Distance teaching as a method of postgraduate continuing education in community nutrition

This report describes the Distance Teaching in Community Nutrition program (DTCN), conducted through distance education. This program uses correspondence and a biweekly “live” teleconference as the media for teaching. A questionnaire determined student characteristics and opinions about the program. These results will be useful for practitioners considering similar approaches to nutrition education.

This program was effective in meeting the goals of extending knowledge, providing postgraduate qualification, and servicing information needs in employment and personal settings. Overall, students were satisfied with the program, but expressed lower satisfaction with their own level of competence in community nutrition, as well as the need for increased accessibility and communication with the lecturer. Incorporation of additional community nutrition activities and opportunities to meet the lecturers should be explored.

Distance education should be considered as an alternative to traditional graduate education, as a means to reach many students and to take advantage of educational and health resources in a wide geographical location.

Key words:

• Distance Education
• Continuing Education
• Postgraduate Training