IBA Frequently asked questions

Below you will find some answers to frequently asked questions about the 'Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice' e-learning course.

Questions and Answers

Q. Can I obtain a record of achievement if I complete the course?
A. Yes on all platforms after doing the final course assessment. However, on the

• Alcohol Learning Centre: you can fill in your details and save and/or print a record of achievement which will have your name and final assessment score percentage on it.
• On e-GP and Foundation: You can print a record of achievement immediately after finishing the assessment, but you cannot save this to print later.
  If you still have problems you will need to contact technical support (see below).

If you still have problems you will need to contact technical support (see below).

Q. Is there a technical checker?
Y. Each platform has a technical checker:

• Alcohol Learning Centre
• e-GP and Foundation - http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/support_elfh.html
• NLMS - http://www.esrsupport.co.uk/nlms/pccheck.html
  

Q. Which technical support should I contact?
A. Always contact your own IT Department first as there might well be a local solution. The technical checkers available on each platform should tell you if you need more software installed to access the course and certificate. If your IT department is unable to solve the problem, it will depend on which learning platform you have completed the course on:

• e-GP and Foundation - contact eLearning for Healthcare Technical Support support@e-lfh.org.uk
• 'NLMS - contact your local ESR/NLMS Lead for assistance'
• Alcohol Learning Centre - contact info@alcohollearningcentre.org.uk

Q. How can I save my last learning page so that I can return to my learning later?
A. On the Alcohol Learning Centre Platform -You can't if you are accessing the e-learning via the Alcohol Learning Centre public website. You will need to make a note of where you are up to and then you can re-start your course at that point. On the NLMS, e-GP or Foundation e-learning platforms - you can. These learning environments will enable you to do this.

Q. Which Platform should I access if I am doing the RCGP Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care?

A. You should use the Alcohol Learning Centre Platform. This platform allows free access to the e-module that leads towards the RCGP Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care , its successful completion is an essential component in achieving the certificate award. It can be completed by anyone with internet access . Once completed it will allow you to print out or save a pdf file of your record of achievement. If you are planning to complete this RCGP Certificate, please retain your record of achievement as the RCGP willl need a copy sent along with your attendance at a face to face day in order to issue you with the award Certificate."

Q. Can I do the course more than once?
A. Yes. You can do the course as many times as you want to.

Q. Do I have to start the course at the beginning?
A. No. The sessions can be completed in any order you choose. Some people will start by doing the final course assessment first and then dip into the other sessions they feel they need to do to increase their knowledge.

Q. Are you developing other elearning courses for staff who are not working in Primary Care or Pharmacy?
A. Yes. The DH has commissioned another course pathway in acute Hospital Settings This will be available here soon.

Q. How can I measure the competence of staff completing the course?
A. The course is intended as a 'vehicle towards competence'. It provides one method of learning about IBA along with many others such as face to face teaching and role play. Completion of the course does not in itself indicate competence. Competence would need to be measured using other appropriate methods to evaluate learning and its impact on the delivery of services.

Q. Is the course suitable for non-clinical staff?
A. Yes, depending on who they are and what prior knowledge they have. The course was developed to have broad appeal to those working in Primary Care and Pharmacy settings. The first three sections of the course provide a good overview of alcohol facts and the importance of delivering IBA which provides useful context before moving on to look at the Identification and Brief Advice tools and their uses.

Q. I have some questions about the measurements and risks used in the course. What should I do?
A. You can use our discussion boards to post your questions and receive responses from other experts working in the NHS. This encourages debate and provides clarity about some of the issues.

Q. Can I monitor how many of my employees are completing the course and what scores they are getting?
A. There is no facility to monitor this if users are accessing the e-learning via the Alcohol Learning Centre website. The National Learning Management System is linked to the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This will enable the tracking and completion of the e-learning by all those with an ESR to be formally recorded. Those healthcare workers who wish to know if their trust has access or is getting access to the NLMS should contact their Trust's Learning and Development lead.

Q. What e-learning platforms will be available for doctors?
A. Alcohol IBA e-learning is available on the e-GP and Foundation e-learning programmes.These platforms allow progress and completion to be recorded.

• The Foundation e-Learning Programme is approved by the Academy of Royal Colleges and the UK Foundation Programme Office and supports Foundation doctors with their two year training. Further information is available at www.e-foundation.org.uk .
• e-GP is an e-learning resource for the primary care profession and has been developed in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners. Visit www.e-GP.org for more information and details of how to register.
• Alcohol Learning Centre for any doctor under taking the RCGP Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems.

Q. Who is e-Learning for Healthcare?
A. e-Learning for Healthcare is a Department of Health programme working in partnership with the NHS and professional bodies to provide high quality e-learning content for the training of the healthcare workforce across the UK. Visit www.e-lfh.org.uk for more details.