digital sherpa® Train-the-Trainers will allow you to empower your patients, alleviate staff over-load, and improve cancer outcomes by giving you the tools and resources to host personalized workshops.
On this page you will find:
Thank you for your interest in digital sherpa®! With your help, older cancer patients and their families will have a voice in the care they receive.
The digital sherpa® program from the Patient Empowerment Network aims to help cancer patients (mainly 65 and older) and their families become more tech-savvy. The program educates patients and care partners in basic internet and social media skills to empower them become more knowledgeable and proactive in managing their disease. The program can be carried out in various formats including a workshop, help desk, or learning done on-demand.
| WHAT: |
digital sherpa® Program carried out in either a workshop, help desk, or on-demand format. It provides a place where those who are excluded from participating in our digital society because of their lack of computer knowledge can gain the skills and confidence to make use of tech devices that can connect them better with friends, family and their healthcare team. Program participants are paired with student volunteers, known as “sherpas”, who have been specially trained to offer skills such as:
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| WHY:
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To improve health literacy among cancer patients, specifically the elderly and underserved, by providing access to and training on digital technology, to encourage shared decision making with their care team, and provide them with resources, support, and encouragement. |
| WHO: | Your organization can bring the above benefits to cancer patients and care partners in your community. |
| WHEN: | Whenever suits your needs |
| WHERE: | Virtual or in-person |
| HOW:
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You can host workshops, help desks, or participants can learn on-demand using the digital sherpa® toolkits. To help offset start-up costs, PEN is offering each participating organization a grant of $2,500.
With the provided toolkit, you will have the step-by-step directions you need to host a successful program for your community. It includes a guide for student recruitment, how to host digital sherpa®, and various other tools for the promotion your digital sherpa® program. |
Thank you for becoming a digital sherpa® program delivery partner of Patient Empowerment Network (PEN)!
A reporting requirement of your Train-the-Trainer grant includes providing participation metrics and survey results within 2-weeks of your final digital sherpa® workshops. These include but are not limited to:
A spreadsheet will be sent to input all of your program metrics to send to PEN, or you can download the spreadsheet here.
This guide will share best practices and resources to help with recruitment of program participants.
This step-by-step guide will assist you with volunteer student recruitment for your digital sherpa® Program.
When beginning to recruit student volunteers for your digital sherpa® Program:
Keep and maintain a list of volunteers to use for future workshops.
digital sherpa® can be delivered in three formats. The format(s) that works best for you can be a combination of the three formats, all three formats, or just one format depending on your need. Overtime your needs may change, and we encourage you to explore all the formats until your find the format(s) that works best for you and serve the needs of your community.
Please find the curriculum for both students (sherpas) and participants below:
You are not alone! PEN is here is to help you host a successful digital sherpa® workshop, help desk, on on-demand program. Below are ways PEN can help you:
PEN Support
Q: Will I be compensated by PEN for becoming a digital sherpa® Program delivery partner?
A: Yes, as a digital sherpa® Program delivery partner, your organization will be offered a one-time startup grant of $2,500 to help underwrite your staff time for the program initiation phase. The intention of this training program is to enable your organization to offer the digital sherpa® program to your constituencies on an ongoing basis, for which your organization will need to self-fund any further program delivery expenses.
Q: What level of support is offered after the initial training session?
A: From the application process to the implementation of the program, PEN will be a true, hand-on partner helping to ensure your success.
Q: Who provides devices for participants and volunteers at in-person workshops?
A: Participants should bring their own devices to the workshop.
Q: Will I have access to a PEN Team member during my workshop if I have any questions?
A: Yes, a PEN Team member will be available during your workshop to assist with any questions that you may have.
Q: Does PEN provide this training or do we, as the partner organization?
A: PEN will provide your organization with comprehensive resources to train your volunteers, which will equip you to directly deliver this training.
Workshop Support
Q: Can I choose the format of my workshop? (In-person or virtual)
A: Yes, each organization is free to choose the format of their workshop. Each workshop can be in- person, virtual, or even a combination of both- the decision is up to you!
Q: What does it cost to administer this program? Are there other costs that are not outlined?
A: There is no charge to run your own digital sherpa® program, but we’ve found that snacks and water are always appreciated by participants and volunteers.
Q: Do I have to use the PEN-provided spreadsheets, documents, social media graphics, etc., or can I use my own?
A: The materials provided by PEN are simply a guide to assist you in managing a digital sherpa® workshop. You are welcome to use any additional materials for your organization to that will benefit the management of your workshops.
Q: As a digital sherpa® program delivery partner, is my organization required to provide compensation or any physical materials to program volunteers (such as t-shirts, etc.)?
A: No, your organization is not required to provide any compensation or physical materials for your workshop. PEN will provide volunteers with a T-shirt to wear during the workshops.
Q: Can I charge program participants?
A: No, digital sherpa® programming should be free to all participants, regardless of format.
Q: What is the usual duration of a workshop?
A: The duration of an average workshop will take approximately 3 hours, including set up and clean up.
Q: Do I have to provide meals to our digital sherpa® volunteers or program participants?
A: No, but we’ve found that snacks and water are always appreciated by participants and volunteers.
Volunteers
Q: Who is responsible for recruiting volunteers: PEN or my organization?
A: PEN will provide your organization with comprehensive resources to train your volunteers, which will equip you to directly deliver this training.
Q: Do my student volunteers have to be college-aged?
A: No, you can recruit student volunteers of any age. Volunteers under the age of 18 can be recruited for your digital sherpa® sessions, so long as your team is confident in their ability to professionally prepare for and accountably participate as program volunteers. You may also consider obtaining permission forms from the parents or school administration of minor-aged volunteers as per your organization’s policies and procedures.
Q: How much time does it typically take to recruit student volunteers?
A: Depending on your relationship with local schools, the time will vary so we suggest that you begin recruiting students as soon as you pick a date. Ideally 4-8 weeks before the workshop date.
Q: What is involved in training student volunteers? How much time does it typically take?
A: Training for your volunteers will include a short video and quiz to ensure completion and should take no more than 25 minutes.
Q: Will my organization be required to give volunteers access to clinic systems if the program participant to who they are assigned needs help with these systems?
A: That is up to the discretion of your organization.
Q: How do we ensure the privacy and security of our constituents’ online personal data?
A: All participants and student volunteers will be required to sign a Liability and Privacy Agreement.
Training
Q: How many program participants should be enrolled in each digital sherpa® Workshop?
A: We recommend aiming to enroll 10-15 program participants per workshop.
Q: As a hospital or clinic, is there a boundary to which patient portals you can train patients on?
A: What your volunteers can train program participants on is according to the policies or discretion of your organization! We recognize this type of training will be helpful for program participants, as there are multiple EMRs that all work differently. However, it is up to you on how much information you would like to give on your EMR processes.
Q: My community needs help with online banking, can the digital sherpa® Program help?
A: If your program participant(s) indicates they need help using online banking, please direct them to the navigation resources available to them through their bank, such as online tutorials and/or a personalized training session with a representative from their bank. Please do not, under any circumstances—even if requested—log on to the participants’ banking account or obtain their log-in information. If you have questions or need help, please contact the program lead at the organization you are volunteering with.
Q: What if no one or not enough participants pre-enroll in our digital sherpa® Workshops?
A: There are several things you can try to enroll more participants:
