‘Learning by Doing’ (LBD) is a term broadly synonymous with ‘active learning’, ‘experiential learning’, ‘project-based learning’ and ‘trial and error’ learning.

CHETRE has been conducting ‘learning by doing’ training for the health and related workforces since 2005 to build workforce capacity to influence planning of projects, programs, and policies in population health and health equity.

Project description

In 2022, CHETRE’s LBD training program was reviewed by an external organisation (Human Capital Alliance) The review of the LBD program was a quality improvement initiative for CHETRE and SWSLHD and provided recommendations supporting effectiveness of LBD training run by CHETRE and Population Health SWSLHD. It was required to undertake the following tasks:

• Investigate the performance of the CHETRE LBD training and identify its impacts

• Focus on experiences from HIA and WILDC within an LBD approach (internal and external to SWSLHD)

• Consider other methodologies that LBD may be a suitable training approach for e.g., program logic, systems approaches, or co-design

• Review CHETRE’s program of LBD training, but also consider a wider geographical scope across Australia and potentially OECD countries

• Make recommendations for the practice of LBD in SWSLHD.

The review sought to ascertain the impacts of the LBD training, identify current strengths and weaknesses of the programs in relation to the impacts, and make recommendations to further develop the training programs to improve workforce capacity to bring about necessary changes in communities of locational disadvantage. 

Related Publications

Evaluation of the Learning by Doing courses for CHETRE and SWSLHD FINAL REPORT

November 2022

Partner organisations

SWSLHD Population Health

Project team

Patrick Harris, Project lead

Karla Jaques

Andrew Reid