It must be established by experimentation what support structures are needed for distance learning materials to be used, for example tutors, tutorials, peer groups and/or Resource and Training centres. The latter will be the technical and organizational basis for distance learning programme, so the Contractor shall work out the way of contribution of those centres.
This key task is of paramount significance from the point of view of both the implementation of the project and of future extension of the education of faminly medicine and homecare. This task can be divided into two strongly interrelated parts:
1. Establishment of support structure of the courses developed in the framework of this project.
2. On the basis of experience acquired during the implementation of the project, elaboration of proposals on extension of the education of family medicine and homecare.
Task 1 of above includes the following activities:
1.1. Establishment of a course delivery group responsible for defining the activities in the implementation phase, for controlling the establishment of the support structure, organizing quality assurance system and working out recommendations for the further application of the results.
1.2. In the framework of the project DE courses for family doctors and home nurses will be launched. The courses have two functions: a/ they should transfer high quality knowledge and skills in an efficient way to the participants and b/ obtaining experiences on the basis of which the national system of distance education of family doctors and home nurses can be developed succesfully.
1.3. Two courses will be launched in the piloting phase covered by the contracting period of the project on 1/ the stroke in family medicine for family doctors and 2/ the stroke in homecare for nurses.
In terms of method of course delivery each course will be launched in the following different ways: a/ assisted DE based on printed materials/video/audio records/floppy disks, b/ assisted DE based on multimedia course material, c/ DE course through Internet.
1.4. Definition of student groups
1.5. DE courses with the main activities as follows: a/ independent studies using course materials, video, audio cassettes, CD-ROMs etc, b/ communication with the tutor and other students in face-to-face tutorials, via fax, telephone, correspondence, email, Internet, residential school, c/ practical training of students organized by the resource centres, d/ assessment and evaluation of the achievements of the students during and at the end of the education.
1.6. The organizers of course delivery and the tutors will be trained using appropriate adapted DE course materials available in Hungary. The preparation will take 20 hours independent study and 4 hours tutorial.
1.7. The experts of Mid-Sweden University will have a strong input on the implementation of these tasks: a/ the course delivery system will integrate the experience of DE system of MSU, b/ the experts of MSU will participate in the planning of practical training method, c/ the experts of MSU will contribute to the preparation of the tutors and course managers, d/ special emphasis will be given to the participation of Swedish experts in the use of advanced information technology in DE.
1.8. Equipment of regional resource centres with Internet link, financed and subscribed for the contactual period from the budget of the project.
1.9. The quality ensurance of the education will be provided for by an expert.
2. The preparation of the nationwide DE system for education and retraining of family doctors and nurses for homecare requires a well structured work including the following activities:
2.1. Determining the content of the education and retraining, further education of family doctors and nurses.
2.2. Determining the methods of DE of family doctors and nurses.
2.3. On the basis of activities described in Point 1.1-1.8 as well as in 2.2, a comprehensive feasibility study will be prepared for the nationwide introduction of education and further education. Teaching materials and experience will be available for preparing course writers, tutors, course managers. Experience and skill concerning preparation and adaptation of course materials will be ensured for future development. Institutional and organizational conditions of the extension of the courses will be provided.
2.4. The international input in this phase plays eminent role in the implementation of this key activity.