Original article on AllesoverHR
People must be able to trust healthcare professionals. Their work is directly linked to the population’s health and vitality and has a profound impact on care quality. That is why healthcare workers have to meet strict certification and registration requirements, such as BIG registration and periodic renewals every five years. They also take regular courses and training sessions to keep their competencies up to date. That all sounds reassuring, yet the traditional approach to training and certification does not reduce errors and incidents on the job. In healthcare, where mistakes can be a matter of life or death, that is a serious issue. Here is how things can be done differently.
Disconnect between perception and reality
Errors or incidents involving healthcare professionals can have severe consequences. It is therefore crucial that staff possess the right knowledge and skills at any moment of the year. The problem is that healthcare workers often believe everything is in order, while reality tells a different story. A vast majority (95%) of healthcare professionals say that, overall, their organisation’s knowledge levels are good to excellent, according to research. Three in five (59%) also believe they can still do their job when their knowledge is not entirely up to scratch. Practice paints another picture: more than two in three (69%) organisations frequently experience errors on the work floor because employees lack up-to-date knowledge. Nearly a quarter (23%) even report physical incidents as a result. That creates an unsafe work environment and jeopardises care quality.
Traditional learning methods fall short
The reality is that almost a quarter (23%) of healthcare workers do not hold the right diplomas. And even when someone is formally qualified, this does not guarantee they are competent in practice. Medication calculation is a well-known example. Healthcare professionals must pass a test to prove their proficiency. Yet the test is a snapshot. Knowledge quickly fades if it is not refreshed. As a result, real-world competence may not match the certification, even if the exam is passed. This is the forgetfulness curve at work. On top of that, fifteen percent of training content is no longer up to date due to regulatory changes or protocol updates. In short: passive learning during training sessions and a single exam are not enough to keep critical skills sharp.
Move from passive to interactive learning
Things have to change. How? By replacing passive learning with interactive learning. This approach delivers new information in small chunks, immediately followed by a question, case, or dilemma. Questions engage the brain straight away, helping people create new neural connections and transfer knowledge to long-term memory. The focus is on both understanding and retention. A continuous learning process with regular reinforcement ensures that knowledge and competencies translate into real-life performance. Adaptive learning plays an important role here. It adjusts the content and repetition frequency to the learner’s needs and proficiency level. Microlearning is another effective tactic to guarantee continuous knowledge retention. Learning in short, frequent bursts keeps people motivated and helps them remember. It also fits easily into a busy schedule, reducing pressure on the workforce.
A different view on learning
Healthcare leaders should take a strategic view on how knowledge and competencies are safeguarded within their organisation. The persistent number of incidents, combined with the pressure on employees, is a clear invitation to rethink learning and development. It is time for a new approach. Look at care quality through a broader lens and examine how alternative learning methods can contribute. Find ways to anchor knowledge and competencies as efficiently as possible—methods that enable people to learn more while spending less time away from the job.
Ultimately, that is a win-win for employer, employee, and patient alike.
https://www.allesoverhr.nl/themas/zo-borg-je-de-competenties-van-zorgpersoneel/ (opens in new tab)
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