Distance learning opens continuing education doorways for public health nurses

Kansas Nurse, Aug 1999 by Frazier, Linda

Distance and time have always been barriers to obtaining continuing education for public health nurses in Kansas. Continuing education programs can be time and cost consuming.

Distance learning can bridge the gap where time, cost, and distances prevent access to educational opportunities. Courses may be in the form of written materials, or they may take place on the Internet or via video conference or satellite transmission. They may also be recorded onto videotape, CD-ROM, or audiotape, allowing learners to participate independently at a convenient time that corresponds to their learning pace. Telephone bridge lines can be used to hold audio conferences. Compressed video can be added to voice transmission via telephone lines, allowing instructors and students to both hear and see each other. Distance learning can benefit both the learner and their employer by offering availability of costeffective, high quality education and training, reduction in travel time and expenses, accessible national health experts and current information, taping and viewing courses for future reference, and networking of health departments and health organization staff.

The Public Health Training Network

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has collaborated with state health departments nationwide to develop a distance learning network, the Public Health Training Network (PHTN). The PHTN includes numerous partners and the fifty State Distance Learning Coordinators (DLC) who ensure state and local health workers' access to PHTN programs.

Linda Frazier, the DLC for Kansas, is a Public Health Nurse Specialist in the Bureau of Local and Rural Health at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), located in the KDHE Northwest District Office in Hays. Funding for distance learning is not currently available in Kansas other than the time allotted to the DLC for distance learning activities.

KDHE has provided a Distance Learning Resource Guide and Directory which includes, distance learning, satellite broadcast and downlink sites in Kansas, desktop video conference and sites, full-motion interactive video and sites, internet access, and the world wide web.

Satellite Video Conferences

Satellite programs on Immunizations, Bioterrorism, and The Next Influenza Pandemic have been viewed at various sites in Kansas in the last several months. Many more programs are available and they can be scheduled wherever a site and interest for the program exist. Enrolled participants successfully completing a satellite course receive a certificate of participation and are eligible to receive continuing education units, continuing nursing education credits, or continuing medical education credits as appropriate.

Videostreaming

A few courses are available to videostream. This requires a real player and speakers that are connected to a computer. Participants can hear and see the program on their computer by downloading it from the PHTN web site. Videostreamed courses can be downloaded at a time convenient to the learner, however, continuing education credits are not given and this can be a disadvantage.

Current courses available include:

* Hepatitis C: Diagnosis, Clinical Management, Prevention

* Antimicrobial Use and Resistance: Solutions to the Problem

* Accessing HIV/AIDS Information Resources

* Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemi

* The Role of the Public Health Nursing Leader in Relation to Population Health.

PHTN Web Site

CDC's PHTN web site at list satelilite broadcast, audioconferences, videostreaming and meetings of interest. PHTN products. Those without Internet access can call PHTN at 1-80041TRAIN and request a catalog or order materials.

Further questions may be directed to Linda Frazier, Public Health Nurse Specialist, KDHE Northwest District Office, 2301 E. 13th, Hays, KS 67601. E-mail: lfrazier@kdhe.state.ks.us or phone 785625-5663.

References

Benefits of Distance Learning. (1998). [Online]. California Distance Learning Health Network. . [1999,Apr.29]

Distance Learning: The Instructional Strategy for the '90's. (1994). [Online]. Public Health Training Network. . [1999, Apr. 29]

Mark Your Calendar. (1999). [Online]. Public Health Training Network. . [1999, Apr. 29]

Wright, Kathleen A. (1998). Kansas Department of Health and Environment Distance Learning

Resource Guide and Directory. Manhattan, Kansas: Kansas State University Research and Extension, Department of Communications.