1. WestHealth: A Virtual Community-Based Health-Care System ACHNE 2008 Annual Institute, Atlanta, GA Barbara St. John, RN, PhD Western Carolina University

2. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 2 Initial Goals To create a virtual simulation of a rural, regional healthcare integrated delivery system (IDS) Use existing CMS (now WebCT Vista) Gather resources for student assignments Model and encourage collaboration Involve as many disciplines as possible

3. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 3 Benefits of WebCT Familiar to students & faculty Flexible – but password protected Controls accessibility, communication Tracks use and growth Usable by dial-up modem Faculty can upload and “hide” elements from students

4. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 4 “WestHealth”

5. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 5 Cultures Demographics History Wellness Center Consumer Health Media Public Health Supermarket Schools Athletic Training Touring Our Community

6. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 6 Accreditation Policies & Procedures Finance Human Resources Orientation Media & PR Health Information HIPAA IT Services Quality Management Risk Management Medical Library Volunteers Administration

7. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 7 Clinical Services

8. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 8 WCU Urgent Care Clinic Pre-Licensure: Staffing Budget Mission Evaluation

9. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 9 Endicott Kameron (Enka) Hospital Projects for RN-to-BSN Students

10. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 10

11. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 11 RN-to-BSN Projects Grading criteria: “best practice” real-world sources congruent with other WestHealth projects References: Davis, L. (2005). Outline of Transylwood County Virtual Health Department. Western Carolina University: WebCat System: WestHealth: Clinical Services. Accessed May 27, 2008 at : (URL)

12. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 12

13. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 13 Benefits: Students Resource site for classroom projects Increasing student electronic skills Role modeling context for professional practice Creative educational opportunities

14. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 14 Benefits: Faculty Repository (“Mini” MERLOT) Multi-disciplinary collaboration Institutional initiatives WCU: SOTL UNC: TLT, eLearning grant Advancement opportunities

15. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 15 Transylwood County Health Department Initial Outline (2005) “An opportunity to create the health department of my dreams” (HD administrator) Increased enrollment and static clinical site availability Service area expanding Virtual clinics as alternative clinical sites

16. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 16 WebQuest Model Authentic Constructivist Tasks: Design: Process, event, distillation, object Predict: Alternate history, scientific method, extrapolation Create: Event, narrative, transposition Analyze: Concept, artifact, situation

17. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 17 Virtual Clinic Departments Orientation to PHD Administration/ Policies Community Assessment Clinical Services Immunizations General Clinic STD/Family Planning Transcultural Services Maternal/Child Departments Bioterrorism/Disasters Environmental Epidemiology Community Services Correctional Facility Health Education School/Daycare Social Services Home Visits

18. WCU ACHNE 2008 BSTJ 18 Any Questions? Contact: Barbara St. John, RN, PhD Assistant Professor of Nursing Western Carolina University 828-670-8810 X 224 stjohn@email.wcu.edu Are you interested in an ElIuminate session this summer for a “live” demonstration?