Distance Education Program in Anesthesiology (DEPA)

Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. (PSA)

A Concept Paper

By

Reynaldo O. Joson, MD, MHA, MHPEd, MS Surg
October 1, 1999

Background Information:

PSA wants a distance education program in anesthesiology (DEPA).

Primary Goal:

To produce more Philippine Board of Anesthesia (PBA)-certified anesthesiologists in the Philippines, especially in regions outside the National Capital Region.

(This will mean better quality of anesthesia service in the Philippines and for the Filipino people.)

Secondary Goal:

To provide a cost-effective opportunity for PBA-certified anesthesiologists to continually maintain and upgrade their professional competency.

(This will mean better quality of anesthesia service in the Philippines and for the Filipino people.)

Specialty Training Programs in Anesthesia

There are existing specialty training programs in anesthesia accredited by the PSA. The mode of training is in-house, in-campus, or residential (thus, the popular term residency).

The DEPA will provide an alternative mode of training, that of distance learning, in which the trainees are at a geographic distance from their teachers or facilitators.

(Note: The skepticism of feasibility and quality training with distance learning has been resolved by the global and national trend, with the establishment of the University of the Philippines Open University, and with the documented experience of the distance learning in surgery of Dr. R. Joson in Zamboanga.)

Continuing Education in Anesthesia

The DEPA will also be used for the continuing professional education of PSA members and PBA-certified anesthesiologists.

PSA's Decision on DEPA

The PSA has decided to develop and implement the DEPA.

It has tapped Dr. Reynaldo O. Joson to be the program consultant (to be finalized yet).

Dr. Joson has agreed to help.

Dr. Alfonso Doloroso will be the program director.



Dr. R. Joson's Tentative General Plan (pending more discussion with PSA officials)

· Duration of DEPA development : 5 years

· 4 phases of program development

Phases of Program Development

Main Output

Specific Outputs/Activities

Curriculum planning

Master Plan of DEPA

The DEPA curriculum
Implementation plan
Evaluation plan for DEPA

Curriculum development

Course Packs and Modules
(Print and Nonprint)

Facilitating learning methods
Learning materials
Assessment materials

Curriculum implementation

Implementation of DEPA Enrollees in DEPA

Pilot testing
Official implementation
Formative evaluation

Curriculum evaluation

Summative Evaluation

· Development of Faculty:

Distance learning mode using print self-instructional program with intermittent face-to-face (seminar-workshops and individual consultations)

Note: Faculty development and program development will take place simultaneously.

· Main course packs to use in faculty and program development (others may be added in the future):


Dr. R. O. Joson's Tentative Specific Plan (pending more discussion with PSA officials)

1. Formal meeting with PSA officials

2. Core Faculty of DEPA - selection or appointment

(10-15 committed faculty who are willing to undergo formal training in health profession education - curriculum development, course and module writing, facilitating learning, and evaluation)

Note: May arrange for training to be credited for a diploma or a master degree in health sciences education or health professional education, beside being properly compensated for course writing)

3. Orientation of Core Faculty

4. Start of Course Pack on Distance Education on Medicine

5. While doing the course pack, will be developing the DEPA curriculum and modules.

6. All the other course packs will be tackled simultaneously or one at a time.


Gantt Chart of DEPA Development


 

Health Profession Education