Family physician's adoption of innovations in distance learning

The aim of this study was to investigate the use and receptivity of distance education to meet the Continuing Medical Education needs of family physicians in Tennessee. The researcher conducted a survey of the entire population of members of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians. She collected a measure of specific outcomes using a Liket scale, along with demographic data. A chi-square analysis was used to determine association and significance. A response rate of 55 % was achieved. Most responding family physicians perceived that CME activities affect their practice of medicineThe data found that the CME activity must be relevant, applicable, and the content and quality important to the learner for participation by distance education. Respondents indicated that the most widely accepted and most utilized modality was audiotapes for distance education for CME. Computer usage via the Internet, CD ROM and email are emerging; they are being used more frequently and have a higher degree of receptivity by family physicians then non-computer generated modalities. The researcher concluded that specialized marketing efforts, additional development of online web-based courses, CD ROMs, and other modes of distance education delivery could change the level of interest in using distance education as a viable option for CME.