e-Learning in Life Sciences Domain

e-Learning is making its presence felt across industries and the Life-sciences domain is no exception. It has seen increased momentum in adopting newer technologies to satisfy learner needs and increase the efficacy of learning. Needless to say, time and cost savings are added benefits.

Like any other domain, it has its own special nuances, out of which arise its needs. To begin with, it can be differentiated into further categories of Pharmaceuticals, Contract Research and Health-care Services. One size does NOT fit all and each of these categories has its own characteristics and needs. How does e-learning fit into this all? What works best, and where?

e-Learning in Pharmaceuticals

This is a hi-tech industry, where manufacturers have to spend a lot on training. With e-learning, the training needs of the industry can well be addressed.

• With e-learning, course material is available to the learners, via Intranet or Internet, ensuring easy availability. A course can be uniformly made available to all personnel – across offices.
• Courses are often rich in theory and refresher courses have to be made available from time to time. With advances in the field, updates are also necessary. e-Learning gives room for this to be possible, seamlessly.
• The nature of the courses is often very staid but learner interest can be increased with the inclusion of graphics and even audio-visuals.
• Assessments from time to time are also made possible, ensuring the readiness of a recruit to start work.
• Since the pharmaceutical industry deals with a lot of regulations, compliance training is another area where e-learning has been exceptionally effective in delivery.
• These pieces of training have to be completed by every single employee of the company and within a specific time frame. e-Learning platforms are successful in ensuring that every employee has completed the course, putting forward the ones who are lagging behind and providing assessments, as per requirement.

e-Learning in Contract Research Organizations

Contract Research in the field of Life-Sciences is an area where investments are high and the results expected – flawless. Training in this sector is also of high importance and an area where e-learning has fruitfully contributed.

• Standard courses have to be completed by employees, like in the pharma sector, before they can embark on their assignments. e-Learning contributes here – by offering courses which are easily available and can be updated and re-circulated from time to time.
• A special need of this sector is that it is forever in a state of flux. Newer technologies, discoveries and advancements in the field of bio-sciences have to be incorporated into the Research industry. e-learning makes this constant flow of information available to companies and their employees. It helps the top managers to be confident that their teams are well-informed – surely the most important requirement in the field of Contract Research.
• Compliance is also needed, as this too is a closely regulated industry. Most research companies depend on e-learning for the dissemination of regulatory mandates for their employees and swear by its effectiveness.

Health-care Services e-Learning

Health-care Services form the largest section of the Life-sciences industry as a whole. Training for doctors and surgeons is conducted thoroughly and within strict guidelines. The training for nursing and administrative staff, however, is not so streamlined. While there is no dearth of available content, it is the presentation that often lacks force.

• Blended learning for nursing and administrative staff is often a successful formula for effective training.
• Introductory courses can be part of an e-learning curriculum, which lays down the theories. Hospital policies, regulations, and compliance – can all be a part of this module.
• Background information on medical equipment can be made available, including intricacies of how they work, their care, maintenance and so on.
• The instructor-led courses can also be developed using e-learning technologies, which provide a touch-and-feel approach. Rich media can be a part of this, providing an experience which is needed for learning in this domain. Roleplay and reality-based scenarios are also part of the training, ensuring the competency of the staff in dealing with patients.
• This mix not only is cost-effective but it is replicable. This is a necessary trait as staff in nursing and administration are prone to attrition. Training is a constant need and blended learning enables the cycle to continue on a regular basis.

The intricacies of the life-sciences industry are many. We have merely listed some. What stands clear is that Learning is a way of working – within all its categories. And with e-learning, we can make their work a lot easier.