Workshop type: Discussion.

Objective: To design and pilot a Continuing Medical Education e-learning program based on Cochrane systematic reviews. Our previous experience provided us a positive background to develop educational distance learning intervention using standardised clinical vignettes to assess knowledge and to influence clinical practice.

Summary:
In the first part we will present the Italian Cochrane Centre’s experience within a national e-learning program. The program has several elements: the translation and provision of a free copy of Clinical Evidence to all Italian physicians (N=248 000); and the development of a free-access e-learning system (ECCE) for continuing medical education (CME), based on Clinical Evidence. Via ECCE doctors have access to an electronic version of Clinical Evidence and related clinical vignettes. Solving the vignettes provides CME credits. As of 10 May 2007, 29208 doctors voluntarily subscribed to ECCE (11.8%). To have a better insight of this experience, please refer to: Moja L, Moschetti I, Liberati A, et Al. (2007) Using Clinical Evidence in a national continuing medical education program in Italy. PLoS Med 4(5): e113. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040113

In the second part of the workshop participants will be asked to discuss the feasibility of a CME program based on Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs). Issues to be discussed are related to both organizational and methodological aspects: differences in CME legislation across countries; potential health professional targets; policies of access; how to transform a free from passion SR into an entertaining patient story; and how to involve SR authors in writing clinical vignettes.

In the last part of the workshop we will discuss if an e-learning program may help the rapid dissemination of pivotal Cochrane SRs. The use of written case simulation transforms passive reading into a more interactive learning experience. We anticipate that such a CME program could be an important step in bringing evidence based medicine to the forefront of health professionals’ practice.

Intended audience: Representatives of Cochrane Centres, Branches and other entities who may have editorial interest in publishing e-learning educational programs based on systematic reviews to target mass audiences (Intermediate knowledge of Cochrane reviews and evidence-based medicine teaching is expected).

Technical level expected of participants: Intermediate.