Marwa Ilali, Virginie Clavel, Veronika Panagiotou, Mlka Mengesha, Giovanni Léon Policard, Carmene Altagracia Moïse, Tamara Petit-Homme, David Etienne, Abdul Cadri, Eliezer Dade, Dawson Calixte, Michel Ibrahim, Veauthyelau Saint-Joy, Norrisa Haynes
BACKGROUND: Haiti faces challenges in accessing equitable healthcare and medical education due to limited resources. Cardiovascular disease burden is high, necessitating a well-trained cardiovascular workforce. The International Cardiology Curriculum Accessible by Remote Distance Learning (ICARDs) program, launched in 2019, addresses this need by providing virtual cardiovascular education. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of internal medicine residents and physicians participating in the ICARDs program, focusing on their expectations, facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for improvement. A qualitative research approach was adopted, conducting three focus groups with participants in three different hospitals across Haiti. METHODS: The study utilized a Unified Theoretical Framework of Learning Theories as a structured framework to identify themes. A deductive content analysis was employed to identify barriers and facilitators and valuable information from participants' responses. RESULTS: Participants expressed high expectations and reported positive experiences with the ICARDs program. They acknowledged its positive impact on patient care and the development of their medical skills. However, some concerns were raised regarding course content and irregularities in the program. CONCLUSIONS: The ICARDs program fulfills participants' expectations for cardiovascular education and fosters a supportive community. To enhance its effectiveness, addressing content concerns and infrastructure limitations is essential. The study's findings provide valuable insights for program organizers to tailor the ICARDs program and better meet the participants' needs.