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The WISDOM project: training primary care professionals in informatics in a collaborative 'virtual classroom'
1Institute of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Sheffield, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AY, UK.
Objectives:
The WISDOM project applies Internet technologies to create a virtual classroom in health informatics for primary care professionals. Participants use a facilitated E-mail discussion list supported by a web site which provides on-line resources and an archive of teaching materials.
Design:
The project took an adult-learning model in which participants identify their learning needs, emphasized using informatics skills in practice, and focused on skills likely to enhance evidence-based practice. The paper describes the project and an evaluation of the first programme which ran in 1997 with 28 participants. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were used to assess perceived skills in informatics and evidence-based practice.
Setting:
University of Sheffield.
Subjects:
Primary care professionals.
Results:
Participants reported statistically significant increases in eight informatics skills. There were no significant changes in evidence-based practice skills. The web-site, seminar programme and discussion list were highly rated as useful in delivering informatics training.
Conclusions:
The WISDOM approach is effective for the delivery of informatics training to primary care professionals, and may be used more widely for other subjects and professional groups. There is a need for further research into facilitating virtual classrooms.