The Canadian Pharmacists Association wanted to create an interactive, self-paced online tutorial to complement their new e-Therapeutics portal for physicians and pharmacists unfamiliar with accessing information electronically. IBM attended user testing sessions to identify key functionality to highlight. They recommended an eLearning authoring tool and developed a 15-minute tutorial with simulations using that tool and IBM's Simulation Producer. The tutorials provided refreshers and ongoing help for users and allowed practicing transactions. Based on the success, CPhA asked IBM to update the tutorial three times as the portal evolved. Separate versions showcased mobile and other applications. Customer feedback was also incorporated to improve the tutorials.

1. IBM CUSTOMER FACING SOLUTIONS
case study
Canadian Pharmacists Association
Providing interactive, self-paced support
Challenge
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) wanted a web-based tutorial to
complement the release of its new e-Therapeutics portal. The tool needed to satisfy
several requirements:
§ Provide interactive, self-paced support to new users of e-Therapeutics (primarily
physicians and pharmacists) who were not accustomed to referencing information
electronically
§ Inform end-users of the unique functionality in e-Therapeutics that would enhance their
user experience
§ Provide an alternate source of support, in conjunction with a help desk and portlet-level
help files, that would be easy to access and user-friendly
Solution
As a first step, our team attended portal user-acceptance testing sessions to gather
information on functionality that should be highlighted. We then researched and
recommended an eLearning authoring tool that allowed the product to be easily updated
by the client. The tool selected was Trivantis Lectora, combined with IBM’s Simulation
Producer. After the tool was selected, we then developed a 15-minute tutorial, designed
to be completely user-driven, complete with simulations. We also updated the tutorial and
developed new versions of it to reflect the different releases of the e-Therapeutics portal.
Results
The tutorials are now available on the portal for all customers as both refreshers and
ongoing help. The simulations allow users with lower levels of computer literacy to
practice various transactions. Because of the success of the tutorials, CPhA asked IBM
to return to update the tutorial on three separate occasions to reflect new functionality of
the e-Therapeutics portal. Separate versions of the tutorial were developed to showcase
the e-Therapeutics Mobile Application and the e-CPS portal. Our team also incorporated
improvements to the tutorials based on customer feedback.
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