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Using electronic mail for a small-group curriculum in ethical and social issues
J L Coulehan1, P C Williams, C Naser
1Department of Preventive Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook School of Medicine.
Summary
An electronic mail (e-mail) program effectively supplemented medical humanities education, enhancing students' ethical reasoning and computer literacy. This innovative approach proved more educational than traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Digital Learning
- Bioethics
Background:
- Medical humanities curricula address ethical and social issues.
- Traditional teaching methods may have limitations in engaging students with complex topics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate an electronic mail (e-mail) program as a supplementary tool for medical humanities education.
- To assess the impact of e-mail on students' engagement with ethical and social issues.
Main Methods:
- An e-mail track (NET) was established for second-year medical students.
- Students analyzed and discussed case studies electronically, with faculty interaction via e-mail.
- Student and tutor assessments evaluated the program's effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Students found the e-mail program more educational than lectures and traditional discussions.
- The program improved students' computer literacy and their ability to analyze ethical dilemmas.
- Tutors observed improvements in students' written self-expression.
Conclusions:
- The e-mail program successfully supplemented the medical humanities curriculum.
- NET achieved its goals as an adjunct to existing teaching methods.
- E-mail enhanced the learning experience for medical students.