The effect of distance education on knowledge and attitude of general practitioners who applied to participate in family physician program in urban areas of Isfahan province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Empowerment of general practitioners (GPs) applicant to participate in family physician (FP) program should be facilitated to achieve defined aims. This study aimed to assess the changes in knowledge and attitude marks of general practitioners before and after one distance education course. Methods: In a field randomized trial study containing control group in 2013 in Isfahan province, Iran, 140 general practitioners who applied to participate in family physician program in more than 20 thousands population urban areas were randomly selected and devided to 2 equal groups. In interventional group, booklets on health sector reform were given out but no intervention was done in control group. Both the two groups were assessed before and after the distribution of booklets about practitioners’ knowledge and attitude by a researcher designed questionnaire. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was 0.82. Data was analyzed using paired-t and mixed ANCOVA tests via SPSS software. Findings: 3 months after giving booklets out in intervention group, the mean of knowledge mark raised significantly from 6.33 ± 1.61 to 13.85 ± 2.03 (P < 0.05) and the mean of attitude mark improved significantly from 52.90 ± 3.00 to 66.14 ± 3.76 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in control group. The variables such as age, sex, service record and type of service of general practitioners had not correlation with changes in knowledge and attitude marks. Conclusion: After distance education, the general practitioners’ knowledge and attitude increased markedly. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.