‘Sharing the Virtual Classroom’ – developing elearning for

interprofessional undergraduate education

Dr Lesley Diack

The Robert Gordon University

What is inter professional education?

‘occasions when two or more professionals learn with, from and about one another to facilitate collaboration in practice.’

(CAIPE, 1997)

OUTCOME MEASURES OF IPE

• Learner’s reactions• Modification of attitudes or perceptions• Acquisition of knowledge/skills• Change in behaviour• Change in organisational practice• Benefit to patients

(HAMMICK, 2000)

The shared learning project

Key Elements of IPE• Ongoing throughout education

• Develops the prerequisites for teamwork

• Patient/client focused

• Interactive

• Case/scenario based

• Built on a model of student development

Tomorrow’s Doctor’s and Pharmacists

Welcome to this module for final year students from the medical school at the University of Aberdeen and the School of Pharmacy at the Robert Gordon University. This module will run during February/March 2004 ...

Timetable• October 2003 - Final year workshop

• October/December 2003 - Recruitment

• November 2003/January 2004 – Design

• February/March 2004 – Go Live

• March 2004 – Debriefing

Reasons for a Virtual Course

• Logistics

• Creation of a community

• Medical students were on electives

• Experimenting with online

The Patient

Mr William Connolly, aged 59

suffering from a number of complex conditions – type 2 diabetes, angina, impotence, recently had a hip replacement.

On a variety of medication including diltiazem, aspirin, semi-daonil, nitrolingual spray, tylex.

What was shared?• Video of the patient discussing his care (5 mins)• Patient registration notes (1)• Medication record (1)• Medical summary (2)• Clinical notes (4)• Correspondence (15)• Diabetes Clinic (1)• Biochemistry results – urea/electrolytes (5)• Haematology results (6)• Lipid analysis (1)

‘Sharing the virtual classroom’• 33 students (14 pharmacy/19 medical)• 22 students female/11 male• 28-Aberdeen, 2-Scotland and 3-overseas.• 6 students never logged on - problems• 11 logged on infrequently • 16 logged on regularly• 11completed the course

Problems

• Firewalls• Spam filters• Timing• Computer capability• Non Assessed• Unused to

elearning/VLE

Successes

• Online Discussion groups worked

• Face to face at end very successful

• Students who participated – enjoyed course

Next stage?

• Need to solve computing difficulties

• Need for introductory session

• Need to train etutors

• Need to assess