Implementation and evaluation of a medical informatics distance education program

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Continuing education in medical informatics is crucial for mid-career professionals.
• Existing educational models may not meet the needs of this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate distance learning courses in medical informatics.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of remote education in this specialized field.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a needs assessment to gauge interest and preferred topics.
• Developed and delivered courses using streaming audio, slides, and discussion boards.
• Evaluated student learning through tests, papers, and examinations.

Main Results:

• High interest was found in medical informatics distance learning, particularly in electronic medical records and outcomes research.
• Students reported strong satisfaction with course content, teaching methods, and system performance.
• Distance learning students demonstrated superior performance compared to on-campus peers.

Conclusions:

• Distance learning is a viable and effective method for delivering medical informatics education.
• The program achieved favorable student satisfaction and demonstrated learning outcomes.
• A graduate certificate program in medical informatics is now being implemented based on these successful findings.