The background for NoMA’s training need is the new drug reimbursement scheme, which enters into force March 3, 2008.  This scheme affects both doctors who write prescriptions, and pharmacy employees who fill them.

Project group, from left: Hilde Røshol, Eli Caspersen, Aase-Britt Holmoe, Kirsti Hjelme, Elise Næss

What do you hope to convey with this course?

- Our main objective is to prepare both doctors and pharmacy employees to use the new drug reimbursement scheme.  At the same time, we want to generate an understanding of why this change has been necessary, and of the priorities that form the basis for the drug reimbursement scheme.

Why have you decided to use e-learning?

- E-learning is a fun and engaging way to learn.  Users can take the course when it suits them, which is ideal for this busy target group.

Since the target group for this training includes both doctors and pharmacy employees, NoMA has chosen to adapt the information for each group.

- By making two different courses, we have been able to adapt the information for each group’s workdays and training needs.  This will allow users to acquire the knowledge they actually need more quickly.

What learning means have you used in this course?

- The information we need to convey is a little ‘dry’, really.  That’s why we have chosen to use humour; through funny illustrations and animations, for example.  Users will also be challenged through interactive exercises.  At the end of the course, we have opted for a self-test, where users can test the knowledge they have acquired from this course.  We believe this will trigger the competitive instinct in many.

What have been your greatest challenges in this process?

- Due to security reasons, users cannot use the Internet on the same computer where patient journals are stored.  This has led to some problems.  It has also been a challenge that many doctors are unacquainted with e-learning as a form of training.

- Working with concretising our message, and how best to convey it, has been very educational. According to NoMA’s project manager for e-learning, Kirsti Hjelme, this has been both an intense and very fun process.

In addition to e-learning, NoMA is working actively with other forms of information and training.  They have arranged several local and regional meetings and courses, and have developed written training materials.

When NoMA first decides to make an e-learning course, the marketing is first class.

- We have made a trailer, which provides a small taste of the e-learning course, and also conveys the most important point:  we will have a new drug reimbursement scheme as of March 3rd.  The trailer should motivate users to want to take the course.

On http://www.legeforeningen.no/, we have a banner ad for the trailer and a link to the e-learning course.  There are also links on http://www.legemiddelverket.no/.  Letters with links and the course on CD will be sent to every doctor in the country.  We have met with and sent out information to the Norwegian Pharmacy Association, pharmacy chains, and hospital pharmacies.  They then distribute the course to their employees over their own intranets or LMS solutions.  In addition, we show the trailer and inform about the e-learning course at other courses, meetings, and conventions, and hand out business cards with a link to the course.

Torni Myrbakk a specialist at the University Hospital North-Norway, in Tromsø took the course after receiving information from NoMA, and had the following comments:

“I took the e-learning course on the new drug reimbursements scheme for doctors – easy-to-understand and witty!”

- When we write March 3, 2008, our goal is that all doctors and pharmacy employees are acquainted with the new drug reimbursement scheme, says Hilde Røshol.

Article by: Johanne Anda and Nina Schjelderup Krogh, Mintra as