Learners and System Readiness for Digital Learning in Ethiopian Health Sector: The Path to Blended Learning

Abstract BackgroundIn Ethiopia, the traditional face-to-face learning method is still the predominant modality to formally educate and train health workers in many universities and colleges, but could not alleviate the critical national shortage of health workforce. The increasing global digital interconnectedness, the emerging user-friendly and cost-effective digital learning platforms are easing the barriers for reaching unlimited audience, and the lessons learned from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions have opened room for digital learning. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to get an insight into the learners and system readiness for digital learning scale up.MethodsQuantitative and qualitative methods were employed by including 393 lower and mid-level health workers from regional states and Addis Ababa city, and 27 key informants from different governmental and non-governmental organizations. The market appetite for digital learning, willingness to pay, use of the mobile devices, delivery mode preference, and the current context pertinent to digital learning were assessed. ResultsAlmost all of the study participants possessed mobile phones, and the majority (92%) had smartphones. Most of those who had digital learning experience agreed or strongly agreed with digital learning is cost-effective (88.7%), most effective and efficient (90.3%) with no geographic limitation (95.2%), easier to use (91.9%), and enabling the required skills and knowledge (89%) as compared to face-to-face learning, which were also supported by key informants. More than 90% of survey participants with digital learning experience regarded classroom learning as more expensive than digital learning and the majority were willing to pay for digital learning service, which was also echoed by key informants. The most preferred delivery mode was blended learning. ConclusionStudy participants have expressed their optimism towards digital learning, most preferably through a blended delivery mode. The cost-effectiveness of the method, high access to mobile devices, government and partners’ commitment along with trainees preference are persuasive conditions to implement and transform digital learning for health workers in Ethiopia and increase the health workforce as an important intervention for achieving universal health coverage and health-specific sustainable development goals at large.