How HFA’s New LMS Platform Will Benefit the Community

HFA Launches New Online Learning Platform to Provide Innovative Learning to Patients, Caregivers & More

By Emily A. Roush, HFA’s Learning Central Manager

Since 2020, online learning has transformed from a temporary solution for students to learn and organizations to communicate into a lasting and essential part of education, including education for the patient community.

While the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital platforms, proving that learning can happen anywhere, anytime, Hemophilia Federation of America was ahead of its time by creating its online learning platform prior to the pandemic. 

In the past, the HFA Education team launched The Institute, which was comprised of Learning Central to provide education to the bleeding disorders community and the general public, and internal learning for staff and member organization training. 

Today, HFA is continuing that tradition, addressing the changing needs of the community, and updating technology with changing innovations. When Learning Central began, the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of online education made it a permanent fixture, but technology changed quickly, and HFA had to adapt and update an outdated system. 

This fall, HFA re-launched Learning Central with a new learning management system (LMS). It allows the patient community, their family, general learners, teachers, coaches, and more to reenter the LMS and rediscover courses specifically about bleeding disorders. But this time, courses are easier to find, learning paths are easier to follow, and courses are supplemented with better handouts, resources, and coordinating educational webinars. All of this can be found within one place, so patients do not have to visit YouTube, a website, or any number of other locations. 

HFA chose Adobe Learning Manager as its LMS partner, which houses the courses using a trusted brand that is constantly evaluating and updating technology. This helps HFA’s learners to access the courses from any device at any time. 

Learn On Your Own Terms

For patients with rare diseases, online learning is meaningful because they face unique challenges that may be made more difficult due to limited access to specialized healthcare providers and educational resources in their local areas. 

Plus, with a complex, chronic condition, the ability to learn at their own pace empowers patients to understand their treatment and self-care when and where it works for them.

Learning Central provides accurate, up-to-date information that has been designed by and vetted by the HFA medical advisory team and subject matter experts. Those in the community can also find a supportive virtual community where others in the community share experiences and learn with a Community Chat feature that will become available in Learning Central by the end of 2025.

Participants can choose their own path, exploring topics of interest, and can select their own level, from the basics to more scientific. Topics include what blood is made of, causes of bleeding disorders, genetics, quality of life, and the clotting cascade. Instead of data mining all over the internet for information on bleeding disorders, learners can watch a basic animation or a longer, more scientific animation, or complete a full course —whatever fits their level of learning, interest, and time.

What’s Next

Through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, HFA will be redesigning each of its existing courses in a new design platform, as well as creating new courses and microlearning opportunities (shorter, easier to consume topics). The redesigned courses will include updating information and treatments with the latest research, plus they will help learners navigate the courses faster, include more videos and animations, and add accessibility features such as adjustable audio and captioning.

Visit the new Learning Central. Previous learners should create a new account. For those who already use Adobe products, they can log in with their Adobe account or create a new Adobe account to access the new platform for more information about logging in or learning central, email our team.