Learning Styles

When implementing outreach education, adult learning styles need to be considered. Adult learners have accumulated knowledge and experience that serve as a foundation for future learning experiences.

When contemplating outreach education, take into consideration the experience level of the learners and the topic to be presented. The educator should have a strong knowledge base for the topic to be presented. Being aware of the knowledge base of the learners on the topic to be pre­sented can help the educator tailor the presentation of material to the level of training and experience of the attendees. An interactive approach may facilitate retention of material presented and elicit enthusiasm toward learn­ing from the participants. Case studies can be an effective method of building on the knowledge base of adult learners. Information is presented in a man­ner in which learners can listen and visualize; then the information is applied in the case study by the learners and facilitated by the educator. Case-based discussions, with specific identifiers removed and presented in an educa­tional, nonjudgmental manner, can be useful, especially with cases from the referring institution. Although presentations with paper-based handouts have been the traditional teaching method, other methods of facilitating learning may be more effective for adult learners.

Simulation-based training is an excellent method of facilitating interactive learning. The learner is placed in a realistic environment and actively participates in a medical scenario and a postsimulation debriefing. Technology-intensive, simulation-based training may be limited by avail­ability and financial constraints. However, similar medical scenarios can be created with less expensive mannequins and the educator facilitating the scenario. This interactive, hands-on method allows learners to attain experience and gain confidence in a lower-stress environment. When dis­tance, financial, and time constraints limit the number of educational offer­ings, videoconferencing may provide the opportunity to effectively reach a larger audience.

Referring hospital-staff rarely have the opportunity to view transport operations from the transporters’ viewpoint. If your program permits, ride- along programs are a creative means of sharing the transport experience with clinical and managerial staff at the receiving and referring hospitals.