Teaching on the web: automated online instruction and assessment of residents in an acute care clinic.
Time pressures negatively impact teaching and learning in ambulatory settings. Web-based (online) learning may help in meeting this challenge. Although online teaching is increasingly used in medical education, few reports have evaluated online learning in postgraduate training. A pre-test/post-test cohort study was undertaken in an academic medical center acute care clinic to determine whether internal medicine residents accept, learn with and continue to use a 'stand-alone' online curriculum. The participants were 56 first-year internal medicine residents. Eight evidence-based, symptom-oriented online modules in acute ambulatory medicine were completed by residents during a one-month rotation. Fifty residents completed all modules. Pre- and post-tests were administered and scored automatically by computer. Average test score improved from 70% to 95% (p < 0.001). Feedback was very positive, with 96% of residents recommending the curriculum continue and 88% listing the modules as one of the most helpful learning resources for the rotation. Some 74% of residents referred back to the curriculum while caring for patients. This 'stand-alone' online curriculum, with automated instruction and assessment, facilitated effective and satisfying learning without requiring faculty involvement. This method could easily be reproduced in other settings.
Cook
David A
DA
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. cook.david33@mayo.edu
Dupras
Denise M
DM
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000592:standards*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States