Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN), in partnership with a consortium of 15 Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across Australia, has awarded Obvious Choice the contract to develop a comprehensive Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) Telehealth Training Program.
This initiative will ensure that nationally consistent and resident-centric telehealth training is readily available for RACH staff and visiting or remote-end clinicians in a microlearning format.
The program seeks to:
- address a gap in providing training and support to uplift the telehealth capability of
residential aged care homes. - ensure a safe, effective, and available service for older Australians reducing the need
for unnecessary transfers for clinical services.
About the project:
The Residential Aged Care Home (RACH)Telehealth Training Program will enhance the skills of RACH staff and visiting and remote-end clinicians through the development of:
- microlearning modules
- comprehensive performance support resources
- and a robust marketing and stakeholder engagement strategy
A PHN Telehealth Training Project working group and Advisory Committee alongside a panel of expert advisors with telehealth and residential aged care experience will contribute to the design of a nationally consistent training package on how to provide telehealth to residents in a RACH.
This program represents a significant step forward in providing quality telehealth services in residential aged-care settings. By empowering clinicians and RACH staff with the right skills and knowledge, the PHN consortium is leading the way in enhancing healthcare delivery for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The project team is also working to ensure the training program meets accreditation requirements for nurses and GPs.
James Stack, the Managing Director of Obvious Choice, said that the solution design carefully considers feedback from residential aged care providers about Commonwealth-funded online learning, and workforce preferences for shorter, bite-sized training. Providers will be able to load this microlearning onto their own learning platforms, which will make it easier and more straightforward to upskill their staff in 5-minute bursts.
In early 2024, Primary Health Networks across Australia will provide the aged care sector with a library of 60 microlearning modules, featuring authentic case studies, video mentoring and downloadable checklists. Additionally, simple animations and fact sheets will be developed to engage residents, families, and caregivers effectively.
To register your interest or for further information please contact: healthyageing@westvicphn.com.au
About Western Victoria PHN
Established on 1 July 2015, Western Victoria PHN is a not-for-profit organisation tasked with increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and improving the coordination of care.
About Obvious Choice
Obvious Choice is an award-winning learning design agency with extensive experience designing training programs for aged care clients. An ARIIA round three grant recipient, Obvious Choice, is currently delivering a 12-week microlearning campaign to uplift dementia care knowledge. Throughout 2023, Obvious Choice has also supported a telehealth microlearning program using their Forget Me Not® app for Nurses and Allied Health professionals in collaboration with Digital Health CRC, Western Australia Country Health Service, La Trobe University and Curtin University.
