Methods of Educating and Developing Healthcare Staff
Methods of Educating and Developing Healthcare Staff
The most effective methods of educating and developing healthcare staff include simulation training, which relies on learning from actual patients during care procedures, and other simulated practices (Pan & Rajwani, 2021). Simulation-based training for care staff is effective and highly productive in cultivating crucial skills, improving practice experience, and receiving real-time and focused feedback on performance levels. For example, Pan and Rajwani (2021) report that the training method eliminates safety gaps and cultivates familiarity in new roles where the workers lack experience. One effective healthcare organization using the training method is the Mount Sinai Health System, noting that the Intensive Care Unit Simulation Lab facilitates skills development, teamwork, staff communication and improves interactions (Mount Sinai 2021).
The second most effective healthcare staff training and development method is on-the-job training used in cultivating skills such as performing operative functions such as working with new machines (Costar & Hall, 2020). In today’s healthcare environment characterized by the widespread use of new technologies such as telehealth, the training method is crucial in cultivating the skills and adapting staff practice to the care environment (Costar & Hall, 2020). Similarly, Mount Sinai hospital is an excellent performer in using the method due to the excellent integration of research into practice settings to improve staff performance (Mount Sinai 2021).
The third training method for healthcare workers proven for effectiveness is coaching and mentoring, which is performance-driven and designed to improve the professional’s performance (Burgess et al., 2018). Further, the training is intended to develop the practitioner’s skill levels, both for the current position and work and future work. A healthcare organization that uses the training method effectively is Mayo Clinic, which uses the Maximizing Mentorship Program and others to offer staff hours of training, peer-sharing opportunities, and other learning activities (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
The three staff training methods are effective because they focus on addressing skills gaps, improving specific skills, and cultivating the specific target areas required for improved staff performance (Pan & Rajwani, 2021; Costar & Hall, 2020; Burgess et al., 2018). Further, the training methods are highly effective because they are tailored to meet defined goals, staff roles, develop specific skills, and apply the new information learned (Pan & Rajwani, 2021; Costar & Hall, 2020; Burgess et al., 2018).
