Pharmacists attitudes toward using the internet to satisfy their continuing education needs: An exploratory study

ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions among pharmacists regarding continuing education (CE) using the Internet.MethodsA random survey of pharmacists who practice in Puerto Rico.ResultsUse of Internet-based CE was 50.7%, (n = 67) and mostly by pharmacists 51 years of age or younger. This result is different from what have been found. In general, the participating pharmacists had a positive attitude toward online continuing education. Significant differences existed among the participants who pursued Internet-based CE with regard to the perception of web-based CE compared to those who did not. Responding pharmacists who had experienced Internet-based CE perceived greater advantages, such as its being available anywhere and anytime as well as its being flexible. Those who had taken continuing education courses on the Internet expressed their belief that online CE has a positive impact on the profession, while also perceiving it to be less complex than did those who had not taken any web-based courses.ConclusionsAlthough a majority of pharmacists have participated in CE using the Internet and hold a positive opinion of the attributes of Internet-based CE its adoption as a valid alternative to live CE is incomplete. Lack of technological/Internet skills, a preference for live CE, and lack of time are possible barriers to the adoption of Internet-based CE. Designers of CE courses may benefit from the opinions generated by this study and consider quality improvements to bolster the current and repeated pursuit of Internet-based CE.