Introducing global health into the undergraduate medical school curriculum using an e-learning program: a mixed method pilot study.
BMC Med Educ
; 15: 142, 2015 Sep 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26330059
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Physicians need global health competencies to provide effective care to culturally and linguistically diverse patients. Medical schools are seeking innovative approaches to support global health learning. This pilot study evaluated e-learning versus peer-reviewed articles to improve conceptual knowledge of global health.METHODS:
A mixed methods study using a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative inquiry consisting of four post-intervention focus groups. Outcomes included pre/post knowledge quiz and self-assessment measures based on validated tools from a Global Health CanMEDS Competency Model. RCT results were analyzed using SPSS-21 and focus group transcripts coded using NVivo-9 and recoded using thematic analysis.RESULTS:
One hundred and sixty-one pre-clerkship medical students from three Canadian medical schools participated in 2012-2013 59 completed all elements of the RCT, 24 participated in the focus groups. Overall, comparing pre to post results, both groups showed a significant increase in the mean knowledge (quiz) scores and for 5/7 self-assessed competencies (p < 0.05). These quantitative data were triangulated with the focus groups findings that revealed knowledge acquisition with both approaches. There was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches. Participants highlighted their preference for e-learning to introduce new global health knowledge and as a repository of resources. They also mentioned personal interest in global health, online convenience and integration into the curriculum as incentives to complete the e-learning. Beta version e-learning barriers included content overload and technical difficulties.CONCLUSIONS:
Both the e-learning and the peer reviewed PDF articles improved global health conceptual knowledge. Many students however, preferred e-learning given its interactive, multi-media approach, access to links and reference materials and its capacity to engage and re-engage over long periods of time.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Global Health
/
Computer-Assisted Instruction
/
Curriculum
/
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Evaluation_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Med Educ
Journal subject:
EDUCACAO
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canada
Publication country:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
/
GB
/
GREAT BRITAIN
/
INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
/
SCOTLAND
/
UK
/
UNITED KINGDOM