Background/Purpose:
A learning management system (LMS) is software that facilitates the development, management, and tracking of training and education. To date, web based learning is a method of teaching that has been under-utilized in medical training. It has the advantage of being an efficient and easily accessible educational tool. We implemented a Rheumatology LMS for Internal Medicine residents. We hypothesized that the LMS would enhance the education and training of Internal Medicine residents in regard to Rheumatology through the use of dynamic and interactive software.
Methods:
Five rheumatologic modules were created covering antiphospholipid syndrome, crystal arthritis, giant cell arteritis, myositis and rheumatoid arthritis in the LMS. All first year Internal Medicine residents completed the modules during dedicated educational time. Attendance and completion was mandatory. Modules were completed either in small groups or individually based on the preference of the learner. Residents completed the modules after their first Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (ITE) and prior to their second. We then analyzed the ITE performance of the first year Internal Medicine residents on the Rheumatology subsection to determine whether there was a statistical improvement in their scores compared from previous year residents who did not have access to the LMS.
Results:
In the previous 2 years of residents who had not completed the modules, ITE mean examination scores in the rheumatology content changed from 58% to 53% and from 45% to 62%. National percentile ranking changes were 16% to 25% and 18% to 16% for the 2 groups respectively. Thirty four residents completed the modules. Mean examination scores improved from 48% correctly answered items on the year 1 ITE to 63% on the year 2 ITE (p value <0.0005). National percentile rank improved from 27% to 46% respectively. Twenty-eight residents had a rheumatologic experience defined as a clinic or rotation in rheumatology during their PGY1 year. Differences in examination scores before and after the module completion remained statistically significant even when stratifying residents according to whether or not they had a clinical rheumatologic experience.
Conclusion:
The development and implementation of a LMS can enhance the education and training of Internal Medicine residents to the field of Rheumatology.
Disclosure:
R. Tehrani,
Rheumatology Research Foundation,
9;
R. A. Ostrowski,
None;
B. Espiritu,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/rheumatology-learning-management-system/