title: Evaluation of a web-based family medicine case library for self-directed learning in a third-year clerkship.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Web-based cases are well accepted by medical students and enable faculty to deliver equivalent educational experiences to all students. A 2009 literature search revealed no study investigating student use patterns of Web-based case libraries for self-directed learning. We investigated third-year students' use of a Web-based case program for self-directed learning in a family medicine clerkship.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed Design A Case usage patterns of 210 medical students during academic year 2008--2009. We compared board score differences between these students and those from the previous 5 years who did not use Design A Case. We analyzed data from a 13-item survey, administered to a subgroup of 85 students, about the strengths, weaknesses, and acceptability of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students completed, on average, four cases, which was beyond the requirement of three. They reported that the content was highly relevant to cases they saw in clinic. Almost 75% preferred the self-directed Web-based learning over didactics, and most (64%) felt they learned more electronically. Use of the cases was associated with equivalent Board scores versus didactic lectures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our setting, self-directed learning using a Web-based case program was highly acceptable to students. Web-based cases may provide an option for family medicine educators who wish to deliver equivalent educational experiences across sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9067, USA. jay.morrow@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Jay B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sepdham
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindeman
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobbie
mesh_terms: D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013781:Texas