Experiences on e‐learning projects

Abstract

In 2007, new criteria covering the clinical aspects of blood transfusion were introduced into hospital accreditation schemes in Australia. One of the components of this was a requirement for appropriate staff to be ' ... trained and credentialed in (i) blood sample collection, (ii) blood component therapy prescription and administration, [and] (iii) the storage and transportation of blood components. ' In response to this, BloodSafe developed an online education (e-learning) package (www.bloodsafelearning.org.au). Initial implementation occurred in South Australia, with demand from other states and territories resulting in a plan to implement in all areas of Australia. The programme has seen significant uptake and ready acceptance by users, with very strong positive feedback on the content, educational design and delivery. This e-learning tool incorporates a range of media and activities designed to engage the learner emotionally, psychologically and physically. It has also been designed to cater for different learning styles and to further engage and support the learner through the use of video, audio, interactive animations and best practice examples in an authentic learning environment. The success of this project has been due to a number of factors including: (i) input from a wide range of transfusion experts across medical, nursing and laboratory disciplines, (ii) involvement of qualified and experienced educators with a clear understanding of e-learning, and (iii) the use of professionals from other disciplines including graphic design, photography, video production, computer programming, acting and production. During the production of this tool, many lessons were learnt that can be applied to other e-learning projects and resources. These include the time required to produce a quality product, budget and production time estimation, personnel resources required, the value of storyboarding and review of content and learning materials, governance structure and project management. e-Learning is a cost-effective delivery mechanism for provision of educational materials and resources. If well designed, it can be as effective as traditional forms of teaching and is readily accepted by users. It has the potential to standardize policies and procedures and improve clinical practice, resulting in improved patient outcomes and better use of a scarce resource. If made freely available, via the world-wide web, it is also a way that the developed world can assist disadvantaged regions and countries at little or no additional cost.The safest thing for a patient is to be in the hands of a [person] engaged in teaching medicine. In order to be a teacher of medicine the doctor must always be a student [1].It has long been recognized that continuing education of health professionals is crucial to the improvement of health care. Some have suggested that it is as critical as research and new discoveries [2] and in transfusion medicine it is seen as a mechanism for improving patient outcomes and ensuring best use of a scarce an...

International Forum on Transfusion Education for Healthcare Professionals Who Administer Blood to Patients in Hospitals and Health Services: Summary

“…The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased application of e-learning even in low-to middle-income countries, due to the need for adherence to social distancing measures [22,23]. Considering the required expertise, resources and budget for the development and maintaining e-learning programmes [10,24], it is exciting to see that 6 out of 12 institutions with e-learning have their programmes freely accessible to external learners. This can assist low-resource countries that lack the required resources to develop e-learning programmes [25].…”

“…It can be used solely or as part of blended learning, or in combination with traditional instructor-led training [9]. However, development of such learning platforms requires time, resources and involvement of a range of experts such as transfusion professionals, educators, software specialists and professionals from other disciplines [10]. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the usefulness of this method in medical education [11].…”

E‐learning/online education in transfusion medicine: A cross‐sectional international survey

“…Developing and maintaining transfusion medicine e-learning programs can be labour-intensive and involves input from a multidisciplinary team; including medical, nursing and laboratory professions. 18 The development of the web-based content requires expertise from professionals from other disciplines including graphic designing and web coding. In addition, these courses need to be maintained and updated based on learners' feedback, and emerging evidence in the field.…”

“…Availability of courses to learners from outside the organisation offers opportunities for institutions that lack the required resources to use these e‐learning programs. Developing and maintaining transfusion medicine e‐learning programs can be labour‐intensive and involves input from a multidisciplinary team; including medical, nursing and laboratory professions 18 . The development of the web‐based content requires expertise from professionals from other disciplines including graphic designing and web coding.…”