A narrative review of e-learning in professional education of healthcare professionals in medical imaging and radiation therapy

Abstract

Objectives: This literature review attempts to explore the characteristics of e-learning tools used to develop the qualifications and skills of healthcare professionals in medical imaging and radiation therapy, and to promote the effectiveness and acceptance of e-learning through highlighting the outcomes of its implementation where applicable.

Key findings: From the literature search in the PubMed and ResearchGate databases we concluded to 21 articles, which were included in the qualitative synthesis. Acceptance of e-learning tools was confirmed. Also, e-learning can be part of healthcare professionals' blended learning. The acquisition of new or improvement of existing knowledge, the improvement of clinical skills and the increase of the self-confidence of healthcare professionals in their daily practice were recorded, as outcomes of the e-learning implementation. The importance of human-computer interaction for the comprehension of theoretical concepts and practical aspects using multimedia was also captured. No significant findings emerged among the 21 articles against the adoption of the e-learning for the training of healthcare professionals. The Internet is the channel used for synchronous and asynchronous interaction of trainees with instructors.

Conclusions: We concluded that e-learning is an attractive training method, equally or occasionally more effective than the traditional educational methods for the lifelong training of healthcare professionals in the field of medical imaging and radiation therapy. Also, many collaborative web-based applications provide the necessary means to build an e-learning program, according to the training needs of each professional team.

Implications for practice: This new knowledge corroborates the perspective of e-learning beneficial contribution to remote interaction and collaboration of healthcare professionals in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Collaborative web-based tools are already available to decision makers and stakeholders, who want to develop an e-learning program.

Keywords: E-learning; Healthcare professionals; Medical imaging; Radiation therapy.