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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2008 Aug;58(5):370-2.
doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqn053. Epub 2008 May 20.

Effectiveness of e-learning in continuing medical education for occupational physicians

Nathalie I R Hugenholtz  1 , Einar M de Croon, Paul B Smits, Frank J H van Dijk, Karen Nieuwenhuijsen
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of e-learning in continuing medical education for occupational physicians

Nathalie I R Hugenholtz et al. Occup Med (Lond). 2008 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Within a clinical context e-learning is comparable to traditional approaches of continuing medical education (CME). However, the occupational health context differs and until now the effect of postgraduate e-learning among occupational physicians (OPs) has not been evaluated.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of e-learning on knowledge on mental health issues as compared to lecture-based learning in a CME programme for OPs.

Methods: Within the context of a postgraduate meeting for 74 OPs, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Test assessments of knowledge were made before and immediately after an educational session with either e-learning or lecture-based learning.

Results: In both groups, a significant gain in knowledge on mental health care was found (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two educational approaches.

Conclusion: The effect of e-learning on OPs' mental health care knowledge is comparable to a lecture-based approach. Therefore, e-learning can be beneficial for the CME of OPs.

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