The Union delivers first blended learning international TB course in English

Healthcare professionals from across Asia and Africa recently completed our international course on Principles of TB Care and Prevention: Translating Knowledge to Action with the in-person session in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

This course, previously known as the International TB Course, has been in existence for several decades and was last delivered in 2018. We decided to bring the course back as we believe it is an important topic and should be a regular course on our education and training annual calendar.

We updated the course with the most recent WHO recommendations and best practice and decided to offer it in a blended learning format with two parts so participants could benefit from both the online element and in-person sessions:

• an asynchronous component with pre-recorded video presentations and live sessions which were delivered over six weeks between June and July 2024 and
• an in-person session with site visits and field practicals which took place from the 16 to the 21 September in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The participants came from The Gambia, Nigeria, Myanmar, Kenya and Kyrgyz Republic.

Who is the course aimed at?

Principles of TB Care and Prevention: Translating Knowledge to Action international course is aimed at healthcare professionals who want to gain the knowledge and skills to improve the management of people with TB as well as strengthening programmatic practices. The course has been developed for low- and medium-income settings with high TB burden and it is also suitable for health professionals preparing themselves for overseas work.

The course, which is delivered in English, is led by Dr Riitta Dlodlo with support from 13 international faculty members, all of them are active members of The Union, experts in their subject area, contributed to the update and delivery of the course materials as volunteers.

What did the participants think of the course?

All of the participants were satisfied with the content and in-person sessions and thought the course was well organised. They also agreed the course was a good investment in terms of both time and money and would recommend the course to a colleague.

In the course feedback, participants highlighted that the faculty members were highly knowledgeable and experienced and that they benefited from the blended learning format. The practical experience out in the field was well received as it allowed participants to put what they had learnt into practise as well as sharing knowledge and ideas with people from different countries.