Finding Balance in a Digital World: Lessons from Reconnected and What It Means for Healthcare Education

As someone deeply immersed in the world of digital education, I’m always on the lookout for insights that can help us create more meaningful learning experiences. Recently, I picked up a book that stopped me in my tracks: Reconnected by Carlos Whittaker (check it out here). It’s not your typical read about instructional design or eLearning trends, but it’s one that I believe has profound implications for how we approach training and development in healthcare.

Whittaker, a best-selling author, embarked on a bold experiment in the summer of 2022: seven weeks entirely screen-free. He split his time between a monastery, an Amish farm, and his family home, stripping away phones, computers, and all the digital noise that defines modern life. What emerged from this journey is a beautifully told story blended with practical wisdom about resetting our relationship with screens and rediscovering real connection. It’s a narrative that resonates in a world where we’re always on, always plugged in, and—paradoxically—often more disconnected than ever.

I couldn’t put the book down. Whittaker’s experiment isn’t something most of us can replicate (I mean, who has seven weeks to unplug completely?), but his reflections hit home. He talks about cutting through the polarizing noise of social media to build genuine community, rediscovering the joy of noticing the world beyond our devices, and even embracing boredom and solitude as catalysts for self-discovery. These aren’t just personal revelations—they’re ideas that can transform how we think about learning, especially in a field like healthcare where connection, empathy, and focus are non-negotiable.

At Pivto Better Learning, we’re passionate about crafting eLearning solutions that empower healthcare professionals. Our work lives in the digital space, and we see its incredible value: accessibility, scalability, and the ability to deliver critical knowledge exactly when it’s needed. But Reconnected reminded me that digital tools are just one part of the equation. As instructional designers, we have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to think beyond the screen. How do we blend the best of digital education with the irreplaceable power of in-person interaction?

Healthcare training isn’t just about transferring information; it’s about building skills, fostering collaboration, and nurturing the human connection that drives patient care. Whittaker’s story pushes us to ask: Are we designing experiences that balance the convenience of eLearning with the depth of real-world engagement? Could a hybrid approach—pairing our digital modules with hands-on practice or peer-to-peer learning—unlock even greater impact for the clinicians, administrators, and support staff we serve?

I’m not suggesting we abandon our screens (we’d be out of a job!), but I am inspired to rethink how we integrate them. Maybe it’s about encouraging learners to step away from their devices after a module to reflect or discuss with a colleague. Maybe it’s about designing moments of “digital detox” within a course to let critical concepts sink in. The value of both worlds—digital and in-person—isn’t mutually exclusive; it’s complementary.

Reconnected has me buzzing with ideas for how we can evolve our work at Pivto. It’s a reminder that while our expertise lies in leveraging technology, our ultimate goal is to facilitate learning that sticks, inspires, and connects. I’d love to hear your thoughts—how do you see the balance of digital and in-person learning playing out in your healthcare training programs? Drop me a note or leave a comment below.

Until next time, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what better learning can be—on and off the screen.

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