How to Thrive in a Remote Education World
Students and teachers across all levels of schooling – elementary through high school to post-secondary education and professional education have changed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The physical classroom model has disappeared and may not return in its prior format. To thrive in a remote education world, students and teachers must adapt their learning and teaching styles. We’re proposing that this adaptation is especially important in the medical field.
The New Landscape of Medical Education
Medical students in undergraduate and graduate settings will be undoubtedly facing a new normal, alongside their college and university classmates. Inside Higher Education offers predictions for post-pandemic learning for these students:
- Blended Learning Will Dramatically Increase: Digital tools are complements to, not substitutes for face-to-face learning.
- Online Learning Will be a Strategic Priority: Online learning will be essential for resilience and academic continuity.
There isn’t a more essential field for lifelong learning than the medicine. As students move through medical school and training programs, we know that medical knowledge doubles approximately every 73 days.
Colleges and universities will adjust to the new normal and attempt to provide academic continuity and maintain the value of face-to-face learning with a flipped classroom. But what about the new landscape of medical education for those not in a formal school setting? For medical organizations focusing on training programs and CME, other steps are necessary to thrive in a remote education world.
Meet Medical Professionals Where They Are
Few fields demand as much ongoing education and certification as the medical field – for obvious reasons. From board certification and renewal to continuing education and new innovations and research, medical professionals always need to keep up with emerging medicine.
Medical professionals are on-the-go, balancing the demands of their work as well as personal lives and family responsibilities. Hospitals and other organizations need to meet medical professionals where they are and provide remote learning opportunities that will allow them to:
- Maintain necessary board certifications
- Keep up to date with emerging medicine and research
- Foster a habit of lifelong learning
With a centralized learning solution that spans teams and departments, leaders can be sure that every team member is consuming the same guidelines and research, informing their approach to patient care. Alternatively, when a team member is struggling in a particular education area, leaders can encourage more focus and repeat lessons to ensure consistency.
Adapting CME to the Virtual Education World
Burnout and administrative overload have plagued physicians for years – and the increased expectations and demands are only growing. Changing guidelines, new technologies and administrative tasks are occupying so much of a physician’s time that patient care can suffer.
Earning CME and related professional development tasks are among those mounting expectations of today’s physicians. But these can be made more efficient and effective, having more positive impact on a physician, their practice, and patient care. The most effective learning programs in this new remote education world will have these important characteristics:
- High levels of interactivity
- Ongoing feedback
- Multiple instructional methods
Varied instructional methods to support personalized learning have proven to be effective in increased knowledge retention, building community and discussions among physicians and more effective learning. The concept of micro-learning and varied instructional methods (videos, quizzes, slide decks, checklists, etc.) is a more personalized approach for each learner – that can be implemented effectively across the enterprise.
Medical Education is Changing – Is Your Organization’s Approach?
Expected changes in the healthcare system has stakeholders questioning if medical school, training and residency programs are preparing future physicians appropriately. Leaders would be remiss if they didn’t also question how CME and certification maintenance should transform to meet the needs of modern physicians. Meeting the needs of contemporary physicians means meeting the needs of their patients.
K2P is committed to improving patient outcomes through our advanced digital learning platform. Physicians can assess and maintain core medical competencies, and keep pace with emerging medicine, with a personalized learning program. Learn more about our work with training programs and healthcare systems.