Effectiveness of eLearning programme for capacity building of healthcare professionals: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of eLearning in enhancing healthcare professionals' capacity has received substantial attention globally. This review sought to synthesis evidence on the effectiveness of various types of eLearning programmes, and the facilitators and barriers to its use. METHODS: The review was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Four main databases (PubMed, Web of Science, JSTOR, and Scopus) in July 2023 and 44 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The JBI critical appraisal checklist was used to appraise the methodological quality of the studies. The data were examined using narrative review to determine the effectiveness of the intervention as well as the barriers and facilitators to its use. RESULTS: This review found that asynchronous, synchronous, blended, and self-learning methodologies are effective eLearning approaches for continuous professional development. Previous positive experiences, user-friendly interfaces and relevance of the eLearning content to daily practice are critical elements that facilitate eLearning usage. Poor computer competence and literacy, lack of personal computers and high family duties were the main personal factors that hindered eLearning use. Some systemic barriers included; heavy workloads, shortage of specialised eLearning facilitators poor management involvement, and technical inadequacies within the ICT departments. Environmental issues such as poor infrastructure, including limited internet and frequent power outages acted as barriers. CONCLUSION: The review highlights the effectiveness of various eLearning approaches among health professionals and presents the disparities between developing and developed economies in relation to the facilitators and barriers.

Gamified Problem Gambling and Psychological Distress: The Mediated-Moderated Roles of Cognitive and Economic Motives.

Economic and non-economic motives for gambling may amplify anxiety and depression among young adults. On the grounds that online gambling is highly addictive, it is imperative to assess significant contributory factors in gambling that aggravate financial harm and psychological distress. The study examines gamified problem gambling and psychological distress among young adults in Ghanaian universities. The study further explores the mediating role of cognitive biases and heuristics as well as financial motive for gambling between gamified problem gambling and psychological distress. Through a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling technique, the study employed (n = 678) respondents who took part in different forms of gambling events in the last 2 years. Instruments for construct assessment include problem gambling severity, cognitive biases and heuristics, financial motive for gambling and psychological distress scales. Control variables include gender, age, income source and type of gambling patronized in the last 2 years. Using hierarchical regression, gamified problem gambling was found to have a positive effect on psychological distress. Also, cognitive biases & heuristics partially mediates between gamified problem gambling and psychological distress. Finally, financial motive for gambling moderates between gamified problem gambling and psychological distress. The outcomes bring to bear economic and non-economic motives that exacerbate psychological distress among young adults. Based on the vulnerability of problem gamblers in developing countries, the researchers recommend a need for stricter regulations to somewhat control online gambling frequency among young adults.