Electronic Learning Platforms

Electronic learning platforms have become a cornerstone of healthcare education, offering comprehensive, web-based systems that integrate a vast array of resources. These platforms provide access to live teaching sessions, print materials, prerecorded educational content, tools, and discussion forums, serving as either the primary mode of instruction for a topic or skill, or as a supplementary resource. A key advantage of e-learning platforms is their convenience, offering a centralized, easily accessible space to store and retrieve educational resources. Furthermore, they can reach a wider audience by accommodating learners with demanding schedules, such as those balancing work or family obligations, by providing flexible access to educational materials.

In healthcare settings, e-learning platforms are frequently utilized for onboarding new employees and for continuing education. While onboarding is critical, the process can often overwhelm new hires due to the sheer volume of information presented. E-learning platforms can alleviate this anxiety by offering a user-friendly repository where learners can control the amount of information they consume at any given time. In addition to hands-on experiential learning, new staff can complete online modules for general orientation, role-specific responsibilities (e.g., instrument counting, medication labeling), and supplementary educational materials, such as relevant articles, videos, and case studies, at their own pace in preparation for practical skills training.

E-learning platforms are also highly effective for continuing education, allowing healthcare professionals to access, review, and apply evidence-based information in clinical practice. These platforms support continuous learning by providing essential information that enables healthcare workers to practice confidently, safely, and efficiently. For instance, if a perioperative educator identifies a rise in perioperative pressure injuries, they can utilize an e-learning platform to provide staff with educational materials such as best-practice guidelines, recorded webinars, videos on pressure injury prevention, and quizzes to assess knowledge retention.

QR Codes

The widespread use of mobile technology, including smartphones and tablets, has introduced new possibilities for just-in-time learning in healthcare settings through the use of QR codes. A QR code is a black-and-white pixelated square that functions as a barcode; when scanned with a mobile device, it connects the learner to specific programmed information. Scanning a QR code provides immediate access to a variety of educational materials, including policies, procedures, guidelines, audio recordings, video clips, websites, clinical documents, and learning applications. In clinical settings, QR codes are particularly beneficial as they foster learner autonomy, enhance staff engagement, and can be customized to accommodate different learning styles. In the perioperative environment, QR codes can be used to access training videos on procedures such as safe patient transfer, proper patient positioning, tourniquet application, and aseptic techniques. Additionally, QR codes can link to equipment and procedural checklists, policies, procedures, manufacturer guidelines, and in-house documents like clinical practice alerts.

Webinars

Technological advancements have revolutionized education, transforming it from traditional in-person instruction to hybrid or entirely virtual learning experiences. Webinars, which are virtual interactive learning sessions, have become a standard component of modern education. They typically feature slide decks with content and relevant images, along with interactive elements like chat functions, discussion breaks, and webcam views of the instructor. While webinars are often synchronous learning events where learners, peers, and instructors engage in real-time, they can also serve as asynchronous tools when recorded and made available in a central repository for later access.

Webinars are versatile, meeting various educational needs by being presented as either single events or as part of a series that connects related concepts. In clinical environments, perioperative educators can use webinars to enhance clinical skills, introduce new initiatives, review updated practice guidelines, and discuss professional development opportunities. For example, if chart audits reveal a need to improve documentation on nursing care plans, a perioperative educator can design a webinar to highlight documentation requirements, review policies, and include a demonstration of documentation practices in the electronic medical record system. Webinars can also promote career advancement and support professional development, such as preparing staff for specialty certification exams through a series of focused sessions, which can be recorded and accessed as needed.

Podcasts

Podcasts, which are digital audio files distributed online, have gained popularity for their flexibility and ease of access, particularly among healthcare professionals. Typically no longer than 30 minutes, podcasts fit easily into busy schedules as they can be listened to on the go and replayed for better understanding. Learners can tailor their podcast experience to their specific needs by selecting content that ranges from broad overviews to focused discussions on particular topics. Podcasts are especially appealing for continuing education due to their informal and conversational style, which resonates with modern learners. They also enhance knowledge retention and satisfaction with the learning experience by delivering evidence-based information and showcasing trends in best practices through expert interviews, storytelling, and lessons learned from challenging patient cases.

Perioperative educators can leverage podcasts by either using existing channels or creating their own. Numerous nursing podcasts cover specialty areas, career advancement, nursing culture, and healthcare news. The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) offers two podcasts ideal for continuing education: Periop Talk, which covers key topics in perioperative care, and the AORN Journal Podcast, an audio extension of the AORN Journal featuring select articles. Additionally, educators can create customized podcasts to address the specific needs of their nursing staff, such as case studies focusing on complex patient scenarios, interdisciplinary communication, workplace safety, or cultural sensitivity. These podcasts can complement group discussions during staff meetings, with talking points included in departmental newsletters and emails.

Social Media

Initially perceived as mere vessels for pop culture and personal communication, social media platforms have evolved into powerful tools for information sharing, professional networking, education, and collaboration. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are now commonly used to expand knowledge on new or unfamiliar topics and serve as valuable resources for continuing education. Educators increasingly integrate social media into their teaching strategies to enhance the educational experience, catering to modern learners who value autonomy, engagement, and customized content.

In clinical settings, perioperative educators can utilize social media to meet specific educational needs, such as implementing a new robotic joint surgical procedure. Staff can observe the procedure on Facebook Live, engaging with experts in real time through live comment feeds. Facebook Watch also offers prerecorded on-demand videos for staff to review asynchronously. Social media fosters collaboration by connecting colleagues within a specialty through hashtags (#), linking them to discussion threads on topics of interest, such as robotic joint procedures, equipment, and patient care considerations. Additionally, social media promotes professional development and continuing education by providing access to live conferences and links to specialty journals.

Digital Infographics

Digital infographics are a staple in an educator’s toolkit, offering a visual approach to simplifying complex information. Infographics effectively translate information into engaging, easy-to-digest learning materials by combining text with graphic elements like charts, graphs, and symbols. They are ideal for communicating concepts, comparing ideas, demonstrating relationships, or outlining processes. Infographics are also convenient, as they can be shared electronically, stored in accessible repositories, and accessed via QR codes. Effective infographic design considers both content and visual appeal, presenting succinct, relevant information in a visually pleasing format that captures learners’ attention and enhances knowledge retention.

Educators can use infographics to convey general, clinical, and relational information in the perioperative setting. For instance, infographics can be used to review environment of care principles, infection prevention measures, sharps safety, and hazardous waste disposal. Clinically, infographics can outline steps in procedures, review fundamental skills, or highlight key elements of a physical examination. They are also valuable for teaching relational topics, such as bedside manner, effective interdisciplinary communication, and cultural competence