ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

s.l.s.drop@erasmusmc.nl J Am Medical Informatics Assoc 2022; 29: 713–722. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocab271

Brief Summary: This scoping review found that data remain scarce on the potential synergy between e-learning (EL) training for healthcare workers (HCWs) and provider-to-HCW e-consultation (EC).

Both e-learning (EL) training for healthcare workers (HCWs) and provider-to-HCW e-consultation (EC) have increasing popularity. There are obvious reasons for this, including ease of access (both EL and EC can be enjoyed at any time), virtual interaction at predefined times, lower cost (travel is not needed, decreased cost of conference organisation, no need for printed material), flexibility (can be integrated in a busy schedule) and independence from unpredictable events such as the COVID epidemic, local political situation or worker strikes. However, a key requirements is the use of a digital platform that is suitable for low quality internet and, of course, internet access. These qualities are particularly important for EL and EC in low- and middle-income countries.

Pediatric endocrinologists around the world already have access to EL and EC. Examples of EL include the ESPE e-learning program (https://www.espe-elearning.org/) and the Programme d’Enseignement en Endocrinologie-Diabétologie Pédiatrique pour l’Afrique Francophone (PEDAF, https://e-pedaf.org/site/, supported by the Université Numérique Francophone Mondiale, UNFM, which combines virtual and in-person training and clinical care). Examples of EC include Collegium Telemedicus (https://www.collegiumtelemedicus.org/, supported by Doctors without Borders. Although there is an obvious potential for synergy between EL and EC, Ionescu et al. could only identify 3 studies that addressed a variety of aspects of both EC and EL. It is suggested that the combination of EC and EL has the potential to promote collaborations, enhance clinical care and increase the quality of medical training.