JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The digital transformation in healthcare requires training nursing and health professionals in the digitally competent use of digital-assistive technologies (DAT). The further educational training “Beratende für digitale Gesundheitsversorgung” (“Consultant for Digital Healthcare”) was developed to fill this gap. The effectiveness of the training program will be assessed by this study.

Objective:

The primary objective is to record and measure the learning success of the participants. It is assessed whether the previously defined teaching intentions, learning objectives, competencies, expectations of the participants have been achieved and whether there has been a transfer of learning. The secondary objective is the satisfaction of the participants and the feasibility of the training. The tertiary objective is the transfer success of the participants of DAT in the institutions.

Methods:

Approximately 65 nursing and health care professionals will participate in the piloting phase of the further training and take part in the evaluation process, which is planned in a mixed-method design. It is planned to conduct pre-post surveys in the form of self-assessments of the participants in dealing with DAT as well as on content-related knowledge levels. In addition, exploratory individual interviews will be conducted to build theory. Here, it will be examined whether and to what extent an increase in competence (cognition) has taken place and whether a change in dealing (affect) with DAT has occurred. Furthermore, there will be an interim evaluation within the framework of the Teaching Analysis Poll (TAP). The knowledge thereby gained will then be used to revise and adapt the modules for future courses. To assess the transfer success the participants create a practical project, which is carried out within the framework of the training, observed by the lecturers and subsequently evaluated and adapted.

Results:

It is to be expected that the learning objectives aimed for through the further training will be met. The attendees are expected to increase their level of digital competence along different skills areas. First, concerning their theoretical knowledge, second, concerning their hand-on skills planning the application and practical usage of DAT, third, their reflective skills, applying ethical and legal considerations in their usage, forth, to apply all that in a structured process of technology implementation within their practical sphere of work.

Conclusions:

The aim of this study and the appropriate further training program is to educate nursing and health care professionals in the use of DAT and thereby empower them for a structured change process towards a digitally aided care. This focus gives rise to following research question associated by it. First, how do further training programs need to be developed and which focus is appropriate for addressee-appropriate learning goals, course structure and the general curriculum. Second, how should a training program with this specific content and area be evaluated? And thirdly, what are the conditions for a continued program offer?