title: Evaluation of a multimedia online tool for teaching bronchial hygiene to physical therapy students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in information technology have been widely used in teaching health care professionals. The use of multimedia resources may be important for clinical learning and we are not aware of previous reports using such technology in respiratory physical therapy education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our approach was to evaluate a conventional bronchial hygiene techniques (BHTs) course with an interactive online environment, including multimedia resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previous developed audiovisual support material comprised: physiology, physiopathology and BHTs, accessible to students through the Internet in conjunction with BHTs classes. Two groups of students were compared and both attended regular classes: the on-line group (n=8) received access to online resources, while the control group (n=8) received conventional written material. Student's performance was evaluated before and after the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A preliminary test (score 0 to 10) was applied before the beginning of the course, showing that the initial knowledge of both groups was comparable [online, 6.75 (SD=0.88) vs. control, 6.125 (SD=1.35); p>0.05]. Two weeks after the end of the course, a second test showed that the online group performed significantly better than the control group [respectively, 7.75 (SD=1.28) vs. 5.93 (SD=0.72); p>0.05].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a multimedia online resource had a positive impact on student's learning in respiratory therapy field in which instrumental and manual resources are often used and can be explored using this technology.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Departament, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cibele C B Marques da
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Sonia L P
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Paulo S P
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Celso R F
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D019212:Multimedia; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*