Four Ways Virtual Classrooms Help Healthcare Organizations Train Staff and Support Patient Wellbeing

The future of healthcare is intertwined with leveraging new innovations and technologies. As patients and employees not only become more technically savvy, but demand the flexibility of digital interactions, healthcare organizations must embrace this path, as well. This level of tech can’t be archaic in offerings, either. As Healthcare IT Today notes, organizations “require much more than the ability to share a PowerPoint deck and record the session.” Top-of-class virtual healthcare classrooms and online healthcare platforms—which are HIPAA-compliant—can provide secure, robust tools that will further enhance the training, facilitation, and patient experience for all involved.

A secure online healthcare classroom system has applicability throughout an organization’s operation. Additionally, automated data tracking, infinite scalability, accessibility, consistency in delivery, convenience, and reportable metrics provide an elevated opportunity for insights, decision-making, and growth. Let’s explore four areas where virtual classroom software for healthcare can be a true difference-maker.

Facilitate 1:1 patient appointments

Virtual healthcare classrooms that have obtained HIPAA compliance can offer a secure, intuitive telehealth platform through which patients can connect with their healthcare provider in real-time, forgoing the geographic, economic, and time restraints previously detrimental to making appointments happen consistently and effectively. Plus, with recorded transcripts, healthcare professionals can focus more on fostering authentic connections with their patients.

With confidential, highly interactive video consultations, patients can discuss their health concerns, receive personalized advice from their providers, review test results, and even book follow-up appointments. Let’s look more specifically into the example of reviewing test results.

Real-time engagement

Previously, many healthcare organizations—even those with patient portals—might send out test results and notify the patient of their arrival; however, patients were then limited to either scheduling a follow-up in-person appointment or talking through the results over the phone with a healthcare professional.

With the advancements of online healthcare platform tools, providers can now pull test results up within a virtual 1:1 appointment, and—better than a screen share where only one person can control where to go in the document—both the patient and provider can navigate the results in real-time and discuss what they’re both seeing. This empowers the patient to ask more informed questions and allows the provider to use education-based tools to provide detailed answers regarding treatment plans.

Provide virtual group therapy

Secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual healthcare classrooms have applications outside of provider-patient interactions. Another highly beneficial use of this technology is for virtual group therapy. Virtual healthcare platforms can facilitate real-time interactions between patients (including family, friends, or caretakers) with similar needs or challenges from disparate places, to foster a true sense of community. Digital access also means participants can join from anywhere, allowing for participation even with time limitations, physical constraints, or other barriers to in-person meetings. With a “front of room” feature, organizations can provide each participant with the same “spotlight” ability to address the rest of the group with a personal update.

And, because the most effective online healthcare platforms are HIPAA-compliant, participants can talk openly without worrying about the security of their group. With the robust tools available from an online healthcare classroom software, leaders can easily distribute educational materials, which—just like we discussed above—can be viewed and explored in real-time by all participants at their own pace. These features allow for greater accessibility, engagement, and community—all of which are paramount to an impactful group therapy session.

Train staff and implement new information systems

One of the most essential aspects of modern healthcare is the proper utilization of healthcare information technology (i.e., health IT, electronic health records, etc.). Having a well-trained staff capable of correctly entering records, navigating organizational systems, and making accurate assessments of the information is critical to success. Virtual healthcare classrooms are an ideal means staff can train on EHRs, cybersecurity best practices, and effective use of other digital health tools. In fact, organizations can even create multiple breakout rooms defined by topics and allow staff to choose areas they’d like to gain additional knowledge.

Additionally, training can leverage the immense, highly insightful data produced daily within the system for learning and development purposes. An excellent example of this is the automated data tracking made available through a capable virtual healthcare classroom software.

Those 1:1 patient appointments mentioned above? Healthcare professionals can learn from actual statistics on where their strengths lie, as well as areas for improvement. Knowing average patient talk time versus provider talk time can illuminate an opportunity for staff to provide more prompts inviting patient input. Reskilling and upskilling with individual-specific, in-the-moment analytical insights take staff training to the next level.

Related: The Digital Advantage: When Virtual Training Is the Best Choice

Engage patients in their education

Training and education don’t have to be limited to organizational staff. With online courses, webinars, and more, healthcare organizations can educate and empower patients and their families like never before. Create a course—complete with quizzes and embedded materials—on managing chronic disease, understanding nutritional meal planning, or even diagnosis-specific treatment plan supplementation.

By leveraging the power of virtual healthcare classrooms and online courses, patients can be further empowered to take an active role in their health, treatment plans, and understanding. Family members, friends, and caretakers can also learn how to effectively support a loved one. And, because organizations can develop their own courses, webinars, and more, the information can be personalized and reflective of the organization’s ethos rather than appearing as canned, generic outputs.

New possibilities for healthcare success

Virtual healthcare classroom platforms are opening up new methods for improved patient experience, enhanced healthcare coverage, and, ultimately, better results. By leveraging powerful tools like secure, HIPAA-compliant classrooms with enhanced breakout room capabilities, interactive document exploration, and customizable course creation, healthcare organizations are primed to deliver an elevated experience.

Excited to see how an online healthcare platform can take your organization’s experience to the next level? Reach out today to learn how a partnership with Class can unleash new possibilities for enhanced success.