Exploring Student Perspectives and Experiences of Online Opportunities for Virtual Care Skills Development: Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Caring profession students require skills and competencies to proficiently use information technologies for providing high-quality and effective care. However, there is a gap in exploring the perceptions and experiences of students in developing virtual care skills within online environments. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to better understand caring professional students' online learning experiences with developing virtual care skills and competencies. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, integrating both a cross-sectional survey and individual interviews, was used to better understand caring professional students' online learning experiences with developing virtual care skills and competencies. RESULTS: A total of 93 survey and 9 interview participants were drawn from various faculties, including students from education, nursing, medicine, and allied health. These participants identified the barriers, facilitators, principles, and skills related to learning about and delivering virtual care, including teaching methods and educational technologies. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the growing body of educational research on virtual care skills by offering student insights and suggestions for improved teaching and learning strategies in caring professions' programs.