults aged 60 years or above increased by around48%
We identified four salient themes pertaining to the barriers and enablers to delivery and implementation of this cross-cultural distance training programme (Table 1)
Our results showed that a long distance transcultural training programme utilizing videoconferencing was feasible and helped enhanced the knowledge, skills, attitude and practice of Ugandan healthcare professionals in eldercare
Summary
Between 2000 and 2015, the world’s number of adults aged 60 years or above increased by around48%. Between 2000 and 2015, the world’s number of adults aged 60 years or above increased by around. Developing countries are expected to bear the brunt of this “unprecedented phenomenon”. 1. How did you get involved in this distance learning/teaching programme between Singapore and Uganda?. By 2050, 80% of the world’s older population will reside in developing countries. There is a need for culturally appropriate training programs to increase awareness of eldercare issues, promote knowledge of how to better allocate resources to geriatric services, and promulgate elder-friendly policies. A monthly distance geriatric education programme between a public hospital in Singapore and health institute in Uganda was implemented. This study explored the enablers and barriers to the delivery of culturally appropriate geriatric education programmes via a videoconferencing platform. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach to analysis with the aid of the NVivo software
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