Online master's degree in education for healthcare professionals: early outcomes of a new program.
BACKGROUND
The Online Master's Degree in Education for Healthcare Professionals program, a collaboration of the University of Cincinnati Colleges of Medicine and Education, was launched nationally in 2002. The purpose of this survey-based, descriptive study was to describe the early outcomes of this new program.


METHODS
Surveys were sent via email to 32 eligible students (students who have completed at least 6 of 12 required courses in the program) which included all 8 graduates.


RESULTS
Based on 21 returns (66%) participants have had 19 journal publications, 99 national presentations, 13 teaching awards, 5 promotions, and acquisition of extramural funding for educational projects totaling over $3 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on early results, graduates of the program are productive in academic medical education. We anticipate that graduates of the program will have a significant impact on medical education and will achieve promotion and advancement at their institutions.
D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D020375:Education, Distance; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods; D005178:Faculty; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017145:Models, Educational; D009820:Ohio; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods