There are many different training methods and training programs to deliver continuing education in healthcare. For example, your healthcare association may debate whether it’s best to deliver pediatric nursing courses in person or through an eLearning solution.
Simulation and eLearning using a learning management system (LMS) are in growing demand in healthcare training to increase the reach of quality information. What is an LMS, and which training solution is best for your organization? Stick around as we cover all the details.
What Are The 4 Types Of Training Methods?
To start, let’s cover the 4 common training options you’ll encounter in healthcare continuing education. Those are:
- On-the-job training: Some continuing education options may offer on-the-job training to help professionals learn how to use new technology or best practices in a real-world environment. However, the main drawback is that it limits accessibility, and it can feel challenging to allocate space and time to practice in fast-paced medical environments.
- Simulation-based training: More healthcare organizations and medical associations providing continuing education are using simulation to help professionals apply what they’ve learned. You can use technology like an LMS to do this since it provides a smooth interface and step-by-step approach to test knowledge in a virtual and accessible way.
- eLearning methods: On top of simulations, you can use an LMS as a complete healthcare eLearning solution. You can upload content such as reading materials and videos, schedule webinars, and assess knowledge with quizzes and evaluations so learners can complete certifications anywhere and anytime.
- Classroom-based instruction: Traditional classroom-based instruction may also be used to deliver continuing education. However, it again limits accessibility to a specific place and time where instruction is delivered. Many healthcare professionals state that time is a limiting factor that prevents them from pursuing continuing education, but more flexible approaches like eLearning help reduce that barrier.
What Is The Most Popular Training Method?
A report from Straits Research stated that eLearning currently dominates the medical continuing education space. It’s one of the most popular training methods because of its convenience, flexibility, and global accessibility.
Another study published by the Baltimore Journal of Medicine in July 2024 stated that simulation-based training is rising in popularity and presents a transformative approach to healthcare continuing education. The study mentioned that simulations provide a safe and controlled environment that helps professionals practice new skills and gain confidence to improve outcomes once applied in real clinical settings.
Software like Cadmium’s LMS for healthcare professionals, EthosCE, is helping more organizations deliver effective eLearning options to their members. EthosCE provides an intuitive interface that makes it easy to upload and organize course materials and deliver them to professionals worldwide seeking continuing education.
What Are The Learning Methods In Healthcare?
Several learning methods can be used to provide effective continuing education in healthcare, such as:
- Role-playing: A role-playing environment using simulation is a great way for learners to apply new information. It allows learners to collaborate in groups or work on their own in a safe and controlled way where they see the impact of each decision before having to use new skills on the job.
- Analyzing case studies: Assessing case studies allows learners to see how decisions in real-world clinical settings have affected patient outcomes. For example, learners can evaluate cases about how adjusting medication doses could reduce side effects. You can upload those materials to your LMS so users can access them anytime.
- Mentorship programs: Mentorship is another effective way to guide healthcare professionals as they gain new skills and knowledge. A mentor can provide feedback that leads to better decision-making based on what they’ve gained from years of experience. You can even apply this in eLearning with instructors offering feedback and answering questions each step of the way.
What Are the 7 Methods of Training?
Some other common methods of training in healthcare continuing education are:
- Text-based resources- Medical textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, and clinical guides provide foundational and in-depth knowledge.
- Video-based instruction: Visual demonstrations of procedures and best practices help reinforce key concepts.
- Livestreams or webinars－ Real-time lectures offer opportunities for live interaction and immediate feedback from experts.
- Hybrid Training Events – A blend of in-person and online formats supports flexible, hands-on learning.
- Quizzes and evaluations- Interactive evaluations reinforce learning, measure retention of course content and evaluate training effectiveness.
- Social sharing and discussions－ Forums and group chats encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and peer-to-peer support.
- Small group activities－ Team-based exercises foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication.
It’s important to avoid relying solely on one type of training when using eLearning in healthcare continuing education. Instead, break up each module into different types of training so learners can apply the knowledge they’ve gained in various ways. It’ll help increase information retention and engagement so users stick through the entire course.
The Link Between Continuous Learning And Professional Development
Continuous learning plays a big role in professional development in the healthcare industry, especially with innovations and industry disruptions that can happen at any moment.
For example, integrating new tools like automated patient monitoring can help nurses operate more efficiently.
Accessible online continuing education can help professionals log in anytime and start learning new skills that will help advance their careers and provide high quality patient care.
It also helps standardize information since authoritative education providers can provide educational resources that everyone can find and apply to their treatment process.
Conclusion
Continuing medical education is more essential than ever in the healthcare industry, and eLearning options are in growing demand.
Fortunately, software like an LMS can help healthcare associations and continuing education providers create effective online courses that help professionals learn essential skills that improve patient outcomes. Our EthosCE LMS at Cadmium can help with this.
How EthosCE Can Help You Apply The Top Methods Of Training In Healthcare
EthosCE is the learning management system (LMS) that healthcare professionals trust to manage the complexities of continuing healthcare education. From maximizing efficiency to enabling you to manage your activities fully, EthosCE simplifies your challenges while empowering your learners and maximizing organizational growth. That includes:
- An intuitive design to easily create and manage courses.
- Accreditation management and reporting you can trust.
- The ability to keep your planners, guest speakers, and faculty happy.
- Integrating online and in-person training events
- Compliance with ACCME and Joint Accreditation (JA) Standards
- And more
Click here to learn more about how EthosCE can improve your healthcare continuing education programs.
