The effective use of e-learning in postgraduate health-care students

Recent trends show increasing numbers of mature students in health care reflecting the growing importance of lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD) within health and social care. This article reports an evaluation of effective use of e-learning, defined as any learning that uses information and communication technology. This was used in a small cohort of multidisciplinary postgraduate health students over a period of two successive years. Evaluation carried out by questionnaire, informal feedback from students and electronically recorded activity statistics led to the conclusion that mature health-care students find it difficult to adapt to and use the facilities of e-learning. A purposeful approach is suggested in planning integration of e-learning facilities into traditional study and to establish a common level of skills in order to enable all students to use e-learning in furthering their professional development.