title: Doctors and nurses benefit from interprofessional online education in dermatology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benefits of online learning in the health sector have been demonstrated in previous studies. We examined the potential benefits of a joint web-based curriculum on atopic eczema for health personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enrolled doctors and nurses had access to the curriculum for 8 weeks. After the course learners completed a questionnaire. Two dermatologists rated the quality of the submitted homework assignments. Based on data from the project's budget and the Norwegian Medical Association, we estimated the saved travel expenses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-eight learners (46 doctors) registered for the course. We received 55 questionnaires (response rate 63%). Twenty-seven learners (31%; 16 doctors, 11 nurses; χ2 = 0.03; P = 0.87) used the discussion forum. We found no significant differences in the total questionnaire scores between doctors and nurses. The homework assignments were given an average score of 3.6 for doctors and 3.5 for nurses (P = 0.8) by rater 1. Rater 2 scored 3.9 and 3.6 for doctors and nurses respectively (P = 0.2). The break-even between travel/hotel expenses and course development costs occurred at 135 saved travel refund applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Doctors and nurses were equally satisfied with a joint web-based course on atopic eczema. The use of an online discussion forum was limited but similar between doctors and nurses. There were no significant differences in the quality of submitted homework assignments. The cost of developing the course was 716 841 NOK and the first 86 learners saved 455 198 NOK in travel expenses.
authors: Norwegian Centre for Integrated Care and Telemedicine, University Hospital of North-Norway, P,O, Box 6060, 9038 Tromsø, Norway. thomas.roger.schopf@telemed.no
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Schopf
authors: Vibeke
authors: V
authors: Flytkjær
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009664:Norway; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations