An evaluative case study of online learning for healthcare professionals.

Background: This evaluation study assessed the pedagogical and instructional design (e-pedagogy) effectiveness of online continuing professional education (CPE) courses offered by a large Australian CPE provider.

Methods: A naturalistic theory approach and a multilevel evaluation were used to examine the impact of web-based learning on more than 300 healthcare professionals. Participant satisfaction, learning achievement, self-reported practice performance change, and e-pedagogical courseware characteristics were assessed by various qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

Results: Findings revealed that learning online was an effective means for increasing CPE knowledge (p < .05) and improving self-reported practice performance change (p < .05). Courses containing a clinical tool resulted in an increased self-reported practice performance change over courses that did not (Zobs = 3.757).

Conclusion: Online CPE offers a convenient format for healthcare professionals from educationally and geographically diverse populations to update their knowledge and view best practice.