Preparing for obstetric anaesthesia-An educational randomised controlled trial comparing e-learning to written course material.

BACKGROUND: E-learning is increasingly used in postgraduate medical education. Its numerous benefits include an enhanced learning experience through learning style individualisation, interactive elements, and assessment through tests and quizzes. Current meta-analyses conclude that the overall effectiveness of e-learning is comparable to traditional teaching modalities. However, studies demonstrating its benefits are heterogeneous and of varying quality. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether contemporary e-learning completed prior to a course in obstetric anaesthesia prepares the course participants better than self-study of written course material. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial allocated second-year resident anaesthetists to receive either e-learning in postpartum haemorrhage and written course material in preeclampsia or e-learning in preeclampsia and written course material in postpartum haemorrhage, prior to a compulsory course in obstetric anaesthesia. The primary outcome was knowledge after completion of e-learning before the course, assessed by type X multiple-choice questions with a score ranging from zero to 35. The secondary outcomes were anxiety level before course simulations, performance during course simulations, and knowledge four and 12 weeks after the course. RESULTS: The per protocol analysis of the primary outcome included 45 participants and demonstrated a mean difference of 1.8 (95% CI 0.7-2.9; p = .002) in knowledge after completion of e-learning before the course, in favour of e-learning compared to written course material. There were no statistically significant differences in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: This blinded parallel group randomised controlled trial found a numerically small but statistically significant difference in knowledge favouring e-learning over written course material.

Developing an emergency ultrasound app - a collaborative project between clinicians from different universities.

Focused emergency ultrasound is rapidly evolving as a clinical skill for bedside examination by physicians at all levels of education. Ultrasound is highly operator-dependent and relevant training is essential to ensure appropriate use. When supplementing hands-on focused ultrasound courses, e-learning can increase the learning effect. We developed an emergency ultrasound app to enable onsite e-learning for trainees. In this paper, we share our experiences in the development of this app and present the final product.

[Medical students gain from a practical course in clinical ultrasound]. / Medicinstuderende har udbytte af praktisk kursus i klinisk ultralydundersøgelse.

Ultrasound scanning (US) is a new universal medical tool that may be compared to the stethoscope. Both are highly operator-dependent examinations used for screening, and both should be followed by more conclusive examinations. Clinical ultrasound can be seen as an extension of the clinical examination. Since 2009, 1,141 medical students have participated in a training course in basic US at the University of Copenhagen. The evaluation of the course has been good with the average score of 5.21 on a 7-point Likert scale. Students' feedback on the questionnaire reveal that the clinical departments are not capable of supervising the further training. A description of the training in US, an evaluation of the course and a discussion on how to implement the outcome of the course in clinical pratice is summarised.