Technology and the Practice of Health Education in Conflict Zones

Abstract

One of the many negative impacts of a conflict zone on society is its effect on education access for its people. Syria’s current crisis is a prime example of the ways in which conflict can make access to education, especially higher education, almost impossible. This crisis is uniquely worrying since many attacks on Syria are targeted at its health professionals and doctors. This is exacerbating the doctor shortage, which further adds to the need for improving Syria’s health education. In response to this devastation of war, the Institute of International Health and Education (IIHE) is running an online health education program in Syria. Its Online Education for Displaced Syrian Medical Students (OEDSS) program was developed by its founders for Syrian medical students, living in conflict zones or internally displaced. There are many barriers to access to medical education for these internally displaced students, including financial, educational, and cultural barriers. The OEDSS program has addressed these barriers faced by medical students in Syria in continuing their education. By providing tailored and responsive medical courses for 525 students since June 2016, the program has allowed students to contribute to the immediate health needs of their communities and become equipped with skills to contribute to the future rebuilding of Syria’s health system. OEDSS’s distance learning courses are delivered free of charge through smartphones (with an access rate of 65% compared with computers at 15%) that can download the course materials whenever the electricity is on. They are given in Arabic with optional English classes. Course completion rates have been 97%, with a 70% exam rate success. The OEDSS program offers a very promising, flexible model of distance learning through smartphones, delivering high-quality medical education in conflict zones. Its importance cannot be overestimated because over 68.5 million people are displaced due to conflict and persecution (UNHCR, 2017) (Edwards A. Forced displacement at record 68.5 million. UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2018/6/5b222c494/forced-displacement-record-685-million.html. 2018. Accessed April 1, 2019).