ICML 9

9º Congreso Mundial de Información en Salud y Bibliotecas

Salvador, Bahia - Brasil, 20 a 23 de septiembre de 2005

BVS4

4a. Reunión de Coordinación Regional de la BVS

19 y 20 de septiembre de 2005

Moving from information transfer to information exchange - evaluation and production of electronic training materials on dengue and Chagas’s disease: sharing experiences with electronic publishing methodologies and technology between North and South

Participantes:
  • Laboratory of Health Education, Centre of Research René Rachou – CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte  - Brasil
  • International Health, Wellcome Trust, London  - United Kingdom
  • Laboratory of Health Education, Centre of Research René Rachou – CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte  - Brasil
  • Laboratory of Triatomíneos, Centre of Research René Rachou – CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte  - Brasil

Moving from information transfer to information exchange - evaluation and production of electronic training materials on dengue and Chagas’s disease: sharing experiences with electronic publishing methodologies and technology between North and South

Infectious and parasitic diseases remain major contributors to morbidity and mortality, and disproportionately affect populations living in poverty. Between the interface of health, education and communication, we reflect on possible interventions that may increase the access and use of educational technologies in disease-endemic developing countries through modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). 
ICTs have considerable impact on global health promotion, disease control and health care. Nonetheless, there is a need to move beyond traditional practices in information transfer (one-way monologue), toward a more appropriate notion of information exchange (two-way dialogue). Information transfer has typically been conducted in a ‘monologue’ format where information flows in one direction – from provider (developed countries) to recipient (developing countries). Evaluation of ICTs is another important aspect that has traditionally been overlooked, where without scientific evaluative information of ICTs, we are unlikely to reap the greatest benefits from these powerful tools. 
By establishing an innovative collaboration between the Wellcome Trust, Publishing Group-International Health (Wellcome-PGIH), UK and CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Brazil, this project constructs a two-way flow of information between North and South, where shared experiences and technologies open new channels of dialogues. We implement this collaborative strategy, by collectively evaluating a CD-ROM on dengue, produced by Wellcome-PGIH and by designing a new CD-ROM on Chagas’s disease. Both discs will be translated to the local language (Portuguese) and evaluated with the target population (health professionals).
Design and evaluation of CD-ROMs are lin ked and intertwined processes. We evaluate the CD-ROMs qualitatively and quantitatively. By producing the content in Brazil with experts in FIOCRUZ and other Latin American institutions, and by evaluating the disk with the target population, we strive to create an end product more in tune to, and reflecting better the reality of, the location where the diseases are endemic. By building partnerships, skills, understanding and ownership between these institutions, this collaborative process enables both parties to grow considerably, where this approach strives to expand the frontiers of health information, education and promotion.