Workplace wellness using online learning tools in a healthcare setting

Abstract

The aim was to develop and evaluate an online learning tool for use with UK healthcare employees, healthcare educators and healthcare students, to increase knowledge of workplace wellness as an important public health issue. A 'Workplace Wellness' e-learning tool was developed and peer-reviewed by 14 topic experts. This focused on six key areas relating to workplace wellness: work-related stress, musculoskeletal disorders, diet and nutrition, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Each key area provided current evidencebased information on causes and consequences, access to UK government reports and national statistics, and guidance on actions that could be taken to improve health within a workplace setting. 188 users (93.1% female, age 18-60) completed online knowledge questionnaires before (n =188) and after (n = 88) exposure to the online learning tool. Baseline knowledge of workplace wellness was poor (n =188; mean accuracy 47.6%, s.d. 11.94). Knowledge significantly improved from baseline to post-intervention (mean accuracy = 77.5%, s.d.13.71) (t(75) = -14.801,p < 0.0005) with knowledge increases evident for all included topics areas. Usability evaluation showed that participants perceived the tool to be useful (96.4%), engaging (73.8%) and would recommend it to others (86.9%). Healthcare professionals, healthcare educators and pre-registered healthcare students held positive attitudes towards online learning, indicating scope for development of further online packages relating to other important health parameters.

Development and evaluation of an educational training package to promote health and wellbeing

“…Knowledge about health and wellbeing at work significantly increased following exposure to the tool, which concurs with evaluations of previously developed generic tools promoting health at work (Blake and Gartshore, 2016). Further, participants reported that they would use the new knowledge to improve their health and wellbeing at work in the future.…”

“…Online educational tools can increase knowledge about generic workplace health issues amongst users (Blake and Gartshore, 2016) Online packages may increase accessibility to training for employees working shifts although face-to-face training is often valued and can be preferred in individuals with low computer confidence (Blake and Gartshore, 2016).…”

<p>Exploring Adult Learners’ Viewpoints and Motivation Regarding Distance Learning in Medical Education</p>

“…6,[14][15][16][17][18][19] The outcomes of these projects were successful, and hence, adoption of distance education in the field of medical health was advocated in these cases. 6,[14][15][16][17][18][19] In general, experts recommend initiating DL with an assimilation strategy that considers the pros and cons before implementation. 17,18 Still, there is a need to widen the scope of DL training, particularly in new technical procedures and complex skills.…”

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…Also, more emphasis should be laid on observing the wellness days at work and physical activity participation should be incorporated in such days. This could motivate the nurses to be active and will promote their health and reduce their risk for developing NCDs, as shown in some interventional studies assessing the effect of physical activity on the health of nurses (Blaber, 2005;Gartshore & Blake, 2014).…”