Table 1 Interview questions with category clusters and superordinate topic areas

General strengths and weaknesses of the two formats

Reasons for and against the online and face-to-face formats

4. What do you see as the advantages or disadvantages of e-learning formats compared to a face-to-face format?

11. What general features do you think an ideal online course has to have?

12. What would you expect in general from an ideal face-to-face course?

Choice of format from the perspective of education planning

6. If you were an education planner, which courses do you think should be taught online, which in a face-to-face format?

Prerequisites for changing behaviour because of the format chosen

5. Which conditions would need to be created so that you would participate in the ECG online or face-to-face course?

Personal reasons for choosing a particular format

Content-related factors

1. What motivated you to learn about the topic ‘ECG’ during your studies?

2. Which factors make it easier or more difficult for you approach the topic ‘ECG’?

Learning style factors

7. How would you describe your learning style?

8. Which teaching methods do you prefer during your study of medicine?

9. Can you think of situations in your studies so far in which the exchange with fellow students and lecturers was important for your learning success?

10. If you want to learn a particular subject matter, how do you ideally manage your time for learning?

Personal reasons for making a particular decision

3. On what criteria did you base your decision to participate in the online or face-to-face course?