Title: Implementation and acceptance of e-learning in a hospital environment

Authors: R. Spanjers, A.-F. Rutkowski, R. Martens

Addresses: Catharina-hospital, Finance and Information Technology Department, Zeelsterstraat 95, 5652 ED Eindhoven, The Netherlands. ' Tilburg University, Information Systems and Management Department, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. ' Catharina-hospital, Education Department, Postbus 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Abstract: The paper describes the implementation and acceptance of e-learning in a hospital environment using off-the-shelf technology. Twenty-eight nurses participated in a pilot study that was designed to support an electronic course on advanced electrocardiogram interpretation. The paper presents the procedure and the technologies used to support the e-learning activities. As a follow up of the pilot study, a survey was built and distributed amongst the caregivers of the hospital (N=203). The paper concludes first that the content of the course, a socially structured e-learning environment, as well as the available technologies are important factors to a successful implementation of an e-learning project. Secondly, the paper concludes that the acceptance of such a system to learn is widely supported amongst nurses but seems less convincing to paramedics and physicians. E-learning cannot be perceived as a substitute of a traditional face-to-face education, but when the e-learning environment is socially well structured, it becomes an efficient support to education in the hospital context.

Keywords: caregivers; e-learning; electro-cardiogram interpretation; hospitals; implementation; online learning; electronic courses; healthcare training; education support.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2005.007007

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2005 Vol.6 No.4/5/6, pp.431 - 453

Published online: 02 May 2005 *

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