The development and preliminary evaluation of a clinician e-learning training platform for a neonatal sepsis risk monitor for use in ICU settings

Abstract

Background: Training clinicians on the use of hospital-based patient monitoring systems (PMS) is vital to mitigate the risk of use errors and of frustration using these devices, especially when used in ICU settings. PMS training is typically delivered through face-to-face training sessions in the hospital. However, it is not always feasible to deliver training in this format to all clinical staff given some constraints (e.g., availability of staff and trainers to attend in-person training sessions and the costs associated with face-to-face training).

Objective: The literature indicates that E-learning has the potential to mitigate barriers associated with time restrictions for trainers and trainees and evidence shows it to be more flexible, and convenient for learners in healthcare settings. This study aimed to develop and carry out a preliminary evaluation via a case study of an e-learning training platform designed for a novel neonatal sepsis risk monitor system (Digi-NewB).

Methods: A multi-modal qualitative research case study approach was used, including the analysis of three qualitative data sources: (i) audio/video recordings of simulation sessions in which participants were asked to operate the system as intended (e.g., update the clinical observations and monitor the sepsis risk), (ii) interviews with the simulation participants and an attending key opinion leader (KOL), who observed all simulation sessions, and (iii) post-simulation survey.

Results: After receiving ethical approval for the study, nine neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses completed the online training and participated in the simulation and follow-up interview sessions. The KOL was also interviewed, and seven out of the nine NICU nurses answered the post-simulation survey. The video/audio analysis of the simulations revealed that participants were able to use and interpret the Digi-NewB interface. Interviews with simulation participants and the KOL, and feedback extracted from the survey, revealed that participants were overall satisfied with the training platform and perceived it as an efficient and effective method to deliver medical device training.

Conclusions: This study developed an online training platform to train clinicians in the use of a critical care medical device and carried out a preliminary evaluation of the platform via a case study. The e-learning platform was designed to supplement and enhance other training approaches. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

Keywords: E-learning; Human factors; Medical equipment; Patient monitoring system; Sepsis; Training; Usability.