In-office distance learning for practitioners

Abstract

Introduction: Distance learning studies involving orthodontic residents have shown that, although residents prefer being live and interactive with an instructor, they learn almost as much from watching a recorded interactive seminar followed by a live discussion. Our objective in this study was to test the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of using recorded interactive seminars and video conference follow-up discussions for in-office continuing education.

Methods: Four small groups of practitioners (total, n = 23) were asked to prepare for, view, and then discuss previously recorded interactive seminars on a variety of subjects; a fifth group (5 previous participants) had live discussions of 3 topics without viewing a prerecorded seminar. All discussions were via video conference through typical broadband Internet connections, by using either WebEx (Cisco, Santa Clara, Calif) or Elluminate (Pleasanton, Calif) software. The participants evaluated their experiences by rating presented statements on a 7-point Likert scale and by providing open-ended responses.

Results: Twenty-two of the 23 participants agreed (with varying degrees of enthusiasm) that this was an enjoyable, effective way to learn, and that they would like to participate in this type of learning in the future. Everyone agreed that they would recommend this method of learning to others. The age and experience of the participants had only minor effects on their perceptions of acceptance and acceptability.

Conclusions: The use of recorded seminars followed by live interaction through videoconferencing can be an acceptable and effective method of providing continuing education to the home or office of orthodontists in private practice, potentially saving them both time and travel expenses.