Comparing the Effectiveness of in-person in country and synchronous virtually online for Cambodia’s Rehabilitation Health Workforce

Background The study aimed to analyze the differences in learning satisfaction between in-person in country and synchronous virtually online among Cambodian trainees in the Dr. LEE Jong-wook Fellowship Program. Given the necessity to strengthen health workforce capacity in developing countries, this study provides insights into the effectiveness of training delivery modes to improve rehabilitation healthcare personnel training. Methods A quantitative study was conducted to evaluate learning satisfaction, incorporating both structured survey responses and anecdotal comments from open-ended questions. The study employed a validated learning satisfaction tool, adjusted for reliability and validity. In the synchronous virtually online training sessions, an online survey using a 5-point Likert scale was conducted, while in the in-person in-country training sessions, data were collected through direct surveys. Study participants were selected using convenience sampling. Results Male participants comprised 60% of the total, while 80% were affiliated with the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. Additionally, 65% were physical therapists, and 55% had at least 10 years of experience. The findings indicated higher satisfaction in in-person in country, attributed to increased interaction and real-time feedback(Q4: t = 2.413, p = 0.021; Q10: t = 3.285, p = 0.002). However, synchronous virtually online was preferred by trainees for its flexibility. Additionally, conducting the program in the Cambodian native language considerably enhanced trainee satisfaction. Conclusions This study highlights the strengths and limitations of different educational delivery methods in healthcare workforce training. It suggests that a hybrid approach, incorporating both in-person in country and synchronous virtually online in trainees' native language, may optimize learning satisfaction and engagement in future programs.