Vol. 7 | No. 1 | 2024
Feasibility of personalised online learning programs aligned with authentic workplace practice

Abstract of the research

Health professionals dedicate a considerable amount of time to professional education and training. Leveraging a plethora of electronic data collected in the health system alongside digital learning solutions provides a rich opportunity to provide more efficient learning offerings aligned with clinical practice.

Our research investigated the feasibility of using these data to trigger adaptive and personalised learning for early career doctors working in cancer care.

What is the purpose of the research?

Electronic Medical Record data was used to populate an algorithm to trigger deliver of an adaptive online microlearning program to learners.

The microlearning program focused on best practice for test ordering, interpreting test results and patient management in cancer care.

What did the researchers do?

The adaptive alogorithm and microlearning content was developed and iteratively refined with input from domain experts. The program was then evaluated by analysing metrics collected automatically in the microlearning platform, and a post-program survey.

What did the researchers find?

Electronic health data can be used to trigger delivery of adaptive microlearning for early career doctors. This group also had a postive experience with the program and feedback indicated that aligning the program to clincial practice in this way was engaging for learners.

How can the research be used?

Data-driven professional learning is notably underexplored in the literature, and there are few examples of how to design programs that harness workplace data in practice.