Outputs – FORCE

Outputs in brief

The consortium developed the FORCE Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) simulating the workflow and RISPACS user interface in a clinical imaging and radiotherapy department. The VLE has been populated with clinical case simulations in Diagnostic Radiography, Image Interpretation, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy. The simulation model chosen was individual case videos overlaid with interactive learner problem solving. Integrated questions and reflection points give learners opportunity to solve problems and make clinical decisions about aspects of examinations. You can engage with the case simulations by logging in to the FORCE VLE: click “FORCE learning log in” in the menu.

Each case simulation is comprehensive, reflecting the complete imaging or therapy pathway for each patient. Multiple topics from five longitudinal learning themes are embedded in each case. The themes are:

The patient story,
Patient care,
Examination techniques,
Professional roles in ensuring patient safety,
Image evaluation and interpretation or therapy planning

The learning content within these five themes represent five of the intellectual outputs of the project.

Output 1: Patient Stories

This collection of detailed patient stories creates contextual and detailed information for each virtual patient in the case simulations. The creation of a database of virtual patients with rich, deep and complex personal and medical history is fundamental to the structure of the FORCE project, so that students can navigate the various learning themes by engaging with the patient information. The patient stories are utilised in each of the learning themes and intellectual outputs developed in the FORCE project. The patient stories offer a reusable resource that could be utilised in other educational development.

Output 2: Patient Care Syllabus Topics

These Patent Care topics were selected as being critical in enhancing students’ patient-centred skills and helping them to develop an emotionally intelligent and self-aware approach to patient care generally. Studying these topics in simulation will help students develop their personal resilience in the context of the challenging hospital environment. The patient care topics offer a reusable resource that could be utilised in developing other educational interventions for student Radiographers or other health care staff.

Output 3: Examination Simulations

Interactive video simulations of clinical cases in Diagnostic Radiography, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy are the simulation model applied. The range of cases was chosen to reflect examinations that would be considered first post competences for graduating radiographers. The complete case simulations can be accessed via the FORCE VLE. The case simulations are openly accessible and offer a reusable resource that could be adopted into an institutional training programme, or accessed as supporting material by individual learners.

Output 4: Syllabus Topics for Professional Roles and Responsibilities in Ensuring Patient Safety

The topics were selected to enhance students’ awareness of critical issues regarding Radiographer responsibilities for patient safety and how these -responsibilities do vary between countries. Studying these topics in simulation will provoke students to consider practice variation, and to reach opinions on what constitutes good practice. The topics offer a reusable resource that could be utilised in developing other educational interventions for student Radiographers or other health care staff.

Output 5: Image Interpretation cases and learning content

Eight interactive cases are supported by information content slide decks in the FORCE Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The image interpretation cases cover hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, ankle, knee and hip, because appendicular skeleton examinations are a natural starting point to begin learning interpretation skills.