scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Acceptance and Use of an E-Learning Platform

Author(s):  
Markus Kipp

E-learning has become an increasingly important part of higher education and is currently used both for distance education and as a complement to teaching on the campus. In this study, we investigated the acceptance of the e-learning platform (ELP) ClinicalKey Student (ELSEVIER©) among first-year medical students. Furthermore, we asked whether acceptance (i.e., digital activities) and user behavior changed during the COVID-19 lockdown. Two first-year medical student study cohorts were followed: one cohort during the COVID-19 lockdown and another cohort one year before the lockdown. Different parameters, such as online versus offline studying, daily activities or users versus nonusers, were recorded and evaluated. Additional surveys were conducted to understand why the students used the ELP. In the non-pandemic cohort, 68 out of 251 enrolled students registered in the ELP, while the number of registered students significantly increased during the COVID-19 lockdown (201 out of 255 enrolled 2nd semester students). The increase in registered users was paralleled by an increase in daily activities normalized per user and day. Despite this increase in ELP activities, the relative distribution of different user types (i.e., online versus offline users) did not change. To conclude, this study demonstrates that the COVID-19 lockdown increases the receptivity of medical students to an ELP, but the way the students work with the ELP remains unchanged.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula L. Stillman ◽  
Darrell L. Sabers ◽  
Doris L. Redfield

This report describes an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of "trained mother" interviews early in the medical school curriculum. As an adjunct to a first-year course that teaches interviewing techniques, half of the students were exposed to an interview with one of three trained mothers early in the course. This treatment interview was immediately followed by a feedback session which concentrated on the content and process of interviewing. At the end of the course, all students had an evaluative interview. Those students who had an initial interview and feedback session with a trained mother scored significantly higher on both the content and process of their interviews than the control group. This technique is an effective and efficient way to teach interviewing skills to medical students prior to entering any of their clinical clerkships. A follow-up assessment conducted one year later indicated that one interview with a trained mother is sufficient for optimal learning and that the skills learned are retained over at least that period of time.


2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly E. Liu ◽  
Benjamin Barankin ◽  
John Howard ◽  
Lyn C. Guenther

Background: A one-week sun awareness curriculum was developed at the University of Western Ontario to educate first-year medical students on skin cancer risks and prevention. Objective: To assess the retention of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral practices one year after receiving education in sun awareness. Method: Three surveys were administered: before, immediately after the sun awareness teaching, and one year later. Actual practiced behavior in the past year was compared with the intended behavior. Results: Half as many sunburns were reported in the year following the sun awareness curriculum compared with the previous year. Medical students demonstrated a good retention of the knowledge learned a year earlier. However, many students still believed that a tanned appearance looks healthy. While there was intent to adopt more healthy behavior after the curriculum, the actual behavior practiced varied. Conclusions: An undergraduate medical curriculum on sun awareness can be effective in improving the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of future physicians.


10.2196/24664 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e24664
Author(s):  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Tara Herren ◽  
Victor Taramarcaz ◽  
Simon Regard ◽  
Sébastien Martin-Achard ◽  
...  

Background In Geneva, Switzerland, basic life support (BLS) maneuvers are provided in only 40% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) cases. As OHCA outcomes are markedly improved when BLS maneuvers are swiftly applied, a “first-responder” system was introduced in 2019. When emergency dispatchers identify a possible OHCA, first responders receive an alert message on a specific app (Save-a-Life) installed on their smartphones. Those nearest to the victim and immediately available are sent the exact location of the intervention. First-year medical students only have limited knowledge regarding BLS procedures but might nevertheless need to take care of OHCA victims. Medical students responding to out-of-hospital emergencies are off-duty in half of these situations, and offering junior medical students the opportunity to enlist as first responders might therefore not only improve OHCA outcomes but also foster a greater recognition of the role medical students can hold in our society. Objective Our aim is to determine whether providing first-year medical students with a short intervention followed by an interactive e-learning module can motivate them to enlist as first responders. Methods After obtaining the approval of the regional ethics committee and of the vice-dean for undergraduate education of the University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine (UGFM), 2 senior medical students will present the project to their first-year colleagues at the beginning of a lecture. First-year students will then be provided with a link to an interactive e-learning module which has been designed according to the Swiss Resuscitation Council’s first aid guidelines. After answering a first questionnaire and completing the module, students will be able to register for practice sessions. Those attending and successfully completing these sessions will receive a training certificate which will enable them to enlist as first responders. The primary outcome will be the proportion of first-year medical students enlisting as first responders at the end of the study period. Secondary outcomes will be the proportion of first-year medical students electing to register on the platform, to begin the e-learning module, to complete the e-learning module, to register for practice sessions, to attend the practice sessions, and to obtain a certificate. The reasons given by medical students for refusing to participate will be analyzed. We will also assess how comfortable junior medical students would feel to be integrated into the first responders system at the end of the training program and whether it affects the registration rate. Results The regional ethics committee (Req-2020-01143) and the UGFM vice-dean for undergraduate education have given their approval to the realization of this study, which is scheduled to begin in January 2021. Conclusions This study should determine whether a short intervention followed by an interactive e-learning module can motivate first-year medical students to enlist as first responders. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/24664


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Tara Herren ◽  
Victor Taramarcaz ◽  
Simon Regard ◽  
Sébastien Martin-Achard ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND In Geneva, Switzerland, basic life support (BLS) maneuvers are provided in only 40% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) cases. As OHCA outcomes are markedly improved when BLS maneuvers are swiftly applied, a “first-responder” system was introduced in 2019. When emergency dispatchers identify a possible OHCA, first responders receive an alert message on a specific app (Save-a-Life) installed on their smartphones. Those nearest to the victim and immediately available are sent the exact location of the intervention. First-year medical students only have limited knowledge regarding BLS procedures but might nevertheless need to take care of OHCA victims. Medical students responding to out-of-hospital emergencies are off-duty in half of these situations, and offering junior medical students the opportunity to enlist as first responders might therefore not only improve OHCA outcomes but also foster a greater recognition of the role medical students can hold in our society. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to determine whether providing first-year medical students with a short intervention followed by an interactive e-learning module can motivate them to enlist as first responders. METHODS After obtaining the approval of the regional ethics committee and of the vice-dean for undergraduate education of the University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine (UGFM), 2 senior medical students will present the project to their first-year colleagues at the beginning of a lecture. First-year students will then be provided with a link to an interactive e-learning module which has been designed according to the Swiss Resuscitation Council’s first aid guidelines. After answering a first questionnaire and completing the module, students will be able to register for practice sessions. Those attending and successfully completing these sessions will receive a training certificate which will enable them to enlist as first responders. The primary outcome will be the proportion of first-year medical students enlisting as first responders at the end of the study period. Secondary outcomes will be the proportion of first-year medical students electing to register on the platform, to begin the e-learning module, to complete the e-learning module, to register for practice sessions, to attend the practice sessions, and to obtain a certificate. The reasons given by medical students for refusing to participate will be analyzed. We will also assess how comfortable junior medical students would feel to be integrated into the first responders system at the end of the training program and whether it affects the registration rate. RESULTS The regional ethics committee (Req-2020-01143) and the UGFM vice-dean for undergraduate education have given their approval to the realization of this study, which is scheduled to begin in January 2021. CONCLUSIONS This study should determine whether a short intervention followed by an interactive e-learning module can motivate first-year medical students to enlist as first responders. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/24664


2016 ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
L. I. Surmach ◽  
A. A. Daroshchyk ◽  
K. M. Surmach

Objective: to determine the level of stress in students of different years of studies of medical and agrarian universities, to estimate the level of stress expressiveness and prevailing symptoms. Material and methods. The level and structure of stress were estimated using the scale of PSM-25 adapted by N. E. Vodopyanova. The level of stress in groups of first and fourth year students was determined, the prevailing symptoms in different age groups were assessed. Results. The obtained data confirm the low level of stress in different year students of different universities. It has been found that first year medical students had higher level of stress than those of agrarian universities. It has been revealed that first year medical students had prevailing symptoms related to higher level of anxiety and fourth year medical students had prevailing symptoms related to physical ailment. Conclusion. The obtained results make it possible to formulate practical recommendations promoting successful adaptation of students at institutions of higher education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Johns ◽  
Raymond Christensen

Background and Objectives: Clinical reasoning is developed sometime during medical school training.  When and how this knowledge is attained is less clear. This study looks at clinical reasoning development after initiation of a rural experiential course for first-year medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth (regional) Campus. Methods: The Rural Medical Scholars Program course (RMSP) was developed to create a longitudinal rural family medicine experience for first and second-year students at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth. Sixty-three first year medical students participated in this required course and their clinical reasoning levels were measured using the Diagnostic Thinking Inventory (DTI).  The DTI was given to the medical students after one year of participation in the RMSP course. A previous cohort before the RMSP course was developed was used as a control. A literature search was used for comparison to other schools that measured the DTI in their students. Results: Student diagnostic thinking performance as measured by the DTI after one year of the Rural Medical Scholars Program course significantly increased when compared to a previous cohort of first-year students who did not take the RMSP course. When compared to previously published DTI data, students after one year of RMSP had clinical reasoning levels of second through fourth-year students from other schools. Conclusions: The addition of a rural experiential course with family medicine preceptors significantly increased clinical reasoning levels of first-year medical students.   Financial support: None Conflicts of Interests: No conflicts to report


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