The transition to blended e-learning. Changing the focus of educational delivery in children's pain management

Many health professionals within the UK experience difficulty in accessing further education due to increased workload, reduction in budgets and personal commitments. This paper discusses the redevelopment of a children's pain management (CPM) module to blended e-learning in response to changing workforce needs. The rationale for changing the pedagogy which underpinned the mode of delivery of the module was associated with a number of factors. Reduction in student numbers, difficulties with nurses being released from their practice setting and a desire from stakeholders to maintain pain management education. An on-line questionnaire was utilised to undertake a module evaluation which formed part of the University teaching and learning strategy. Evaluations were generally positive, however, some ethical and professional issues emerged surrounding a lack of study time and level of computer expertise amongst the students. Negotiation is being undertaken with stakeholders to ensure future students are provided with protected study time. Further development with electronic assignment submission will enable the module to be accessible to a wider national and international audience. Change of module delivery to blended e-learning has assisted the health professional to learn in a manner that is adaptable to their workplace and promotes life-long learning by development of independent learning skills.