title: A blended online curriculum in the basic surgery clerkship: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A "lectures plus clinical experiences" curriculum for surgical clerkships has significant faculty demand. A less faculty-intense blended online curriculum (BOC) could provide similar/improved academic performance compared with traditional curricula (TCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Following an initial pilot study, students in the surgery clerkship at Johns Hopkins during 2013 to 2014 experienced a BOC (n = 129). Students the preceding year (2012 to 2013) experienced the TC (n = 108). Performance and satisfaction were compared between groups using clinical evaluations, National Board of Medical Examiners examination scores, and clerkship evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in academic performance between BOC and TC students were observed on National Board of Medical Examiners examination or clinical evaluation scores. After multivariable adjustment, student year was the only significant predictor of student performance. Clerkship teaching ratings were higher for BOC students than TC students (4.25/5 vs 3.98/5, P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BOC incorporation in the basic surgery clerkship resulted in noninferior academic outcomes and significantly improved student satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: b.lindeman@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Brenessa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Lindeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Joanna K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lipsett
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Trisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arbella
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Miloslawa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stem
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Anne O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Lidor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Blended learning; Clerkship; Curriculum; Medical student; Online learning