title: Web-Based Evaluation System to Measure Learning Effectiveness in Kampo Medicine.
abstract: Measuring the learning effectiveness of Kampo Medicine (KM) education is challenging. The aim of this study was to develop a web-based test to measure the learning effectiveness of KM education among medical students (MSs). We used an open-source Moodle platform to test 30 multiple-choice questions classified into 8-type fields (eight basic concepts of KM) including "qi-blood-fluid" and "five-element" theories, on 117 fourth-year MSs. The mean (±standard deviation [SD]) score on the web-based test was 30.2 ± 11.9 (/100). The correct answer rate ranged from 17% to 36%. A pattern-based portfolio enabled these rates to be individualized in terms of KM proficiency. MSs with scores higher (n= 19) or lower (n= 14) than mean ± 1SD were defined as high or low achievers, respectively. Cluster analysis using the correct answer rates for the 8-type field questions revealed clear divisions between high and low achievers. Interestingly, each high achiever had a different proficiency pattern. In contrast, three major clusters were evident among low achievers, all of whom responded with a low percentage of or no correct answers. In addition, a combination of three questions accurately classified high and low achievers. These findings suggest that our web-based test allows individual quantitative assessment of the learning effectiveness of KM education among MSs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kampo Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; Department of Kampo Medicine, Yamaguchi University Hospital, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Norio
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8294-8089
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iizuka
authors.affiliation: Medical Information Science and Administrative Planning, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City 860-8556, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usuku
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3733-3530
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakae
authors.affiliation: Department of Kampo Medicine, Yamaguchi University Hospital, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segawa
authors.affiliation: Media and Information Technology Center, Organization for Academic Information, Yamaguchi University, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Liberal and General Education Center, Utsunomiya University, 350 Mine-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Kahori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogashiwa
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogihara
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tazuma
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4826-3507
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamamoto