TITULO SUPLETORIO

This axis refers to the various partnerships and stakeholders that are necessary for introducing a mobile solution. There are two main domains in this axis: 1) strategic engagement and 2) partnership sustainability. The table below describes the areas included within the partnerships axis and domains.

Axis 2: Partnerships

Domain 3: Strategic engagement 3.1 Identification of partners 3.2 Fostering buy-in

4.1 Champions 4.2 Governance

Domain 3: Strategic engagement

The strategic engagement domain refers to the need to ensure that all stakeholders involved in mobile learning approaches be engaged actively in planning and

implementing programs. Within this domain, there are two main areas for consideration: 1) identification of partners and 2) fostering buy-in.

Sub-Domain 3.1: Identification of partners

There are many stakeholders who should be involved in a mobile technology-supported program. Interviewees stressed that ensuring that the right mix of government, private sector, and academic partners are included from the start of any project will support successful and inclusive planning. Of all interviewed, 17% of global and 18% of Vietnamese respondents mentioned the importance of having the right stakeholders involved. Interviewees mentioned including the following collaborators:

• Ministry of Health

• Ministry of Education and Training

• Ministry of Information and Communication • Provincial health departments

• Professional medical and nursing associations • Academics and university staff

• Local and international m/eLearning design experts • Private sector health institutions

• Mobile network operators

• Local or international private sector technology firms

• Local or international private sector CME content developers and accreditation agencies

Stakeholders interviewed did not prioritize or rank the importance of each partner, or their potential role in introducing mobile technologies. However, most of the above stakeholders are already potentially included in the national eLearning network, with the exception of mobile network operators. Leveraging partnership structures already in place and establishing a national steering committee to prioritize mobile technology use cases for potential consideration is recommended.

Sub-Domain 3.2: Fostering buy-in

Since mobile learning for CME is new globally, it is not surprising that there is a general lack of awareness among Vietnamese stakeholders about how mobile technology can be used. Out of all government staff interviewed, 63% (n=5) reported they were unaware about different ways mobile technology can be used for CME. Fostering buy-in among stakeholders is an important task, along with ensuring that they all share a vision for introducing mobile technology and that each partner is aware of the “value proposition” and role in achieving the vision.

Interviewees also reported a lack of clinician awareness about CME with 23% (n=5) of Vietnamese stakeholders declaring that awareness is low among health workers. Despite low awareness, there is strong interest, as 86% (n=19) of Vietnamese stakeholders interviewed said that they do not have any mobile learning programs now, but are interested in learning about the potential.

In order to foster ownership at the national level, 45% of global implementers (n=5) stated that improving capacity of government staff is important. Interviewees also pointed to the variety of stakeholders, including the public and private sector partners, and the need to define the roles, and strengths, or contributions each partner brings to a mobile technology-supported implementation. As mentioned, forming a national steering committee or a community of practice that is guided by a terms of reference or other governance document can help establish a forum for communication, sharing lessons learned, and aligning partners roles and contributions to the national program.

Domain 4: Partnership sustainability

This domain refers to the mechanisms to support sustained partnerships over time and includes two sub-themes: 1) champions and 2) governance.

Sub-Domain 4.1 Champions

The importance of having champions in the MOH and universities was raised by three global experts. Champions were described as key staff members that have influence over

budget and policy changes. Experts noted that identifying champions and ensuring they are supported can help lead to larger partnerships designed to adopt mobile technology. Champions that are in the current eLearning network would be good candidates for initial capacity building to leverage existing investments. Identifying additional champions within the MOH and provincial health departments in addition to the eLearning university network will also be important to target.

Sub-Domain 4.2 Governance

In addition to champions, three international experts also pointed to the need to set up governance structures to ensure that partnerships are sustained over the long term. A national steering committee guided by an agreed upon terms of reference with deliverables was mentioned as a possible governance structure.

Axis 2 Recommendations:

1. Present the findings of this research to the MOH and chairs of national eLearning network to define next steps. There is an opportunity with new World Bank funding to expand the eLearning network. The MOH can also advocate with other donors such as the Asian Development Bank to support the national eLearning network. A steering committee made up of key stakeholders would be valuable. 2. Engage the Ministry of Information and Communications when considering

adopting mobile technologies. This ministry is an important stakeholder for the national CME program, particularly for the purposes of advocating with mobile

network operators in the country to strengthen network coverage in rural and mountainous areas and potential public-private partnership moving forward. 3. Engage other private sector companies and mobile operators in the national level

planning and implementation structures. Many eLearning private sector companies and local mobile application builders are available in Vietnam. Including mobile network operators in the larger eLearning network partnership structure can help align roles and potentially negotiate reduced mobile data costs. Engaging these stakeholders and mobile network operators from the start will increase the potential for reduced cost for services implemented at national scale. 4. Develop strategies to embed mobile technology partners into the eLearning

network leadership and stakeholder groups, and include approaches for ensuring partnership sustainability. The national eLearning network can be leveraged to include additional partners to add mobile functionality into eLearning courses. Developing national governance structures including potentially a steering committee to govern partnerships will be useful.

5. Identify champions in the MOH, province health departments and universities to support introducing mobile technologies. A structure for developing eLearning capacity in the country was established. Embedding mobile technologies as a potential resource within the network can leverage investments. Targeted training of eLearning champions and experts can support integration.