The effectiveness of a clinically integrated e-learning course in evidence-based medicine: a cluster randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the educational effects of a clinically integrated e-learning course for teaching basic evidence-based medicine (EBM) among postgraduates compared to a traditional lecture-based course of equivalent content.


METHODS
We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial in the Netherlands and the UK involving postgraduate trainees in six obstetrics and gynaecology departments. Outcomes (knowledge gain and change in attitude towards EBM) were compared between the clinically integrated e-learning course (intervention) and the traditional lecture based course (control). We measured change from pre- to post-intervention scores using a validated questionnaire assessing knowledge (primary outcome) and attitudes (secondary outcome).


RESULTS
There were six clusters involving teaching of 61 postgraduate trainees (28 in the intervention and 33 in the control group). The intervention group achieved slightly higher scores for knowledge gain compared to the control, but these results were not statistically significant (difference in knowledge gain: 3.5 points, 95% CI -2.7 to 9.8, p = 0.27). The attitudinal changes were similar for both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A clinically integrated e-learning course was at least as effective as a traditional lecture based course and was well accepted. Being less costly than traditional teaching and allowing for more independent learning through materials that can be easily updated, there is a place for incorporating e-learning into postgraduate EBM curricula that offer on-the-job training for just-in-time learning.


BACKGROUND



BACKGROUND
ACTRN12609000022268.
Kulier
Regina
R
The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK. r.kulier@bham.ac.uk
Coppus
Sjors F P J
SF
Zamora
Javier
J
Hadley
Julie
J
Malick
Sadia
S
Das
Kausik
K
Weinbrenner
Susanne
S
Meyerrose
Berrit
B
Decsi
Tamas
T
Horvath
Andrea R
AR
Nagy
Eva
E
Emparanza
Jose I
JI
Arvanitis
Theodoros N
TN
Burls
Amanda
A
Cabello
Juan B
JB
Kaczor
Marcin
M
Zanrei
Gianni
G
Pierer
Karen
K
Stawiarz
Katarzyna
K
Kunz
Regina
R
Mol
Ben W J
BW
Khan
Khalid S
KS
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D009426:Netherlands; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D015397:Program Evaluation; D006113:United Kingdom