An Introduction to Telecare and Telehealth
The Challenge
We realised at an early stage of the HIEC LTC project that there was widespread confusion around the language and impact of Telehealth and Telecare. The same questions kept being raised in conversations – What’s meant by telehealth and other terms like telemedicine, teleconsultation and telemonitoring? What effect will telehealth have on existing relationships and job roles? Is it worth changing to this type of service delivery and why?
The solution
To answer these and other queries we made the development of an e-learning ‘starter package’ our first priority. In December 2010 we were able to launch the new product, which is free to anyone working or studying in the health and social care sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber. The content is aimed at a wide audience and is relevant to NHS commissioners, service users and carers, clinicians, students, health professionals, social care staff, support staff and managers.
On completing the module you should be able to;
- recognise the main opportunities to deliver and receive health and social care at a distance
- describe how these initiatives may influence the ways in which you work
- understand the key drivers for the development and implementation of telehealth and telecare, including achieving more effective and higher quality care
- identify and locate sources of further information.
The detail
The HIEC LTC team worked with the Virtual College (VC) to produce an engaging, interactive e- learning module, ‘An introduction to Telecare and Telehealth’. It has been a collaborative project; the other partners are Hull University, Sheffield Hallam University and the Advanced Digital Institute. Using cartoon animations, real case studies, research evidence and knowledge checks, the module is varied and easy to access.
This is an interactive package comprising around two and a half hours of study. Learners can, however, choose their own pace, working in short sessions rather than undertaking the whole module in one sitting if time is tight. A certificate of completion is provided and this can be imported into your student or staff CPD portfolio.
A pilot has been undertaken with a range of professional staff and students. Approximately 250 learners have registered during the pilot stage and feedback to date has been excellent. The learning package will be continually updated as new material emerges.
Sheffield Hallam and Hull are integrating the module into their courses for nurses, social workers and allied health professionals – equipping students with the skills and knowledge to support service users in self-managing their conditions with confidence and dignity. We hope that others will follow suit – and that service providers will also alert their staff to its availability. The Royal College of Nursing has already approved and accredited the module for use with Nurses.
The link
The module is available for free to those working or studying within the Yorkshire and Humber region here.
Please note that if you are not working or studying within the Yorkshire and Humber region there is a registration fee of £30. Demo access and reduced rates may be available for organisations – please call Virtual College on 01943 885086 for details or click here to go directly to the resource.
