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Evaluation of a national evidence‐based health care course via teleconference in a developing country
Author(s) -
Macedo Cristiane Rufino,
Macedo Elizeu Coutinho,
Torloni Maria Regina,
Atallah Álvaro Nagib
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of evaluation in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.737
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2753
pISSN - 1356-1294
DOI - 10.1111/jep.12063
Subject(s) - teleconference , medical education , health care , sample (material) , medicine , psychology , family medicine , multimedia , computer science , political science , chemistry , chromatography , law
Rationale, aims and objectives Continuing health education is essential but challenged. In 2006, the B razilian C ochrane C enter, in collaboration with the M inistry of H ealth, launched a mass teaching initiative in evidence‐based health care ( EBH ) for public‐sector professionals via teleconferencing. This 152‐hour, interactive EBH course has enrolled over 4500 professionals. This study aimed to assess the acquisition EBH knowledge and skills, as well as the attitudes and perceptions of a sample of students enrolled in the 2009 course via teleconferencing. Methods This prospective cohort study analyzed three aspects of this 152‐hour EBH course that recruited 1040 volunteer participants, all public health sector employees working in 131 different hospitals or health agencies. Pre‐ and post‐course tests using a modified version of the B erlin questionnaire with 20 multiple‐choice questions were used to examine knowledge acquisition in a sample of 297 students. Tests were completed upon registration and at course completion. The research projects submitted by 872 participants were evaluated to assess skill acquisition. Answers to an anonymous survey assessed the attitudes and perceptions of 914 participants. Results There was a significant increase in knowledge from baseline to course completion (mean scores 8.2 ± 3.3 versus 13.7 ± 3.0, P < 0.001). Over 90% of the research projects were judged to be of adequate quality (appropriate rationale for the study, well‐formulated research question and feasible execution); over 95% of the participants were satisfied with the course. Conclusion The B razilian EBH course via teleconference improved the knowledge and skills of public‐sector health professionals and was approved by the vast majority of students.