Online Device and Drug Training Benefits Hospitals and Companies
By Angie Harville, Senior Account Manager, HealthStream
Online Device and Drug Training Benefits Hospitals and MedTech Companies
Innovation and product development are a key function within the medical technology and pharmaceutical industries. As these companies continue to launch new equipment and products aimed at improving patient care and treating illnesses, effective training for any new device or drug is essential. Every physician, nurse, clinician, or technician must be able to use a product correctly in order for its introduction to be a success.
Traditional PMD Training is Expensive and Difficult
Traditional training methods for medical technology involve sending a company representative onsite to conduct live training. This method can be expensive and present challenges in terms of travel, training time, facility space, attendance, and tracking. Getting everyone necessary to take part often becomes a logistical nightmare. In addition, staff who fall through the cracks and miss training potentially represent a significant risk for healthcare organizations.
Medical Technology Companies Can Do More with Less by Using Online Training
A blended learning environment that includes online training as part of medical technology and pharmaceutical implementations makes a great deal of sense for the industry. E-learning can complement or even replace in-person training for many companies. The added benefits of e-learning, from cost to compliance, are numerous:
- COST -- Training is significantly decreased as a company expense and makes training a set cost item.
- SPEED -- Customers can begin to use products faster, without waiting for an available training representative.
- FEEDBACK -- Customers can provide more feedback on training.
- COMPLIANCE/TRACKING – For risk management and audit purposes, organizations can maintain clear records of everyone who has engaged in training.
Online Training Provides a Positive Overall Learning Experience
Beyond the elements of cost and compliance, medical technology often offers clear advantages in terms of effectiveness. When every learner gets standardized training, organizations and companies can be assured of the competency that results from training consistency. In addition, training that incorporates the best adult learning principles is often more interactive and more visually engaging than much that occurs in a classroom setting. Whether used alone or in a blended learning environment, e-learning can help companies make sure that healthcare staff use their products effectively.
HealthStream’s HospitalDirect combines the benefits of E-learning for medical devices and pharmaceuticals with access to a majority of the nation’s acute care hospitals. In many cases, hospital customers have requested that companies provide their learning through the HealthStream Learning Center, the leading learning management system used by U.S. healthcare providers and organizations.
If you are a Hospital staffer, learn more about HospitalDirect.
If you represent a Medical Device or pharmaceutical company, learn more about HospitalDirect.