Comparison of Two Self-Learning Methods(CD-Rom or Booklet) for Physician Education about Reporting Diseases Cases

Success in surveillence programs is mostly dependent on physicians’ skill to report diseases. Self-learning is an appropriate method for medical education programs and has been used in many countries. The purpose of this study was to compare self-learning of reporting diseases through compact disks (CD) and booklets in physicians’ education. This study was a quasi-experimental study performed on 40 general physicians in Qom. They were divided into two groups [CD (n=20) and booklet (n=20)] by balanced block randomization. Knowledge and attitude were assessed before the intervention and a month after. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire in 4 parts: demographic information, knowledge and attitude about notifiable diseases and evaluation of the educational method applied. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, through calculation of frequency, mean, standared deviation, t-test, kolmogorov -smirnov test and mann-whithney U- test. Knowledge and attitude were promoted significantly in both groups(p<0.05). Mean and standard deviation of knowledge increased; in the CD group,the mean score for knowledge increase was 10.55± 3.97 and in the booklet group it was 7.55±4.40,which showed a significant difference (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in attitude scores in the two groups. Regarding the evaluation of the methods, there was no significant difference between the groups in total mean scores. But as for two items, preference for either method and attraction,the CD group score stood significantly higher than the booklet group (p<0.001). Self-learning methods such as CD and booklet can be used for physicians to learn reporting skills; and CD is more effective than booklet. These methods especially educational CD is recommended to be used in continuing medical education programs.