Oshki-Pimache-O-Win is developing new digital learning tools for their recently instituted Basic Radiological Technician Program.

“This is a first with regards to a digital learning environment for this program,” says Academic Director Janet Scherer. “Although the digital learning modules will not replace the present community based format, it will be incorporated into the X-ray technology program, and be a consistent resource for the students and graduates.”

In collaboration with Cambrian College and the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win began developing Basic Radiography digital learning objects and online courseware in Nov. 2007 to help support the training of remote First Nations community members to become proficient Basic Radiological Technicians, who will be qualified to do chest, shoulder, and upper and lower limb X-rays on patients in their communities upon graduation.

“We teach students with a variety of educational backgrounds, from Community Health Workers to Community Health Representatives to Caretakers,” says Radiation Safety Officer and Instructor Liz McLeod, noting that the program has been delivered since the early 1990’s through seven weeks of community-based classes spread over one or two years. “The students’ commitment to their community shines through in their successes within the program.”

The new digital learning tools are designed to provide the students, who are already working within the Nursing Station environment, with a number of visual aids including video narratives of proper X-ray techniques in Cree and other languages.

“At the end of the project, students will have access to these learning tools to help them practice basic radiography in their communities,” says eLearning Coordinator Gordon Kakegamic. “The X-ray technicians can show the videos to their patients before their X-ray so they will know what to expect during the examination.”

Training with the visual aids will improve the X-ray technicians’ skills and lead to less repeat X-rays, McLeod explains.

Eleven people are currently enrolled in the program, including Drusilla Keetash from Mishkeegogamang and Sandra Meekis from Sandy Lake.

“It’s a good program,” Keetash says. “The instruction is to the point; nothing is too complicated to understand.”

Both students currently have other Radiological Technician graduates in their communities who provide support for their training, which requires the completion of 65 X-rays.

“The only time I can do an X-ray is when they are in the building with me,” Meekis says. “But sometimes I get nervous with crying babies. I always tell children it’s not going to hurt. They get terrified when they see all the machines.”

While the X-ray machines being used in each community may vary, from a digital X-ray machine in Sandy Lake to an old film-type X-ray machine in Mishkeegogamang, the end resuts are the same: less travel to larger centres for relatively minor X-rays.

Mishkeegogamang’s X-ray films are sent to Sioux Lookout by transport truck while