Background/Purpose: The teaching and learning resource “Rheumatology Case Scenarios” was created as a web-based module. This electronic module was produced to maximise the interactive learning opportunities for medical students.
The key educational outcomes of this module are the:
- Recognition of common Rheumatic conditions
- Utilisation of systematic pattern recognition to compare and contrast these rheumatic diseases
- Organisation and interpretation of the most appropriate investigations.
- Planning and implementation of the most appropriate treatment strategies
- Systematic evaluation of a patient with joint pain
- Evaluation of their learning by pre and post-test questionnaires
Methods: A questionnaire was developed that would test the outcomes above in a Multiple Choice Question format. Human Research Ethics approval was obtained prior to commencement of the study.
Results: 131 students completed the pre-test questionnaire in 2011. Their mean score for the module (maximum score 26) was 14.3 (SD 2.9, range 6-21). A histogram showed that the student scores were in a normal distribution. Students who had completed all 8 cases were then given a follow-up questionnaire with the same questions but randomised differently. The students who completed this questionnaire had a mean score of 17.4 (SD 3.5, range 11-22) Paired samples t-test of the students who had completed the 2 questionnaires confirmed a statistically significant improvement of the scores of each student (range 2-4 points, p<0.001). The answers for the questionnaire were only provided to the students after they had completed the second questionnaire. To test their retention of knowledge, students were also given the option of completing the same questionnaire 3 months later. Questions were randomised differently again and the mean score rose to 23. This was statistically significant for these students when compared to their scores at both previous levels suggesting that there was retention of their knowledge.
Conclusion: Web-based resources can consolidate learning in the clinical arena. Student feedback was also positive. An educational blog was activated to highlight certain management issues.
Disclosure:
D. A. Kandiah,
None;
D. Jonas-Dwyer,
None;
A. Davine,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/consolidating-knowledge-comprehension-application-and-analysis-in-rheumatology-education-by-use-of-an-in-house-electronic-module-web-based-rheumatology-case-scenarios/