As more and more healthcare membership organisations are investing in their online presence, a unique set of challenges are being uncovered. Right now, one of the biggest is deciding what kind of content to feature on their websites. And perhaps even more importantly, deciding how this content can be used in the best possible way: to educate members.
For organisations dedicated to fields such as diabetes, oncology, cardiology, and more, the big question that’s currently being asked is, ‘What’s the most effective way to educate our members – healthcare professionals, policymakers, and even patients – through our own online portal?’.
There are, of course, many possible solutions. But one educational strategy that’s being adopted across industries is microlearning. Can this be a good fit for healthcare membership organisations?
It appears so.
As organisations continue to juggle multiple audiences, microlearning offers a flexible and engaging way to ensure that each group receives the specific, actionable information and help they need.
Stick with us as we explore what microlearning is. We’ll show how healthcare membership organisations can use it to educate a wider audience, freeing up more time to focus on core tasks.
What is microlearning?
Microlearning is a unique educational approach that delivers information in short, easily digestible bursts – typically lasting just 3-5 minutes. The goal is to provide learners with the exact knowledge they need, right when they need it, and in a format that’s easy to absorb, no matter where they are. Microlearning empowers the learner by allowing them to control what they learn and when they learn it, offering flexibility that fits into even the busiest of schedules – essential in healthcare!
The process might sound unusual, but it’s much more familiar than you may think. In our daily lives, most of us consume content in this way – even if we don’t realise it. Whether it’s a quick scroll through social media or reading short messages from friends, we’re used to these quick bursts. Microlearning replicates this experience by packaging educational content into small, focused chunks, making it easier to retain, and faster to apply in real-world scenarios when the time comes.
Why use microlearning?
Healthcare membership organisations are made up of a variety of professionals, from doctors and nurses to researchers, policy advocates, and more. All of them face the same challenge: lack of time.
For healthcare professionals – whose time is often divided between patient care, administrative duties, and professional development – microlearning offers an agile solution. It ensures that critical training or upskilling opportunities are manageable, even when dealing with a hectic schedule.
These professionals are expected to keep pace with their day-to-day responsibilities while also expanding their knowledge and staying current with advances in their field. Microlearning enables this by delivering focused educational opportunities that don’t require large blocks of time.
Imagine a diabetes organisation wanting to offer its members updated guidance on the latest research or treatments. Instead of lengthy seminars or traditional courses, the organisation can provide short, on-demand microlearning sessions. These are tailored to specific needs, whether in the form of a 5-minute video on a new medication or a quick explainer on patient care techniques. This ensures that professionals remain engaged and can easily fit learning into their packed schedules.
Five benefits of microlearning in healthcare
There are many possible benefits to embracing microlearning, including…
1. Ability to adapt to rapid change
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving. New technologies, treatments, and procedures are emerging all the time, requiring professionals to stay up-to-date. Microlearning provides an efficient way to share information. By offering bite-sized modules that focus on key updates or advances, healthcare professionals can continually up-skill and comply with all the latest regulations.
2. Chance to improve patient care
Better-trained professionals lead to better patient outcomes. By delivering training in small, engaging formats, microlearning can significantly boost knowledge retention. Professionals have the chance to quickly revisit content on-demand to refresh this knowledge, right when they need it most. This can lead to improved patient care.
3. Opportunities to facilitate ‘learning on the go’
One big advantage of microlearning is its ability to integrate seamlessly into daily routines. Microlearning allows professionals to engage in education during brief moments of downtime, whether during a break, between appointments, or even during the commute. A quick 5-minute session could be completed while waiting for the next patient, making learning more accessible.
4. Potential to educate a wider audience
Microlearning has the potential to reach a broader audience than many organisations could otherwise engage with. Most are only able to have this level of impact on select individuals who have the time and resources to participate. But with microlearning, organisations can ensure all members gain at least some valuable knowledge, even if they only have a few minutes to spare here and there.
5. Chance to support expert retention
A lack of adequate training is often cited as a major factor in employee turnover, particularly in healthcare settings. Healthcare organisations can offer microlearning modules that can be completed on smartphones or tablets. This helps professionals to receive the ongoing training they need to remain happy and satisfied in their roles.
Education for all
It’s important to remember that microlearning isn’t just for professionals. Patients can also benefit from these short, informative sessions that help them to better understand their own treatments, procedures, or health conditions. For example, a patient scheduled for a procedure might be unsure of what to expect. This can lead to anxiety, or even result in them not attending their appointment. By offering microlearning videos that explain exactly what’s going to happen – in a short yet informative way – patients can gain peace of mind, which may improve attendance and overall outcomes.
Similarly, after a procedure, a patient may need to follow specific lifestyle changes or take medication. Microlearning can provide ongoing, personalised support in the form of brief, adaptive content. This could include anything from basic relaxation techniques and dietary advice to comprehensive, step-by-step guides covering post-procedural care. By empowering patients with this knowledge, microlearning can foster healthier choices and reduce the likelihood of readmission.
How to offer microlearning through your website
For healthcare membership organisations, perhaps the most important factor to keep in mind when embracing microlearning is that content should be accessible to all members. This includes professionals, patients, and even the general public. Removing barriers to access ensures that education is inclusive and effective, and that even more people can be educated through your site.
Good, effective microlearning content should be:
- Short. Ensure that content is brief, with each module focusing on one skill or topic.
- Focused. Each piece of content should have a clear and actionable learning objective.
- Responsive. Ensure content is accessible across devices, so members can learn wherever they are.
Beyond this, the world’s your oyster. There are many ways to incorporate microlearning into your healthcare membership organisation website, including short and snappy text boxes, engaging visual aids such as infographics, quick videos, audio snippets, and interactive elements like flashcards.
For healthcare membership organisations, microlearning represents a powerful opportunity to provide meaningful education that’s accessible to all. By offering short, focused content that can be consumed on the go, organisations can ensure that professionals stay updated, patients feel supported, and all members of the community benefit from ongoing education and support.
When integrated into a well-maintained website, microlearning can significantly enhance the user experience, making your organisation’s content even more engaging, informative, and impactful.
And with our team here at More Time To handling all the day-to-day management of your website, you can focus on what truly matters: delivering knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes.
