Participating dentists' assessment of the pilot regional online videoconferencing in dentistry (PROVIDENT) project

Objective To assess the educational effectiveness of delivering continuing professional education (CPE) from dental schools to small groups of dentist s at distant sites via videoconferenced links using relatively inexpensive equipment and ISDN2 links. Design 41 videoconferences between the four campuses of London Dental Schoo ls and postgraduate centres in South East England were assessed using a pre -piloted questionnaire which contained open and specific questions. The que stionnaire was given to all participants at the end of each videoconference . Answers to the specific questions were graded using the Likert scale. Results 40 of the 41 video conferences were completed satisfactorily and we re attended by 257 participants, all of whom completed questionnaires. Howe ver, no individual question was answered by all the participants. Of the re sponses 90% were positive on the topics of appropriateness of the teaching material for delivery by videoconference and of its educational level. 90% of responses also indicated a wish to attend further video conferences and satisfaction at avoiding the need to travel to London for similar education al activity. 87% rated the lecturers as good or excellent in their use of t he medium. 85% of responses indicated that the question and answer sessions within the video conferences were useful and 82% that the visual aids enha nced the sessions. The technical aspects of the video conferences were rate d positively but to a lesser extent than the educational aspects with 69% o f positive responses for visibility of visual aids, 54% for sound quality a nd 76% for the lecturers use of the technology. The technical aspects of th e video conferences improved during the pilot study. In response to the ope n questions, participants stated that they found the most useful aspects of the video conferences were not having to travel, access to first rate lect urers, the discussions and the opportunity to interact with experts. Conclusions The participants in this pilot study were positive about the us e of videoconferencing to deliver educational material from dental schools to small groups. Once the technology has improved, this medium has the pote ntial to provide CPE for dentists at work or at home in response to their s pecific needs.