What are the best ways to train healthcare professionals in patient education with online simulations?

1 Define learning objectives

The first step to create an online simulation for patient education is to define the learning objectives, or what you want the learners to achieve by the end of the simulation. Learning objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and aligned with the competencies and standards of the profession. For example, a learning objective for a nurse educator could be: "By the end of this simulation, the learner will be able to explain the benefits and risks of insulin therapy to a newly diagnosed diabetic patient in a clear and empathetic way."

2 Choose a suitable platform

The next step is to choose a suitable platform or tool to create and deliver the online simulation. There are many options available, ranging from simple web-based applications to sophisticated virtual reality systems. The choice of platform depends on several factors, such as the budget, the technical skills, the accessibility, the scalability, and the features of the simulation. For example, a web-based platform may be more affordable and accessible, but may have limited interactivity and realism. A virtual reality platform may offer more immersion and engagement, but may require more resources and expertise.

3 Design the scenario

The core of an online simulation is the scenario, or the story that guides the learner through the simulation. The scenario should be realistic, relevant, and challenging, but not too complex or confusing. It should also reflect the diversity and variability of real-life situations, such as different patient backgrounds, preferences, needs, and responses. The scenario should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and include elements such as goals, tasks, choices, consequences, feedback, and debriefing. For example, a scenario for a pharmacist educator could be: "You are working at a community pharmacy and a young woman comes to you with a prescription for oral contraceptives. She asks you some questions about how to use them correctly and what side effects to expect. How do you answer her questions and educate her about her medication?"

4 Implement the simulation

The implementation of the online simulation involves the delivery and evaluation of the simulation. The delivery should be flexible, convenient, and engaging for the learners, and allow them to practice their skills in a safe and supportive environment. The evaluation should be formative, summative, or both, and measure the learners' performance, knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction. The evaluation should also provide constructive and timely feedback to the learners, and identify areas for improvement or reinforcement. For example, an evaluation for a physiotherapist educator could be: "After completing the simulation, the learner will receive a score based on their accuracy, completeness, and clarity of their instructions to a patient with low back pain. They will also receive a feedback report with comments and suggestions on how to improve their patient education skills."

5 Review and improve the simulation

The final step is to review and improve the online simulation based on the feedback and data collected from the learners and the facilitators. The review should assess the strengths and weaknesses of the simulation, and identify any gaps, errors, or issues that need to be addressed. The improvement should involve making changes or modifications to the simulation, such as updating the content, enhancing the interactivity, adding more scenarios, or adjusting the difficulty level. The review and improvement should be done regularly and systematically, and involve the stakeholders and experts in the process. For example, a review for a dietitian educator could be: "Based on the learner feedback, the simulation was well-received and effective in teaching the learners how to educate a patient with celiac disease about gluten-free diet. However, some learners suggested that the simulation could include more cultural and personal factors that may influence the patient's dietary choices and behaviors."

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?