Setting: This innovative educational programme was developed in the South African context for general practitioners (GPs).
Aim: This short report describes the process of designing an Internet-based distance education programme Mental Disorders in Primary Care.
Learning methods: The article discusses relevant educational principles and then describes four stages in the instructional design process: design, development, evaluation and revision.
Conclusion: The design and development of an Internet-based distance education programme for GPs in South Africa was a potent learning experience for me as an academic family physician with no prior experience in this area. I hope that this short report will assist other people and contribute to an ongoing dialogue on this topic.