Released: 16 Jun 2010 13:06
The Rural and Remote Orientation Program is a state-wide orientation program for staff about to commence rural and remote nursing job placements. With a 25 person core working party and submissions from over 35 individuals, the project required the Medeserv-PrimEd team to effectively manage the large stakeholder group.
Released: 16 Jun 2010 13:06
Have you ever wondered what the term web 2.0 actually refers too? This article explores the definition of web 2.0, the different characteristics of web 2.0 tools, and whether it is relevant to adult learning.
Released: 16 Jun 2010 12:06
Introduction from Kristen Walsham...
I recently joined the Medeserv-Primed Business Development Team as a Health Education Sales Consultant based in Sydney. My role will focus on promoting the sale of education to end users, groups of end users and enterprises. These groups include individual health professionals, public and private health practices, departments and hospitals, and employers. I will also focus on maintaining relationships with key private and public hospital groups and individual practices and will participation in conferences, trade shows and other events to promote the company and its products.
I have spent the last 10 years working in the Pharmaceutical industry with Lundbeck Australia and Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia and I have extensive experience in the specialties of Psychiatry, Haematology, Oncology, Rheumatology and Virology. In my roles I was responsible for developing relationships with Key Opinion Leaders, Senior Specialists, Registrars, Nurses and Allied Health staff in each specialty.
I am very excited to be showcasing Medeserv-PrimEd’s high quality on-line education products such as Developing Clinicians as Leaders (DCAL) and other new initiatives to New South Wales based Doctors, Nurses and Allied Health professionals.
Released: 16 Jun 2010 12:06
As the demand for education, training and CPD opportunities continues to rise, emerging technologies present an attractive solution. The 2010 Horizon Report outlines the new technologies we can expect to impact learning, teaching and education delivery over the next 5 years on an international stage.
E-Learning is still far from the minds of some educators, but as the demand for education, training and CPD opportunities continues to rise, emerging technologies present an attractive solution. The following is a short summary of the 2010 Horizon Report, an annual report that outlines the new technologies we can expect to impact learning, teaching and education delivery over the next 5 years.
The Next 12 Months
Mobile Computing
Think smart phones, net books, lap tops, iPads, kindles. When it comes to mobile devices, the list of options is just getting longer. When it comes to education and learning, it is “the portability of mobile devices and their ability to connect to the Internet almost anywhere makes them ideal”, the report tells us.
Open Content
Not just a collection of free online courses—open content “promotes a set of skills that are critical in maintaining currency in any discipline—the ability to find, evaluate and put new information to use”, say the report authors. It is not without its challenges however, particularly in the areas of licensing, intellectual property and copyright.
The Next 2 to 3 Years
Electronic books
While originally designed to be read on a computer, there are now a variety of e-book readers on the market. Lack of availability of academic texts and technology limitations has impacted on the uptake of e-books for teaching and learning, according to the report however increasing availability of texts and improvements to the reader technology are changing this.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is the concept of blending virtual data and real-world action and “is poised to enter the mainstream…and the social, gaming, and location-based applications that are emerging point to a strong potential for educational applications in the next few years,” says the report. At present the technology is costly, but as technology improves and costs reduce, there is huge potential for augmented reality in an education and learning context.
The Next 4 to 5 Years
Gesture based computing
The report authors state that “the Nintendo Wii in 2006 and the Apple iPhone in 2007 signaled the beginning of widespread consumer interest in—and acceptance of—interfaces based on natural human gestures.” As technology develops, the possible applications for teaching and learning simulations grow.
Visual data analysis
Visual data analysis describes tools and techniques that allow us to find and interpret patterns, structure, trends, exceptions and more, in data, according to the report. It makes use of the “pattern matching skills that seem to be hard-wired into the human brain” and “facilitates the work of teams working in concert to tease out meaning from complex sets of information”. Its application for teaching and learning is still somewhat undefined though.
For the full report, please go to the report ‘2010 Horizon Report’
[1] N Patel [2007] Kindle sells out in 5.5 hours, Accessed 1/6/10, http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/21/kindle-sells-out-in-two-days/
Released: 16 Jun 2010 12:06
The final short course in the workforce development education suite, Developing clinicians as leaders, was launched in late April. All 30 courses are now available for enrolment via the UQ Health Insitu or PriMeD education portals. The short courses are delivered across five key themes:
• Quality, safety and clinical improvement;
• Innovation, change and strategic planning;
• Teaching and learning in a clinical setting;
• Health services management skills;
• Clinical leadership and communication.
Medeserv-PrimEd COO, Dr Raisa Monteiro, says that the completion of the project is a key achievement for the company.
“In completing the project our team has developed over 300 hours of online education designed to develop leadership and management skills in health professionals. All of the 30 professional development short courses are on an academic pathway to postgraduate qualifications at The University of Queensland. This is the first program of its kind.”
To date there have more than 4200 enrolments across the 30 courses. All of the courses are endorsed by the RCNA and the majority (28 courses) are accredited with the RACGP’s QA&CPD program.
Current evaluation data indicates the short courses have been well received by healthcare professionals: 99% of learners who have completed the courses reported that their expectations were met or exceeded. The course evaluation data so far, rates the extent of reaching the learning goals at 4.2 on a scale of 1 – 5, (where 1=unable to meet and 5 =can confidently meet).
DCAL short courses are available for enrolments via UQ Health Insitu or PriMeD education portals.
Released: 28 Apr 2010 10:04
Medeserv-PrimEd has received a Platinum Awards for Best Partnership in a Training Program at the LearnX Asia Pacific 2010 E-Learning & Training Awards for its Leading Clinical Handover online education program.
The Awards, held in conjunction with annual LearnX Asia Pacific E-Learning and Training Solutions conference, recognise best practice, talent, service and technology across the e-learning industry. The Best Partnership in a Training Program recognises successful partnerships for training programs that has had a significant positive impact on workforce performance.
Medeserv-PrimEd CEO, Dr Jason Armstrong, says that the award is a reflection of the dedication of all the staff who were involved in creating this online education for healthcare professionals.
“Medeserv-PrimEd employs a great team of clinical educators and education specialists. This award recognizes their hard work and dedication. It is highly rewarding for both us and our enterprise partner, The University of Queensland, to gain this recognition.”
The Leading Clinical Handover program is designed to prepare clinical team leaders to critique existing and candidate clinical handover processes within their area of responsibility and to positively influence clinical handover culture in the healthcare workforce. The program is generously funded by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) and is available via The University of Queensland’s health CPD portal, UQ Health Insitu
Released: 10 Mar 2010 16:03
Australian research suggests half of the incidences of patient harm recorded in Australian hospitals are preventable[1]. While every care is taken to minimise incidence of patient harm, continuing education and professional development initiatives and programs are key to delivering improved outcomes for all patients.
In 2008 Medeserv Primed was contracted by the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre (PSC) to provide a curriculum framework and online education programs that would equip Queensland Health staff with the skills and knowledge required to minimise incidence of patient harm in Queensland hospitals.
The resulting curriculum of short courses covers a range of topics including coronial management, pressure ulcer prevention and management, clinical incident management, and falls prevention; and incorporate core learning activities to ensure competency and optional extension activities for further study. The courses give staff involved in patient care the tools to minimise incidence of patient harm in the workplace, and an understanding of the correct procedures to follow when incidents occur.
Five of the six planned courses were recently released and are now available to all registered Queensland Health staff through the Clinician Development Education Service (CDES) portal at www.health.qld.gov.au/cdes.
The CDES education portal provides Queensland Health staff with professional development and continuing education interactive flexible online learning programs across a wide range of topics available 24 hours from work or home.
The Patient Safety Centre is dedicated to improving the safety and quality of care of Queensland Health patients by continuously informing and educating those entrusted with their care. Medeserv PrimEd is a leading provider of professional development and continuing education online learning solutions for the health workforce.
[1] Wilson RM, Runciman WB, Gibberd RW, Harrison BT, Newby L, Hamilton JD. The Quality in the Australian Health Care Study. Medical Journal of Australia 1995;163(9): 458-71
Released: 07 Jul 2009 11:07
Nurses and midwives form the largest and most evenly distributed health profession working in regional, rural and remote Australia[1]. An effective nursing workforce is particularly important for rural and remote areas where nurses may be the sole healthcare provider at times, supported by other members of the health team including medical officers. These nurses and midwives require specialised clinical knowledge, skills, and support to deliver health care to diverse cases and communities.
In 2007, the Rural Health Advisory Council offered recommendations relating to recruiting and retaining the rural nursing workforce. The Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO), Queensland Health has responsibility for implementing these recommendations. An important deliverable within the strategy devised relates to Preparation for Rural and Remote Area Nursing Practice, which will “plan, create, disseminate, and implement a high quality standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the training of staff for rural and remote area nursing job placement[2].”
In 2007, the Rural Health Advisory Council offered recommendations relating to recruiting and retaining the rural nursing workforce. The Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO), Queensland Health has responsibility for implementing these recommendations. An important deliverable within the strategy devised relates to Preparation for Rural and Remote Area Nursing Practice, which will “plan, create, disseminate, and implement a high quality standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the training of staff for rural and remote area nursing job placement[2].”
Project documents cite a recognition that much of the organisational knowledge resides in staff, and “newcomers need to develop a network of information and relationships to enable them to truly become productive, creative employees who feel connected and safe[3].”
In April 2008, Medeserv was contracted by the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Queensland Health, to provide a curriculum framework and online education program for a high-quality, standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the orientation and training of staff for rural and remote area nursing.
Using its curriculum matrix methodology to plan, catalogue and guide education development across multiple domains, Medeserv created a curriculum framework. From this framework, a “Survival Starter Pack” was identified as the most essential 100 hours (3 weeks) of education for rural/remote nurses in Queensland and supports rural and remote nurses in their first 6 months of practice. An estimated 25% of the educational offerings is available in the form of face-to-face simulation skills workshops, but the majority of the program is accessible as an online program that incorporates the Medeserv education methodologies in group interaction, learning resources, tools and online discussion.
The courseware is available to all registered Queensland Health staff, through the Clinician Development Education Service (CDES) at http://cdes.learning.medeserv.com.au.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2000. Nursing LabourForce 1991: a preliminary report, Table 2, AIHW, Canberra
[2] Queensland Health, 2008. Project Definition Plan (Section 6.3) (unpublished report), Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Brisbane
[3] Rollag K, Parise S, & Cross R, 2005. "Getting new hires up to speed quickly." MIT Sloan Management. 46(2): 35-41
Released: 25 May 2009 10:05
Dr Jenny May, Chair of the Alliance, congratulated those responsible for the development of the resource.
“Parkinson’s Australia has done a wonderful job both to contribute $132,000 to the project and to lead so effectively the parties involved in it,” Dr May said.
“This successful project has perhaps set a new benchmark in expedition, showing just what can be achieved quickly when all parties are focused on a common goal and can work together in an agreed fashion and with energy and commitment. It should inspire those of us working to secure project breakthroughs in other areas.”
Key contributions were provided pro bono by Professor Martin Krause, Dr Simon Lewis and others with the support of a $90,000 Department of Health grant and backing fromthe Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s. The on-line site has been developed by Brisbane-based company Medeserv-PrimEd.
The on-line educational and support program is available for use by all health professionals, with a focus on the particular needs of doctors and others in rural and remote areas.
In launching the program, Parliamentary Secretary Senator Jan McLucas said the program provides a complete overview of Parkinson’s disease, and offers assistance with decision-making, advice about medications and the treatment of related factors such as depression, anxiety and lifestyle changes.
Senator McLucas acknowledged the special contribution of John Silk, Treasurer of Parkinson’s Australia, and his wife Rebecca.
In rural and remote areas where health specialists are scarce, the need is to increase the general understanding of Parkinson's among whatever health professionals are available in order to improve ongoing quality of life for those with the condition. This new resource will go some way to meeting that need.
“Parkinson’s Australia has done a wonderful job both to contribute $132,000 to the project and to lead so effectively the parties involved in it,” Dr May said.
“This successful project has perhaps set a new benchmark in expedition, showing just what can be achieved quickly when all parties are focused on a common goal and can work together in an agreed fashion and with energy and commitment. It should inspire those of us working to secure project breakthroughs in other areas.”
Key contributions were provided pro bono by Professor Martin Krause, Dr Simon Lewis and others with the support of a $90,000 Department of Health grant and backing fromthe Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s. The on-line site has been developed by Brisbane-based company Medeserv-PrimEd.
The on-line educational and support program is available for use by all health professionals, with a focus on the particular needs of doctors and others in rural and remote areas.
In launching the program, Parliamentary Secretary Senator Jan McLucas said the program provides a complete overview of Parkinson’s disease, and offers assistance with decision-making, advice about medications and the treatment of related factors such as depression, anxiety and lifestyle changes.
Senator McLucas acknowledged the special contribution of John Silk, Treasurer of Parkinson’s Australia, and his wife Rebecca.
In rural and remote areas where health specialists are scarce, the need is to increase the general understanding of Parkinson's among whatever health professionals are available in order to improve ongoing quality of life for those with the condition. This new resource will go some way to meeting that need.