As a patient advocacy professional, you know how important it is to keep up with the latest trends, best practices, and research in your field. But how can you find the best online webinars that suit your needs, interests, and schedule? Here are some tips to help you navigate the vast and varied world of patient advocacy webinars.
Before you start searching for webinars, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn, achieve, or improve. Do you want to update your knowledge on a specific topic, such as health policy, patient engagement, or quality improvement? Do you want to develop your skills, such as communication, leadership, or collaboration? Do you want to network with other patient advocates, experts, or organizations? Having specific and realistic goals will help you narrow down your options and choose the webinars that are most relevant and valuable for you.
To effectively select online webinars as a patient advocacy professional, it's essential to start by defining your specific goals. Determine whether your focus is to gain knowledge in areas like health policy, patient engagement, or quality improvement. Consider if you're looking to develop skills such as communication, leadership, or collaboration. Additionally, assess if your aim is to network with other patient advocates, experts, or organizations. Having clear, realistic goals allows you to narrow your search and choose webinars that are most pertinent and beneficial to your professional development.
All professional development should be undertaken with a goal in mind and an outcome that will lead to improvements in the quality of services provided to your clients. At regular periods throughout the year, create some broad learning goals based on your caseload of clients and consult with a supervisor or mentor to identify gaps in your current skills and knowledge that you can work on. Once the topic is established, consider your individual learning preferences (maybe a webinar isn't the best option if you need hands-on practice) and the quality of the presenters/facilitators to ensure you will get the most value from the time you invest in your learning.
This is a great question to pose. I've never felt I'm reaching the right advocacy voice's. This question, with description, led me to not only look for webinars, but podcasts as well. Long roads I can drive and listen and experience the learning.
When looking for webinars on patient advocacy, it's important to use reliable sources that have a good reputation, expertise, and accreditation in the field. Professional associations like the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC), the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA), and the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) are all great sources. Academic institutions like universities, colleges, and research centers that offer patient advocacy programs, courses, or certificates are also reliable. Non-profit organizations such as the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) are also trustworthy sources of webinars. To ensure you don't waste time or money, always use reliable sources when searching for webinars on patient advocacy.
When searching for webinars on patient advocacy, prioritizing reliable sources is crucial. Professional associations such as the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy, the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, and the Patient Advocate Foundation are excellent starting points. Academic institutions and research centers that offer specialized programs in patient advocacy are also valuable resources. Additionally, non-profit organizations like the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are reputable for their expertise in the field. Utilizing these trusted sources ensures that the webinars you choose are credible and worthwhile.
When doing your search I would recommend using AI over a normal Search Engine. The value of the results I got from the AI was far more "focused" on finding only reliable and reputable resources than market driven search engines.
Once you have a list of potential webinars that meet your goals and come from reliable sources, you need to compare and evaluate them to make the best decision. Consider the content of the webinar - does it cover the topic, issue, or skill you want to learn about? Is it relevant, current, and evidence-based? Is it appropriate for your level of experience and knowledge? Additionally, take into account the format of the webinar - is it live or recorded? Interactive or passive? How long is it? How many participants are there? What are the technical requirements and support? Furthermore, research the presenter or facilitator of the webinar - what are their qualifications, credentials, and background? Are they an expert, a practitioner, or a peer in the patient advocacy field? Lastly, look at the cost of the webinar - is it free, discounted, or full price? Does it offer any value-added features such as certificates, credits, or access to resources?
Explore different webinar options and compare their relevance to your goals. Look for reviews or testimonials from previous attendees to gauge the quality and effectiveness of the webinars. Consider the credentials of the presenters and the overall reputation of the hosting organization.
After identifying potential webinars from trusted sources, the next step is to compare and evaluate them. Look at the content to ensure it aligns with your learning objectives and is current and evidence-based. Consider the format of the webinar – whether it is live or recorded, interactive or lecture-based, and its duration. Check the presenter's qualifications and background to ensure they are experts in patient advocacy. Also, take into account the cost and any additional benefits such as certificates or access to further resources. This thorough evaluation helps in making an informed decision.
If you have selected the webinars you want to attend, it is important to plan ahead to make the most of them. You should register early to secure your spot and take advantage of any discounts or registration deadlines. Additionally, ensure that you have the necessary equipment, such as a computer, a microphone, a camera, and a stable internet connection, and test it beforehand. Scheduling your time is also essential; consider the time zone, duration, and potential conflicts with your other commitments. It is beneficial to choose a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus and participate without distractions. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you are properly prepared for the webinars.
Once you've selected webinars to attend, planning ahead is key to getting the most out of them. Register early to secure your spot and take advantage of any early registration benefits. Ensure you have the necessary equipment and internet connectivity, and test everything beforehand to avoid technical issues. Consider the webinar's timing and duration in your schedule, especially if it's in a different time zone. Choosing a quiet and comfortable place for attending the webinar can also significantly enhance your focus and learning experience.
Check webinar schedules in advance and plan your participation accordingly. Ensure the timing and duration of the webinar fit into your schedule. Register early to secure your spot and receive any pre-webinar materials or instructions.
The last tip to find the best online webinars is to follow up after you have attended them. Doing so will help you consolidate your learning, apply your insights, and connect with others. To follow up, review the material from the webinar - such as slides, handouts, recordings, or notes - to identify key points and action steps that can be implemented in your patient advocacy practice. Ask for feedback from the presenter, facilitator, or other participants to assess your performance, understanding, and improvement. Lastly, stay in touch with people you interacted with during the webinar to build your network and share experiences. Exchange contact information, join online groups or forums, or follow social media accounts to stay connected.
One way to help you consolidate the knowledge you have learnt in a webinar is to teach others. Reflect on the key messages that were most relevant to your caseload and think of some practical steps you can take to implement your new knowledge straight away, even if it's only a small change. To give you some accountability to do this, book in a quick presentation for your team where you discuss what you learnt. This discussion will further consolidate what you heard in the webinar and make it more likely that you will use the information to change and improve your practice.
Post-webinar follow-up is an important step in the learning process. Reviewing the material, such as slides, handouts, and recordings, helps solidify your understanding and identify practical applications in your work. Seeking feedback from presenters or fellow participants can provide insights into your performance and areas for improvement. Additionally, staying in touch with contacts made during the webinar can expand your professional network and provide ongoing support and resources.