Effectiveness of e-learning in continuing medical education for occupational physicians
Open Access
- 20 May 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Occupational Medicine
- Vol. 58 (5), 370-372
- https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqn053
Abstract
Background Within a clinical context e-learning is comparable to traditional approaches of continuing medical education (CME). However, the occupational health context differs and until now the effect of postgraduate e-learning among occupational physicians (OPs) has not been evaluated. Aim To evaluate the effect of e-learning on knowledge on mental health issues as compared to lecture-based learning in a CME programme for OPs. Methods Within the context of a postgraduate meeting for 74 OPs, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Test assessments of knowledge were made before and immediately after an educational session with either e-learning or lecture-based learning. Results In both groups, a significant gain in knowledge on mental health care was found (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two educational approaches. Conclusion The effect of e-learning on OPs' mental health care knowledge is comparable to a lecture-based approach. Therefore, e-learning can be beneficial for the CME of OPs.This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- European dissemination of a web- and case-based learning system for occupational medicine: NetWoRM EuropeInternationales Archiv für Arbeitsmedizin, 2007
- Comparison of the Instructional Efficacy of Internet-Based CME With Live Interactive CME WorkshopsJAMA, 2005
- A review of evaluation outcomes of web-based continuing medical educationMedical Education, 2005
- Systematic Review: The Relationship between Clinical Experience and Quality of Health CareAnnals of Internal Medicine, 2005
- Information demands of occupational health physicians and their attitude towards evidence-based medicineScandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 2004
- eLearning: A review of Internet-based continuing medical educationJournal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 2004
- On-site to on-line: Barriers to the use of computers for continuing educationJournal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 2000