Skin of Colour Dermatoses Self-Learning Module: Assessing Student Comprehension

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dermatology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Skin of color dermatology is a growing medical field, yet underrepresented in Canadian curricula, textbooks, and research.
• Diverse skin types are crucial for comprehensive dermatological training and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Skin of Colour Dermatoses Self-Learning Module (SOCSLM) for undergraduate medical students.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the SOCSLM and gather feedback for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Second-year medical students at the University of Ottawa completed pre- and post-module questionnaires.
• The questionnaires assessed knowledge of dermatoses in diverse skin types using multiple-choice questions.

Main Results:

• Participant correct answer rates increased from 51% pre-test to 87% post-test.
• Students scored 95% on repeated questions and 80% on new questions, indicating knowledge retention and acquisition.
• Interest in dermatology did not affect performance.

Conclusions:

• Self-learning modules are effective for integrating skin of color dermatology into medical education.
• The SOCSLM can enhance undergraduate training in dermatology for diverse populations.