Many of these projects have not been as successful as anticipated, and this nurse (who is of course me!) thinks that one of the largest contributing factors, is that many projects are entered into with haste and with this haste, we actually forego an in-depth needs analysis.
I am currently very involved in a national campaign to improve patient safety and drive the implementation of best practice. This campaign was launched in August 2009, and its initial focus has been on decreasing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We are focussing on 4 initial care bundles (a handful of evidence-based interventions) to reduce the incidence of HAIs. Check out the campaign at http://www.bestcarealways.org.za/
Part of implementing evidence-based practice for the prevention of HAIs involves the actual measurement of HAI rates. Infection prevention and control requires a passable knowledge of microbiology (at the minimum) - something which we have found is lacking. Some of the hospital groups have microbiology self-study modules, but these do not seem to be effective in the development of an adequate knowledge in the field.
I have committed myself to developing an internet based microbiology programme for all nurses involved in infection prevention and control (knowing that this e-learning module was on the horizon) and I am now stuck with that commitment!
I think that my biggest fear is that I have set a certain expectation that I will struggle to achieve. This fear can be simplified to: perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew!
I am fortunate in that I don't fear the technology - my husband is a computer scientist and I am quite sure this handy resource can help me out of any sticky computer situation! I do however want to do things myself - and I have a lot to learn.
I am looking forward to this module - possibly more than any of the previous modules. I think this is because this is the one module where I am 100% convinced that it is applicable to what I am involved in.
I think that most or all of us, began with the same idea of the daring nurse: making the world a better place. Problem is the same she faced, about the haste and so on, plus the total carelessness or support of some people around, someone who discourages you, and the progressive decreased enthusiasm within the process.
ReplyDeleteI committed myself to develop an internet based short course in pathology of HIV/AIDS for all physicians in need to update their knowledge on it, based on the increased frequency of the conditions at the communities, health centers and hospitals, also foreseen the current module. I am as well as she is, lucky of not be afraid of technology too much, for I am aware also of my limitations. Though my husband is also very skilled in computers, I cannot rely always on him, because he has also a very tight schedule and is not always at hand to help me with this stuff. This is another challenge to be faced, but it will be helpful in the process, because I have to apply the knowledge of the module to practice as soon as I start uploading content to blackboard at my institution as program coordinator of an integrated undergraduate course. This is one of the reasons I cannot afford lose motivation or discourage of making mistakes. They are another way of learning.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that Facebook and Twitter are good for community interaction, as much as Linkedlink. The success is not in the website itself, but in the people composing the groups.
ReplyDeleteHi Mirta - it is great to know we all face challenges and that these challenges and fears are not necessarily the same. I fully agree with your comment about the reasons why certain applications are so successful - it is all about creating a community - and in our case, a community of learning.
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