The impact of an interactive Web-based module on residents' knowledge and clinical practice of injury prevention

To determine the effectiveness of an interactive Web-based module on knowledge acquisition, retention, and clinical practice by residents.

Residents were randomized to complete an interactive Web-based module on injury prevention or a noninteractive Web-based module of identical content. Acquisition and retention of medical knowledge were measured by pretest, posttest, and long-term test scores, and change in clinical practice was measured by videotaped clinical encounters.

Fifty-seven residents completed the modules. The control group had higher posttest scores than the intervention group (P = .036). Thirty-seven residents completed the long-term test with scores that were significantly higher than pretest scores (P = .00). Thirty-six residents had videotaped encounter scores (232 visits), with no difference in these scores after the intervention (P = .432).

The noninteractive module was more effective in promoting knowledge acquisition. Residents successfully demonstrated knowledge retention with completion of either module. The modules were insufficient to change clinical practice.