Kalifa Kelly
Learning Experience Designer
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Triage and Resource Allocation in the Emergency Room
This scenario-based eLearning project was designed to provide emergency room staff members triage practice to mirror real-world situations.
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Audience: Emergency room nurses and physicians
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Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Graphic Design, and Analysis
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Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Mindmeister
What's the Problem?
In the emergency room, the ability to swiftly and accurately figure out who needs help the most is absolutely crucial. It's like the first piece of a puzzle that sets the entire patient care process in motion.
If they get it wrong or take too long, it can lead to more problems, potentially worsening a patient's condition. Conversely, if they rush to help someone who can wait, it puts additional pressure on the healthcare team and resources, which need to be used wisely to serve all patients effectively.
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The real challenge in the emergency room is the high-stress, fast-paced environment. Healthcare professionals often have to make critical decisions in the blink of an eye. Their goal is to ensure that each patient's unique needs are met promptly and efficiently.
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What's the Solution?
To address this challenge, I've introduced an eLearning course designed for ER staff. It immerses them in real-life scenarios to hone precise triage decision-making skills. This course is structured in a user-friendly format, emphasizing essential training.
The overarching goal is to provide ER staff with a safe and controlled environment for practicing and refining their triage skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-life emergencies. Ultimately, the objective is to build their confidence and expertise in decision-making, ensuring each patient receives timely and appropriate care. This approach not only benefits patients but also bolsters the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system.
The Process
In this scenario-based eLearning project, I consulted with an ER nurse, who served as the Subject Matter Expert (SME). Following the ADDIE framework, I initiated the process by defining objectives and collecting essential data. To communicate insights effectively, I utilized action mapping, storyboarding and data visualization techniques. In the development of this project, I relied on tools such as Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe XD. Throughout the project, I consistently prioritized communication and feedback as central elements in upholding the quality of my work.
Action Map
After discussing the pain points of triaging and resource allocation with the SME, I knew a training project would be well suited for this topic. I applied action mapping to pinpoint the exact actions required for effective triaging and efficient resource allocation in the emergency room. It enabled me to create precise, impactful eLearning materials that directly addressed the objectives, enhancing the ability to triage and allocate resources effectively for patient care.
Text-based Storyboard
In this scenario-based project, the storyboard serves as an introduction to the critical decision-making process in emergency situations. As the project progresses, learners engage with realistic scenarios, each presenting unique challenges. These scenarios are designed to test their ability to assess situations, prioritize resources, and make crucial decisions.
Throughout the project, participants will develop the essential skills required for effective triage and resource allocation in emergency settings, ensuring their readiness for real-life situations.
Visual Mockups
In my project, I utilized Adobe XD to create visual mock-ups that illustrate both the appearance and functionality of the project. I started by creating wireframes for each slide type to give me an overview of the project. This approach allowed for a streamlined design process, enabling me to refine the layout, navigation, and user interactions. The end result was a project that was both user-friendly and visually appealing. Using Adobe XD before developing the project in Articulate Storyline offered the advantage of making iterations effortlessly and provided a comprehensive view of the project.
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I decided to incorporate two distinct background scenes throughout the project to depict a full scope of an emergency room. Additionally, I introduced a helpful character, Nurse Jackie, to serve as a guide for learners navigating the scenario. This addition adds to the learning process and enhances the usability of the project.
Visual Storyboard
After I received feedback on my mockups and text-based storyboard, I created a visual storyboard to map out the narrative and visual progression of my project. This storyboard serves as a visual blueprint, outlining key scenes, transitions, and interactions. It helps ensure a coherent and engaging user experience by guiding the development of the project's visuals and storytelling elements. The visual storyboard provides a clear vision for this project's overall structure and user journey, aiding in the seamless execution of the narrative and design elements.
Full Development
After receiving feedback on my visual storyboard, I took on the full project development in Articulate Storyline. Using my mockups, I designed the entire project and incorporated a wide array of Storyline's features and functions, ranging from triggers to hotspots and more.
One aspect of this module I enjoyed developing was the seamless integration of interactive scenarios within my Storyline eLearning module. These engaging scenarios not only enhance user participation but also provide a dynamic and immersive learning experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the content.
I am very happy with the overall result of the project and have received a substantial amount of positive feedback.
Results & Takeaways
Leading the design of this project yielded valuable insights. This dynamic scenario-based learning module enhanced participant engagement and proficiency. Collaborating with an ER nurse created an authentic learning environment, emphasizing successful engagement.
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Integration of ADDIE and SAM methodologies ensured adaptability to dynamic emergency settings. The iterative design aimed for alignment with real-world scenarios. Diverse learning assets accommodated various preferences, and qualitative feedback provided insights into their effectiveness.
Establishing a framework for content updates demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement. In conclusion, the ER Triage project showcased effective engagement, collaboration, adaptability, and commitment to improvement, contributing to the training program's success for emergency medical professionals.