BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: New technologies and widespread Internet access make Web-based education feasible for family medicine predoctoral programs. Offering educational activities and resources through the Web can support community-based education and improve communication. We assessed the status of Web-based education nationally and explored the interest and opportunities for collaboration. METHODS: A survey assessed the inclusion of Web-based educational methods in family medicine predoctoral programs and school-wide programs, the level of national interest in collaborative development, and common obstacles to progress. The survey was mailed to all US family medicine predoctoral directors. RESULTS: The response rate was 61%. Results showed nearly universal use of e-mail and Web pages. The most common educational use of the Internet was posting text information. One third of the responding programs used the Web for evaluation. Barriers to development of Web-based educational programs are faculty time and funding. Most respondents were interested in collaborative Web development and would value a national, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine-based network for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Web-based educational activities are commonly offered by family medicine programs. To realize the full potential of Web-based education, collaborative development of new methods and materials will be needed to overcome the limiting factors of faculty time and funding.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: New technologies and widespread Internet access make Web-based education feasible for family medicine predoctoral programs. Offering educational activities and resources through the Web can support community-based education and improve communication. We assessed the status of Web-based education nationally and explored the interest and opportunities for collaboration. METHODS: A survey assessed the inclusion of Web-based educational methods in family medicine predoctoral programs and school-wide programs, the level of national interest in collaborative development, and common obstacles to progress. The survey was mailed to all US family medicine predoctoral directors. RESULTS: The response rate was 61%. Results showed nearly universal use of e-mail and Web pages. The most common educational use of the Internet was posting text information. One third of the responding programs used the Web for evaluation. Barriers to development of Web-based educational programs are faculty time and funding. Most respondents were interested in collaborative Web development and would value a national, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine-based network for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Web-based educational activities are commonly offered by family medicine programs. To realize the full potential of Web-based education, collaborative development of new methods and materials will be needed to overcome the limiting factors of faculty time and funding.