Comparative Impact of In-Presence and Distance Learning Methods on Knowledge Improvement in the Healthcare Workers

Background and Objectives: In continuous medical learning programs, selection of appropriate learning methods is important for streaming individuals by learning process. The goal of this study is to compare in-presence learning method with distance learning method and explore their effect on the knowledge of health workers (practical nurses) in terms of reduced expenses.   Methods: The study is a descriptive study in case – control study. In this study, the researcher performs various learning programs in order to improve knowledge of health workers and assesses this change during a comparison between primary and secondary tests. In one control group and three groups case groups were randomly selected from among practical nurses. The comparison was made by Mc Timar Test, paired t-test, analysis of variance and HSD test.   Findings: Participation in classes was found to be difficult for the nurses in half of the studied units (51.7%) and 45.7% of individuals tend to pass their courses (studying hygiene) by distance learning methods (self-teaching + communicating with professors).   Conclusions: Distance learning method would be more effective in improving knowledge of health workers compared with in-presence learning method.