E-Learning in Healthcare

The new trend of e-learning in healthcare has many skeptical, but the benefits of educating patients and training professionals far outweigh any of the critics’ potential setbacks. E-learning is not designed to overlook or negate the value of face-to-face contact; instead, it presents greater accessibility and feedback to healthcare patients and staff, increasing awareness and promoting greater advocacy.

Resource Variability

Some of the most significant concerns about e-learning surround the human nature of good healthcare. Without providing hands-on contact, a new generation of nurses and caretakers could be entering the workforce without the kind and reassuring touch acquired through face-to-face training.

However, the resource availability for e-learning healthcare students provides greater access to current material. This does not mean that clinical hours are going to be pushed aside in favor of technological instruction. What it means is that more people will be able to learn from the latest and most informative materials, giving them an education that is more refined and up-to-date.

They can then apply their newfound knowledge in healthcare settings, giving patients better care because they have a greater understanding of various conditions and treatment options.

Potential Challenges

A wide range of professionals has voiced the challenges of healthcare e-learning. Some of the most prominent are those who have limited PC knowledge, non-native language speakers, and selecting the right e-learning platform.

Professionals are addressing all of these valid obstacles; staff can access courses immediately that would typically have a waiting time of six to eight weeks. Studies show that professionals retain more information and learn more with e-learning platforms; one study found that a combination of e-learning and traditional instruction resulted in a 126 percent increase in knowledge among a group of radiologists.

However, studies have yet to demonstrate how findings compare to single-method instruction or translate into viable patient outcomes, which is ultimately the heart of all healthcare instruction’s value.

Looking Ahead

Truth be told, there are still limited studies on the long-term benefits of e-learning in healthcare. Should it be integrated solely because it is more technologically advanced? Certainly not. Instead, providers and instructional instructions should consider how e-learning platforms provide greater accessibility and how they could be used to fill in gaps in the traditional classroom.

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