Click here to read part one of Creative Solutions to EHR Training Challenges.
You might spend more on technology than training when implementing a new EHR or upgrading an existing system, but the effectiveness of your training may influence the return on your investment more than the capabilities of your technology. If your team doesn’t fully realize the benefits of the new technology, then you will not maximize your ROI. Creating an effective training program is key to increasing efficiency and productivity. In part two of Creative Solutions to EHR Training Challenges, we continue with creative solutions #3 and #4.
3) Hiring Experienced Locals in Larger Metro Areas
Experienced locals can bring the same sense of community as inexperienced counterparts do while still providing savings compared to non-local resources with similar backgrounds.
What are the benefits of hiring experienced locals?
- More awareness of facilities and locations, and increased pride working at a well-respected organization
No cost for out-of-town travel expenses including hotel rooms - and rental cars
- Familiarity with weather (especially with inclement weather)
- Adept at avoiding traffic and troubleshooting transportation issues
What are the challenges of hiring experienced locals?
- Applicant pool can be significantly limited
- May have a challenging commute to assigned training facility across large geographical area if working long or late hours.
- May have been applying for multiple employment opportunities and are at risk for leaving the organization if a more preferred job becomes available
- When resources do not exist locally for certain applications, you may have to hire non-locals, therefore necessitating preparation for the increased costs in your budget.
How is the hiring process different than when you hire non-locals?
You can vet local candidates for connections that may strengthen their ties to your organization, like past experience as a patient or volunteer. You also can ask if they have relevant experience in other local organizations with which you may be familiar.
4) E-learning
E-learning is computer-based training that users can complete on-site or remotely. They view demos or perform interactive learning through custom videos and presentations.
What are the benefits of e-learning?
- You pay employees less for training time and travel expenses.
- Once you create content, you can re-use it through your LMS without using classrooms or trainers.
- You can deliver the same messages and lessons consistently.
- Shorter lessons can be integrated into live classroom training for quick overviews of important EHR functionality and shared among other applications
- Training can be accommodated around end-users’ work schedules.
- Users can access the training from any computer with an internet connection.
What are some challenges with using e-learning?
Maintaining an e-learning system can be expensive because when there are updates to the system or workflows those updates need to be incorporated into the e-learning content.
- It is preferred for new-hire orientation training instead of implementation training due to the volume of configuration, workflow and policy updates occurring in the months prior to go-live. Changes to e-learnings may require extensive re-scripting or re-recording of audio depending on the content.
- It is not beneficial to use as cross-training for other trainers because it does not provide as in-depth of an understanding of the application or the roles of the users.
- Users may struggle to assimilate content if they are confused by vendor-based e-learnings displaying screens differing from those used in their live environments.
- You need to have large user groups or frequent training sessions to justify your investment in creating content.
- Employing the appropriate personnel in your department specialized in the e-learning software may not be justifiable for full time. Some organizations cross-train their instructional designers, use internal marketing personnel or external contractors.
If your employees do not maximize their use of your EHR, then you will not get the return that you are seeking. Consider these creative training solutions for improving adoption and increasing ROI.
About The HCI Group’s EHR Training and Adoption Services
The HCI Group provides experienced consultants who can help you plan and deliver quality training. Not only do they understand how adults learn, but they bring best-practice tools and methods forward.
The HCI Group will be with you every step of the way and provide:
- Training plan development and execution
- Curriculum and content development
- Domain management
- Super-user preparedness
- Training delivery, including web-based, classroom and 1:1 training
- Experienced physician trainers
- Activation support
- Post-implementation strategy and support
Learn more about The HCI Group’s EHR Training and Adoption services here.