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Abstract
Background: For many practicing clinicians, it may be easiest to access postgraduate education through distance-learning programs. This article describes the development and delivery of a course consisting of 2 papers (in obstetrics and in gynecology) taught at a distance using an audio-conference network.
Description: Each of the papers consists of 6 modules. Together they constitute the academic component of a postgraduate diploma. Fulfilling a set of practical requirements as specified in a logbook completes the diploma. The old diploma was based on supervised clinical experience and bedside teaching. The new diploma includes papers based on audio-conference sessions structured around patient problems. A course book provides all the essential reading together with learning objectives for each module and 'clinical triggers' for the patient problems.
Evaluations: Throughout the course we routinely survey student perceptions of the learning process and consistently they rate learning outcomes positively. Short-term follow-up demonstrates that the course continues to be seen as useful. The course is increasingly popular with interns, general practitioners, midwives, and nurses.
Conclusions: It is possible to develop a community of inquiry through a course based on patient problems using an audio-conference network.