Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Volume 140, Issue 3 p. 398-402
Original research—general otolaryngology

Interactive Internet-based cases for undergraduate otolaryngology education

Thileeban Kandasamy MD, 

Corresponding Author

Thileeban Kandasamy MD

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Corresponding author: Thileeban Kandasamy, 3333 Burdock Place, Mississauga, ON, L5A4B7, Canada. E-mail address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Kevin Fung MD, FRCS(C), 

Kevin Fung MD, FRCS(C)

Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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First published: 01 March 2009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2008.11.033
Citations: 4

No sponsorships or competing interests have been disclosed for this article.

Presented at the 2008 Eastern Section Meeting of the Triologic Society. Philadelphia, PA.

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual-patient computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in pre-clerkship undergraduate otolaryngology education.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Subjects and Methods

Second-year medical students at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, were randomized into two groups: group A was given a CAI module and group B was presented with two Internet review articles, both covered specific learning objectives for pediatric stridor. Students completed randomized pre- and post-tests and a questionnaire one week later.

Results

Fifty-five students completed the study with 28 in group A and 27 in group B. Mean pretest scores were 59.1% in group A and 59.8% in group B (95% CI = −7.9% to 10.4%). Mean post-test scores were significantly elevated in group A (84.6%, P < 0.001) and group B (74.3%, P = 0.008). Group A had a significantly higher (P = 0.02) mean post-test score than group B (mean difference of 10.2%). Students spent significantly more time (P < 0.001) reading text articles (25.5 minutes) than completing the CAI (9.06 minutes). Forty-one (66%) students completed the survey. Thirty-six (88%) respondents indicated that they preferred CAI to online articles.

Conclusion

CAI is a feasible, effective, and efficient means of enhancing self-directed learning as supplementation to the pre-clerkship undergraduate otolaryngology curriculum.