Learning, Research and Practice Communities
The Centre for Health Evidence (CHE) uses Vivi Technologies to support users in three broad areas: learning, research and practice.
Virtual Learning Communities
Vivi Technologies with a learning focus organize educational content such as university curriculum, a workshop series, or continuing education activities. Features available include presentations, videos, readings, discussion forums, online note-taking tools, interactive learning activities, calendars and integration of licensed resources. Incorporating new web technologies such as RSS feeds, blogs and wikis into Vivi Technologies creates a vibrant and participatory learning environment.
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
Vivi Technologies are used by the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry to manage medical school curriculum from first year medical school through residency. The HOMER Project paved the way to a paperless classroom. Every aspect of student's school work is integrated: contact records, course podcasts and vodcasts, presentations, links to library resources, student calendars, quizzes, exams and course evaluations.
THE CANADIAN HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
EXTRAHealth Evidence Projects
COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF CANADADIETITIANS OF CANADA
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Health Evidence Literacy is a package of materials developed by CHE's Director, Dr. Rob Hayward. Fifteen learning units cover aspects of evidence-based practice. Canadian universities and professional organizations offer the curriculum either completely online, or as a combination of in-person and online sessions.
Virtual Research Communities
Vivi Technologies with a research focus allow users to search the literature, access project management tools, and collaborate online.
EPIQ (Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality)
EPIQ Virtual Research Community was developed as a tool to facilitate online collaboration among 26 neonatal intensive care units across Canada and as a repository of data found and created by users. EPIQ provides access to a series of collaborative resources, reference databases, and customized templates to create collections of evidence that are shared with other EPIQ members. It is the central source of EPIQ-related materials. Investigators and clinicians can collaborate and share findings in order to improve patient outcomes.
Practice Communities
CHE has developed special expertise in integrating knowledge and clinical resources. Knowledge resources include free web applications, subscription-based products, and even full suites of knowledge tools. Clinical resources include electronic health records, imaging tools and drug information databases.
CoPosis
CoPosis is a national online community of practice for healthcare professionals interested in advancing discussions and understanding issues surrounding select diseases and disorders. The ViviWeb learning community management system provides a variety of community-enabling features, including integrated learning modules, linked discussion forums, case-based narrative interactivities, collaborative workspace tools and rich links to high-quality evidence repositories.
Continuing Care Online Community
Alberta Health Services supports dissemination of and compliance with continuing care health service standards through the Continuing Care Online Community. Facility living, home living and supportive living staff access the standards along with supporting evidence, resources and training materials.
ePearls
The Pearls program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada uses Vivi Technologies to offer semi-structured, self-directed practice-reflection learning activities to participating physicians. The Pearls program, supported by activities hosted by Vivi Technologies, provides an opportunity to gain, enhance and demonstrate the skills needed for evidence-based practice.
These are just a few of the projects using Vivi Technologies. For more information, contact the Centre for Health Evidence.
