title: The effectiveness of e-learning in pediatric medical student education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electronic learning allows individualized education and may improve student performance. This study assessed the impact of e-modules about infection control and congenital infections on medical knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was conducted involving third-year medical students on pediatric clerkship. e-Module content in three different formats was developed: a text monograph, a PowerPoint presentation, and a narrated PowerPoint lecture. Students' use of the e-modules was tracked, as was participation in the infectious disease rotation and the order of pediatric rotation. Pre- and posttests specific to the e-module content and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) pediatric exam scores were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 67 participants, 63% of them visited at least one e-module. Neither accessing any e-modules, timing of pediatric clerkship, nor assignment to ID rotation resulted in improved posttest nor NBME scores. Seventy percent of students rated the e-modules as satisfactory and reported usage improved their confidence with the congenital infections topic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  e-Modules did not improve student performance on NBME or posttest; however, they were perceived as satisfactory and to have improved confidence among those who used them. This study underscores the importance of formally evaluating electronic and other innovative curricula when implemented within existing medical education frameworks.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; rima.khasawneh@unmc.edu.
authors: Rima
authors: R
authors: Khasawneh
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.|Children's Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Simonsen
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.|Children's Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Snowden
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors: Joy
authors: J
authors: Higgins
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.|Office of Medical Education, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Beck
mesh_terms: D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000151:congenital; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: e-Learning; medical education; medical students; pediatrics