title: The effect of case-based discussion of topics with experts on learners' opinions: implications for spinal education and training.
abstract: This investigation aimed to examine the extent to which case-based discussion with experts could influence the audience's opinions on the treatment of patients during a continuing medical education event for spine surgeons.
  
  
  
  We conducted a prospective controlled crossover study of 90 surgeons. During a continuing medical education activity using case-based discussion, quiz questions were used which asked participants (attendants and faculty group) their opinions on the best choices about diagnosis and treatment in a number of cases. No answer was considered correct, but we evaluated the number of participants choosing each specific answer among a number of valid options. Quiz questions were collected with an automated response system at the entry and at the end of each case discussion. Change in participant's opinions was estimated from the change in the preferred answers between the entry and exit quizzes. Chi-square analysis was performed to determine significance.
  
  
  
  Sixty-two attendants out of eighty three (75%) and six faculties out of twelve (50%) responded to the survey. After the case discussion, 68.2% (p < 0.04, Chi-square test) of the attendants changed their opinion on the appropriate treatment. The faculty answers, however, showed no significant change in opinions regarding the identification of the appropriate treatment.
  
  
  
  On the basis of our results, case-based discussion driven by experts, as a form of teaching, has a measurable effect in terms of changes in the learners' opinions.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berjano
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy. mail@villafane.it.
authors.forename: Jorge Hugo
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Villafañe
authors.affiliation: SpineVision, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanacker
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cecchinato
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maryem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismael
authors.affiliation: Cavell Spine Centre, Edith Cavell Clinic, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gunzburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, San Cammilo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marruzzo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lamartina
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069471:Neurosurgeons / Q000193:education*; D000072161:Orthopedic Surgeons / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Automated response system; Continuing medical education; Expert opinion; Information technology; Outcomes evaluation; Postgraduate education; Spine; Spine surgery