Evaluation of a satellite educational program

To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program using a combination of live satellite programming and individualized instruction. A secondary goal was to develop an evaluation strategy that would be useful to other educators who provide distance-based educational programs.

A program designed for public health officers who would serve as laboratory directors in local public health laboratories was presented live by satellite in June 1993.

The course emphasized good laboratory practice as needed to direct a laboratory performing moderate complexity tests. Physicians who completed the course received 20 continuing medical education credits and qualified as laboratory directors under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA 88).

Increase in participants' knowledge of good laboratory practices and application of the practices in their laboratories.

Participant satisfaction levels in areas ranging from quality of the video transmission to meeting the course objectives were favorable. Participants demonstrated a significant gain in scores on a test given before and after the course. Problem solving exercises posed during the telecast demonstrated that the participants were actively involved and had completed the self-study material. A sample of participants surveyed several months after the course indicated that many had applied the course material in their workplaces.

Distance-based education using a combination of interactive videoconferencing and self-study material can be a useful tool to enhance cognitive skills for a geographically diverse group of individuals. If carefully planned in advance, evaluation of distance-based educational programs can provide information that verifies the effectiveness of the program.