On-site to on-line: barriers to the use of computers for continuing education.
BACKGROUND
Continuing education/continuing medical education (CE/CME) programs that adopt self-directed, computer-based instruction formats via the Internet or CD-ROM can ease the demands placed on clinicians who are required by licensing boards to accumulate CE/CME credits as part of their career-long learning. Despite the benefits and availability of computer-based instruction, on-site programs still dominate current CE/CME delivery modes. In order to increase the use of computer-based CE/CME programs, it is important to identify the barriers that inhibit their use.


METHODS
A survey was conducted to assess the practices, preferences, and barriers to use of CE/CME delivery methods among physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in Nevada.


RESULTS
Of 3,213 surveys sent, 1,120 were completed and returned for an overall response rate of 35%. In-person conferences (93%) and print-based methods (66%) were the most frequently reported methods of acquiring CE/CME. The majority of respondents had access to computer-based technologies. Respondents with more years in clinical practice were less likely to have access to or to use computer-based technologies. The top three preferred CE/CME delivery modes, in rank order, were in-person conferences, print-based self-study, and CD-ROM. The least preferred method of receiving CE/CME was interactive audioconference (telephone conference calls). "Not knowing how" was the most frequently reported reason for not using the Internet for computer-based training and the second most frequent reason for not using a CD-ROM.


CONCLUSIONS
Program planners may wish to offer training in new technologies during on-site conferences, provide CD-ROMs as take-home instructional materials, or promote technology awareness in other ways to help clinicians prepare for changes in the electronic delivery of health care and education.
Department of Health Science, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95102-0052, USA.
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D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D016251:CD-ROM; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003625:Data Collection; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009505:Nevada