E-Learning and Simulation on a Pré-Hospital Emergency Course: A Participant’s Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of simulation and e-learning has increased considerably in healthcare related educational activities, enabling the acquisition of skills ethically and safely. The objective is to describe the design and evaluation of a semi-distance pre-hospital emergency course for physicians and nurses at the Public Health Department of Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The course comprised 13 online lessons and ten stations, which used simulated scenarios. The participants answered a semi-structured questionnaire using the Likert scale to evaluate the course. Course participation included 203 (63.6%) physicians and 116 (36.4%) nurses; most physicians (72.1%) had finished their studies over five years prior to the study, and had little practice (72.9%) on advanced life support measures. The distance course was well evaluated in terms of general quality, video quality, use of images and animations and usability. The e-learning system was considered to be user friendly by doctors and nurses, and the practical activities were well rated. The course used methodology based on simulation and distance education, and received positive evaluations. The system was rated as good and easy to use.