Exploring student perspectives and experiences of online opportunities for virtual caring skills development: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Caring professions students require skills and competencies to proficiently use information technologies for providing high-quality and effective care. However, there is a gap in exploring the perceptions and experiences of students in developing virtual caring skills within online environments. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to to explore caring professions students experiences and perceptions of online learning opportunities for developing their virtual caring skills and competencies. METHODS A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, integrating both a cross-sectional survey and individual interviews, was employed to better understand caring professional students' online learning experiences with developing virtual caring skills and competencies. RESULTS A total of 93 survey and 9 interview participants were drawn from various faculties, including students from Education, Nursing, Medicine, and Allied Health. These participants identified barriers, facilitators, principles, and skills related to learning about and delivering virtual care, including teaching methods and educational technologies. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the growing body of educational research on virtual caring skills by offering student insights and suggestions for improved teaching and learning strategies in caring professions’ programs.