Online learning systems 'to help detect medical conditions'

Medical professionals in America have embraced online learning tools and have launched a new system to help those in the industry detect Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which affects around ten million US citizens.

The Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN) has announced that it will use its e-learning solution, entitled the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) comma to encourage doctors and nurses to be more aware of the symptoms of this widely-spread condition.

If left untreated, PAD can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and death, according to the SVN, which suggested that the new tool would aim to reduce fatalities.

Marge Lovell, past chair of the PAD Coalition and president elect of SVN, said: "Creating an interactive platform for online learning will allow healthcare professionals the flexibility to access the course information at any time and will be an avenue to promote awareness, detection and treatment of PAD."

She added that the course will teach healthcare providers about PAD and also allow more detailed information to be given to sufferers of the condition.

Cindi Christensen, president of SVN, commented: "The more providers who know how to give the exam, the more lives we can save. Proper lifestyle changes and treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for many."

Furthermore, the society members said that the electrical course can be accessed from home or the office and can be completed in an interactive, multimedia environment using the latest technologies and design systems.

The course was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from BioMedix.

Writing for Sign On San Diego, Elizabeth Tice, president of Ashford University in California, suggested that e-learning is continuously growing to meet the needs of a troubled economy, developing technology and high student demand.

She added that businesses and education providers are continually embracing new strategies to develop the training and education of staff and students.