Abstract
BackgroundWe were unable to identify studies that have considered the diffusion of an e-learning programme among a large population of general practitioners. The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake of an e-learning programme introduced to General Practitioners as part of a nation-wide disseminated dementia guideline.MethodsA prospective study among all 3632 Danish GPs. The GPs were followed from the launching of the e-learning programme in November 2006 and 6 months forward. Main outcome measures: Use of the e-learning programme. A logistic regression model (GEE) was used to identify predictors for use of the e-learning programme.ResultsIn the study period, a total of 192 different GPs (5.3%) were identified as users, and 17% (32) had at least one re-logon. Among responders at first login most have learnt about the e-learning programme from written material (41%) or from the internet (44%). A total of 94% of the users described their ability of conducting a diagnostic evaluation as good or excellent. Most of the respondents used the e-learning programme due to general interest (90%). Predictors for using the e-learning programme were Males (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1; 2.0) and members of Danish College of General Practice (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5; 3.1), whereas age, experience and working place did not seem to be influential.ConclusionOnly few Danish GPs used the e-learning programme in the first 6 months after the launching. Those using it were more often males and members of Danish College of General Practice. Based on this study we conclude, that an active implementation is needed, also when considering electronic formats of CME like e-learning.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00392483.
Highlights
We were unable to identify studies that have considered the diffusion of an elearning programme among a large population of general practitioners
In 2001, only 2.7% of physicians in the United States used the Internet for Continuous Medical Education (CME) [2]
Due to the assumption that the use of e-learning programmes, as a source to CME, will increase in the future we found it of interest to study the diffusion of an e-learning programme
Summary
We were unable to identify studies that have considered the diffusion of an elearning programme among a large population of general practitioners. In 2001, only 2.7% of physicians in the United States used the Internet for Continuous Medical Education (CME) [2]. In the nonmedical literature it has been demonstrated that e-learning can result in significant cost-savings, sometimes as much as 50%, compared with traditional instructor-led learning [7]. Studies in both medical and non-medical literature have consistently demonstrated a high learner satisfaction with e-learning and the satisfaction rates increase with e-learning compared to traditional learning, along with perceived ease of use and access, navigation, interactivity, and user-friendly interface design [7]
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