How does tele-learning compare with other forms of education delivery? A systematic review of tele-learning educational outcomes for health professionals
Jo Tomlinson A E , Tim Shaw A , Ana Munro A , Ros Johnson B , D. Lynne Madden C , Rosemary Phillips D and Deborah McGregor AA Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney
B NSW Kids and Families, NSW Ministry of Health
C School of Medicine, Sydney, The University of Notre Dame (formerly Public Health Training and Workforce, NSW Ministry of Health)
D Statewide and Rural Health Service and Capital Planning, NSW Ministry of Health
E Corresponding author. Email: jo.tomlinson@sydney.edu.au
NSW Public Health Bulletin 24(2) 70-75 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB12076
Published: 7 November 2013
Abstract
Telecommuniciation technologies, including audio and videoconferencing facilities, afford geographically dispersed health professionals the opportunity to connect and collaborate with others. Recognised for enabling tele-consultations and tele-collaborations between teams of health care professionals and their patients, these technologies are also well suited to the delivery of distance learning programs, known as tele-learning. Aim: To determine whether tele-learning delivery methods achieve equivalent learning outcomes when compared with traditional face-to-face education delivery methods. Methods: A systematic literature review was commissioned by the NSW Ministry of Health to identify results relevant to programs applying tele-learning delivery methods in the provision of education to health professionals. Results: The review found few studies that rigorously compared tele-learning with traditional formats. There was some evidence, however, to support the premise that tele-learning models achieve comparable learning outcomes and that participants are generally satisfied with and accepting of this delivery method. Conclusion: The review illustrated that tele-learning technologies not only enable distance learning opportunities, but achieve comparable learning outcomes to traditional face-to-face models. More rigorous evidence is required to strengthen these findings and should be the focus of future tele-learning research.
References
[1] Maeder A. Telehealth Standards Directions Supporting Better Patient Care. HIC 2008 Conference: Australia's Health Informatics Conference. Melbourne, Vic. Health Informatics Society of Australia.[2] Currell R, Urquhart C, Wainwright P, Lewis R. Telemedicine versus face to face patient care: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000; CD002098
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3lsl2nsA%3D%3D&md5=40cf6efca33fc1bf470495aec069c43cCAS | 10796678PubMed |
[3] Moonen J. The efficiency of telelearning. J Asynchronous Learn Netw 1997; 1 68–77.
[4] Taylor JC. Distance education technologies: The fourth generation. Australian Journal of Education Technology 1995; 11 1–7.
[5] Naylor C, Madden DL, Neville L, Oong DJ. Pilot study of using a web and teleconference for the delivery of an Epi Info training session to public health units in NSW, 2005. N S W Public Health Bull Supplementary Series 2009; 20 22–37.
[6] Newman C, Martin E, McGarry DE, Cashin A. Survey of a videoconference community of professional development for rural and urban nurses. Rural Remote Health 2009; 9 1134
| 19382828PubMed |
[7] Sackett KM, Campbell-Heider N, Blyth JB. The evolution and evaluation of videoconferencing technology for graduate nursing education. Comput Inform Nurs 2004; 22 101–6.
| The evolution and evaluation of videoconferencing technology for graduate nursing education.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15520574PubMed |
[8] Stain SC, Mitchell M, Belue R, Mosely V, Wherry S, Adams CZ, et al. Objective assessment of videoconferenced lectures in a surgical clerkship. Am J Surg 2005; 189 81–4.
| Objective assessment of videoconferenced lectures in a surgical clerkship.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15701498PubMed |
[9] van Boxel P, Anderson K, Regnard C. The effectiveness of palliative care education delivered by videoconferencing compared with face-to-face delivery. Palliat Med 2003; 17 344–58.
| The effectiveness of palliative care education delivered by videoconferencing compared with face-to-face delivery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[10] Spickard A, Alrajeh N, Cordray D, Gigante J. Learning about screening using an online or live lecture: does it matter? J Gen Intern Med 2002; 17 540–5.
| Learning about screening using an online or live lecture: does it matter?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12133144PubMed |
[11] Solomon DJ, Ferenchick GS, Laird-Fick HS, Kavanagh K. A randomised trial comparing digital and live lecture formats. BMC Med Educ 2004; 4 27
| A randomised trial comparing digital and live lecture formats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15569389PubMed |
[12] Latour MA, Collodi P. Evaluating the performance and acceptance of teleconference instruction versus traditional teaching methods for undergraduate and graduate students. Poult Sci 2003; 82 36–9.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3s%2FmvFyrtg%3D%3D&md5=93cef735540e2e531467939f3fba509eCAS | 12580242PubMed |
[13] Loewen L, Seshia MM, Fraser Askin D, Cronin C, Roberts S. Effective delivery of neonatal stabilization education using videoconferencing in Manitoba. J Telemed Telecare 2003; 9 334–8.
| Effective delivery of neonatal stabilization education using videoconferencing in Manitoba.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3srpvFGrsw%3D%3D&md5=8f17b910fa1d8dad7ebfa56a1b683875CAS | 14680517PubMed |
[14] Markova T, Roth LM, Monsur J. Synchronous distance learning as an effective and feasible method for delivering residency didactics. Fam Med 2005; 37 570–5.
| 16145635PubMed |
[15] Kidd RS, Stamatakis MK. Comparison of students' performance in and satisfaction with a clinical pharmacokinetics course delivered live and by interactive videoconferencing. Am J Pharm Educ 2006; 70 10
| Comparison of students' performance in and satisfaction with a clinical pharmacokinetics course delivered live and by interactive videoconferencing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17136153PubMed |
[16] Bertsch TF, Callas PW, Rubin A, Caputo MP, Ricci MA. Effectiveness of lectures attended via interactive video conferencing versus in-person in preparing third-year internal medicine clerkship students for Clinical Practice Examinations (CPX). Teach Learn Med 2007; 19 4–8.
| 17330992PubMed |
[17] Kerns AS, McDonough JP, Groom JA, Kalynych NM, Hogan GT. Televideo conferencing: is it as effective as “in person” lectures for nurse anesthesia education. AANA J 2006; 74 19–21.
| 16483063PubMed |
[18] Chen T, Buenconsejo-Lum L, Braun KL, Higa C, Maskarinec GG. A Pilot Evaluation of Distance Education Modalities for Health Workers in the US – Affiliated Pacific Islands. Developing Human Resources in the Pacific 2007; 14 20–8.
[19] Haythornthwaite S. Videoconferencing training for those working with at-risk young people in rural areas of Western Australia. J Telemed Telecare 2002; 8 29–33.
| Videoconferencing training for those working with at-risk young people in rural areas of Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12661614PubMed |
[20] Umble KE, Cervero RM, Yang B, Atkinson WL. Effects of traditional classroom and distance continuing education: a theory-driven evaluation of a vaccine-preventable diseases course. Am J Public Health 2000; 90 1218–24.
| Effects of traditional classroom and distance continuing education: a theory-driven evaluation of a vaccine-preventable diseases course.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvhs1Cgtw%3D%3D&md5=98c3d791d234d7844cabf78b46de965eCAS | 10937000PubMed |
[21] Strehle EM, Earle G, Bateman B, Dickson K. Teaching medical students pediatric cardiovascular examination by telemedicine. Telemed J E Health 2009; 15 342–6.
| Teaching medical students pediatric cardiovascular examination by telemedicine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19441952PubMed |
[22] Birden H, Page S. Teaching by videoconference: a commentary on best practice for rural education in health professions. Rural Remote Health 2005; 5 356–63.
| 16004531PubMed |
