OBJECTIVES: To fulfill a need for convenient and effective continuing education for pharmacists throughout Wisconsin by developing a pharmacy continuing education program using 2 different methods for distance education: audio teleconferencing and CD-ROM. METHODS: Eighty pharmacists were recruited from a 2003 University of Wisconsin distance education program, 47 of whom participated in the course using the traditional audio teleconference method, and 33 of whom participated using a home study CD-ROM containing the same material presented in the teleconference. Volunteers were required to complete a pretest, a first posttest immediately following completion of the continuing education course, a second posttest 1 month following the conclusion of the course, and an evaluation. RESULTS: The CD-ROMs were a more acceptable method for distance education than audio teleconferencing and resulted in better retention of the course information. CONCLUSION: These study results can help coordinators of continuing pharmaceutical education programs to determine the most effective and acceptable method for future distance-education opportunities.
OBJECTIVES: To fulfill a need for convenient and effective continuing education for pharmacists throughout Wisconsin by developing a pharmacy continuing education program using 2 different methods for distance education: audio teleconferencing and CD-ROM. METHODS: Eighty pharmacists were recruited from a 2003 University of Wisconsin distance education program, 47 of whom participated in the course using the traditional audio teleconference method, and 33 of whom participated using a home study CD-ROM containing the same material presented in the teleconference. Volunteers were required to complete a pretest, a first posttest immediately following completion of the continuing education course, a second posttest 1 month following the conclusion of the course, and an evaluation. RESULTS: The CD-ROMs were a more acceptable method for distance education than audio teleconferencing and resulted in better retention of the course information. CONCLUSION: These study results can help coordinators of continuing pharmaceutical education programs to determine the most effective and acceptable method for future distance-education opportunities.