Lessons learned from the development of a distance-learning programme

The development of an effective educational programme, i.e. one that not on ly delivers education but which also fosters change, requires both educatio nal skills and subject expertise front the producers. This paper looks at t he key lessons learned when developing a distance-learning programme. These seven key lessons, which focus heavily on needs assessment as well as team working and the need to consider a multiprofessional approach, offer pract ical advice to those in the medical and dental professions wishing to produ ce their own educational programmes.