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E-learning to teach medical students about acute otitis media: A randomized controlled trial
Sarah Mousseau1, Maude Poitras1, Annie Lapointe2
1Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Paediatrics & Child Health
|December 20, 2021
Summary
E-learning modules and lectures showed similar results for diagnosing acute otitis media (AOM) in children. However, medical students preferred the e-learning format for AOM diagnosis training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Diagnostic Accuracy
Background:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood illness with challenging diagnoses.
- Accurate AOM diagnosis in pediatric patients is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an e-learning module on medical students' accuracy in diagnosing pediatric AOM.
- To compare diagnostic accuracy between e-learning and traditional lecture-based AOM training.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving medical students in a pediatric emergency department.
- Students were assigned to either an e-learning module or a small-group lecture on AOM.
- Diagnostic accuracy, knowledge scores, and learning modality preference were assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy for AOM between the e-learning and lecture groups (76.5% vs. 76.4%).
- Knowledge test scores were also similar between the two learning modalities.
- A majority of students (62%) preferred the e-learning module over the lecture format.
Conclusions:
- E-learning modules are as effective as traditional lectures for improving AOM diagnostic accuracy in medical students.
- E-learning is a preferred learning modality among students for AOM education.
- Future medical education may benefit from incorporating preferred e-learning strategies.
