[The Internet:an alternative to face-to-face training for teachers in remote locations?].
OBJECTIVE
For some family medicine supervisors working in rural and remote areas, access to face-to-face training is problematic. They need distance training programs designed specifically for them.


OBJECTIVE
To study the advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility of a training program for these supervisors that is delivered over the Internet.


METHODS
This was a pilot project for international on-line training consisting of a platform of courses and a collaborative type of Web conferencing that ran for 2 hours each week for 5 weeks. The training focused on the acquisition of teaching skills and the use of information and communications technology, and included discussions on topics related to practising and teaching in rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Such a program is feasible and economical. The main difficulties are recruiting participants, keeping them in the program, and the amount of time spent on development and supervision. Participants who persevered reported high levels of satisfaction. The content of this type of training, barriers to participation, and the role of distance education in rural supervisor training programs remain to be explored.
Gagnon
Suzanne
S
Département de médecine familiale, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. suzanne.gagnon@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Minguet
Cassian
C
D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013685:Telecommunications