Introduction

In South Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisis, Pharmacists Without Borders Switzerland (PSF) implemented an e-learning project at the rural St Vincent Health Care Centre (CSSV) to strengthen pharmaceutical management capabilities.

Methods

Five e-learning modules from the Pharm-Ed project were deployed, covering pharmaceutical management and targeting CSSV staff members. A PSF pharmacist delivered these on a USB stick on an on-site mission in July 2022, along with an initial field assessment using a 23-item evaluation grid. A follow-up assessment in April 2024 also included a workshop on substandard and falsified medical products, with pre- and post-tests to measure learning outcomes.

Results

Only two staff members reported completing the e-learning course and one completed the corresponding examinations. Field assessments showed limited improvements in pharmaceutical management practices, with only 3 out of 23 items progressing substantially. The workshop, attended by all the CSSV staff, resulted in slight increase in knowledge (mean score rising from 3.0 ± 1.6 to 3.7 ± 1.8 out of 10 points).

Discussion

While e-learning shows promise and a growing interest in the literature, our experience highlighted numerous barriers to this method in humanitarian settings (technological issues, language barriers, or unstable geopolitical context). A blended-learning strategy combining online and face-to-face training may be more effective. More structured follow-up and additional field visits could enhance Pharm-Ed modules buy-in, while incorporating practical activities and local language translation could improve workshops.

Conclusion

Without a permanent PSF on-site presence, innovative approaches are needed to transfer skills to the CSSV. Staff expressed interest in further training, indicating potential for future e-learning initiatives in crisis and resource-limited settings, though its effectiveness requires careful adaptation to local contexts and ongoing support.