title: Online role-playing for faculty development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been a rapid growth of online teaching in the past few years, yet the implementation of role-play for formal educational activities in an online setting is growing more slowly. The use of online role-playing for the development of health professions educators is virtually un-documented in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the project reported here we use role-playing as a method to motivate and increase active participation in an online web-based discussion on community-based medical education (CBME). The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education & Research (FAIMER(®) ) Institute hosts virtual group discussions for fellows as part of its fellowship programmes, in order to deepen their knowledge base in health professions education and research. In June 2008, a group of seven FAIMER(®) fellows and faculty members moderated an online discussion on CBME using an online role-play exercise with other fellows and faculty members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 102 fellows, 36 (35.3%) participated actively, which exceeded the typical percentage of list server participation. In addition, a rich discussion resulted in a comprehensive report on the goals, challenges, logistical components, role of Health Ministry policy and the possible ethical mandate of CBME in developing countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online role-play encouraged distributed participation among a highly diverse international group of participants, supporting the conclusion that role-playing can be used effectively with mid-career health professional faculty members in the online environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad, Pakistan. zladhani@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ladhani
authors.forename: Jugesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chhatwal
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.forename: Mobeen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diserens
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009042:Motivation; D015143:Philadelphia; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012381:Role Playing; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*