E-learning, developed using Seminar Author, supports award for 'Efficiency in Training' at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust's (NUH) recent success in achieving the 'Efficiency in Training' award at the Health Service Journal Efficiency Awards 2011 was through the pioneering use of the Seminar Author e-learning development tool, which enabled the introduction of a CD for Junior Doctors' induction training. The CD, which has been hugely applauded for improving the quality of training and efficiency at NUH, also received a special commendation in the "Workforce Efficiency" category.
The CD is sent to Junior Doctors in their induction packs several weeks before their rotation begins at NUH. The CD contains information on a large number of topics ranging from antibiotic prescribing and resuscitation techniques to information on patient confidentiality considerations and the Trust's values and behaviours.
The training was developed jointly by the Human Resources department and the Trust's Postgraduate Education Centre. The CD has enabled the HR department to reduce the formal induction from four days to just half a day, which in turn allows the Junior Doctors to start treating patients more quickly. Recent calculations have shown that the introduction of the CD four years ago releases up to 15,000 hours of Junior Doctors' time, which directly benefits the patients. This has provided the Trust each year with £875,000 worth of Junior Doctors' time on the wards.
The project uses Seminar Author software, a rapid e-learning system that enables flexible delivery of information. The software allows training packages to be burnt onto CDs, exported into Word for printing, or exported as interactive web-based training. With this flexibility, the Trust can now check the Junior Doctors' understanding of the information they receive in their training CD. The key difference between this method of induction and former face-to-face classroom sessions is that Junior Doctors are now tested on their understanding of the information presented to them.
Chris Hughes, Digital Communications Manager at the Trust said:
"The software is straightforward to use and enables us to produce professional looking e-learning without the need for specialist web developers or software programmers. Our e-learning developers can easily select the type of question they want to use and start writing. The accessibility and flexibility of the software allows the Trust to regularly update and clarify the questions in order to regulate Junior Doctors' understanding of the material."
Now in its fifth edition, post induction surveys have enabled the Trust to improve the content year on year by listening to the Junior Doctors' suggestions. For example, the CD is now compatible with Apple Macs and contains new and valid content such as standard health care-associated infection messages, medicines management guidance and prescribing best practice.
A survey of those who completed the process last year showed that 90% of inductees would consider recommending the same induction method to another organisation. The adoption of this method has resulted in over 700 induction packs each year being reduced in size by several hundred sheets of paper and replaced with one CD at a cost of less than £1 each, reducing cost and environmental impact.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is one of the largest acute teaching trusts in the country. The Trust provides acute and specialist services to 2.5 million people within Nottingham and surrounding communities from QMC, City Hospital campuses and Ropewalk House. NUH has an annual budget of £722 million of public sector funding and employs over 13,000 staff, making the Trust one of the city's biggest employers.