Learner's Perspectives of Free, Online, International Continuing Medical Education in Rehabilitation: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic spurred global engagement with continuing medical education. The Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Consortium's free online platform offering interdisciplinary expert lectures on spasticity saw parallel growth. We analyzed 1733 responses from 41 post-session surveys to assess the learner's perspectives of online continuing medical education using a convergent mixed-methods design. The qualitative analysis produced four themes: [1] event value and satisfaction (subthemes: quality and impact of speakers , accessibility of the online format , discussions and interactions, and the benefits of visual learning ), [2] increased competence (subthemes: increased knowledge, intent to apply , and increased confidence), [3] inspiring collaboration (subthemes: need for multidisciplinary teams, international collaboration , and effective communication tools ), [4] considerations and recommendations (subthemes: relevance to developing countries , technical aspects , and academic level of content) . Quantitative analyses supported these findings, showing high levels of satisfaction and perceived gains in knowledge. Notably, 88% of participants indicated intent to apply their knowledge, and 84% stated that it would enhance their competence. The results underscore the importance of interaction in online education and highlight a need for communication skills training to facilitate multidisciplinary teamwork. The findings revealed disparities in perceptions of the academic difficulty of continuing medical education, which warrants investigation into participants' selection of continuing medical education webinars.