Longitudinal comparison of multimedia textbook instruction with a lecture in radiology education.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare the long-term instructional effectiveness of a computer-based radiology multimedia textbook (MMTB) with that of a traditional lecture.


METHODS
Volunteer faculty/fellows and residents were randomly assigned to either a computer-based MMTB group or to a lecture group. The course content for each instructional group was the same. Pretests, posttests, and 1-year long-term retention tests were administered to both groups. The same 10 questions were on all tests. The resulting data were analyzed using analysis of variance procedures available on the Statistical Analysis System.


RESULTS
A comparison of the long-term instructional effectiveness of an MMTB versus a lecture showed that the MMTB computer instructional method was at least comparable in spite of the initial short-term appearance of lecture superiority.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a promising future for MMTB and other forms of computer-based education in radiologic instruction for medical students and radiologists.
Erkonen
W E
WE
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242-1009, USA.
D'Alessandro
M P
MP
Galvin
J R
JR
Albanese
M A
MA
Michaelsen
V E
VE
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019212:Multimedia; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013782:Textbooks as Topic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed