Development of an e-learning prototype for assessing occupational stress-related disorders: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Occupational stress-related disorders are complex to diagnose and prevent, due to their multifactorial origin. We developed an e-learning programme aimed at supporting occupational physicians when diagnosing and preventing occupational stress-related disorders. In order to explore the extent to which a developed e-learning prototype was perceived as useful and feasible by occupational physicians, we executed a qualitative study. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with fifteen occupational physicians, who were recruited using a combination of convenience and purposive sampling. Participants were shown a hard copy prototype of the e-learning programme, on which they were invited to comment in terms of perceived usefulness and feasibility. The interview data was transcribed verbatim and coded by two researchers using a content analysis approach. RESULTS: Occupational physicians perceived e-learning as useful when it contributed to creating a full clinical picture and supported the diagnosis. Its structure had to support occupational physicians to work systematically. The programme had to be applicable to their daily practice and had to incorporate learning tools in order to increase the competences of occupational physicians. Feasibility was perceived to increase when the e-learning programme took less time to complete, when the quantity of written text was not too high, and when the user was guided and recertification points provided. CONCLUSIONS: An e-learning programme can be an asset in continuing medical education for occupational physicians when assessing occupational stress-related disorders. Perceived usefulness depended on the clinical picture, structure, practicality and the increasing of competences. Feasibility depended on text, time, structure and reward.