title: Blended learning in CME: the perception of GP trainers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blended learning (the combination of electronic methods with traditional teaching methods) has the potential to combine the best of traditional education with the best of computer-mediated training. We chose to develop such an intervention for GP trainers who were undertaking a Continuing Medical Education (CME) course in evidence-based medicine (EBM). This study reports on our experience and investigated the factors influencing the perception on usefulness and logistics of blended learning for learners in CME.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 170 GP trainers participated in the intervention. We used questionnaires, observations during the four face-to-face meetings and evaluations in the e-course over one year. Additionally we organised focus groups to gain insight in some of the outcomes of the questionnaires and interpretations of the observations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GP trainers found the design and the educational method (e-course in combination with meetings) attractive, instructive and complementary. Factors influencing their learning were (1) educational design, (2) educational method, (3) topic of the intervention, (4) time (planning), (5) time (intervention), (6) learning style, (7) technical issues, (8) preconditions and (9) level of difficulty. A close link between daily practice and the educational intervention was considered an important precondition for the success of the intervention in this group of learners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GP trainers were positive about blended learning: they found e-learning a useful way to gain knowledge and the meetings a pleasant way of transferring the knowledge into practice. Although some preconditions should be taken into consideration during its development and implementation, they would participate in similarly designed learning in the future.
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Te Pas
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Meinema
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M R M
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Dijk
mesh_terms: D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Evidence based medicine; blended learning; continuous medical education