Co-Creating a Digital Learning Platform for Cross-Sectoral Virtual Consultations: An Action Research Study.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Education
• Healthcare Professional Training
• Patient Engagement

Background:

• Virtual consultations are increasingly important in healthcare.
• Effective cross-sectoral collaboration requires specific digital and communication skills.
• Engaging patients and families in training is crucial for successful virtual care implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-create a digital education and training program for healthcare professionals, patients, and families.
• To prepare stakeholders for effective participation in cross-sectoral virtual consultations.
• To develop a transferable model for integrating virtual consultations into healthcare education.

Main Methods:

• Action research involving three iterative workshops with diverse healthcare professionals, patients, relatives, and researchers.
• Thematic analysis of data from group discussions, field notes, and visual materials.
• Utilized the Calgary-Cambridge guide to inform the communication framework.

Main Results:

• Identified essential competencies in communication, technical proficiency, meeting leadership, and patient engagement.
• Developed eight learning modules and an explainer video for an accessible digital training platform.
• Stakeholder feedback confirmed the program's relevance, usability, and potential for broader implementation.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative, practice-based co-creation effectively develops digital and communicative competencies across healthcare sectors.
• The resulting digital platform offers a transferable model for future healthcare education and virtual consultation integration.
• Active patient and relative participation significantly contributed to patient-centered communication and platform development.