Decision-Making During Asynchronous Electives: Insights From Emergency Medicine-Bound Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Asynchronous Learning
• Learner Behavior

Background:

• Asynchronous learning is increasingly used in medical education.
• Understanding learner compliance with asynchronous materials is crucial.
• Residency interview season presents unique time constraints for students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how medical students decide to comply with assigned asynchronous learning materials.
• To identify factors influencing time management and resource selection during the residency interview season.

Main Methods:

• A mixed methods study using surveys and semi-structured focus groups.
• Four-week blended elective for fourth-year emergency medicine students.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data on compliance decisions.

Main Results:

• Average assignment completion rate was 36%, with podcasts preferred over textbook readings.
• Compliance was influenced by desire for learning ownership, but hindered by lack of accountability, burnout, and interview prioritization.
• Students favored shorter, entertaining, and travel-convenient resources.

Conclusions:

• Learner compliance with asynchronous assignments is multifactorial.
• Educational strategies should consider learner preferences for content format and length.
• Institutional support and accountability mechanisms are vital for enhancing motivation in online medical education.