Overview

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CHRHS partnered with Project HOPE to develop and implement a training program for health workers, public health professionals, health care leadership, and key frontline personnel to rapidly scale-up response efforts in highrisk countries. Developed by Brown University faculty with expertise in infectious diseases, emergency medicine, medical education, and instructional design, the training curriculum has been designed in accordance with World Health Organization standards, best practices, and guidelines. The training program, teaches and evaluates trainees on COVID-19 core competencies, including biology and transmission mechanisms; infection prevention and control; contact tracing; screening and triage; diagnosis and management; stabilization and resuscitation; health facility operations and surge capacity; and risk communication and public health messaging. 

Designed for ease of remote access, the training program is delivered virtually by Brown University trainers and is accompanied by real-time Q&A support. Tailored for each specific country setting in which it is delivered, the curriculum focuses on strengthening the capacity of health workers in resource-limited settings. The training utilizes a Training-of-Trainers model to engage master trainers and coach new trainers, allowing Project HOPE and CHRHS to quickly build a cadre of competent instructors who are able to train other health workers within their networks to respond efficiently to the threat of COVID-19 while also protecting their own health. To ensure health facilities worldwide can quickly benefit from this training, the curriculum is designed for widespread replication and has been made publicly available. In addition to the eight core competency modules, the curriculum is accompanied by a training manual, case exercises, simulation videos, and quizzes. All trainining materials are frequently updated and have been translated into Spanish, French, Arabic and several other languages.

To date, more than 5,000 Master Trainers have completed the curriculum and have cascaded modules to more than 88,000 health care providers and frontline responders across 52 countries.

COVID-19 eLearning Modules

To further expand access to the COVID-19 Preparedness & Response curriculum Brown University and Project HOPE partnered with DisasterReady to convert the content into a free eLearning curriculum that includes all the same modules and information for people to view on their own devices. The modules include knowledge checks to reinforce key information. Since the eLearning platform launched at the end of June 2020, more than 3,800 participants from 157 countries and territories have engaged in COVID-19 eLearning modules, which are available in English and Spanish. 

COVID-19 Training for Health Workers: Preparedness and Response eLearning Course

Press and Reports

Press Release: Brown University Experts Team Up with Project HOPE to Provide COVID-19 Training for Health Workers

COVID-19 Training for Health Care Workers - Project Report - 10/15/20

Development and assessment of novel virtual COVID-19 trainer-of trainers course implemented by an academic–humanitarian partnership -  Published January 2022 | Global Health Action |