Understanding the barriers to adoption of online communities of practice (OCoP) for minimizing professional isolation among midwives in Katsina State public hospitals

Abstract

The study investigated the barriers to adoption of online communities of practice (OCoP) for minimizing professional isolation among midwives in Katsina State public hospitals. To achieve this purpose objective was formulated with respect to determining the barriers to adoption of OCoP for minimizing Professional Isolation among Midwives in Katsina State. The study employed cross sectional survey. The population of this study comprises of Midwives practicing in public Hospitals in Katsina State. The total number of Hospitals is 20. A Stratified simple random sampling technique was employed to select 180 respondents. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The data collected for the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that, lack of awareness, training and upgrading of IT skills, Workplace acceptance and support, Lack of internet access, Lack of active participation of members, Lack of time, slow internet speed and lack of trust are the barriers to adoption of online communities of practice (OCoP) for minimizing professional isolation among midwives in Katsina State public hospitals. In view of the above a number of recommendations were made among which are: the early adopters of OCoP should encourage their colleagues to embrace the use of OCoP by enlightening them about the benefits of OCoP for minimizing Professional Isolation through Workshops/training sessions, meetings, storytelling during lunch. The Management should also use consultancy services to mount regular training programs like seminars and workshops to help the Midwives acquire skills in the use of OCoP and upgrade the skills of those who had already acquired such skills. More so, the consultancy service should engage in advocacy program on the availability of OCoP for minimizing Professional Isolation.