In today’s post, The HCI Group’s Kristen Sapato gives her thoughts on the benefits of using a virtual training model during the COVID-19 pandemic and how virtual training provides a key tool for the future of healthcare transformation. Kristen has been in the healthcare industry as a trainer, principle trainer, manager, and project manager since 2012. During this time, she has worked with some of the biggest names in healthcare, including Johns Hopkins, Sutter Healthcare and Cleveland Clinic.
As the COVID-19 crisis has taken hold here in the United States and across the globe, we have seen a seismic shift in how the healthcare industry operates with an increasing emphasis on digital transformation for patients and clinicians as well as an emphasis on virtual care. This transformation extends to how organizations perform outreach and training as well. Because virtual training allows the host trainer to be in the next room, building, or around the world, it is the perfect model for health organizations operating under pandemic conditions. Furthermore, virtual outreach has enormous benefits that make it viable option moving forward beyond the current crisis conditions. As part of this blog, let’s consider these benefits further, and what health organizations need to consider when moving to a virtual training model.
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Virtual Training is an innovative method of delivering education to various clinicians at different locations throughout the organization. This method allows one trainer to teach the same workflow and functionality across multiple locations at the same time in a virtual classroom. To maximize the potential benefits of using a virtual platform, organizations should consider whether this delivery method is a good fit.
Are you facing training challenges due to a large geographically diverse learner population?
Many organizations are faced with training challenges due to a large geographically diverse learner population. With virtual training, students and/or trainers will no longer have to travel for training. They can attend at their primary facility or from home. Virtual trainers can be cross trained to cover multiple areas of expertise, thereby reducing the number of full-time trainers needed. In addition to an easier and more efficient training delivery method, virtual training provides a personalized experience through verbal or instant message communications between facilitator, coach and end user.
Are you struggling with full utilization of your computer training spaces?
With in-person training reduced, virtual training provides greater use of existing training staff and training facilities. Computer equipped training or conference rooms can be used to facilitate more than one class at a time. Students attending a variety of classes can share the same space as they listen to their remote instructor through headphones, watching their presentation on a second monitor.
Would you benefit from cost reductions associated with a full-time, on-site training staff that is currently under-utilized?
Using a Virtual Training service provides many cost savings over having a full-time, on-site training staff. These savings include greater use of existing training staff and training facilities, reduction of travel costs and as well as of the number of trainers needed to conduct sessions
For organizations concerned with using preexisting computer training spaces, Virtual Training maximizes the use of this space while still allowing for upgrades to the system. Once the facilities are equipped with dedicated training spaces these facilities can be adapted for multiple purposes including expanding the number of student and scaling class size to meet the needs of the organization. When virtual training is used and centrally managed, tracking of completion, attendance, and metrics are easier to obtain.
What content is your organization trying to deliver to your staff?
Depending on the content, classes can be accessed remotely for students and delivered remotely by trainers as the need arises. Although the delivery of content is more cost-effective and efficient, not all material is suited for virtual delivery. With the proper equipment and platform, students can receive instruction on software, new processes, workflows and product demonstrations. Complex content should often be delivered by alternative methods, while simple updates can be delivered via tip sheets and educational meetings.
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