Online interactive discussion boards: exploring student engagement when critically discussing the concept of confidentiality and telehealth

Background: The traditional methods of acquiring new knowledge have seen a dramatic shift globally as technology has advanced our means of delivering content, and social media use has become a primary means of communication in this generation of healthcare students.Academic engagement through online discussion boards has provided students with the critical reasoning skills to challenge concepts, articulate objective perspectives and develop the notion of interactive peer learning.The aim of this project was to evaluate student engagement and the effectiveness of an interactive discussion board when discussing the topic of confidentiality and telehealth among population health management graduate students.This was to determine intelligent interactions, the appropriateness of the learning environment, and active online learning.Methods: We conducted a retrospective process evaluation on the effectiveness of an online discussion board.The analysis was carried out through rigorous, systematic reading of the discussion board, evaluating the frequency and depth of student interactions and manual coding.Results: Intelligent critical discussions and immersive active online learning were the two main themes identified.Spontaneous independent learning promoted student leadership with asynchronous online learning.Conclusions: Online interactive discussion boards created an environment that emphasized content and supported social engagement and peer learning when discussing the topic of confidentiality and telehealth.Online learning engagement is dependent on student participation, and the presentation of debatable questions on an interactive discussion board to heighten the student learning experience.