About this course: Volunteer community health workers (CHWs) are a major strategy for increasing access to and coverage of basic health interventions. Our village health worker training course reviews the process of training and continuing education of CHWs as an important component of involving communities in their own health service delivery. Participants will be guided through the steps of planning training and continuing education activities for village volunteers. The course draws on real-life examples from community-directed onchocerciasis control, village health worker programs, community case management efforts, peer educators programs and patent medicine vendor training programs, to name a few.
Who is this class for: This course is intended for people who will plan, implement, and/or evaluate training programs for community health workers.
Created by: Johns Hopkins University
Taught by: William Brieger, DrPH, Professor, Health Systems Program of the Department of International Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 2-3 hours per week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Getting Started
In this module, we will focus on the principles of learning, as well as approaching the health service and the community. There will almost be a quiz covering the first two lectures.
8 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Welcome Video
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Suggested Readings
- Reading: Course Project
- Video: Lecture 1A: Principles of Learning, Part 1
- Video: Lecture 1B: Principles of Learning, Part 2
- Video: Lecture 1C: Adult Education Approaches
- Video: Lecture 2A: Overview
- Video: Lecture 2B: Approaching the Health Service
- Video: Lecture 2C: Approaching the Community
- Video: Lecture 2D: Approaching the Community: Gaining Support for Volunteer Efforts
- Discussion Prompt: Motivating Groups
Graded: Quiz 1 (Covers Lectures 1-2)
WEEK 2
Diagnosing Needs and Identifying Objectives
In this module, we will focus on what information we will need to begin training and planning, as well as cover content, objectives, and SMART objectives. There will be a quiz covering lectures 3-4 after completing the lectures in this module. You will also begin to create your rough draft of your plan in the Course Project.
6 videos
- Video: Lecture 3A: What Information Is Needed?
- Video: Lecture 3B: Documents and Interviews
- Video: Lecture 3C: Observation of Performance
- Video: Lecture 3D: Training Needs to Deliver a Basic Package of Services
- Video: Lecture 4A: Content and Objectives
- Video: Lecture 4B: SMART Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Information (and lack thereof)
- Peer Review: Create Your Training Plan First Draft
Graded: Week 2 Quiz (Covers lectures 3-4)
WEEK 3
Selecting Training Methods, Materials, and Resources
In this module, we will focus on a variety of methods, training logistics, and educational materials. There will be a quiz that covers lecture 5-6 to after completing these lectures in this module.
7 videos
- Video: Lecture 5A: A Variety of Methods
- Video: Lecture 5B: Sample Methods for Learning about Educating Villagers
- Video: Lecture 5C: Sample Methods for Learning about a Census
- Video: Lecture 6A: Training Logistics
- Video: Lecture 6B: Matching Materials with Methods
- Video: Lecture 6C: Developing and Using Educational Materials/Aids
- Video: Lecture 6D: A Simple Training Guide
- Discussion Prompt: Educational materials
Graded: Quiz 3 (Covers Lectures 5-6)
WEEK 4
Monitoring Implementation
In this module, we will focus on monitoring, as well as look at a sample community volunteer session. There will be a quiz covering lectures 7-8 after completing the lectures in this module. You will also be able to revise your rough draft in the Course Project section of this module.
5 videos
- Video: Lecture 7A: What is Monitoring?
- Video: Lecture 7B: Monitoring Content and Process
- Video: Lecture 8A: Sample Community Volunteer Session on Malaria Case Management
- Video: Lecture 8B: Sample Community Volunteer Session on Malaria Case Management
- Video: Lecture 8C: Sample Community Volunteer Session on Malaria Case Management
- Discussion Prompt: The 4 R's
- Peer Review: Revise Your Training Plan Draft
Graded: Quiz 4 (Covers Lectures 7-8)
WEEK 5
Program Evaluation and Follow-Up
In this module, we will focus on evaluation, performance, and supervision. There will be a quiz covering lectures 9-10 after completing the lectures in this module.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 9A: Overview and Definitions of Evaluation
- Video: Lecture 9B: Pre- and Post-Tests
- Video: Lecture 9C: Observation, Feedback, and Analysis
- Video: Lecture 10A: Monitoring and Measuring Performance
- Video: Lecture 10B: Realities Back on the Job
- Video: Lecture 10C: Supervision Functions and Effectiveness
- Video: Lecture 10D: Overcoming Supervisory Challenges
- Video: Lecture 10E: Continuing Education Revisited
- Discussion Prompt: Supervision
Graded: Quiz 5 (Covers Lectures 9-10)
WEEK 6
Wrap-Up & Course Project
In this module, you will submit your final draft of your plan and wrap-up the course.
1 video
- Video: Wrap-up Video
- Discussion Prompt: What Now?
Graded: Complete Your Training Plan Final Draft
FAQs
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Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Creators
Johns Hopkins University
The mission of The Johns Hopkins University is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.
Ratings and Reviews
Interesting and usable course for anyone who organized volunteer health workers in any setting.
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Very practical and complete. Relevant and totally recommended