Survey of Distance Learning Provision in Continuing Health Professional Education in Canada

Abstract

In Canada, the trend is towards greater use of distance learning technologies in the provision of continuing professional education in the health professions. Lack of access to professional development is a common deterrent to practice in rural and remote areas. Distance learning technologies have an important role to play in addressing the professional isolation challenges experienced by rural and remote health care providers. This article examines the state of distance learning provision among Canadian providers of continuing health professional education. The survey population included academic institutions, national/provincial health professional associations and non-profit health advocacy organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and hospital/health care authority organizations. The results provide a greater understanding of the state of distance learning provision among providers of continuing health professional education in Canada and suggest a number of means to foster distance learning opportunities for rural health care provider.