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When it comes to learning, the 'one method fits all' approach has been reimagined by a team of hospital clinical educators and facilitators to make learning easier for colleagues.

Students and learners for whom a classroom or library environment can present a challenge can now choose to learn at their convenience and at their own pace; almost anywhere - even on a walk, bus ride or drive into work.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's Practice Development Team (PDT) has created an Audio Learning Library - a Trust-wide digital education initiative that has transformed clinical learning, strengthened staff capability and driven more consistent, safe and high-quality care.

Members of the PDT team have developed a suite of concise, narrated modules covering a range of essential clinical and safety topics; including preventing falls, post-fall management, ensuring fluid balance, lying and standing blood pressure and much more. These are accessible via the Trust Intranet - both desktop and mobile.

Staff have reported increased confidence when it comes to learning, and almost a thousand have so far accessed the modules, contributing to 1,845 recorded learning interactions.

Esther Ajayi, Clinical Facilitator Medicine said: “For some, it is quicker to listen via the audio library and learn from it rather than sit in the library and read the policy.

The library is growing all the time as more modules are being added.”

Sean Lee, Clinical Facilitator in the Trust's Division of Surgery added: “The audio library really demonstrates that we are moving towards a digital future.

“It's really presenting education in a different way; being more accessible to people and catering for how they prefer to learn.”

 

 

Claire Knights, Lead Clinical Educator for the Division of Medicine at the Trust nominated the team for a Future Impact Award. The team was shortlisted at the Trust's recent Outstanding Achievement Awards and colleagues were praised for their invaluable contribution to the project.

Claire said: “The Audio Library delivers flexible, accessible learning to staff across all shift patterns and clinical environments. It has firmly embedded digital learning into daily practice.

“Part of the beauty of this audio library is that it has a narration over it, giving people who prefer to listen to learning greater accessibility. There are also slides that support the needs of visual learners.”

She added: “Now established as a sustainable, scalable digital platform, the Audio Learning Library will continue to elevate practice, build workforce capability and strengthen the Trust's culture of safe, high-quality care. 

“It stands as a model of innovation, leadership and future focussed impact.”

 

The Practice Development Team - shortlisted for a Quality Improvement Award at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's Outstanding Achievement Awards. Left to right: Esther Ajayi, Clinical Facilitator Medicine; Claire Knights, Clinical Lead Educator Medicine and Sean Lee, Clinical Facilitator Surgery.