EMCyberSchool: an evaluation of computer-assisted instruction on the Internet.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that integration of the EMCyberSchool, a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tool available on the Internet, into the curriculum of a senior medical student subinternship in emergency medicine (EM) would improve exam scores and course satisfaction.


METHODS
Students were prospectively randomized, by four-week blocks, into a CAI group and a no-CAI group. All students were surveyed on previous computer experience and their use and opinion of the EMCyberSchool.


RESULTS
Completed data were obtained from 100 of 120 students. Sixty-five percent of the students said they wanted CAI as an adjunct to their course curricula; only 28% actually used the educational tool. The students who used the site rated it useful (4.2/5), easy to use (4.4/5), and easy to access (4.1/5). Of the students who had access, and chose not to use the EMCyberSchool, 77.8% reported not having enough time as the reason for not using the site. The mean exam scores were 72.8% for the students in the CAI group and 68.2% for those in the no-CAI group (p = 0.058). In the CAI group, 77.5% (31/40) of the students rated the course as outstanding or excellent; compared with 66% (33/50) in the no-CAI group (p = 0.23).


CONCLUSIONS
Although desired, it remains unclear whether CAI on the Internet is a useful adjunct for teaching EM to medical students.
Baumlin
K M
KM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. kevin.baumlin@mssm.edu
Bessette
M J
MJ
Lewis
C
C
Richardson
L D
LD
D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical