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Educação a distância mediada pela internet: "Linfonodo sentinela, prevenção, diagnóstico precoce e biópsia - nova técnica de abordagem do câncer de mama" Internet-conducted distance education: "Sentinel lymph node, prevention, early diagnosis and biopsy - a new technique for approaching breast cancer"OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de um curso na modalidade "Educação a distância mediada pela internet". MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi utilizado o curso "Linfonodo sentinela, prevenção, diagnóstico precoce e biópsia - nova técnica de abordagem do câncer de mama" como modelo de aplicação. O material didático para a modalidade "Educação a distância" foi elaborado visando a um público composto por médicos envolvidos com o tratamento do câncer de mama. O curso foi estruturado em ambiente virtual de aprendizagem, um espaço virtual que permitiu a interação entre os participantes. RESULTADOS: A duração do curso foi de 12 semanas. Iniciou-se com nove participantes, médicos ginecologistas com pelo menos oito anos de experiência profissional. Todos os alunos participaram de alguma forma, dois realizaram exercícios e interagiram. O alcance do curso pelo método atingiu quatro estados e oito municípios. Não ocorreu adesão integral dos alunos, apesar de a maioria permanecer até o fim do curso. Possivelmente, não houve motivação suficiente para participação nas atividades propostas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostram que é necessário quebrar as barreiras da falta de cultura relacionada a esta forma de aprendizagem. É fundamental a participação facilitadora do coordenador para integração e mobilização dos participantes.<br>OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at developing and delivering a course in the modality "Internet-conducted distance education". MATERIALS AND METHODS: The theme "Sentinel lymph node, prevention, early diagnosis and biopsy - a new technique for approaching breast cancer" was utilized as an application model, and the didactic material for distance-learning was targeted to a selected audience of physicians involved in the treatment of breast cancer. The course was structured in a virtual learning environment, allowing interaction among participating students. RESULTS: The coursework took place over a 12-week period. Nine gynecologists with at least eight years of professional experience participated in some way in the course, but only two of them accomplished exercises and interacted. In the distance-education modality, the course reached eight cities in four Brazilian states. A full engagement did not occur, although most of participants have remained until the end of the course. Possibly, there was a lack of motivation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that it is necessary to break the barriers to the culture related to this form of learning. A pro-active participation of the coordinator is essential for integrating and mobilizing the participants.
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Learner evaluation of an online continuing medical education course for general practitionersSocietal expectations for quality medical care have made it imperative that doctors undergo Continuing Medical Education (CME) to keep abreast of new developments in medicine. Taking cognizance of the potential of ‘Online Learning’, the OUSL offered an online CME course on cardiovascular health for physicians.The course purchased from Monash University, Australia was updated and adapted to suit the Sri Lankan context. The course which was available in print format was converted into an online format on the learning management system ‘Moodle’. While designing the online format, the course was enriched by using audio visual material, discussion forums, self assessment activities and an online reflective journal. Online assessments included a variety of assessment methods. The course team functioned as tutor mentors to facilitate learning.All learners (n=21) participated in the evaluation of the course by completing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire had 16 closed questions and seven open ended questions. Responses to the closed questions were gathered on a four point Likert scale. Frequencies were computed for closed questions and content analysis was carried out for open-ended questions.Learners perceived interactive and collaborative learning as the most liked features. They agreed that the audiovisual material enriched the course and that sessions were well structured, easy to understand and interesting. Some disliked essays and reflective writing while others suggested more interaction and audio-visual material to improve the course. Problems faced by learners were mainly of a technical nature. Finally, learners expressed an overall satisfaction with the course and thought that online learning was a rewarding experience. Learner evaluation showed that pedagogy, social environment and technical underpinning should be properly utilised in optimising learning in an online learning environment. The course had provided an enjoyable, satisfying and useful experience for physicians who lack the opportunity of undergoing face to face CME.
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Adapting online learning for Canada&#x0027;s Northern public health workforceBackground . Canada&#x0027;s North is a diverse, sparsely populated land, where inequalities and public health issues are evident, particularly for Aboriginal people. The Northern public health workforce is a unique mix of professional and paraprofessional workers. Few have formal public health education. From 2009 to 2012, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) collaborated with a Northern Advisory Group to develop and implement a strategy to strengthen public health capacity in Canada&#x0027;s 3 northern territories. Access to relevant, effective continuing education was identified as a key issue. Challenges include diverse educational and cultural backgrounds of public health workers, geographical isolation and variable technological infrastructure across the north. Methods . PHAC&#x0027;s Skills Online program offers Internet-based continuing education modules for public health professionals. In partnership with the Northern Advisory Group, PHAC conducted 3 pilots between 2008 and 2012 to assess the appropriateness of the Skills Online program for Northern/Aboriginal public health workers. Module content and delivery modalities were adapted for the pilots. Adaptations included adding Inuit and Northern public health examples and using video and teleconference discussions to augment the online self-study component. Results . Findings from the pilots were informative and similar to those from previous Skills Online pilots with learners in developing countries. Online learning is effective in bridging the geographical barriers in remote locations. Incorporating content on Northern and Aboriginal health issues facilitates engagement in learning. Employer support facilitates the recruitment and retention of learners in an online program. Facilitator assets included experience as a public health professional from the north, and flexibility to use modified approaches to support and measure knowledge acquisition and application, especially for First Nations, Inuit and Metis learners. Conclusions . Results demonstrate that appropriate adaptations to online professional development can provide practical, accessible means for a wide range of Northern/Aboriginal public health workers to acquire core competencies for public health.