Neonatal Online Training in Europe (NOTE)
Background
This project has been funded by the European Commission with the primary
aim of developing a European postgraduate training programme for junior
doctors. The online programme will be delivered from a European Neonatal
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which has been specifically developed to
provide the professional infrastructure and the online resources. Doctors in
training are offered the opportunity of joining colleagues from throughout
Europe in the interactive study of components of the European Neonatal
Syllabus. The modules have been written by recognised experts in different
fields of neonatology and group discussions are facilitated by a faculty of
practising neonatologists.
Faculty
The following European Specialists have been involved in developing the
project:
Prof. Helen Budge – United Kingdom
Prof. Janusz Gadzinowski – Poland
Prof. Gorm Greisen – Denmark
Dr Mike Hall – United Kingdom
Prof. Neil Marlow – ESPR, ESN
Prof. David Neubauer – Slovenia
Dr Esther Rieger-Fackeldey – Germany
Dr Heili Varendi – Estonia
The programme
A number of interactive modules will be delivered over a one year period. The
programme started in April 2010. The modules will be delivered sequentially
with each module running for a period of approximately 10 weeks. The core
material of the modules will be accessible either online or by a memory stick.
Each module will have predefined learning objectives and a range of
multimedia will be used to support a teaching and learning approach which
will apply theory to practice in a range of different contexts.
The use of an online communication package enables interactive,
collaborative discussion and debate relating to authentic clinical cases.
Trainees are divided into groups which are led by online tutors who are
responsible for supervising and leading the discussions.
Both formal assessment and self-assessment will be integrated throughout
each module and each trainee will have an electronic portfolio in which
evidence of both experiential learning and continuing professional
development (CPD) may be recorded.
The programme has been approved by the European Board of Paediatrics
and a certificate of successful completion of each module will be awarded to
participants who meet the relevant assessment criteria.
Pre-requisites for participation
Participants are qualified doctors who are undertaking training in neonatology.
Experience of online learning is not essential and there is an induction
programme for all participants which provides orientation both to the VLE and
to the online communication package.
The learning approach
A range of multimedia resources, including the Internet, printed texts, x-rays,
images, and video clips will be used to enhance the learning experience.
Each trainee is allocated to a multi-national learning group in which
knowledge, clinical practice and ideas are shared and disseminated.
The curriculum and the accompanying resource materials are in English.
Support and time commitment
Each module will run for approximately ten and it is anticipated that, in order
to gain maximum benefit from participation and engagement both with the
syllabus and the online collaboration, an average time commitment of about 4
hours per week is required.
Online technical support and help is readily available via a Help desk,
telephone messaging service and e-mail.
Required Equipment
Access to a PC/Mac and the Internet is required – particularly for the online
conferencing. The core materials can also be accessed by using a memory
stick which will be sent by mail – this will offer more flexibility with timing and
place of study and it may also help reduce the costs associated with being
online.
What benefits are there from participation?
In addition to the resource materials this programme offers a unique
opportunity to learn from other professionals undertaking a similar role in a
different context. The project offers a learning experience which builds on the
current knowledge of participants whilst also promoting the sharing of
experience and best practice. The programme is flexible, educationally robust
and designed to meet the needs of clinicians; it may also help promote or
refine the acquisition of key transferable skills.
How to find out more
For further information please contact the Project Manager Susan Smith –
sls1@soton.ac.uk