Journal of Health and Biomedical Informatics

Introduction: In order to achieve educational goals in developing countries like Iran, it is essential to use new training methods especially distance learning.  The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using distance learning for nurses in teaching hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, all nurses working in teaching hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were included. The validity and reliability of data collection tools were approved and the results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentage).

Results: According to the nurses’ responses, it is revealed that for using distance learning, the organizational possibilities with average of 2.64, technological facilities with average of 2.49, sociocultural facilities with average of 2.64, and finally, educational facilities of hospitals with average of 2.58, are at intermediate level, respectively.

Conclusion: The findings show that hospitals have necessary facilities at intermediate level for distance learning courses. Therefore, by providing technological, organizational, and educational infrastructure, nurses who have critical role in improving the health of patients but deprived from education due to lack of time, can also use distant learning.