title: A blended learning approach to palpation and ultrasound imaging skills through supplementation of traditional classroom teaching with an e-learning package.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of e-learning as a supplement to on-campus education for the acquisition of skills in palpation and ultrasound examination of the knee in a physiotherapy degree course. Forty-six students (28 females) from the University of Granada, with a mean age of 21.5 yrs, received 4 h of theoretical and practical on-campus training on palpation and ultrasound examination of the knee joint. They were then randomly distributed into two groups: experimental, with free access to the ECOFISIO website on musculoskeletal palpation and ultrasound assessment; and control, with access to documents and books on the topic. Structured objective clinical evaluation (SOCE) and multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) were used to assess the educational intervention. We also measured the time taken by the students to generate a reliable ultrasound image and to localize a specific knee structure by palpation. There was no significant intergroup difference in the acquisition of theoretical knowledge as assessed by the MCQ (p = 0.39). Scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group for skills in palpation ability (p = 0.041) and ultrasound assessment (p < 0.001) of the knee. Students in the e-learning group needed less time to palpate the musculoskeletal structure (p = 0.041) but more time (p = 0.012) to obtain their superior ultrasound images. In conclusion, these results contribute evidence that e-learning is an effective educational strategy for physiotherapy students to acquire skills in palpation and ultrasound imaging of the knee as a supplement to on-campus education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. marroyo@ugr.es
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Morales
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cantarero-Villanueva
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-Lao
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guirao-Piñeyro
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castro-Martín
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díaz-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010173:Palpation; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult