The Attitude of Department Heads, Faculty Members, and Physicians of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences toward Continuing Medical Education through Internet: Investigating Some Related Factors

Introduction: Despite recent progresses in education through the web in so many countries, no systematic action has been taken in our country in order to establish online courses. The aim of this study was to deter-mine the attitude of the stake holders of these courses and the factors affecting their attitude. Methods: Through a survey study the attitudes of 254 persons including departments’ heads, faculty members in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and general physicians participating in CME courses, selected through stratified sampling method were investigated. Among the existing factors, availability of hardware facilities, internet and software education, access to internet, and their relationship with the attitude of the participants were studied. The data gathering tools included a questionnaire consisted of 28 items with 5 point Lickert scale for assessing attitude and another questionnaire including demographic data, which were analyzed using frequency distribution indices and chi2. Results: There was no relationship between access to facilities and education with attitudes of the three groups. But, there was a significant relationship between access to internet and their attitude. Conclusion: Although the attitudes toward these courses were positive in total, but with regard to the low mean scores in the three groups, it is highly recommended to improve the attitudes toward online education through education and providing information regarding the advantages of such courses. It is also suggested to provide facilities such as access to internet and study more about other factors affecting human resources attitudes.