The aim of this study was to identify effective e-learning strategies and training contents in order to develop a cultural competence training program for Korean public health workers (PHWs).
Methods:
A two-round Delphi study was performed with sixteen Korean experts (nursing, education, social welfare, anthropology, and public administration). We asked experts to participate in the Delphi survey by telephone, and the response to the survey was made via email. The data collection period was from August 30 to November 24, 2017. A questionnaire was developed using literature reviews and the focus group interviews on PHWs. The panel members were asked to rate importance and priority of training contents and effectiveness of teaching methods on a 5-point Likert scale. Open-ended questions were used to identify appropriate the number of sessions, time per session, and trainee. We analyzed responses to scaled items using mean, median, standard deviation, and inter-quartile range. We used content analysis to identify the major themes from the open-ended questions. Consensus was considered to be reached when the median was 4.0 or greater and the agreement was 75% or greater.
Results:
All experts consented to participate responded to two-round surveys without drop-out. A total of 31 training contents achieved 75% or greater agreement for both importance and priority. Among the training contents, the highest importance and priority were ‘need for cultural competency of PHWs’, ‘health characteristics according to race and ethnicity’, and ‘cultural assessment’. The expert panel rated that the most effective teaching method was case-based learning, with seven to eight sessions of training and less than 30 minutes of training per session. Experts agreed that all PHWs in contact with migrants should be trained. Depending on their duties, it is necessary to distinguish them as subjects for basic or advanced courses.
Conclusion:
This study presented important and prioritized training contents and effective e-learning strategies needed to develop the cultural competence of Korean PHWs. This study demonstrated that the Delphi survey using e-mail to be an efficient methodology for seeking expert opinions to develop an intervention.