Lifelong Learning: Adapting to Changes in Health Care

1. Chapter 14 Lifelong Learning

2. Importance of Lifelong Learning • Lifelong learning • All purposeful learning activities that take place throughout our lives • Both formal and informal • Graduation • End of formal training • But beginning of lifelong learning

3. Importance of Lifelong Learning • Knowledge quickly becomes outdated • Necessary to keep up with changes in job to remain competent

4. Changes that Affect Health Care • Growing number of older adults • Shorter hospital stays • Increased cultural diversity • Interest in complementary medicine • Insurance changes and complexities • Emphasis on wellness • Computerization

5. Question • True or False: • Most health care professionals will need to continually learn over the span of their careers.

6. Answer • True • Most health care occupations must adapt as technology advances and society changes

7. Changes that Affect Health Care • Spread of viruses • Expansion of roles for health care professionals • Increased specialization • Sophisticated equipment • New discoveries about human body • New diagnostics and treatments

8. Question • The health care system is affected by demographic changes, which include: • The appearance of new viruses • New medical discoveries • The number of individuals in various age groups

9. Answer • C. The number of individuals in various age groups • Demographics • Populations and groups of people within them

10. Question • The population group which will comprise the largest number of patients in the near future is: • Children • Young adults • Older adults

11. Answer • C. Older adults • Older adults will make up largest number of patients • Size of this group growing • People tend to develop more health problems as they age

12. Question • Standard precautions were developed in response to: • The spread of blood-borne viruses • On-the-job accidents in health care facilities • To safeguard patient confidentiality

13. Answer • A. The spread of blood-borne viruses • Standard precautions • Developed to decrease spread of infectious diseases

14. CEUs • Credits for learning after graduation • Also known as continuing professional education (CPE) • Many occupations require specific number before re-licensure or recertification

15. CEUs • Organization requiring CEUs determines type and number accepted • Check before doing work to earn CEUs

16. Ways to Earn CEUs • Special sessions or workshops • Home study or study packets • Distance education classes • Internet courses • Traditional classroom courses

17. Question • True or False: • Most professional organizations only accept continuing education units earned from their own classes, materials, and conference workshops.

18. Answer • False • Most professional organizations accept units from variety of sources • Which they have pre-approved

19. Criteria for Choosing CEU Courses and Materials • Requirements of current job • Future career goals • Reputation of educational provider • Areas of personal and/or professional weakness that need improvement • Personal and/or professional interests

20. Self-Directed Learning • Activities planned and created to increase own knowledge and skills • Observe others • Ask questions • Read books and journal articles • Study in small groups

21. Self-Directed Learning • Activities planned and created to increase own knowledge and skills • Attend professional conferences and meetings • Watch videos, DVDs, or educational television programs • Explore topics on Internet