Viability of a Web-Based Module for Teaching Electrocardiogram Reading Skills to Psychiatry Residents: Learning Outcomes and Trainee Interest.
OBJECTIVE
Web-based instruction in post-graduate psychiatry training has shown comparable effectiveness to in-person instruction, but few topics have been addressed in this format. This study sought to evaluate the viability of a web-based curriculum in teaching electrocardiogram (EKG) reading skills to psychiatry residents. Interest in receiving educational materials in this format was also assessed.


METHODS
A web-based curriculum of 41 slides, including eight pre-test and eight post-test questions with emphasis on cardiac complications of psychotropic medications, was made available to all psychiatry residents via email.


RESULTS
Out of 57 residents, 30 initiated and 22 completed the module. Mean improvement from pre-test to post-test was 25 %, and all 22 completing participants indicated interest in future web-based instruction.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study suggests that web-based instruction is feasible and under-utilized as a means of teaching psychiatry residents. Potential uses of web-based instruction, such as tracking learning outcomes or patient care longitudinally, are also discussed.
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Katrina
K
DeBonis
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. trwblair@ucla.edu.
Thomas R
TR
Blair
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Samuel T
ST
Payne
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Katherine
K
Wigan
School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Sara
S
Kim
D000328:Adult; D001296:Audiovisual Aids / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*
Curriculum development; Post-graduate education; Resident education; Web-based instruction