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Multicenter randomized controlled trial to assess an e-learning on acute burns management
Egro FM, Tayler-Grint LC, Vangala SK, Nwaiwu CA
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2017-01-28
Presenter: Francesco M. Egro MD, MSc, MRCS
Affidavit:
Vu T. Nguyen
Director Name: Vu T. Nguyen
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Introduction
A 33-webpage e-learning tutorial (called "Basic Burns Management") was developed to cover key aspects of acute burns management. The aim of this study was to provide objective educational evidence supporting the role of "Basic Burns Management" by comparing it to traditional teaching methods.
Methods
A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh (USA), University of Plymouth (UK) and University of London (UK) comparing the learning experience of medical students with the "Basic Burns Management" e-learning tool (intervention) and a traditional teaching lecture (control). Students were subjected to pre-intervention and post-intervention tests assessing burns knowledge, and were asked to fill out a satisfaction questionnaire.
Results
A total of 79 students of all years of study were included. As a whole, students demonstrated a significant gain in knowledge after intervention (overall=47.4%, p<0.001), regardless of medical school year of study or interest in surgery. Students undertaking the e-learning had a greater score improvement compared to the traditional lecture even though it was not statistically significant (e-learning=55.0%, lecture=44.9%, p=0.483). Although students were equally satisfied (e-learning=86.9%, lecture=85.1%, p=0.609) with both educational methods, the majority (73.9%) would prefer to have an e-learning module within the medical curriculum as opposed to a lecture.
Conclusion
The "Basic Burns Management" e-learning tutorial is as effective as a traditional lecture in knowledge acquisition and student satisfaction for teaching acute burn care. Yet the majority of students would prefer to have an e-learning module within the medical curriculum as opposed to a lecture.
