Enhancing technology skills of maternal and child health professionals.

OBJECTIVE

Information technology skills are essential for effective and efficient practice in maternal and child health (MCH).

METHODS

Prior to the beginning of a web-based analytic skills training course, enrolled MCH professionals confidence in using e-mail and other Internet skills and beliefs about their usefulness were assessed.

RESULTS

The assessment showed that participants believed strongly in the value of the specific technology skills but confidence in the ability to use these skills was low.

CONCLUSION

An online technology skills training module was developed based on skills needed for the course to ensure that course participants learned and practiced the technology skills necessary to successfully complete the online analytic skills course. We describe the development, implementation, and results of the online technology skills module.