Evaluation of an Electronic Platform for Problem Based Learning for Subspecialty Fellows

Increasing demands on the time of trainees may warrant new self-directed, concise methods of problem based learning. To address these issues in urological oncology CBULP was designed to provide a concise electronic format that could be readily accessed when the fellow was rested and ready to learn. We evaluated the perceived usefulness of this program.

Subspecialists from 2 academic urology programs and an educational professional wrote 42 clinical scenarios about various renal and adrenal malignancies, and generated concise learning points. These cases were mailed to various urological oncology fellowships in the United States and Canada. An 18-question survey was delivered electronically 8 weeks later. Responses were recorded anonymously via survey software.

Of 36 fellows 30 (83%) responded. Of the respondents 74% completed at least 5 cases and the majority completed more than 10. Of the respondents 93% thought that the cases had the appropriate amount of detail and covered core concepts related to renal/adrenal tumors. No respondent required more than 20 minutes to finish any case. Of the respondents 93% and 100% indicated that the cases effectively illustrated the basic principles of the disease process, and the fundamentals of evaluation and management, respectively. Overall 97% of respondents thought that CBULP could be an effective learning resource for fellows.

An electronic case based method of learning appears to be a useful tool for subspecialty fellows. It may be a worthwhile self-directed supplement to traditional educational resources.