title: Integrated modular teaching in dermatology for undergraduate students: A novel approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Undergraduate teaching in dermatology comprises didactic lectures and clinical classes. Integrated modular teaching is a novel approach, which integrates basic sciences with dermatology in the form of a module. Further the module also incorporates various teaching modalities, which facilitate active participation from students and promotes learning. The pre- and post-test values showed the effectiveness of the integrated module. The students feedback was encouraging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the acceptance and opinion of undergraduate students regarding integrated modular teaching as a new teaching aid in dermatology.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive study. Varied teaching methodologies involving multiple disciplines were undertaken in six major undergraduate topics in dermatology for seventh and eighth semester students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of six modules were conducted over a period of 12 months for students of seventh and eighth semesters. The topics for the various modules were sexually transmitted diseases, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, oral ulcers, leprosy, connective tissue disorders and psoriasis. Faculty members from different disciplines participated. Pre- and post-test were conducted before and after the modules respectively to gauge the effectiveness of the modules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that almost every student had a better score on the posttest as compared to the pretest. General feedback obtained from the students showed that all of them felt that modular teaching was a more interesting and useful teaching learning experience than conventional teaching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrated modular teaching can be an effective adjunct in imparting theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. Further, various teaching methodologies can be used in integrated modules effectively with active student participation. Thus integrated modular teaching addresses two important issues in medical education, namely integration and active student participation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Members, Medical Education Unit, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Kaliaperumal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karthikeyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Members, Medical Education Unit, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Annapurna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Dermatology; integrated modular teaching; undergraduate