We have evaluated a course delivered by videoconferencing to rural health c
entre staff in Hokkaido. The course focused on the planning and evaluation
of community health interventions. It included four 90 min sessions and two
follow-up sessions. Fourteen professional staff members (public health nur
ses, nutritionists and dental assistants) attended each class. Knowledge of
community health-care planning and evaluation was higher at post-education
testing than pre-education testing. Ratings for 'using a computer', 'using
some computer software','using the Internet' and 'interest in telehealth'
increased significantly in post-education testing compared with pre-educati
on testing. The course had an additional benefit in increasing the collabor
ation between community health workers and university staff.