Applying the Rasch model on measuring mobile healthcare (mHealthcare) training for healthcare employees

Abstract

Nowadays, the usage of mobile devices is expanding exponentially and is integrated into every aspect of our modern life. The healthcare training sector also affected by such trends for adopting information and communications technology (ICT) tools deployed using up-to-date mobile technology. This study measures the effectiveness of using a tablet device to deliver healthcare training programmes. The study used a mixed methods research design that involved a quantitative methodology that deployed questionnaire-based instruments (pre-post-test), and a qualitative semi-structured interview. The Rasch item response theory (IRT) model validated the instruments to measure the knowledge change of the Jordanian healthcare employees after attending a training experiment using an iPad application designed to deliver patient and family rights (PFR) training modules. A QUEST interactive test analysis system was used to assess the test items by eliminating the items which did not fit the Rasch model. The fit-map generated by the QUEST estimate determined the items’ fit. The results from this study contribute to the mHealthcare training community and thereby offer best practice, proposing a new mHealthcare training instructional design-framework and a new usability heuristic model for the mHealthcare training applications.

Keywords: Rasch Model, Item-Response Theory, Measurement, mHealthcare Training