Evaluation in distance learning: a case report of the UNASUS/UERJ postgraduate course in elderly health

Abstract Objective: this analytical case study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the UNA-SUS/UERJ Specialization Course in Elderly Health. Method: a mixed-approach evaluation was used, employing the four levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model as a reference. Results: the UNA-SUS/UERJ Elderly Health Specialization course presented indicators of success in the three proposed levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation. The variables identified in the study may be related to a change in the practices of health professionals. Conclusion: the evaluation of distance learning activities in Brazil is still a developing area, a finding that is of increasing importance as large-scale distance learning specialization courses are established and require financial resources whilst lacking a proposed approach to evaluation. It is believed that the present study can contribute to the development of new evaluation projects in distance learning, especially those that impact the elderly population in Primary Health Care, supporting new distance learning projects in the area of aging and correcting the direction of current initiatives.