Distance learning for communicating cancer, culture, and literacy: A model for cancer control advancement

Background. Successful cancer control communications and research must reflect an understanding and appreciation of the importance of cultural, linguistic, and literacy needs of diverse audiences. The Cancer, Culture and Literacy Institute, a National Cancer Institute-funded R25 educational project, blends traditional learning approaches with distance learning methodologies to reach demographically dispersed cancer control researchers with new knowledge and skills on culture and literacy. We report here the distance learning component of the project. Methods. A Web-based learning management system was developed that consisted of three elements: (1) educational modules, (2) communications, and (3) resources. Results. Results from 64 doctorally prepared participants demonstrated high satisfaction with the content, high usefulness of materials, and very good to excellent stimulation of thinking. Conclusions. Distance learning offers a promising and appealing vehicle for communicating cancer control skills, interventions, and best practices, and thus has the potential to impact the appropriateness of cancer communications, research, and education.