DUTCH E-LEARNING ACROSS THE BORDERS: SERIOUS GAMING AND BLENDED LEARNING FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND PATIENTS

Mr. E. Kok*, Mr. G. Meurs*, e-learning consultants Wenckebach Institute UMCG

PURPOSE: Since 2001 the UMCG facilitates e-learning for Dutch health care workers. Last year, the medical centre opened their online “learning portal”. Which resulted in the opportunity to study, game, develop or diagnose themselves, e.g. how to deal with safety or pain.

METHODS: Seven years ago, the hospital provided their first digital training of protocols and reserved procedures[1] by the Intranet. The UMCG Skills Centre offers simulation facilities to assess skills of nurses in a patient environment. Since 2007 health care workers in the Netherlands find their way to e-learning by using www.wenckebachinstituut.nl as their online learning portal. Here they find training programmes embedded in the Blackboard electronic learning environment.

RESULTS: Nowadays UMCG provides some of their digital training as games and simulations to give employees a better understanding of their responsibilities in their everyday handling. The project is called "Gaming in Health Care". Several groups of students completed this gaming course successfully. In this game students found themselves in a simulated environment, resembling their work. By entering buildings, encountering unexpected situations and carrying out various assignments on the way, participants are interactively guided through the learning material. Further information, news, and screenshots at; www.edugidz.nl Also in 2007, UMCG developed e-learning for patients who suffer from chronic pains and blended learning “medication safety” for health care workers.

CONCLUSION: Research demonstrates that in comparison with conventional assessment of skills digital training and assessment saves time, reduces workload and increases patient comfort.

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