Why Our Online Medical Terminology Training Has 0% Attrition Rate
I was chatting with a friend recently when she asked:
“What are your attrition rates for the Level 1 Introduction to Medical Terminology course?”
That question sparked a project for Mediterm Training, it was something we had never considered but it prompted us to dig into our own numbers to see if we fell above or below average. We pulled attendee data for our last 100 students on Microsoft Teams and here’s what we found:
- Completion Rate: 100%
- Attrition Rate: 0%
Every single student completed the course. Meeting duration per student aligned with the actual meeting duration time. In a world where online learning often struggles with drop-offs, we were super impressed at our achievement! But it didn't stop there...how did these figures hold up against general attrition rates for online courses?
Attrition in Online Learning
Online learning has a reputation for high dropout rates:
Industry reports and research blogs cite 40–80% dropout rates for online courses, highlighting persistent challenges with engagement despite technological advances (LMSPortals, 2024; Dropout.blog, 2024). Massive Online Open courses (MOOC) and self-paced courses average 10–20% completion, underscoring the gap between structured and unstructured formats of training (Dropout.blog, 2024).
Corporate and professional online programs often report completion rates of 85–90%, especially when they include live interaction and certification incentives (Research.com, 2025)
Despite being unaware of these statistics we knew from previous courses we had attended ourselves that early participation engagement is key. We had to design a course that prioritised live teaching from a tutor, smaller numbers of attendees with interactive content.
Against these statistics, our 100% completion rate and 0% attrition rate for the Level 1 Introduction to Medical Terminology course is exceptional —a stat we didn’t even realise we had until this chance conversation.
Why Did We Buck the Trend?
Here’s what we believe made the difference:
-
Live Interactive Teaching and Informal Tone
No rigid lectures. We keep sessions conversational, encouraging questions and discussion. -
No Pressure to Perform
No graded assessments or competitive group work. Just learning for practical application. Open access to the chat function means questions can be asked at any stage without interruption to the trainer. -
Pre-Course Communication
We send clear, friendly emails before the course starts, so learners know what to expect and we develop an early relationship prior to the session. -
Split Over Two Sessions
Instead of cramming everything into one sitting, we break it into two sessions. This gives learners time to consolidate knowledge and return refreshed. -
Multi-Modal Learning
We vary the learning experience with:- Videos to illustrate concepts visually
- Chat functions for real-time interaction
- Slido quizzes to keep engagement high
- Booklets for learners to complete during the session
- Personable trainers who make the experience feel human and approachable
- Tips and memory aids to help learners retain terminology
- Real-life examples to connect theory to practice
The Takeaway
Attrition isn’t inevitable. With thoughtful design, multi-modal learning, and a learner-first approach, online training can achieve outstanding completion rates—even 100% if you're lucky!