In part one one of our EHR Training Best Practices series, the HCI Group’s SVP of Training and Activation, Stephen Tokarz, gave us his first few tips to a successful EHR Training project. In part two, we will take a look at some more proven practices that can guide your organization through your EHR Training Program.
Backfill
Begin backfill planning and establish the training strategy for agency staff early on. Staff may need to be backfilled at several junctures during the implementation including: SMEs participation in validation sessions, Super User Training, End User Training (significant) and for Super Users/Power Providers during the first 4 weeks post-live when they are providing elbow support.
Cyber Cafes and Playground Launch
Provide physicians and staff with hands-on opportunities 2-4 months prior to the start of training to demystify the system and create positive buzz. Launch the Playground at the completion of Cyber Cafes, but prior to training to allow early adopters to continue system exploration and practice.
Demos for Adoption
The training team should work with select physicians and staff to coach them on how to deliver demos. A demo coming from a coworker or peer at an event like Grand Rounds is potent.
Credentialed Training Program
Determine who you want to serve as your credentialed trainers. Typically, organizations utilize a mix of internal staff and experienced consultants to deliver training. Begin planning early and take into consideration that your Instructional Designers will be very busy as the start of Super User Training approaches. Looking to a partner to help manage this process is often beneficial.
Role Based and Realistic Training
EHR Training Wheels provides a solid foundation. However, work with clinicians to gather common case studies. Use these case studies as the foundation for your scenario based training. Clinicians and staff are very busy and we want to repeat their time by providing training that is hands-on, engaging and relevant to their daily work. Also, consider incorporating other technologies such as Dragon and PACS that will be part of their workflow into your training sessions.
Knowledge Management
Consider where your curriculum and tip sheets will be housed. It is important to create a repository that is easy to search and access at the point of need.
Through the utilization of methods such as cyber cafes, a credentialed training program, and role based training, your organization will be on a fast track to a successful EHR Training project.
Read part three of the series here.
Additional Resources You May Be Interested In:
- eBook: The Definitve EHR Go-Live Guide
- Go-Live Support: Training and Super-User Support
- Go-Live Support: Pre & Post Go-Live
- Go-Live Support: Operation Communication