There are lots of opportunities for professional development in healthcare IT, especially for instructional designers. Over the past few years, I have engaged in formalized higher education, regional and national organizations, and countless webinars, conferences and seminars. Some of my experiences have been unexpectedly excellent, while others have left me wanting more. I can actually recall one event that I had paid to attend and was greatly
anticipating. At the lunch break, I decided to leave and go back to work
because it was clear my time would be better spent catching up on emails.
So my question is... how do you vet opportunities and ensure that they are a good investment of your time and money?
I think the two obvious answers are word of mouth and research. By default, both of these methods are what I typically use. However, there are times when, even after asking around in my network and performing my own research, I am still disappointed with the experience.
Do you focus on certain organizations with good reputations? Do you avoid anything offered for free? Do you attend whatever opportunity your job requires or budgets for? How do you decide which professional development opportunities are right for you?
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Creative Sharing
Every other week, my ID team meets up with all of the other IDs in the hospital for what we have dubbed "Creative Sharing".
Creative Sharing is basically a chance for us to meet up, talk about current trends in the industry or to demo a new (of unused) software tool. We share ideas and knowledge, but we also use the time to pitch design ideas to one another or get feedback on how to fix a buggy Captivate.
Mostly, Creative Sharing is an opportunity for us to sharpen our skills and get grounded with others in our field who are scattered around the hospital.
Each time we meet, a different ID is responsible for the agenda. This doesn't necessarily mean that the ID has to present all of the content. It just means they are responsible for reaching out to the other IDs to see who has important business that needs tending to during our time together.
I've found that this is a great way to rub elbows with IDs that I normally would not work with and it increases my understanding of how other (non-IT) areas of the hospital function and what their relationship with education looks like.
I often find that topics or resources from my classes in the ILT program make great fodder for Creative Sharing. In fact, my co-workers frequently ask me what I am learning about in the program because it helps keep them up-to-date and in tune with what is happening on the horizon.
Do any of you do something similar at work? I'm curious about how others might structure creative-type meetings and what kind of topics you discuss!
Creative Sharing is basically a chance for us to meet up, talk about current trends in the industry or to demo a new (of unused) software tool. We share ideas and knowledge, but we also use the time to pitch design ideas to one another or get feedback on how to fix a buggy Captivate.
Mostly, Creative Sharing is an opportunity for us to sharpen our skills and get grounded with others in our field who are scattered around the hospital.
Each time we meet, a different ID is responsible for the agenda. This doesn't necessarily mean that the ID has to present all of the content. It just means they are responsible for reaching out to the other IDs to see who has important business that needs tending to during our time together.
I've found that this is a great way to rub elbows with IDs that I normally would not work with and it increases my understanding of how other (non-IT) areas of the hospital function and what their relationship with education looks like.
I often find that topics or resources from my classes in the ILT program make great fodder for Creative Sharing. In fact, my co-workers frequently ask me what I am learning about in the program because it helps keep them up-to-date and in tune with what is happening on the horizon.
Do any of you do something similar at work? I'm curious about how others might structure creative-type meetings and what kind of topics you discuss!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Onboarding New IDs
So, my employer has recently contracted with a new provider for our eMR (electronic medical record). This will bring a lot of big changes to our hospital because it will integrate many of our systems in to one, simplify workflows, and bring us in to compliance with many government healthcare regulations.
Personally, I'm very excited about the upgrade to Epic, because it means a promotion and new professional experiences for me. This past week, I have spent most of my time in orientation and kick-off meetings, and getting to know my new supervisor and teammates. The unique thing about my new team is that less than 1/3 is comprised of existing hospital employees, and the remainder (including supervisor) are external hires. Some of my new team members have ID experience, while many do not. Instead, some have experience supporting applications and others come from a clinical background. It is a very diverse group, but this was the hiring manager's strategy.
My question for all of you this week is...
How would you approach a situation where several of your coworkers did not have ID experience? How would you get them up to speed without overwhelming them? What do you think would be your "top priorities" in terms of teaching them what it means to be an ID?
Personally, I'm very excited about the upgrade to Epic, because it means a promotion and new professional experiences for me. This past week, I have spent most of my time in orientation and kick-off meetings, and getting to know my new supervisor and teammates. The unique thing about my new team is that less than 1/3 is comprised of existing hospital employees, and the remainder (including supervisor) are external hires. Some of my new team members have ID experience, while many do not. Instead, some have experience supporting applications and others come from a clinical background. It is a very diverse group, but this was the hiring manager's strategy.
My question for all of you this week is...
How would you approach a situation where several of your coworkers did not have ID experience? How would you get them up to speed without overwhelming them? What do you think would be your "top priorities" in terms of teaching them what it means to be an ID?
Monday, September 29, 2014
Editing Images with PHI
All images used for education in healthcare should be clear of protected health information (PHI). PHI consists of any type of private information that could be used to identify a patient. For a list of what data qualifies as PHI, see the Wikipedia page here.
Ideally, all images captured for software demos or workflow changes would be completed in a test system with fake patient data. However, there are times when test systems don't exist, or the data is not as robust, or they are simply unavailable for use. In these cases, live systems may need to be accessed instead.
When utilizing screen captures from live software systems, it is especially important to remove all instances of PHI. You can use any type of editing software to do this. Photoshop works well to block out or cut out PHI. SnagIt is another great tool that allows you to make edits right in the screen capture window. SnagIt has quick tools for cutting, blurring, and blocking out PHI. When you are editing, have someone else double check your images to make sure you've removed all instances of PHI. If you're not sure what is PHI, look online for a list or use the one I provided above from Wikipedia. When in doubt, remove the data.
If you are creating fake patient data to fill in your image, ensure that the data you invent is not actually real data. Double check medical record numbers, birth dates, and contact info and make sure the names you invent do not actually belong to real patients.
Ideally, all images captured for software demos or workflow changes would be completed in a test system with fake patient data. However, there are times when test systems don't exist, or the data is not as robust, or they are simply unavailable for use. In these cases, live systems may need to be accessed instead.
When utilizing screen captures from live software systems, it is especially important to remove all instances of PHI. You can use any type of editing software to do this. Photoshop works well to block out or cut out PHI. SnagIt is another great tool that allows you to make edits right in the screen capture window. SnagIt has quick tools for cutting, blurring, and blocking out PHI. When you are editing, have someone else double check your images to make sure you've removed all instances of PHI. If you're not sure what is PHI, look online for a list or use the one I provided above from Wikipedia. When in doubt, remove the data.
If you are creating fake patient data to fill in your image, ensure that the data you invent is not actually real data. Double check medical record numbers, birth dates, and contact info and make sure the names you invent do not actually belong to real patients.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Scenario-Based eLearning for Healthcare Professionals
So often in healthcare, we hear that there is no time for training and education. With all of the demands on nurses' and doctors' time, it is not hard to imagine why education, especially eLearning, is not their top priority. Unfortunately, healthcare institutions are required to provide education and prove that employees are up-to-date on training and have successfully met the requirements for completion.
In my personal experience as an instructional designer working in healthcare information technology, I've found that healthcare providers have a love-hate relationship with elearning. It seems that providers with a vested interest in education, such as nurse program managers, or certified nursing educators absolutely LOVE elearning. However, the hundreds of providers who have to complete a dozen or more elearning modules each year are less fond of the delivery method. I think a major reason they don't like taking elearning is because they don't get a return on their investment. eLearning means that a provider has to step away from her patients and find a quiet place where she can focus, or more likely, quickly click through the module and hope for the best on the test.
So, how can we make elearning worthwhile for medical professionals?
Sure, sure... you're probably saying all of the standard stuff we ID's like to say! Make it more engaging! Add elements of gamification! Make it relevant! Contextualize it!
Yup, that's all true. We shouldn't take good elearning for granted, no matter the setting. However, I think there is one element that makes elearning successful in healthcare moreso than any other. That element is: scenarios.
Scenario-based elearning mimics the way that doctors and nurses learn their trade. Good scenario-based eLMs will have case studies or branching scenarios that providers can relate to, but they'll also have real life consequences. So instead of bulleted list of HIPAA violations, or a multiple-choice quiz on patient safety, put the control in the hands of your learner and let them make decision and learn from their mistakes. They will be more likely to remember the info when they get on the floor, where it counts!
Here are a couple of resources that you might want to check out!
Manage virtual patients in an online operating room with Stanford University School of Medicine's SICKO simulation game.
Check out this branching scenario eLM I created to educate hospital staff on placing patients in restraints.
In my personal experience as an instructional designer working in healthcare information technology, I've found that healthcare providers have a love-hate relationship with elearning. It seems that providers with a vested interest in education, such as nurse program managers, or certified nursing educators absolutely LOVE elearning. However, the hundreds of providers who have to complete a dozen or more elearning modules each year are less fond of the delivery method. I think a major reason they don't like taking elearning is because they don't get a return on their investment. eLearning means that a provider has to step away from her patients and find a quiet place where she can focus, or more likely, quickly click through the module and hope for the best on the test.
So, how can we make elearning worthwhile for medical professionals?
Sure, sure... you're probably saying all of the standard stuff we ID's like to say! Make it more engaging! Add elements of gamification! Make it relevant! Contextualize it!
Yup, that's all true. We shouldn't take good elearning for granted, no matter the setting. However, I think there is one element that makes elearning successful in healthcare moreso than any other. That element is: scenarios.
Scenario-based elearning mimics the way that doctors and nurses learn their trade. Good scenario-based eLMs will have case studies or branching scenarios that providers can relate to, but they'll also have real life consequences. So instead of bulleted list of HIPAA violations, or a multiple-choice quiz on patient safety, put the control in the hands of your learner and let them make decision and learn from their mistakes. They will be more likely to remember the info when they get on the floor, where it counts!
Here are a couple of resources that you might want to check out!
Manage virtual patients in an online operating room with Stanford University School of Medicine's SICKO simulation game.
Check out this branching scenario eLM I created to educate hospital staff on placing patients in restraints.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Going Mobile in Healthcare
Mobile devices and applications have infiltrated main stream culture in the past few years. Education has been no exception, as instructional designers and educators alike look for new ways to use these tools to teach. Likewise, healthcare is hopping on the mobile bandwagon. There are a lot of exciting outcomes as a result, but the healthcare industry brings unique challenges with it.
Probably one of the most exciting features of using mobile in healthcare is the opportunity to interact with and educate patients. Typically, patient education has been the responsibility of healthcare professionals, or WebMD. With the onset of mobile devices, the opportunities for patient education have grown tenfold.
Several hospitals and clinics have begun communicating health information to patients via "patient portals". Patient portals are applications or websites where patients can access their full medical record and share it with other healthcare providers, review prescription and appointment information, and leave messages for their providers. These portals provide an excellent opportunity for patient outreach and to increase patient education. Patients can review specific instructions for how to care for and manage a disease or illness, how to administer an antibiotic or prescription, or receive support to quit smoking.
Considering that health information is highly protected and sensitive, it should come as no surprise that security is a big concern for healthcare IT. With the adoption of mobile health records come a whole slew of new and interesting obstacles for HIT professionals. IT security departments, in particular, are working overtime to ensure that HIPAA regulations are met and that networks are secure.
In my workplace, we have seen a lot of emphasis be placed on educating the patients about these new tools. Education has included one-on-one, face-to-face registration and orientation to the portal, which gives patients an opportunity to understand the benefits of using the portal, but also the risks, and the obligatory discussion about protecting their information. In general, the response seems to be a positive one.
Have you worked in the implementation of mobile technology in healthcare? Or, as a patient, have you had the opportunity to participate in the implementation? Please share your experience below!
Probably one of the most exciting features of using mobile in healthcare is the opportunity to interact with and educate patients. Typically, patient education has been the responsibility of healthcare professionals, or WebMD. With the onset of mobile devices, the opportunities for patient education have grown tenfold.
Several hospitals and clinics have begun communicating health information to patients via "patient portals". Patient portals are applications or websites where patients can access their full medical record and share it with other healthcare providers, review prescription and appointment information, and leave messages for their providers. These portals provide an excellent opportunity for patient outreach and to increase patient education. Patients can review specific instructions for how to care for and manage a disease or illness, how to administer an antibiotic or prescription, or receive support to quit smoking.
Considering that health information is highly protected and sensitive, it should come as no surprise that security is a big concern for healthcare IT. With the adoption of mobile health records come a whole slew of new and interesting obstacles for HIT professionals. IT security departments, in particular, are working overtime to ensure that HIPAA regulations are met and that networks are secure.
In my workplace, we have seen a lot of emphasis be placed on educating the patients about these new tools. Education has included one-on-one, face-to-face registration and orientation to the portal, which gives patients an opportunity to understand the benefits of using the portal, but also the risks, and the obligatory discussion about protecting their information. In general, the response seems to be a positive one.
Have you worked in the implementation of mobile technology in healthcare? Or, as a patient, have you had the opportunity to participate in the implementation? Please share your experience below!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Personal Learning Network
There are several resources and networks that I use to keep up-to-date on what is happening in the world of instructional design. I'm sharing a few of my favorites below! Let me know what you think!
- Blogs
- The Rapid eLearning Blog provides insight on all aspects of elearning from design to development to implementation, and usually pretty funny!
- Cathy Moore's Blog is a great resource for developing scenarios, assessments, and interactions.
- Adobe Captivate Blog provides tips and tricks straight from the source, plus some great user forums.
- Avidity Medical Design Blog gives specific insight on ID for healthcare, plus professional development opportunities.
- eLearning Industry has articles and resources on pretty much anything elearning.
- eLearningInfographics.com has a plethora of infographics... and I LOVE infographics. These are all industry-related.
- An Ethical Island has more infographics, but these are mostly related to theory and soft skills when dealing with students.
- Edudemic is mostly geared toward K-12, but has some good tech stuff and some things that apply to adult learning.
- The Ultralinx delves in to all aspects of design- graphic, architectural, fashion, etc. Lots of inspiring images.
- Digital Information World contains mostly insight on harnessing social media, but has the occasional post on education.
- ATD Rocky Mountain Chapter is where I keep up with events and info for the local ATD chapter.
- eLearning Industry deals with pretty much every aspect of elearning (K-12, adult, MOOCs, LMS, strategies, etc).
- eLearning specific to web-based learning at Standford, MIT and Berkeley.
- Udacity is one of my favs! Loads of interesting articles and access to cool online courses.
- Peer2Peer University is a hub of open online education- a place to learn and a place to teach.
- Instructional Design Central has articles and discussions about all topics- tends to have a lot of jobs posted, too.
- Learning and Development great spot for networking, getting answers to questions, and finding resources.
- Mobile Learning is everything mobile. Find news and tips on going mobile.
- The Instructional Design Forum tends to include a lot of job opportunities, but also great place to network.
- Training and Instructional Design Consultants similar to the others, this group includes a lot of job opportunities and networking.
- Google+
- Connected Classrooms a hub for sharing ideas, collaborating and tapping in to best practices.
- Ted on Google+ is another avenue for accessing TedTalks. I also use the mobile app.
- EdTech is a community based around discussion, collaboration and sharing of info.
- Christopher Pappas is the founder of eLearning Industry Network. This guy is everywhere, so I keep up with him on his G+.
- Google Apps for Ed is a place to discover innovative ways to use Google Apps in education.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)