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New study reveals the barriers and potential solutions in teaching virtual caring skills online, in hopes of improving learning within educational programs for caring professions.
(Toronto, January 21, 2025) As virtual care increasingly continues to play a crucial role in health care, a new study by University of Calgary researchers explores how educators are teaching vital virtual care skills to the next generation of nurses, doctors, and social workers. The study, titled “Exploring Educators’ Perceptions and Experiences of Online Teaching to Foster Caring Profession Students’ Development of Virtual Caring Skills,” highlights the barriers, facilitators, and principles of teaching virtual caring skills online.
Published in JMIR Nursing, the study surveyed 82 educators and interviewed 8, uncovering the hurdles and triumphs of teaching virtual care skills online. The study found that while educators use a variety of online teaching methods, ranging from virtual consultations to online modules and discussion boards, they face significant barriers: time constraints, underdeveloped curricula, limited access to equipment, and student disengagement. Despite these challenges, educators remain committed to online teaching and see its potential for enhancing virtual care skills. This study identified key facilitators, such as providing clear learning objectives, robust technological support, and flexibility in teaching methods, which can potentially help improve outcomes.
“This study offers valuable insights into how educators in caring professions navigate the challenges and opportunities of online teaching to develop students’ virtual caring skills,” says Lorelli Nowell, one of the University of Calgary researchers. “As virtual care becomes increasingly integral, understanding the barriers and facilitators to effective online instruction is crucial for improving student outcomes and ensuring high-quality care delivery. Educators, policymakers, and institutions are encouraged to read this study to explore evidence-based strategies for enhancing online education in health and social care disciplines.”
As educational practices evolve, this study highlights the importance of understanding what is needed to support educators as they teach students how to navigate the virtual world. Such insights are crucial to enhancing e-learning practices and guaranteeing that future generations of caring professionals are equipped to deliver high-quality and compassionate care in any virtual setting.
Original Article:
Nowell L, Johnston S, Dolan S, Jacobsen M, Lorenzetti D, Oddone Paolucci E
Exploring Educators’ Perceptions and Experiences of Online Teaching to Foster Caring Profession Students’ Development of Virtual Caring Skills: Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study
DOI: 10.2196/64548
JMIR Nursing 2025;8:e64548
URL: https://nursing.jmir.org/2025/1/e64548
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JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.