The British Computer Society has launched the European
Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Health Unit
course.
It is the first computer skills syllabus in the world
specifically for users of healthcare systems, and will be made
available by NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CfH) to its
staff later this month.
The new ECDL Health Unit is the result of seven years
collaborative work between the BCS and NHS CfH to develop a
computer skills syllabus specifically for users of healthcare
information systems.
It aims to provide them with the confidence and competence to
use IT effectively when caring for patients.
The course unit, which has been trialled by 100 NHS staff across
five NHS Trusts, covers the broad issues, challenges and benefits
of using electronic patient information systems.
It has been designed for all staff working with healthcare
systems, including both clinical staff and administrative
workers.
Candidates do not need advanced computer knowledge to take the
qualification, they simply need to be able to use a computer
keyboard and mouse.
Carol Hulm, BCS Special Projects Manager said: "The new unit has
been developed in direct response to demands for a syllabus which
is specific to the health sector, and complementing the existing
topic areas covered by the ECDL.”
She said the course provided candidates with an understanding of
the key principles and policies relating to healthcare information
systems and the practical skills needed by users.
As well as enabling users to read, retrieve, update and store
patient records accurately, the unit also provides candidates with
a thorough understanding of the key issues regarding patient
confidentiality and data security, she said.
A pilot of the ECDL health unit showed that it took candidates
an average of 10 hours to complete the learning section, and 90% of
candidates passed the course-end test.
Claire Adams, NHS Connecting for Health, said: "The outcome of
the English NHS pilot has been highly successful in validating the
appropriateness and the importance of the core syllabus."
Related article:
BCS says experience more important than qualifications
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