Meeting the training needs of community-based service personnel in Africa through video-based training courses.

Purpose: This paper describes the development of a new training model: namely one which is local and open to everyone; in which people learn through seeing and doing; with the focus on information that is practical and relevant to them. A package of video and workbooks enables the courses to be presented by local tutors who have taken part in a training workshop to prepare them for the task.Method: This model was applied to an eight unit course on working with children who have cerebral palsy. It was presented in 13 locations by 19 tutors in four southern African countries to over 150 participants within a six month period. A developmental approach was adopted which involved working with partners to identify training needs, develop and field test the video course. Tutors and participants evaluated the course separately using quantitative and qualitative methods.Results: Overall tutors and participants rated the course positively. They identified elements which they found particularly useful along with those which were considered less useful. Course results and outcomes are discussed.Conclusions: The findings indicated that the training model was effective and five further courses have been developed about disability issues. These are described in an appendix.