Studying Health Information from a Distance: The Impact of a Multimedia Case Study

Abstract

This paper describes a project to enhance the learning experience of students, in which a multimedia healthcare case study and associated tasks are being developed and evaluated within the Distance Learning MSc in Health Informatics programme at the University of Sheffield. The paper provides background context and motivation for the case study, followed by a description of its content, which is based upon a general practice change management scenario. The way in which this material was researched and developed is reviewed, covering rationale, methodology and the strategy for evaluation. Early evaluation suggests that the introduction of the case study is having a positive effect on the problem of isolation experienced by students on distance learning courses. The paper also reflects on the overheads of this project. Those with substantial experience in computer-assisted learning should be involved at an early stage, and planning and sequencing of both the case study itself and between the case study and the course should be given attention. The paper concludes that benefits of the approach are significant, and include better integration of course modules, shared decision making and group problem solving.

Health informatics education: a global challenge

“…Case studies are widely used in business schools and in clinical education. However, apart from articles on the Sheffield programme, 4,5 there has been little written about their role in training health informatics professionals. In the discussion relating to the Canadian paper, there was general agreement on the benefits of using case studies and the need to develop a database of good case studies to support health informatics teaching.…”

Studying health information from a distance: refining an e‐learning case study in the crucible of student evaluation

“…The case study is briefly characterized in Box 1. Development of the Case Study is described elsewhere 14 …”