The virtual continuity in learning programme: results.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health Tools
• Workplace Learning

Background:

• European Working Time Directive and specialty care fragmented junior doctor patient care and learning continuity.
• The Virtual Continuity in Learning Programme (VCLP) was developed to address this fragmentation.
• VCLP utilizes the Virtual Consulting Room (VcR) to enable doctors to follow virtual patient journeys and understand clinical decision-making rationale.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of the VCLP and VcR in supporting junior doctor workplace learning.
• To understand how foundation doctors utilize VcR for learning and completing case-based discussions (CbDs).

Main Methods:

• A study involving 57 foundation doctors at Homerton University Hospital.
• Utilized web-tracking software, initial and follow-up questionnaires, and qualitative focus group interviews.
• Data analysis was primarily qualitative.

Main Results:

• 92% consented to participate; 93% completed initial questionnaires, 51% completed follow-up.
• 33.3% of doctors used the VcR over a 6-month period, often in varied situations.
• Qualitative data provided insights into doctors' learning processes and perceptions of VCLP/VcR.

Conclusions:

• Foundation doctors actively use available educational resources like VcR to structure workplace learning.
• The majority of VcR users found it beneficial for just-in-time learning.
• VCLP effectively supports junior doctors in preparing for case-based discussion assessments.