British health care workers soon to tap into on-line learning material

Health care professionals preparing patients for operations will soon be able to use award-winning on-line learning material prepared at the Health Care Innovation Unit at the University of Southampton.

The Unit has signed an agreement to develop three modules in partnership with the NHS University (NHSU). They will build on the success of a multi-professional learning tool to aid pre-operative assessment, based on a CD Rom and book, which was launched within the NHS in September 2002.

This was named the best adult/lifelong learning interactive media resource by the British Universities Film and Video Council and the Society for Screen-Based Learning at the Learning on Screen Awards in London.

By identifying and understanding the needs and wishes of each individual patient and their medical condition, health care professionals can ease their fears and anxieties and make sure the patient is fit to undergo surgery and anesthetic. In this way, staff can ensure their progress through the process of surgical care is as trouble-free as possible.

Professor Debra Humphris, Director of the Health Care Innovation Unit, said: 'We know that a number of health provider organizations and universities have been using the book and CD as part of their learning provision. By working in partnership with the NHSU the potential that web-based delivery offers will open up new and exciting learning opportunities. It will also enable students' learning to be assessed and accredited. As changes in the workforce involved in the delivery of surgical services move forward, so we hope these modules will be highly relevant to setting a standard in pre-assessment services.'

NHSU Project Lead Amanda Bassett said she was delighted that the contract has been signed: 'This work is so exciting! It supports service redesign and many elements of the wider modernisation agenda. All professionals working in pre-operative assessment whatever their background will be able to build their knowledge to practice and support one another in the workplace resulting in better patient care and safety.'

The first students should be able to start using the materials in June 2005. In the meantime, details about the work will be available at https://www.southampton.ac.uk/