title: Innovations and issues in the delivery of continuing education to nurse practitioners in rural and northern communities.
abstract: This paper addresses the need to provide rural nurse practitioners (NPs) with the distance education that is considered vital to the upgrading of their professional skills. The method of delivering the courses is a critical aspect of their success. The authors trace and describe the innovative delivery of the Rural Ontario Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education Initiative, from the initial needs assessment study through to the implementation and evaluation study. In each study, a multi-method action research model was used. The respondents showed a preference for face-to-face modalities that were perceived to be constrained by barriers. These barriers were subsequently addressed by the pilot project. Those living in rural areas recognized the benefits of information technologies. Implementation was effectively weighted on multiple modes of online course delivery and the use of constructivist pedagogy. The findings suggest that the delivery of continuing education to rural and remote NPs is still wrought with challenges.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tilleczek
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pong
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caty
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D020375:Education, Distance; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires