Delivering an effective elearning program for psychiatrists in Ireland – a framework for other health professionals

Aoife Lawton, Systems LibrarianHealth Service Executive Dr. Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin 8.

Background

• Training – key function of HSE Library services– Group & one-to-one training

• Training & CPD – key function of College of Psychiatry

– Up until September 2010 training delivered in person

Rationale

Elearning: College moving towards elearning completely as of Sept 2010.

standardisation of content completion monitoring easier

HSE Library: Better use of librarian time, upload content once: teach

many promote use of costly journals and databases facilitate evidence based practice contribute to life long learning

Target trainees

• All doctors who have completed formal study in psychiatry, currently in post – Basic Specialist Trainees (not yet specialized)

• Currently between 350-400 in Ireland

Health Information Literacy

• MLA “Health Information Literacy is the set of abilities needed to: recognize a health information need; identify likely information sources and use them to retrieve relevant information; assess the quality of the information and its applicability to a specific situation; and analyze, understand, and use the information to make good health decisions.” [July 23, 2003]

• 5 Steps: (Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess)

Translating traditional to e-environment

Traditional lecture/classroom: demo, questions, hands on, tasks (usually half a day/1 hour)

Elearning (5+ hours): Looked at MLA and other library information literacy

offerings, HRB, www.informationliteracy.ie Assistance from 2 HSE librarians – one trainer, one

librarian based in St. Ita's Hospital – specialist knowledge (peer review)

Collaboration is key

Team E-learning co-ordinator at College of Psychiatry (upload of

files to Moodle, design, layout) HSE Psychiatrist & E-Learning Lead (content review &

suggestions) Psychiatrist of College of Psychiatry (Lead content review) HSE Librarian (content provider)

Timeframe Aug-Nov 2010 (4 meetings: 2 to record all audiovisual)

Launch Page

Main Login Screen

Introduction Video

Featured slides

Learning objectives for each lesson

Each Lesson has learning outcomes

Online tutorials

PubMed

Zoom in and callout functions

Step 1: Ask

Each lesson has do’s and don’ts

MCQ’s

Matching MCQ’s

E-learning as an andragogical methodPROS For learner:

Access anytime, anywhere

Interactive

Ability to replay

For trainer: Create content once: make

available to many

Tutorials well suited to audio screencast recording

For Organisations Good ROI

VFM

CONS

For learner: No personal interaction/can't ask

questions

For trainer:

Time consuming

Trial & error

For Organisations:

Inpersonal / less contact with trainees

Measures of effectiveness

• Attendees at Trainee Conference 2010.• 50% were aware of, and 34% had used the

HSE library site.• Feedback on course• Uptake (will be mandatory)

Learning from project

• Module is suitable for all health professionals – nurses, doctors, health & social care professionals, with customised searches

• Knowledge and skillset of librarian is unique and is key contributor

• Tutorials and online demos very suited to elearning

• Elearning is appropriate in current economic climate