Elearning In OB & HIV: Utilizing Online Interactive Scenarios To Replicate Critical Decision Making Moments

Purpose for the program:

The Mississippi Delta region is one of the most impoverished, medically underserved regions of the nation. This region’s health disparities in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and outcomes reflect the need to offer greater support and education to rural health care providers who may only occasionally see patients that are infected with HIV/AIDS. It is often difficult to provide this education to these providers as their presence within their practice is imperative, and thus it is difficult to attend face-to-face continuing education. This dilemma necessitates the delivery of education materials online. By delivering this content through interactive online modules, the learner is presented with case-based scenarios that elicit increased engagement and comprehension. The interactive component encourages decision-making rather than reading the content, therefore making the learning more “real”. Case-based learning leads to better decision-making skills. Assessing knowledge based on step-by-step procedures closely simulates situations that the provider might find themselves in.  These courses, since they are offered online, can be accessed anytime, practically anywhere.  

Proposed change:

Providing online interactive scenarios regarding HIV care for the pregnant female and neonate to rural providers, has the potential to increase knowledge and preparedness on the part of the provider.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

The AIDS Telehealth Training Center, entitled HIV HEART (HIV Health Education, Assessment, and Research in Telehealth) was created with the intent of improving access to HIV/AIDS evidence-based, culturally appropriate continuing education and collegial support for rural providers who have limited experience with HIV/AIDS rural patients. In an effort to focus on quality over quantity, Instructional Designers created interactive case-based scenarios utilizing adult learning theory, that could be accessed through a customized learning management portal. These interactive modules go beyond the status quo of passive learning lectures, and require the learner to make critical decisions that affect the outcome of the patient featured in the online scenario.

Knowledge competencies are shown through pre and post-test assessment reports. HIV team members will evaluate the findings and make changes as needed to educational methodologies and strategies for improving future online educational materials.

Implications for nursing practice:

Multidisciplinary education is essential when caring for complex patients. Nurses and nurse practitioners are essential to provide comprehensive care for these medically complicated women and neonates. These interactive modules are easily disseminated to providers regardless of their practice setting or specialty.

Keywords:

HIV, AIDS, distance education, simulation, infectious disease, pregnancy