Today’s modern learner is overwhelmed, distracted, and impatient for information, according to a recent report by global industry analyst Josh Bersin. So, as a medical education professional, how do you tailor your programs to meet the personal needs of 21^st century learners?

Whether you’re educating healthcare professionals (HCPs), medical science liaisons, sales reps or carers, you need to start by understanding each audience’s needs. In this post, we’ll review some key ways to develop and present clear, engaging content that your modern medical learner will value. 

Get blended learning
Blended learning is a flexible educational method. It allows you to mix traditional face-to-face classroom learning with digital technology. According to research, blended instruction is more effective and cost-effective than traditional face-to-face teaching.

In medical education, blended learning can include:

• Medical e-learning modules, independent online study, interactive webinars
• Workshops: face-to-face or digital
• Conference calls, and live or online sessions with instructors
• Chat rooms, blogs, podcasting, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype and online forums

Get mobile
A recent survey revealed 47% of doctors are using smartphones, tablets, and computers for clinical work. Today’s pharmaceutical company employees are also working from multiple locations, including home. Many of them also use mobile devices to learn during travel. 

The largest amount of learning – 52% – occurs at the point of need, or when the learner requires missing information. So they often seek out answers through a Google search on a mobile phone. Therefore, your medical training for HCPs and employees needs to be flexible and accessible from any location.

Get micro modules
Today’s HCPs are short on time. So providing online education in short, bite-sized bursts that doctors can use in their clinical work can increase their knowledge on a convenient, ongoing basis, over time. 

The modern workforce also prefers learning through short content, rather than being overwhelmed with too much information that will interfere with their job routine. Furthermore, most modern learners “won’t watch videos longer than four minutes,” according to the Bersin report. So many organizations are now converting lengthy e-learning modules into shorter, micro modules.

Get personal
Your medical-healthcare education audiences have a diverse range of personal preferences and learning styles. Personalizing medical education content is one way to ensure modern learners stay on-track. 

So it’s important to empower your learners by including a wide range of online and offline activities, exercises and media into your educational programs. This allows each individual to choose what works best for them and use these resources at their own pace. Customizing educational resources can also encourage your audience to stay open to new ways of learning.

Get quality content
While speed and convenience are high priorities for increasing personal knowledge, the quality of the information that today’s learners receive is their key priority. In addition, 57% confirm that they want to be able to increase their professional development through further certifications and qualifications. 

In the pharmaceutical industry, these certifications include continuing medical education (CME) and continuing professional development (CPD) for employees. So to meet these needs, you should consider getting your courses accredited.

Get ready to customize your medical education
Are you taking all the steps you can to ensure that your company connects with new generations of modern medical learners? AS&K can help you to create customized, quality blended learning content to engage and hold the attention. Contact Alejandro.Potes@asandk.com for a consultation today.

References

1. Pereira JA, et al. Effectiveness of using blended learning strategies for teaching and learning human anatomy. Medical Education. Volume 41, Issue 2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02672.x
2. Banditvilai C. Enhancing Students' Language Skills through Blended Learning. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning. Volume 14, Issue 3, 2016. http://www.ejel.org/main.html. Accessed Feb 2020.
3. Kerry, T. 47% of doctors use smartphone, tablet and PC https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/47--of-doctors-use-smartphone-tablet-and-pc/d/d-id/1111170. Accessed Feb 2020.
4. Penfold, S. Modern Learning: 6 Reasons Why Learning Has Changed Forever. June 21, 2016. https://elearningindustry.com/modern-learning-6-reasons-learning-changed-forever. Accessed Feb 2020.
5. Deloitte Consulting LLP. Meet the Modern Learner: Engaging the Overwhelmed, Distracted, and Impatient Employee. https://login.bersin.com/Login.aspx?p=http%3a%2f%2flegacy.bersin.com%2flib%2frs%2fShowDocument.aspx%3fdocid%3d18071. Accessed Feb 2020.