Distance learning opportunities during the COVID-19 epidemic

Aim. To compare the results of using traditional and distance education technologies in the training of obstetricians and gynecologists in the continuing medical education cycles. Methods. The effectiveness of the use of traditional and distance learning technologies in the training of obstetrician-gynecologists on the continuing medical education cycles was assessed based on Bashkir State Medical University. The study included an assessment of the knowledge of obstetricians and gynaecologists trained in the 36-hour program. Two study groups were selected. The group I included 28 doctors, whose training and knowledge assessment was carried out mainly using traditional education technologies. The group II consisted of 30 doctors, whose training and knowledge assessment was carried out using distance education technologies. The final effectiveness of the use of the studied technologies was evaluated based on the analysis of the final test results and the solution of situational clinical tasks as a General interview. The research results processing was performed by IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.0. Results. The study revealed that the use of distance learning technologies does not lead to a decrease in the physician's level of training: 70.0% in group I, 60.7% in group II (χ2=0.11, df=1, p=0.74). Meanwhile, the distance lear­ning format causes difficulties for doctors of the older age group: in group I, there is a direct moderate correlation between age and performance (r=0.497, p=0.007), in group II — a noticeable inverse correlation (r=–0.689, p <0.001). Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, it is necessary to take a differentiated approach to the formation of groups for distance learning in the future.