KLAS: Clinician Satisfaction with eLearning EHR Training Mounts

Healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to self-directed eLearning as a cost-effective EHR training method to complement traditional instructor-led training, according to a KLAS report.

KLAS defines “eLearning” as self-directed electronic learning. “Virtual training” refers to the combination of eLearning and instructor-led virtual training.

While previous KLAS research revealed that in-person training was much more effective than virtual learning, data collected in recent years has found that robust eLearning can have an equally significant impact on the clinician experience. In-person EHR training, while still linked to the highest clinician satisfaction, is only slightly ahead of eLearning.

“When eLearning is done well, it doesn’t come with a sacrifice in impact,” the report authors wrote. “This trend holds true across clinical backgrounds, organization types, and EHR solutions.”

Additionally, over the last few years, clinician satisfaction with virtual EHR training has increased. KLAS data revealed that increased adoption of virtual training is linked with a significantly better clinician experience.

However, the report emphasized that the quality of virtual training is critical to maximizing the positive impact of virtual education. Clinicians who agreed virtual EHR education was helpful and effective were less likely to report feeling burned out.

These clinicians were also 73 times more likely to report satisfaction with IT leadership around the EHR than those strongly dissatisfied with EHR training. Some of this impact is rooted in the inherent benefits of the eLearning method.

For instance, eLearning is usually easier to access and allows healthcare organizations to package content in shorter sessions and tailor eLearning to specific roles.

While clinicians have historically reported that at-the-elbow EHR training is their preferred education type, an increasing share of providers are embracing the advantages of eLearning; the percentage of clinicians who would recommend eLearning courses to a colleague has increased from 67 percent in 2021 to 83 percent in 2023.

Additionally, 64 percent of clinicians agreed that eLearning courses were very valuable in 2021 compared to 80 percent in 2023.

“The quality of eLearning programs and platforms has improved, and newer entrants to medical practice are more likely to have used these same types of platforms during their education,” the KLAS authors noted. “All of this means clinicians are more likely to engage with education in an eLearning format. Many clinicians say they enjoy the self-paced and on-demand nature of eLearning tools.”

Another benefit of eLearning is scalability. Frequent updates to the EHR can stretch healthcare organizations’ resources thin for education. However, eLearning modules can be modified at any time, allowing providers to access the most up-to-date materials.

eLearning content can also reduce costs associated with classroom-based training due to its web-based nature.