title: Meeting the online educational needs of international health promoters: an evaluation of a comprehensive, multilingual global training program in tobacco control.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An evaluation of a global online training program in tobacco control offered in multiple languages was conducted to identify ways in which the varied online educational needs of its international participants could be more effectively met.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was administered to a sample of training participants to solicit feedback regarding course content and delivery. In addition, participants' training site usage patterns were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed high levels of satisfaction with training content and delivery, as well as of knowledge acquisition and utilization. Respondents indicated that it was important that course content be current and relevant to their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although findings are consistent with best practices for online continuing education, in practice it is challenging to keep material updated, incorporate examples and case studies from the participants' countries, and integrate adequate opportunities for interactivity when a course has geographically and linguistically diverse participants. Low-cost, technologically appropriate solutions should be developed to maximize the effectiveness of similar continuing education programs for health promoters worldwide.
authors: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Baltimore, Maryland, United States. mspires@jhsph.edu.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Spires
authors: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: capacity building; education; evaluation; health promotion; tobacco