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The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, Z-Y; Zhang, L-J; Liu, Y-H; Jiang, W-X; Jia, J-Y; Tang, S-L; Liu, X-Y
Published in: Infect Dis Poverty
May 18, 2021

BACKGROUND: Given the context of rapid technological change and COIVD-19 pandemics, E-learning may provide a unique opportunity for addressing the challenges in traditional face-to-face continuing medical education (CME). However, the effectiveness of E-learning in CME interventions remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether E-learning training program can improve TB health personnel's knowledge and behaviour in China. METHODS: This study used a convergent mixed method research design to evaluate the impact of E-learning programs for tuberculosis (TB) health workers in terms of knowledge improvement and behaviour change during the China-Gates TB Project (add the time span). Quantitative data was collected by staff surveys (baseline n = 555; final n = 757) and management information systems to measure the demographic characteristics, training participation, and TB knowledge. Difference-in-difference (DID) and multiple linear regression models were employed to capture the effectiveness of knowledge improvement. Qualitative data was collected by interviews (n = 30) and focus group discussions (n = 44) with managers, teachers, and learners to explore their learning experience. RESULTS: Synchronous E-learning improved the knowledge of TB clinicians (average treatment effect, ATE: 7.3 scores/100, P = 0.026). Asynchronous E-learning has a significant impact on knowledge among primary care workers (ATE: 10.9/100, P < 0.001), but not in clinicians or public health physicians. Traditional face-to-face training has no significant impact on all medical staff. Most of the learners (57.3%) agreed that they could apply what they learned to their practice. Qualitative data revealed that high quality content is the key facilitator of the behaviour change, while of learning content difficulty, relevancy, and hardware constraints are key barriers. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of E-learning in CME varies across different types of training formats, organizational environment, and target audience. Although clinicians and primary care workers improved their knowledge by E-learning activities, public health physicians didn't benefit from the interventions.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Infect Dis Poverty

DOI

EISSN

2049-9957

Publication Date

May 18, 2021

Volume

10

Issue

1

Start / End Page

72

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tuberculosis
  • Humans
  • Health Personnel
  • Education, Medical, Continuing
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction
  • China
 

Citation

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Wang, Z.-Y., Zhang, L.-J., Liu, Y.-H., Jiang, W.-X., Jia, J.-Y., Tang, S.-L., & Liu, X.-Y. (2021). The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China. Infect Dis Poverty, 10(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00855-y
Wang, Zi-Yue, Li-Jie Zhang, Yu-Hong Liu, Wei-Xi Jiang, Jing-Yun Jia, Sheng-Lan Tang, and Xiao-Yun Liu. “The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China.Infect Dis Poverty 10, no. 1 (May 18, 2021): 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00855-y.
Wang Z-Y, Zhang L-J, Liu Y-H, Jiang W-X, Jia J-Y, Tang S-L, et al. The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China. Infect Dis Poverty. 2021 May 18;10(1):72.
Wang, Zi-Yue, et al. “The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China.Infect Dis Poverty, vol. 10, no. 1, May 2021, p. 72. Pubmed, doi:10.1186/s40249-021-00855-y.
Wang Z-Y, Zhang L-J, Liu Y-H, Jiang W-X, Jia J-Y, Tang S-L, Liu X-Y. The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China. Infect Dis Poverty. 2021 May 18;10(1):72.
Journal cover image

Published In

Infect Dis Poverty

DOI

EISSN

2049-9957

Publication Date

May 18, 2021

Volume

10

Issue

1

Start / End Page

72

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tuberculosis
  • Humans
  • Health Personnel
  • Education, Medical, Continuing
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction
  • China