title: E-learning program for medical students in dermatology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatological disorders are common in medical practice. In medical school, however, the time devoted to teaching dermatology is usually very limited. Therefore, online educational systems have increasingly been used in medical education settings to enhance exposure to dermatology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to develop a e-learning program for medical students in dermatology and evaluate the impact of this program on learning.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included second year medical students at the University of Technology and Science, Salvador, Brazil. All students attended discussion seminars and practical activities, and half of the students had adjunct online seminars (blended learning). Tests were given to all students before and after the courses, and test scores were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students who participated in online discussions associated with face-to-face activities (blended learning) had significantly higher posttest scores (9.0 ± 0.8) than those who only participated in classes (7.75±1.8, p <0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that an associated online course might improve the learning of medical students in dermatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil. silveira.cristiana@gmail.com
authors.forename: Cristiana Silveira
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Murilo Barreto
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Roberto Silveira
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Silva Filho
authors.forename: Luciana Molina de
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Paulo Ricardo
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Criado
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013337:Students, Medical