Assignment Scenario: Continuing To Apply Your Role As A Summ

Assignment Scenario Continuing To Apply Your Role As A Summer Intern

Continuing to apply your role as a summer intern for a not-for-profit organization, you are tasked with addressing training methods for three categories of employees—clinicians, administrators, and staff—at a healthcare facility that has recently transitioned from paper-based medical records to Electronic Health Records (EHR). You need to evaluate the appropriateness of three training methods (one-to-one, workshops, computerized or web-based self-paced), assess the training content needs for each employee category based on their duties and EHR functionalities, and propose suitable training times of day for each group.

Additionally, develop a framework for the development of training materials, including your philosophy of training, the areas to be addressed for general staff, and a method to assess training effectiveness—specifically, whether learners have achieved the intended outcomes. Incorporate a 5-point question-based assessment tool (such as a Likert scale) to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction level, with a threshold percentage for satisfactory responses.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The transition from paper-based medical records to Electronic Health Records (EHR) represents a significant shift in healthcare information management. Implementing effective training strategies is crucial to ensure staff proficiency, maximize utilization of EHR systems, and ultimately improve patient care quality. As a summer intern, designing a comprehensive training plan that addresses the needs of clinicians, administrators, and staff members is vital. This paper explores suitable training methods, content requirements, optimal training times, and a framework for developing and assessing training materials, grounded in educational best practices.

Evaluation of Training Methods for Different Employee Categories

Three main training approaches are considered: one-to-one training, workshops, and computerized or web-based self-paced training. Each method's suitability varies across employee categories based on their roles, technological familiarity, and learning preferences.

Clinicians

Clinicians, such as physicians and nurses, require in-depth, practical training due to their complex interaction with EHR systems. One-to-one training provides personalized instruction, allowing for tailored guidance on intricate features like order entry, documentation nuances, and clinical decision support tools. Workshops facilitate peer learning, case studies, and hands-on activities, fostering collaborative learning about workflow integration. Web-based self-paced modules offer flexible, repetitive practice, especially beneficial for busy clinicians needing to reinforce skills at their convenience (Sangwan et al., 2020).

Administrators

Administrators focus on data management, reporting, and system maintenance. Workshops and web-based modules are appropriate due to their ability to address administrative functionalities like billing, reporting, and user access management efficiently. One-to-one sessions may be less feasible given the potentially large administrator group but can be reserved for key personnel responsible for system oversight (Wang et al., 2019).

Staff

Staff members, including clerical and support personnel, often have less complex interactions with EHR. Web-based self-paced training offers convenience and scalability, allowing staff to learn at their own pace. Short workshops emphasizing basic functions such as patient registration and appointment scheduling can enhance comprehension. One-to-one sessions, while ideal for complex troubleshooting, may be less practical for this group due to resource constraints (Hammond et al., 2018).

Content Development and Training Schedule

The content tailored to each group should align with their duties and EHR functionalities. Clinicians need training on clinical documentation, order entry, and decision support alerts. Administrators require reports generation, user permissions, and billing integration. Staff should focus on basic data entry, appointment management, and privacy protocols.

Optimal training times must consider staff workflow to minimize disruption. For clinicians, early morning before clinics begin is ideal for detailed training, as it allows focused learning without patient load pressures. Administrators may benefit from mid-day sessions during breaks when their schedules are lighter. Staff training can be scheduled after hours or during designated training days to prevent workflow interruptions.

Framework for Training Material Development

The philosophy of training emphasizes learner-centered education, practical relevance, and continuous support. Training should be interactive, incorporating real-world scenarios, simulations, and hands-on exercises to reinforce learning. For general staff, the training content includes foundational EHR skills and privacy/security principles, while specialized modules address role-specific tasks.

Assessment of training effectiveness involves pre-and post-training evaluations, feedback surveys, and observation of system use. A pragmatic approach is to employ a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire covering aspects such as confidence, understanding, and usability. A common criterion for satisfactory training is a 75% or higher positive response rate across key questions, indicating successful knowledge transfer.

Assessment Tool: Likert Scale Questionnaire

1. My understanding of the EHR system has improved after training.
2. I feel confident in performing my role using the EHR system.
3. The training materials were clear and helpful.
4. I am satisfied with the training methods used.
5. I feel prepared to use the EHR system in my daily tasks.

Responses are rated from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). The overall satisfaction level is calculated as the percentage of respondents giving a rating of 4 or 5. A satisfaction rate of at least 75% indicates effective training.

Conclusion

Effective training strategies tailored to the specific roles and needs of clinicians, administrators, and staff are essential for a successful EHR implementation. Combining diverse training methods, optimal scheduling, and robust assessment ensures that staff are competent, confident, and satisfied with their EHR capabilities, ultimately supporting improved healthcare delivery.

References

• Hammond, K., et al. (2018). Strategies for implementing electronic health records in community settings. Journal of Healthcare Informatics, 44(2), 102-110.
• Sangwan, S., et al. (2020). Personalized training models for clinicians adopting electronic health records. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(9), 154.
• Wang, D., et al. (2019). Evaluating EHR training approaches and outcomes. Health Informatics Journal, 25(4), 1975-1985.
• Hersh, W., et al. (2019). Training healthcare providers on electronic health records: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Education, 49(4), 387-400.
• Häyrinen, K., et al. (2017). The impact of training on adoption of EHR systems: Evidence from healthcare settings. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 104, 66-74.
• McAlearney, A. S., et al. (2021). Strategies to enhance healthcare provider training for EHR implementation. Journal of Healthcare Management, 66(2), 125-136.
• Huh, J., et al. (2020). Web-based EHR training for healthcare professionals: A systematic review. JMIR Medical Education, 6(2), e15727.
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