Design and development of an online personal learning environment for a neonatal intensive care unit

Internet usage globalization and the introduction of information and communication technology into the health environment have truly revolutionized the way in which we communicate, access information and manage knowledge. This has given nurses the opportunity to face new challenges, such as the optimization in health outcomes through the acquisition of digital skills in clinical practice¹ and learning processes.

Taking advantage of what the Web 2.0 has to offer in terms of sharing, interacting and learning online,² the proposal was put forward for the creation of a virtual desktop with access to digital resources, aimed at healthcare professionals of the Neonatology Unit of the Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe (UCI Neonatal and Neonates). The desktop was aimed at facilitating continuous, informal and self-directed training,² which would guide professionals to create their own personal learning environment (PLE), with this understood to be “the combination of tools, information sources, connections and activities which each person uses assiduously to learn from”.³

The virtual environment design was made using the online and free Symbaloo tool, which enables desktop designs or panels called webmix using the compilation of direct accesses to web applications and services hosted in the cloud.³ Also, their classification is permitted by categories or key words, interaction with other users, their diffusion on social media and sharing content in other online platforms.⁴ At present, several experiences have already been found in the literature of learning developed using this tool, both in educational and health spheres.^2–5

Selection of information and resources contained on the desktop was completed in 2 phases. The first included webs, blogs, social media and mobile applications which are reliable and good quality on neonatology, with inclusion criteria being those that were broadcast by clinical practice guidelines, of the national health system, Cochrane reviews and resources, contents created by the World Health Organization, the Spanish Paediatrics Association, the Spanish Neonatology Society, the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality and other national and international scientific societies. The second phase consisted of professional interviews with different categories related to neonatology where they were encouraged to communicate and share the most frequently used digital resources of their care practice, teaching and research activities.

After correcting web contents, analysing and filtering better quality and more relevant resources for learning and clinical practice and investigation the “my virtual desktop: caring for neonates” was created (https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/miev-cuidandoneonatos). Potential users are neonatology nurses, paediatricians and nurse technicians, and also resident paediatric physicians and nurses. Access can be gained from any hospital computer with internet access, and from mobile devices and personal tablets.

Finally, an infography was designed in which a QR code was included which enabled the spread of the virtual desktop and its applicability among newly incorporated staff to the neonatology unit. This infography was incorporated into the electronic field of the neonatal ICU and into support material provided in the training activities coordinated by the nursing team, as it is easily accessible from any device.

The tool developed provides the user with the necessary support to create their digital PLE, in a simple, appealing and intuitive manner, since the digital resources appear in an orderly fashion, grouped together into labelled images or icons. Consultation is made easy, in accordance with the specific information or learning requirements. It also includes a space for the Google® search engine to enable the search for new contents. The fact that Symbaloo allows for the extension of the number of resource blocks, promotes continuous updating, as required by the incorporation of new links.

“My virtual desktop: caring for neonates” is a free tool the use of which will help neonatology professionals to keep up to date. It will provide them with a personalised space to train innovatively, in line with formal learning promoted by healthcare institutions, with the added advantages of social networks and the democratising of access to information on neonatology.

Financing

This article received no type of financing.