Twelve tips for supporting online distance learners on medical post-registration courses.

There is an increased interest in online distance learning programmes targeted at medical professionals as they are often marketed as providing an ideal way to study due to the flexibility to access high quality materials anywhere, any time and any place. Traditionally, however, online distance learning programmes have low retention rates. Online distance learners are distinctive students who have more constraints than traditional face-to-face students such as time issues as many are working full-time and have family commitments. Lack of student support has been identified as a major factor in students dropping out of online distance learning courses. This article examines the characteristics of a good support system for online distance learning courses and provides practical advice on implementation from development through to evaluation.

Twelve tips for authoring on-line distance learning medical post-registration programmes.

With innovation and creativity, almost anything can be delivered and assessed on-line. Successful on-line distance learning puts the needs of the learner first, and is characterized by the quality and clarity of learning and support materials, together with good tutorial and support networks. This in turn depends upon trained authors and implementation of relevant quality assured systems and processes. These pragmatic tips outline the main points, which should help prospective on-line developers and authors.

The totally implantable vascular access for long term chemotherapy

Over a 14 month period 20 Porta-A-Caths were implanted in 20 adults patients with a spectrum of malignancies requiring long term cyclic chemotherapy. The devices were inserted into the superior vena cava via a cephalic vein cutdown under local anaesthesia. The catheters were in situ for a total of 3,109 patient days, averaging 164 days per patient. The longest a catheter has remained indwelling is 385 days. Complications were minimal; 1 catheter was removed for sepsis, one revised for occlusion and 1 was associated with perficial thrombosis. We were impressed by the safe, simple catheter insertion, ease of establishing venous access, minimal morbidity and high patient acceptability. Its use is recommended in all patients requiring long term chemotherapy. (AU)