Feasibility of a mobile based Continuing Medical Education (CME) program for recent updates in the medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh, India

摘要

Background Mobile based messaging system provides a platform to communicate to health care professionals of medical colleges for an updated knowledge in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Material and methods Pragmatic trial under routine programmatic conditions was planned in which an automated messaging system was developed along with development of message banks tailored for medical faculty (total 335) with respect to their discipline. Results Message banks were developed by the research team by referencing the relevant training modules and guidelines under RNTCP. Two message banks consisted of relevant message lines were developed; one was for case notification, revised presumptive definition, and revised diagnostic methods and general information and another one was for INDEX-TB guidelines. Different combinations –input system – of message lines were decided and designed for both message banks. Input system was kept for one-month cycle with delivery of messages on fixed day and at fixed time (usually at 19:00 ? h on a selected day) to ensure sustained interest and effective reading time for messages. Conclusion Mobile based medical education program to the medical faculties proved to be feasible and useful to keep them updated about recent changes in the RNTCP.