21/05/2012
Doctors.net.uk survey finds e-learning is a force for change in GP working practices
Doctors.net.uk survey finds e-learning is a force for change in GP working practices
Research from Doctors.net.uk – the UK’s largest and most active network of medical professionals – shows that online learning activities have a significant impact on the working practices of the majority of GPs.
Sixty percent of the 16,785 GPs across the UK who have studied at least one continuous professional development (CPD) module via Doctors.net.uk say they would change the way they work.
Furthermore, 29% of GPs who have completed these online learning modules say they would consider altering their working practices after seeking further information.
During the past 8 years, more than three-quarters of a million (848,399) online education modules and quizzes have been completed by Doctors.net.uk members. On average, each participating GP completed six modules.
Doctors.net.uk offers more than 191 different education modules, including case-based learning and quiz-based options. The most popular topics are equality and diversity, the management of anaphylaxis, hypertension in primary care and child protection.
Statistics show that in recent years more and more doctors have turned to digital channels for continuous professional development (CPD) and eight out of ten GPs now rate online learning as one of the most useful things about the Internet .
Online learning is rated more highly by GPs than lectures and peer reviewed journals - a survey of 460 GPs found that 61 per cent said that online learning was ‘very effective’ compared to 31% for lectures and 21% for reading medical journals.
Dr James Quekett, Director of Education Services at Doctors.net.uk, said: "This research provides clear evidence of the practical benefits that e-learning is bringing to GPs’ working practices.
‘The fact that so many GPs say they would change the way they work, or may consider doing so, as a direct result of completing an e-module shows that it really is challenging their thinking and playing a key role in helping to improve clinical practice."