215393 Exploring factors for increasing adoption of e-courses in the oral health curriclum

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Rita DeBate, PhD, MPH, CHES , Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Women's Health, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Deborah Cragun, MS , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Herbert Severson, PhD , Deschutes Research, Inc., Eugene, OR
Tracy Shaw, MA , Deschutes Research, Inc., Eugene, OR
Steve Christiansen, BA , InterVision Media, Eugene, OR
Anne Koerber, DDS, PhD , Pediatric Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL
Scott L. Tomar, DMD, DrPH , Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL
Kelli R. Brown, PhD CHES , Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Lisa Tedesco, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
William Hendricson, MA, MS, MMS , Dental School, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
The incorporation of web-based learning into the dental curriculum has been strongly encouraged by the ADEA. Computer-assisted and web-based learning (e-curriculum) can supplement and reinforce more traditional learning and it has the potential to develop skills as well as knowledge. There has been growing support for e-curriculum in dental and dental hygiene education as many deans have identified it as a planned curricular innovation. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to explore characteristics of e-curriculum that may serve to increase adoption among dental and dental hygiene faculty. Seven (7) ninety- minute focus groups (3 dental groups; and 4 dental hygiene groups) representing six different universities/colleges were conducted with dental (n=27) and dental hygiene (n=23) faculty. Data from the focus groups were analyzed to identify two overarching themes and associated sub-themes with regard to supports and barriers influencing adoption of e-courses among faculty. A working conceptual framework built from emerged codes based on Diffusion of Innovations was developed to understand the characteristics influencing the rate of adoption of e-courses among dental and dental hygiene faculty. Analysis of data revealed low perceived relative advantage and compatibility with current curriculum, and high perceived time commitment and complexity in e-course development which emerged as barriers to adoption of e-curriculum among dental and dental hygiene faculty. This exploratory assessment identifies leverage points for facilitation of adoption and sustainability of e-curriculum in oral health training programs.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Define e-curriculum Describe Diffusion of Innovation concepts Discuss facilitators and barriers to adoption of e-courses among oral health faculty

Keywords: Curricula, Oral Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI of the NIH funded grant for this research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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