This week we are reading and writing about learning theories and how they impact the teaching learning process.
Review the following case study and answer all 3 questions.
You are designing an education session for your colleagues on transitioning to a new electronic medical record (EMR) documentation system that is significantly different from the program used for the past 5 years. Time is of the essence, and you have three 1-hour sessions planned to cover the information they need to incorporate the new EMR system into their daily practice. Several of your colleagues are concerned about their ability to master the new system. Jack, the nursing unit supervisor, confides, “I am terrified. Learning a whole new system of documentation is overwhelming to my staff, given all of their other responsibilities. I worry that this new EMR system will have a negative impact on morale, just at the time when we are feeling pressure to increase the amount of work that we do.”1: Describe how you will structure the educational sessions using two of the psychological learning theories discussed in this chapter. Explain why you chose each theory.
2: Judge which learning theory can best assist you in addressing the issues your colleagues raise about their ability to master the new system and feelings of being overwhelmed. Why did you choose this theory?
3: What can you do to ensure that learning will become relatively permanent?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Transitioning to a new electronic medical record (EMR) documentation system can be challenging, especially for healthcare professionals who have been using a different system for years. As a medical professor tasked with designing educational sessions for colleagues who are transitioning to a new EMR system, it is important to consider the different learning theories that can be used to structure the sessions, address any issues that colleagues may have, and ensure that learning is relatively permanent.
1. How will you structure the educational sessions using two psychological learning theories?
To structure the educational sessions, I will use the cognitive and behavioral learning theories. The cognitive theory focuses on how people process information and learn by thinking, understanding, and remembering. The behavioral theory emphasizes learning through experiences, observing others, and the consequences of our actions.
For the cognitive theory, I will structure the educational sessions to include demonstrations, case studies, and hands-on practice of the new EMR system. This will enable the colleagues to process the information and gain a deeper understanding of the system. For instance, I will use visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations to help the colleagues understand the new EMR system. Furthermore, I will provide them with guides and manuals that will help them understand and remember the new system better.
For the behavioral theory, I will include role-playing scenarios that will help the colleagues learn how to interact with the new EMR system. Furthermore, the role-playing sessions will help to reinforce the colleagues’ understanding of how the system works, and how they should interact with the system. Additionally, I will use feedback mechanisms such as quizzes to give them feedback regarding their performance.
2. Which learning theory is best to assist you in addressing the issues that your colleagues raise regarding their ability to master the new system and overwhelm?
The behavioral theory is the most appropriate learning theory to address the concerns raised by the colleagues. The behavioral theory emphasizes learning through doing, observing and receiving feedback. When the colleagues transition to the new EMR system, they will need to interface with the system using the new tools and processes. This means that a practical approach will be beneficial in helping the colleagues not just learn about the new EMR system, but to understand how to interact with the system.
Additionally, the behavioral theory will help to address the feelings of being overwhelmed by breaking down the process of learning the new EMR system into smaller manageable nuggets through role-playing scenarios, feedback, and reinforcement.
3. What can you do to ensure that learning becomes relatively permanent?
To ensure that learning becomes relatively permanent, I will use several techniques. One technique I will use is spaced repetition, where I will reintroduce the new EMR system’s new concepts through reminders and refresher courses every few weeks or months to reinforce the learning through repetition.
Another technique is to encourage the colleagues to practice using the new EMR system regularly. This will help in embedding the learning in their long-term memory as they keep practicing the new EMR system regularly. Additionally, I will use feedback mechanisms such as quizzes and assessments to offer the colleagues immediate feedback regarding their performance, helping to reinforce their learning even further.
