An introductory review module for an anti-infectives therapeutics course

To determine whether an introductory review module using a hybrid-learning approach helped students learn infectious disease management in an anti-infectives therapeutics course.

An introductory module consisting of an online pharmacology review, pre-class assignment, 2 classroom lectures, and 1 case-based lecture was developed and implemented.

Among the 110 students who completed pre- and post-tests on the material covered, average scores increased from 71% to 83% (p<0.0001). Performance on knowledge-based question improved for 8 out of 10 questions (p<0.05) and student confidence increased from the first lecture to completion of the module (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Of the 129 students who completed an evaluation of the introductory module, 98% strongly agreed or agreed that the content was essential for course success.

The addition of an introductory module using a hybrid-learning approach to review and solidify concepts of medical microbiology and pharmacology provided the foundation necessary for success in an infectious diseases module.