Edinburgh Napier University

  The East of Scotland Haematology Nurses Group (ESHNG) are dedicated to the provision of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of Scottish haematology nurses that often work in isolation across the country with little opportunity to network and share practice, by awarding education grants and holding an annual study day. To build on this principle and after taking into consideration a recent evaluation of participation in an online learning environment within the Therapeutic Options in Malignant Haematology Module run at Edinburgh Napier University (Campbell 2009); the ESHNG were interested in the potential use of virtual classroom facility in provision of CPD for all haematology nurses across Britain. The ESHNG were successful in obtaining funding from Macmillan Cancer Support to provide sessions every month, for a year, facilitated by an experienced operator, for fifty nurses over the internet. The speakers would be determined by the group and the attendants depending on the topic of speciality requested. There would also be a chance to conduct either case presentations or journal clubs once a month in small group sessions. The intention was to meet the learning needs of the participants by the use the virtual classroom to critically engage with current practices in malignant haematology, with a diverse network of colleagues, building a learning community whilst gaining additional computer skills. The live presentations were recorded for viewing by a further wider audience. To date the Macmillan Online Lecture Series will have hosted four session covering Late Effects of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complementary Therapies, Nutrition in Cancer Care and Cord Blood Transplantation. An example of the supporting website and recordings of sessions can be accessed at http://onlinehaematologylectures.podbean.com/