International Continuing Education for Rehabilitation  Workers in Honduras: A Pre-test, Post-test Evaluation

Abstract

Background: The knowledge of Honduran healthcare workers who deliver rehabilitation services can be enhanced by support from community-engaged academic collaborations outside the country. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate reactions and learning linked to two continuing education workshops for rehabilitation workers in northern  Honduras. Method: A pre-test post-test study design was used. In September 2017, faculty  from Canada and Colombia, together with health professionals from Honduras, facilitated two neurorehabilitation workshops - one in a rehabilitation centre and the other in a family support organisation located in northern Honduras. The participants were physiotherapists, physicians, nurses and educational  professionals, as well as a psychologist, kinesiologist, and non-professionals  trained onsite. Seventeen participants attended the ‘Acquired brain injury/spinal cord injury workshop’ (adult workshop), and 15 attended the ‘Rehabilitation  for children with impaired neuromotor development workshop’ (paediatric  workshop). They completed three questionnaires before the workshops: One on sociodemographic information; one related to knowledge; and, the Modified Stages of Learning Questionnaires (MSLQs). Three questionnaires were completed after the workshops: The Modified Kirkpatrick; a knowledge questionnaire; and, the MSLQ. Results: Most of the participants agreed that the workshops had positive effects  in two of the four Kirkpatrick levels that were evaluated: Reaction and learning.  In the MSLQs of the paediatric workshop, there was a statistically significant change in the percentage of participants who moved from scanning/evaluation  stages in the pre-test to learning/gaining experience in the post-test, in three of the six topics. Three of the knowledge questions showed important learning effects. Conclusion and Implications: Workshops offered through an international collaboration resulted in enhancing learning and knowledge of neurological rehabilitation workers in Honduras. This initiative has the potential to improve the quality of care for people with neurological conditions in the region. Participants evaluated the workshops as relevant and held very positive attitudes  about the perceived outcomes. The inclusion of local practitioners in planning the workshops and selecting the topics appeared to have aided their relevance. It is recommended that workshop planners take adequate time to ensure relevancy.