Examining perception and actual knowledge change among learners in a standardized burn course

Essential Burn Management (EBM) is a burn training program created for East Africa and aims to meet the needs of low- and middle-income countries. The authors present a report on objective testing of change in knowledge, with pre and post tests, and comparison of this testing with the self perception of knowledge gained to explore course utility.

To evaluate the ability of EBM to improve knowledge in burn care among course participants; and to explore whether participants' self-perception of knowledge gained is comparable with their actual change in knowledge.

Twenty health care providers from a variety of disciplines participated in EBM and completed the pre and post course burn care knowledge test. Participants also self-rated knowledge in burn care both pre and post course. All tests and self-rated assessments were anonymous and consent was obtained. Paired t tests were conducted on pre and post test scores. Improvements in pre-post scores according to module or topic area were examined to determine the proportion correct, and then analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Module scores pre-post course were compared with individuals' self-rating of knowledge both before and after the course for that particular module.

Pre-post course tests reflected an increase in knowledge. An increase in self-rated knowledge was matched with a significant increase in module test scores for primary survey, burn resuscitation, wound management, infection control and electrical injury, but not inhalation injury and compartment syndrome modules.

Findings support a combination of self-report and objective pre-post testing to evaluate courses designed to teach burn management.