Absrtact
Background. Online learning can be an excellent method for presenting clinical skills to address health behaviors. Methods. Medical students pilot tested a skills-building course consisting of an online component and a practical application. Results. A total of 38 students were registered, 25 (66%) completed the online component, and 22 (58%) completed both course components. Students reported they were adequately trained to administer the brief 5A intervention to patients who smoke and they intended to deliver the intervention routinely. Conclusions. Online skills-building courses can have a positive effect on students' knowledge and skills and can be used across health behaviors promote healthy lifestyles. J Cancer Educ. 2007;22:254–258.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The pilot course was funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (R25-CA9 1958). The authors would like to thank Katharine Coburn, MS, MPH, and Joseph O'Donnell, MD, of Dartmouth Medical College for their discussions in the development of the course components and to Susan Garland for overseeing the administration of the course and evaluation forms.