Electronic Medical Education Effect on Learner Application of Health Care Knowledge in Iran

Background: Like most of countries, medical education in Iran consists of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education (CME). The use of Internet technologies, have been integrated into all three level of medical education. The effect of Electronic medical education on application of health care knowledge in compare with traditional medical education could show the effectiveness of program.

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of E-Learning on application level of knowledge &clinical reasoning issues as compared to lecture-based learning in a medical education program.

Study Design and Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in scientific meetings for 68 Physicians. Knowledge assessment tests were performed before and immediately after E-Learning and lecture-based educational session.

Results: A significant improvement at the application level of knowledge & clinical reasoning was found in both groups (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the E-Learning & traditional educational approaches. Course completers had significant improvements in application level of health care knowledge.

Conclusion: The effect of E-Learning in medical education and on learner basic knowledge, application of health care knowledge in response to clinical vignettes is comparable to a lecture-based approach. Therefore, E-Learning can be effective in all levels of Medical Education, and it will enable Physicians to have a self-directed learning with choosing the place and time of their lifelong learning process.