A pilot evaluation of distance education modalities for health workers in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands

Healthcare workers in many parts of the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) have limited access to continuing education. Barriers to traditional on-site continuing education programs include the diversity of educational needs, limited health staffing, the distances between islands and associated high travel costs. A pilot evaluation of distance education modalities was conducted among USAPI healthcare workers.

Three distance education modalities (live videoconference, live audioconference and a recorded computer-based format) were evaluated in comparison to live lecture during two separate half-day educational programs in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, in June 2004. Participants from the USAPI included 59 nurses, doctors, dentists and other healthcare workers who were assigned to different educational modalities for two training modules (diabetes/oral health and metabolic syndrome). We conducted pre-and post-tests and obtained participant feedback.

Comparison of pre-test and post-test scores showed statistically significant score increases among the live lecture and videoconference group for the diabetes/oral health module and among all three distance education modalities for the metabolic syndrome module. Participants expressed a high degree of interest in each of the distance education modalities. Computer-based training was well-accepted even by health workers with little prior computer experience.

This pilot study validates the ongoing development and evaluation of distance education resources as part of a comprehensive approach to improving continuing education in the USAPI. The results have been used to guide continuing education efforts in the region.