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.
Monday, September 29, 2014
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!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)