As clinicians, we are responsible for people's lives every day. And if we want to provide the best care possible, we can never stop learning. But between 12-hour shifts and family responsibilities, finding time to attend training sessions and run mentorship programs can be challenging.
Below, we discuss seven corporate training best practices for keeping your team aligned and motivated and addressing healthcare staff burnout.
» Train your team on best practices using a knowledge dissemination platform
Meet the Expert
Zachary Gross, MD, is an internal medicine physician with expertise in clinical practice, pharmacovigilance, medical monitoring, and healthcare consulting.
Corporate training in healthcare offers various benefits, including:
Training helps your team stay current with the latest protocols and regulations. It also gives you the opportunity to discuss the advancements and trends in medical technologies and treatment options.
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These insights could lead to more accurate diagnoses and fewer complications for patients. In fact, a study recently identified over 448 papers that connected healthcare team development to a reduction in adverse events, mortality, and morbidity in patients.
» Improve patient outcomes through care coordination
Plus, impactful skill-building programs can improve communication, teamwork, and professional development. Such a supportive work culture can improve job satisfaction and retention and address challenges like burnout and turnover.
But only if you ensure continuous learning. Training shouldn't stop after a week of onboarding.
We have monthly meetings to discuss new concerns or systems that could be on the way. If our board decided to implement a new electronic medical record, we'd go over the transition and attend training sessions to ensure a smooth implementation for everyone.
» Learn how to keep your staff healthy and productive.
Surprisingly, just 16% of medical groups perform skill gap assessments. Before creating corporate training courses, you should determine who you're designing these modules for and what they need to know. To do this, gather data on your team's general background and relevant prior know-how.
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You can access this information through performance reviews, skills audits, surveys, and focus groups. Consult with experienced staff members for insights on everyday challenges and analyze patient feedback to identify areas for improvement. Also, consider talking to department heads about their team's goals and priorities.
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You may also need to do some research. Review new technologies and assess whether your staff has the skills to use them proficiently. Stay updated on upcoming regulatory changes and identify knowledge gaps related to new compliance requirements, too.
This analysis can help you tailor your training program to bridge specific gaps in healthcare. A targeted approach makes your content more relevant and engaging.
After identifying your team's learning needs, align them with specific topics. Then, decide which format or method works best.
For example, some providers may prefer online instruction because it gives them more flexibility to balance work and family commitments. But, there are some discussions you should have in person.
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For example, face-to-face cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is typically better for maximum engagement. Your team can interact with colleagues and refresh skills by collaborating. But this requires additional travel time and may not always be feasible.
The choice of teaching format should consider the balance between convenience, engagement, and practicality for all the participants involved.
When it comes to corporate training in healthcare, a one-size-fits-all approach won't always be practical. Since each role in this field has unique responsibilities and requires a specific skill set, you should customize courses to accommodate these differences.
If you want to boost patient care and drive operational efficiency, you should cover topics that address various issues, such as:
You can create different modules-each focusing on one of the key areas I mentioned above. Throughout the year, staff members can complete these units and discuss any questions or concerns during meetings with different departments.
Medicine continues to evolve. Today, we have many clinicians narrowing their focus to very niche subfields within their specialties. For example, a cardiologist may focus specifically on electrophysiology, or an oncologist may only work with breast cancer patients.
» Streamline clinical guidance and stay consistent in the evolving medical field
These subfields have led to expanding departments and subsectors within healthcare organizations. While these divisions fall under one umbrella, the increase in subspecialties has added more contact points for training and collaboration.
Managing these departments requires more resources and funding, which can be challenging. This is where a tool like C8 Health can help optimize knowledge management process flows. It can keep you up to date, give you access to targeted content, and break down knowledge silos within and between departments.
Healthcare providers have very little free time to spend on training. They also very frequently need to deal with high levels of burnout.
So, your programs and course presenters need to follow a strategic approach that focuses on maximizing learning outcomes while respecting busy schedules. This means you should:
You can make your employee training methods more engaging, efficient, and effective with:
Many healthcare professionals may find it challenging to engage in mentorship due to their busy schedules and other commitments. Still, you should encourage experienced staff to share their knowledge and skills with newer healthcare professionals.
Mentors can provide constructive feedback to help mentees identify areas for growth. They can create a safe space where new hires feel comfortable asking questions, discussing concerns, and seeking advice. Plus, they can offer career advice, help develop goals, and give insights into paths within the healthcare field.
Having designated individuals responsible for specific areas of training or support can ensure that employees receive prompt assistance and guidance when needed. Using C8 Health, you can view who vetted the information, provide feedback, and collaborate with others.
» Discover why interprofessional collaboration in healthcare is important.
Incorporating smart training practices can significantly impact your healthcare team. These strategies can help you meet staff needs and enhance patient care.
The goal is to create a supportive, knowledgeable, and efficient workforce through continuous learning. You can also use cloud-based administrative solutions like C8 Health to improve communication and professional development.