Healthcare professionals are under pressure to remember, utilize and
absorb vast amounts of new or changing information in increasing volume.
This surge has led to new and improved computer-based tools for many
healthcare activities and to an explosion in the marketplace of tools
used in instruction and education of healthcare workers. This article
explains the use of interactive technology in healthcare and how this
benefits instruction and education of healthcare professionals.
Digital
systems that capture images from documents, 35-mm slides, physical
samples or specimens, or virtually anything that the camera lens can
see, is found in interactive technology. In healthcare, transmitting
these images to computers with simple devices or software that will
allow the display and integration of educational material into the
training environment is easily accommodated.
The method for
delivering these images or documents, usually via PowerPoint
presentations, photography, videotape or audio presentations can turn a
standard Windows PC into a dynamic, interactive, teaching tool.
Depending on the type of training environment needed, interactive
presentations can be found in the use of liquid crystal displays, large
plasma displays, rear projection systems or even whiteboards. Educators
can now tailor their courses to their audience's expectations and needs
using any number of these presentation forms.
Effectiveness of
interactive learning systems is largely dependent upon the type or form
of delivery used in combination with software that is easily used by
both novice and expert users. Smaller systems will use a pen or stylus
vs. a computer and a mouse where larger systems may use elaborate
videoconferencing systems where many participants can be in the virtual
classroom at the same time. Many healthcare organizations already
utilize small and large types of communication systems routinely in the
delivery of quality, high-tech healthcare to patients and their
community. Adapting this equipment or having it serve dual purposes is
an easy and cost-effective transition.
The era of the blackboards
and chalk dust is now a memory for most of us. Interactive technology
tools permit the educator to draw on, write on, and annotate data right
on the screen as part of their dynamic presentation. In addition, the
educator can now annotate their presentation and then save, print and
even distribute by email, the contents of the class session to all
participants.
The mobility that interactive technology gives the
educator in the virtual classroom lends itself to unlimited types of
uses and methods for delivery of high quality, interactive, sessions.
Participants, too, benefit from easy access to the sessions, improved
and more accurate note-taking that can be used later for study and
reference. This all leads to greater retention of the learning
objectives and enhanced or improved application in the field once the
participant returns to the office or department.
Healthcare
professionals should look for educators and learning systems that
combine ergonomics with interactive technologies that integrate use the
user of free text, annotation, images and video clips with the
traditional printed materials. Transitions between screens or programs,
linking to the Internet and class sessions, downloading or printing of
the course materials and saving of files or information for future
classes or reference use should be easy and simple to use. The
presentation and delivery of the educational material should be
efficient and easy to use and tailored to use by both healthcare
professionals that have varying levels of technological skills.
Regardless
of whether healthcare workers are new to the workplace or seasoned
professionals, the learning systems used should assist them with
learning new skills, procedures, diagnostic techniques and terminology.
Communication between healthcare workers in both local and distant
communities is on the rise and the use of interactive technology enables
the participants to collaborate and share critical data and
information.
Interactive technology can also benefit the bottom
line and reduce costs formerly associated with travel or staffing and
resources to send workers to local, regional or national meetings.
Interactive presentations and systems can also attract and hold the
participants interest and attention, enhancing their learning and
retention gained from the course(s).
It is no wonder, then, that
interactive technology has gained such a strong and prominent position
in the education of healthcare workers. Healthcare workers looking for
either online, distance or local training should evaluate the
presentation and delivery systems used in order to maximize their
learning experience.