Simulation of a mycological KOH preparation--e-learning as a practical dermatologic exercise in an undergraduate medical curriculum.
BACKGROUND
Mycological KOH preparation is one of the most popular practical laboratory skills in dermatology. The study addresses the question whether an interactive simulation program enhances knowledge of students about this procedure.


METHODS
166 students, 107 female and 59 male, participated. We separated our study in three phases: pretest, completing the simulation three times and post-test. In the pre- and post-test we recorded the number of correct steps of the mycological KOH preparation listed by the students. The full text feedback was explored by content analysis.


RESULTS
In the pre-test the students listed an average of 3.1 +/- 2.2 correct steps, compared to 8.8 +/- 1.2 correct steps after completing the simulation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the improvement was significant for each individual step. There were no significant differences between male and female students. In content analysis of the feedback, positive statements prevailed with 78.3%, compared to only 1.8% critical items.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that an interactive computer simulation program of mycological KOH preparation results in a significant learning effectiveness as far as recall of the correct procedural steps is concerned. Furthermore, subjective acceptance by students is high.
Bernhardt
Johannes
J
Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
Hye
Florian
F
Thallinger
Sigrid
S
Bauer
Pamela
P
Ginter
Gabriele
G
Smolle
Josef
J
D001317:Austria; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012737:Sex Factors
D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C029943:potassium hydroxide