Healthcare Learning Management Systems: What You Need to Know
What is a Learning Management System?
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that provides the framework for documentation, administration, tracking, reporting, automation, and distribution of training, educational, and developmental programs. For healthcare organizations, an LMS is an online platform that helps streamline and standardize staff education initiatives while also providing an administrative platform for managing, delivering, and tracking a variety of content types.
The online nature of the LMS allows administrators to easily set up training and educational programs designed for different learning styles. Practitioners can participate in synchronous learning through online live event mediums such as webinars, or asynchronous learning, a model that allows self-paced learning on demand, which the user can access anytime via the LMS.
Progress can be tracked and analytic data can be collected and reported on to identify gaps in training or skill aptitude, as well as monitor progress goals in assigned training programs. This can be used to not only seamlessly deliver necessary training, but also monitor and maintain program adherence.
What is the importance of having a healthcare Learning Management System?
Healthcare Learning Management Systems enable healthcare organizations to provide relevant and cost-effective training to their employees to ensure they stay qualified and compliant with up-to-date healthcare standards and regulations such as HIPAA and OSHA, continually improve quality and consistency of care, and build a culture of ongoing learning.
How does having a Learning Management System help my organization?
Traditional training programs can involve long hours in classroom settings with preceptors in a physical location, so scheduling and holding necessary training can require a significant investment in terms of time, money, and hours lost, during which healthcare practitioners can’t care for patients. Because an LMS is an online learning environment, it can support a variety of use cases, including hosting continuing education, training, and compliance material that can be assigned to staff to complete at their convenience.
A healthcare LMS can help you:
Build your curriculum for onboarding, clinical ladders, and leadership development by using pre-built content or uploading your own training.
Automate staff training assignment to address skill and clinical gaps with specific, targeted education seamlessly and effectively.
Monitor progress and digitally check your team’s completions while keeping learning on track with automated reminders.
How does having a Learning Management System help clinicians?
From the clinician perspective, the flexibility of an LMS means that learning can be done at their own pace and can be more easily worked into their busy schedules. Sessions usually don’t have to be completed in one sitting, either. Progress can be saved and the module picked up at another time, even on a different device.
What should I look for in a Learning Management System?
When looking for an LMS, you’ll want to look for a few key features:
Designed to optimize your content
One helpful tip is to find an LMS that comes pre-loaded with a high-quality content library and templated training paths—you’ll likely experience better ease of use with an LMS that is specifically designed to work with your training content.
Meets your training needs
Identify your audience and primary goals, whether they’re improving new-hire onboarding, creating ongoing continuing education tracks, compliance training, or some combination of the above.
Scalable
If you anticipate that your team or organization will grow, ensure that your LMS is economically and technically scalable to accommodate your evolving needs.
Flexible
Does the LMS allow for customization and personalization? This might include the ability to add your own branding, images, and terminology, or to upload your organization’s own content in a variety of formats, such as custom learning assessments and live events.
User-friendly and efficient
You can save valuable time for your admins and learners by selecting an LMS that simplifies and automates the essential functions of assigning learning content, reporting on training initiatives, and tracking completion.
Easy to implement
You’ll want to make sure that the healthcare LMS you select is straightforward and intuitive to implement from the get-go. This can include integration with other products, readily available IT support, and clear, effective training for your internal LMS administrators and users.
Does MedBridge have a Learning Management System Solution?
Yes! The MedBridge Learning Management System offers an industry-leading content library, intuitive administrative features, and powerful reporting capabilities. It includes over 2,000 high-quality continuing education, soft skills, leadership, and compliance courses for healthcare organizations across home health, hospital, inpatient rehab, and private practice settings. These engaging, video-based courses are taught by industry-leading experts and designed to help improve clinical excellence, quality of care, and patient outcomes.
Our online learning platform also offers a custom content upload tool and integrates with HR systems for easy data sync and Single Sign-On (SSO). The MedBridge LMS makes reporting, assigning, and tracking training incredibly simple with intuitive dashboards, automated workflows, and integrated email notifications.
The MedBridge LMS unlocks powerful tracking and reporting, automatic notifications, and robust visual dashboards for:
- New employee onboarding
- Clinical competencies
- Compliance training
- Mentorships/residency programs
- Leadership training
- Initiatives and announcements
- Certification prep programs
- Clinical career progression
Speak to a MedBridge team member to learn how other healthcare organizations are leveraging the MedBridge Learning Management System to reduce time to productivity, improve staff retention, and drive better care.
