KLAS studies from 2021 to 2023 show a sharp increase in clinician recommendations for eLearning EHR training, from 67% to 83%. eLearning’s rise in healthcare as a cost-effective training method complements traditional teaching. While in-person training remains slightly more satisfactory, eLearning’s impact and quality are gaining ground. The success of virtual training in reducing burnout and its ease of access, customization, and scalability make it increasingly popular, with clinician satisfaction rates also climbing.
Between 2021 and 2023, a KLAS survey revealed a significant surge in physicians endorsing eLearning-based Electronic Health Records (EHR) training, with the recommendation rate soaring from 67% to 83%.
In healthcare settings, self-directed eLearning has emerged as a preferred and cost-efficient method to train on EHR, complementing the traditional instructor-led approach, as indicated by insights from a KLAS study.
KLAS defines “eLearning” as standalone digital learning, while “Virtual training” integrates eLearning with guided virtual sessions.
Initial KLAS findings suggested that face-to-face training had a greater impact than virtual methods. However, recent studies highlight that well-executed eLearning can significantly enrich clinicians’ learning experiences, rivaling in-person training. While in-person sessions still marginally edge out in clinician satisfaction, eLearning closely trails.
The report’s authors emphasize, “Effective eLearning can make a substantial impact across diverse clinical roles, organizational types, and EHR systems.”
Clinician satisfaction with virtual EHR training has notably increased in recent years, aligning with improved experiences.
However, the study underscores that the success of virtual training hinges on its quality. Clinicians finding virtual EHR training beneficial also report lower burnout rates.
Furthermore, these clinicians exhibit higher satisfaction with their IT leadership’s management of EHR systems compared to those dissatisfied with EHR training. This satisfaction partly arises from eLearning’s inherent advantages, such as accessibility, conciseness, and tailored customization.
While traditional preference leaned toward hands-on EHR training, an increasing number of clinicians now recognize the benefits of eLearning. This is evidenced by the rise in the percentage of clinicians recommending eLearning, growing from 67% in 2021 to 83% in 2023.
Additionally, the proportion of clinicians highly valuing eLearning surged from 64% in 2021 to 80% in 2023.
The KLAS report suggests this shift may stem from enhanced eLearning program quality and the familiarity newer medical practitioners have with such platforms. These factors contribute to a greater acceptance of eLearning formats, with many clinicians lauding the self-paced and on-demand nature of these tools.
Furthermore, eLearning offers scalability benefits. Amidst more frequent EHR updates, eLearning modules can be readily updated, ensuring access to the latest material.
Additionally, the digital aspect of eLearning aids in curbing costs linked to traditional classroom training methods.
The shift from 67% to 83% in physician recommendations for eLearning-based EHR training signifies a burgeoning acceptance and recognition of digital learning in healthcare. With increased satisfaction and effectiveness observed in eLearning approaches, especially for virtual EHR training, there’s a clear trajectory towards leveraging the inherent advantages of self-directed digital learning. This transition, attributed to improved program quality and growing familiarity, presents opportunities for scalable, cost-effective, and efficient healthcare training methods, potentially reshaping future healthcare education paradigms.
