title: A comparison between three electronic media and in-person learning for continuing education in physical rehabilitation.
abstract: We produced continuing education material in physical rehabilitation using a variety of electronic media. We compared four methods of delivering the learning modules: in person with a computer projector, desktop videoconferencing, Web pages and CD-ROM. Health-care workers at eight community hospitals and two nursing homes were asked to participate in the project. A total of 394 questionnaires were received for all modalities: 73 for in-person sessions, 50 for desktop conferencing, 227 for Web pages and 44 for CD-ROM. This represents a 100% response rate from the in-person, desktop conferencing and CD-ROM groups; the response rate for the Web group is unknown, since the questionnaires were completed online. Almost all participants found the modules to be helpful in their work. The CD-ROM group gave significantly higher ratings than the Web page group, although all four learning modalities received high ratings. A combination of all four modalities would be required to provide the best possible learning opportunity.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Research and Development, The Rehabilitation Centre, 505 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M2, Canada. elemaire@rohcg.on.ca
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lemaire
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000193:education*; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*