Evaluation of Internet-based oncologic teaching for medical students.
BACKGROUND
Electronic tools with substantial educational applications are now widely available.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized study, the value of Web-based educational tools for teaching second-year medical students was evaluated. The 35-hour, image-intensive multifaculty neoplasia course was selected for the experiment, with 103 students assigned to the control group (C) and 61 to the experimental group (E). Representative password-controlled multimedia course modules, accessible via the Internet, were developed. The E cohort was exposed to both classroom and Web-aided materials, whereas the C group had access to the Web modules only after the experiment was concluded (but before the final examination). Pre- and post-exposure questionnaires assessed computer knowledge, familiarity with the Internet, availability of computer access, and the value of Web-based education for both cohorts. Additionally, pre-and post-exposure tests were administered to both cohorts based on educational materials presented in the Web modules.


RESULTS
The overall participation rate was 64% (E = 69%; C = 60%). The post-test showed no major performance difference between the two groups. The questionnaires revealed that: less than 1% of the students had not accessed the Internet previously; less than 5% had not used the Internet for medical education before; 34% felt that computer resources on campus were inadequate; and over 75% found Web-based education to be an important additional educational resource. The major negative aspect was the slow pace of data transfer for modem-based home access. Only 1% of students felt that Web-based education could completely replace traditional teaching.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential for incorporating Web-based education in the medical curriculum is considerable.
Mehta
M P
MP
Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
Sinha
P
P
Kanwar
K
K
Inman
A
A
Albanese
M
M
Fahl
W
W
D003197:Computer Literacy; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires