title: Evaluation of a blended learning model in geriatric medicine: a successful learning experience for medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the increasingly ageing population, teaching geriatric medicine at medical schools is a challenge due to the particularities of this subspecialty and the lack of student interest in this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed a blended system that combines e-learning and person-to-person interaction. Our program offered the students a hands-on learning experience based on self-reflection, access to technology, interactive learning, frequent interaction with the multidisciplinary team, more exposure to patients, and regular feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicate that the students appreciate this system as a rich and effective learning experience demonstrated by their positive feedback and by their significant improvement in knowledge assessed at the end of their rotation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementing an interactive blended system is a beneficial approach to teaching geriatric medicine in medical schools and to motivating medical students' interest in this important medical subspecialty.
authors.affiliation: Medical Education Centre, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Discipline of Medicine, Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. gustavo.duque@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duque
authors.forename: Oddom
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Demontiero
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whereat
authors.forename: Piumali
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gunawardene
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sardinha
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boersma
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005246:Feedback; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D012649:Self Concept; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*