Evaluating the effectiveness of online Continuing medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives

The study determined the effects of online continuing medical education (CME) on the clinical competency, performance, and patient outcomes of physicians and other healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the topics of COVID-19 and back pain.

Methods

Survey studies on six online CME activities were conducted from April 2020 to February 2021 at a South Korean hospital. Surveys were conducted immediately after and three months after the CME activity to measure the effectiveness of the CME activity regarding professional competence and performance, as well as patient outcomes.

Results

A total of 624 individuals participated in the six CME activities. Of the 2007 post-activity responses, a total of 1135 out of 1332 (85.21%) participants indicated that they were satisfied with the online education activities, and a total of 1752 out of 2007 (87.29%) participants responded that the content would influence their clinical practice. Upon a three-month follow-up, 477 out of 611 (78.07%) respondents indicated that they had made actual changes to their clinical practice.

Conclusions

The online delivery method is effective for delivering CME. The results suggest that online CME ultimately influences physicians’ clinical competency and performance, which leads to enforcing change in clinical practice.

Keywords:

• Continuing medical education
• distance learning
• online education
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Editage (www.editage.co.kr) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Andrew Jang

Andrew Jang, LAc, BHSc, has over 8 years of clinical experience and works as a researcher and CME program manager at Jaseng Medical Academy, Seoul, Republic of Korea. He pursued his bachelor’s degree in health science and traditional Chinese medicine at the University of Technology Sydney. His research interests are in the field of acupuncture and medical education.

Me-riong Kim

Me-riong Kim, KMD, Ph.D., is a researcher at Jaseng Medical Academy, Seoul, Republic of Korea. She is a specialist Korean medicine doctor in rehabilitation, who completed her studies at Kyunghee University. Her interests are in the field of acupuncture and public health policy formulation. She is also a clinician at the international clinic, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine.

Seung Min Kathy Lee

Seung Min Kathy Lee, KMD, Ph.D., is a researcher at Jaseng Medical Academy, Seoul, Republic of Korea. She is a specialist in acupuncture, who completed her studies at Kyunghee University. She is involved in numerous research studies, as well as conferences and activities aimed at teaching Korean medicine.

In-Hyuk Ha

In-Hyuk Ha, KMD, Ph.D., is the Director of Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute as well as the Medical Director of the Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine’s Bucheon branch. He is the founder of the research institute and is heavily involved in globalization and the development of strong scientific evidence-based Korean medicine practices.

Ji-Yun Shin

Ji-Yun Shin, Ph.D., the Director of Jaseng Medical Academy, is involved in ACCME accreditation and the globalization of Korean medicine through education and international collaborative efforts with health institutions and organizations all over the world.

Rance McClain

Rance McClain, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, is the Dean of Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been in practice for over 20 years and received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also a member of various test review committees of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.

Jinho Lee

Jinho Lee, KMD, Ph.D., the medical director of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine in Gangnam, is a Korean medical doctor and a rehabilitation specialist. As Vice President of the Korean medicine board of Korean medicine hospitals, he is involved in advocacy and policy making for Korean medicine.