title: Distance learning in the public health workplace.
abstract: The Master of Applied Epidemiology (MAE) Program implemented in Canberra to produce public health practitioners with specified competencies in the control of communicable diseases. Twenty one of the 24 months of training is distance learning defined as, 'where the learner is physically remote from the training institution'. During this time the trainees are in supervised employment in Public Health centres across the country. Here they learn directly from first hand experiences in the work place. They return to Canberra for short, intensive periods of interactive sessions with their peers and supervisors. Lessons learnt from conducting this program are discussed in this article. They include: all trainees are not suited to this form of training; the quality of support from the field supervisors is highly variable and their role in modelling crucial to the trainees performance; demands on the academic staff is high; and the frequency of contact between trainee and academic supervisor varies considerably. To date this program has made major contributions by enhancing communicable disease surveillance and control but it demands intensive resources to sustain, quality training, and support. This model of distance learning can be adapted in the Pacific both for graduate degree courses and also for continuing education for all levels of health professionals.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. mahomed.patel@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education*