"iBIM"--internet-based interactive modules: an easy and interesting learning tool for general surgery residents

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• E-learning Technologies

Background:

• Information technology supports resident-centered education, enhancing autonomy and self-assessment.
• A web-based e-learning tool was developed to introduce general surgery residents to bariatric surgery.
• The study aimed to evaluate this tool and determine optimal implementation for surgical teaching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce general surgery residents to bariatric surgery via an e-learning platform.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of internet-based interactive modules (iBIM) in surgical education.
• To identify the most appropriate strategy for integrating iBIM into the surgical curriculum.

Main Methods:

• General surgery residents received access to the Obesity101 website and completed pre- and post-course tests.
• Interactive modules on bariatric surgery were accessible after the precourse assessment.
• Paired t tests analyzed score differences, complemented by an exit survey.

Main Results:

• Twelve out of 34 participating residents (35.3%) completed the study.
• Mean scores significantly improved from 50 ± 17.3 (pre-course) to 67 ± 14 (post-course) (p = 0.020).
• The e-learning approach demonstrated success in knowledge transfer to surgical trainees.

Conclusions:

• The majority of residents recommended iBIMs as a valuable study tool for bariatric surgery.
• Course evaluation scores indicate the novel e-learning approach effectively transferred knowledge.
• Further development and assessment of implementation strategies are needed for curriculum integration.