Online CKD education program for health-care professionals

Online learning has become an increasingly popular approach to medical education. We describe the first E-learning Diploma to be offered to primary health-care professionals in Mexico that provides comprehensive training in the detection and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases. The Diploma is divided into five consecutive modules. Each module includes workshops, case discussions, and selected readings that include elements of integrated prevention and early detection, changes in lifestyle, clinical care, and adequate use of technology. Between 1 March 2010 and February 2011, 844 students from eight states were enrolled. Three hundred sixty-two students were accredited from the course, with an average score of 9.6 out of 10; 19% of the students scored 10. The main reasons for not finishing the course were poor compliance and lack of motivation. The E-Learning Diploma offers a valuable educational tool for training health-care professionals in the detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease and other chronic non-communicable diseases.