title: Education research: evaluating the use of podcasting for residents during EEG instruction: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Educational methods for residents are shifting toward greater learner independence aided by technological advances. A Web-based program using a podcast was created for resident EEG instruction, replacing conventional didactics. The EEG curriculum also consisted of EEG interpretations under the tutelage of a neurophysiologist. This pilot study aimed to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast as a new teaching tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  A podcast for resident EEG instruction was implemented on the Web, replacing the traditional lecture. After Institutional Review Board approval, consent was obtained from the participating residents. Using 25-question evaluation tools, participants were assessed at baseline before any EEG instruction, and reassessed after podcasting and after 10 clinical EEG exposures. Each 25-item evaluation tool contained tracings used for clinical EEG interpretations. Scores after podcast training were also compared to scores after traditional didactic training from a previous study among anesthesiology trainees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten anesthesiology residents completed the study. The mean scores with standard deviations are 9.50 ± 2.92 at baseline, 13.40 ± 3.31 (p = 0.034) after the podcast, and 16.20 ± 1.87 (p = 0.019) after interpreting 10 EEGs. No differences were noted between the mean educational tool scores for those who underwent podcasting training compared to those who had undergone traditional didactic training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot study, podcast training was as effective as the prior conventional lecture in meeting the curricular goals of increasing EEG knowledge after 10 EEG interpretations as measured by assessment tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bensalem-Owen
authors.forename: Destiny F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Sean C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sardam
authors.forename: Brenda G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Fahy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies