FEATURED PROJECT
Patients’ Voices Matter: Are you ready to join a medical research team?
Client
A medical research team aiming to conduct Patient-Centered Outcomes research.
My client focused on generating research outcomes that help patients and families make informed decisions about healthcare options and improve their treatment experiences. To do so, they needed to build a research team with researchers, medical providers, patients, and family members and conduct research together through an equal partnership.
Learners
Medical research team members
Patients of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Family members
Medical Researchers
Medical providers
Problem
The research team members were initially unfamiliar with the concept and practice of an “equal partnership.” Medical providers and researchers were not accustomed to collaborating with patients and families throughout the entire research process. Similarly, patients and family members lacked familiarity with research processes, making it unclear when and how they could effectively contribute.
Solution
Description: This eLearning solution is designed to train a medical research team in patient-centered outcomes research. The program aims to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Equip team members with an understanding of the valuable contributions patients and families can make to research processes.
Provide knowledge on how patients and families can actively contribute throughout the research lifecycle.
Foster the ability to build and maintain an equal partnership among researchers, medical providers, patients, and families to conduct effective patient-centered outcomes research.
Structures: The eLearning solutions consist of video presentations, learning assessments, scenario-based practice sessions, pre/post learning assessments. The contents of the eLearning solutions are tailored to meet the distinct needs of two target groups – an expert group (medical providers and researcher) and a patient/family group.
Responsibilities
I had full responsibility for all aspects of this project.
Communication: Initial contact with the client, drafting a project proposal, kick-off meetings with the Client, and a SME, ongoing communication from end-to-end.
Analysis: Client needs analysis (in-depth interviews), action mapping
Design: Action mapping, learning objectives, learning outcomes, pre/post learning assessments, course structure, course content writing, text story boards, visual story boards
Development: multimedia materials (videos, images, and audio), visual design, authoring
Implementation: the final eLearning solution in a Canva course shell.
Evaluation: Learner experience research (survey and interview), eLearning solution effectiveness evaluation (survey and interview)
Tools
Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Premiere, Figma, Microsoft Power Point, Zoom, Google Doc
FULL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Analysis
During the project initiation phase, my primary focus was to clearly define the client's goals and identify potential obstacles to achieving them. I employed an action map as a navigational tool to facilitate collaboration with the client and the subject matter expert. Together, we defined the problems, set project objectives, determined the scope, and outlined the deliverables.
STEP 1
Understanding Client Goals: In medical research, the emphasis often lies on questions and discoveries deemed scientifically significant, which may not always translate into tangible improvements in patients' treatment journeys. A primary factor contributing to this disparity is that the research process is typically spearheaded by researchers and healthcare professionals, with patients primarily relegated to the role of data sources. Recognizing this gap, my client endeavors to generate research outcomes that hold genuine relevance for patients and their families. To achieve this goal, they are committed to adhering to the principles of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research.
STEP II
Identifying problems: My client’s innovative research depended on properly training their team members to tackle the long-lasting conventions in medical research. One big challenge is the clear hierarchy which places medical providers and researchers in an authoritative “expert group” above patients and their families.
STEP III
Finding solutions: In addressing the client's challenge, I pinpointed three main areas for crafting eLearning solutions: (1) highlighting the importance of involving patients and caregivers in research for meaningful outcomes, (2) outlining ways for patients and caregivers to engage throughout the research journey, and (3) fostering an environment where patients and caregivers feel at ease sharing their insights and perspectives with professionals.
STEP IV
Researching Available Resources and Solutions: Currently, two training methods are in use. Firstly, research teams direct members to a central research website offering extensive information on patient-centered outcomes research. However, this method has limitations. The website presents an overwhelming amount of text-heavy content and its interface is not user-friendly. Information is nested within the layout, leading to navigation difficulties, particularly for non-researcher groups such as patients, caregivers, and medical providers. Secondly, research teams conduct real-time virtual workshops with participants, offering more learner-centered content and direct interactions with instructors, facilitating improved learning outcomes. Despite its advantages, this method also faces drawbacks for three main reasons.
Design Solutions
After analyzing the results, I arrived at four design decisions.
To enhance the efficacy of the eLearning solutions, I crafted two distinct programs tailored to the specific needs of two primary learner groups: the expert group comprising medical providers and researchers, and the patient/family group.
Drawing from the central research website, I sourced content materials to ensure accuracy and currency in the training materials.
Additionally, I engineered the training materials to offer the advantages of both real-time workshops, with direct interactions, and self-paced learning for optimal flexibility and engagement.
Finally, I added pre/post training assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the eLearning solutions.
Design Proposal
I presented my client with a design proposal that clearly outlines the focus and structure of the course. The eLearning solutions aim to strike a balance between delivering knowledge and providing learners with opportunities to apply it within real research contexts.
STEP 1 LEARN- Knowledge Delivery.
During the "LEARN" session, learners will access information and knowledge through video recordings. As this is a budget friendly project, I proposed to create professional-looking, minimalist PPT slides and have the subject matter expert (SME) deliver the content, which will then be recorded and edited for integration into the learning solutions.
STEP II ASSESS – Knowledge Check. Upon completion of the "LEARN" session, learners will proceed to the "ASSESS" session, where they will encounter multiple-choice questions based on the material covered in the previous session. To ensure comprehension and retention, I will develop five sets of multiple-choice questions. This method serves as an effective and straightforward way to gauge learning, allowing learners to receive immediate feedback.
STEP III PRACTICE: Scenario-based Interactive Activities. After completing both the "LEARN" and "ASSESS" sessions, learners will advance to the "PRACTICE" session, which features scenario-based interactive activities. These scenarios simulate situations that may arise in real research processes, providing learners with opportunities to solidify their understanding and apply their knowledge to practical tasks. This hands-on approach enhances retention and prepares learners to effectively navigate real-world challenges.
Development
Upon the client’s approval on the design proposal, began developing scripts, interactions, interactive activities, and visual images.
To create a truly engaging learning experience, I started by identifying the essential actions learners needed to master. Using these insights, I developed a text-based storyboard with realistic scenarios. In each scenario, learners are presented with three options: the correct choice and two common mistakes. This design encourages users to explore different outcomes and understand the impact of their decisions.
Text-Based Storyboard
DESIGN FOCUS 1: Encouraging Active Learning
Rather than presenting questions and answer choices on the same slide, I designed the experience to first pose the question and then prompt learners to click to proceed to the answer choices. This setup encourages active engagement, as it gives learners time to reflect on the scenario and think through their responses before being presented with external information. They can choose to move forward to the answer choices or revisit the scenario for a deeper understanding.
FOCUS 2: Minimal Feedback on Incorrect Choices
When learners select incorrect answers, they receive a brief notification that their choice was incorrect, without detailed feedback. This approach ties back to FOCUS 1, fostering deeper thinking and self-reflection. By providing minimal feedback, learners are encouraged to consider why their choice was wrong and what the correct answer might be. Conversely, when they select the correct answer, they receive comprehensive feedback that connects the correct choice to the learning objectives, reinforcing their understanding and helping them grasp the material more effectively.
Visual Mockups
How I Addressed Client’s Needs: To maximize cost efficiency and course effectiveness, I used Google Slides, Figma, and Articulate Storyline. These tools allowed me to communicate with clients in real-time, enabling instant feedback and revisions. By using Articulate Storyline and Google Slides for images and shapes, I could focus on course materials without needing custom designs.
Client’s Needs: The client asked me to prioritize course structure and content over visual design. They agreed to allocate more resources to these areas. For the course visuals, they requested a simple, minimalist, and professional look. I applied several of Mayer's 12 Principles of Multimedia to ensure an effective learning experience.
Visual Mockups - Work Process
Wire-Framing Phase: I started with Google Slides to outline the overall design and layout for the main characters and backdrops in the scenario-based learning sessions. After several iterations, we finalized the wireframes. Here, I adhered to the Coherence Principle by ensuring only necessary information was included, eliminating any extraneous details.
Visual Design Phase: For the visual design, I used Articulate Storyline images for the main characters and stock images for the backgrounds. The Spatial Contiguity Principle guided me to place related text and visuals close together, enhancing comprehension. I also followed the Multimedia Principle by combining words and visuals effectively, and the Modality Principle by minimizing on-screen text in favor of visuals and narration.
Developing an Interactive Prototype for Effective Learning
1. To ensure the success of the project, I started with an interactive prototype to test its functionality and gather valuable feedback. Using Articulate Storyline 360, I created a prototype that guides learners through the most comprehensive scenario of the project. This approach allowed me to identify and address any issues early on, ensuring a smoother development process for the final product.
2. In the prototype, learners are taken on a journey that mirrors the key elements of the full project. They start by meeting the research team and then navigate through a challenging research situation. They explore different response options, make their own choices, and see the consequences of each decision. Throughout this process, the "Preparedness Meter" provides real-time feedback on how well-prepared they are, and the "Advocate" offers additional insights and guidance.
3. Initially, the prototype did not include narrated conversations between the Patient and the Researcher. After observing how learners interacted with the prototype, I decided to add narration. This change enhanced the learning experience by allowing learners to fully engage with the scenarios without being distracted by reading text.
4. Through multiple rounds of feedback and testing, I refined various aspects of the prototype, including the layout, animations, interactions, and narration. These iterations ensured that the final product would provide a seamless and immersive learning experience. Once the prototype was polished and the feedback was addressed, I proceeded with the full development of the project in Articulate Storyline 360.
Implementation
I developed the course modules and deployed them on the Canvas platform using SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model). This integration ensured seamless content delivery and interactive learning experiences. Additionally, I provided comprehensive training for the course facilitators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively present and manage the course content.
Evaluation
The course is scheduled to launch in August 2024, with the evaluation phase beginning in October. During this phase, I will gather and analyze various data points, including learner performance metrics, pre- and post-course assessments of learners' preparedness to join the research team, as well as feedback from additional surveys and interviews.
These comprehensive insights will be shared with the client to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning solutions I designed. Based on the analysis, I will make any necessary revisions to enhance the course's impact, ensuring it effectively meets our learning objectives and equips learners for their roles.
RESULTS and TAKEAWAY
Importance of Communication and Collaboration
One of the most significant lessons from this project was the critical role of clear and consistent communication with the client and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Regular check-ins and transparent discussions were essential to ensuring that everyone was aligned on the project goals, expectations, and progress. This open dialogue helped us address challenges proactively, adapt to changes efficiently, and ultimately create a product that met the client’s needs and expectations. Effective communication was the foundation that kept the project on track and allowed us to deliver a cohesive and impactful learning experience.
The Value of Organized Systems for Project Assets
Another key takeaway was the necessity of maintaining an organized system for managing all project assets, including documents, visual images, and audio files. Throughout the project, I implemented a structured system to keep all content and file names up-to-date. This approach was crucial in maintaining consistency and accuracy across all materials. It ensured that every team member had access to the latest versions and could easily locate the necessary resources. This level of organization prevented confusion, saved time, and contributed significantly to the smooth execution of the project.