A blended online curriculum in the basic surgery clerkship: a pilot study

Brenessa M Lindeman; Joanna K Law; Pamela A Lipsett; Trisha Arbella; Miloslawa Stem; Anne O Lidor

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.10.003

A blended online curriculum in the basic surgery clerkship: a pilot study

Am J Surg. 2015 Jan;209(1):145-51. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.10.003. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Authors

Brenessa M Lindeman¹, Joanna K Law², Pamela A Lipsett³, Trisha Arbella³, Miloslawa Stem³, Anne O Lidor³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: b.lindeman@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
³ Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 1206, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

PMID: 25466767
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.10.003

Abstract

Background: A "lectures plus clinical experiences" curriculum for surgical clerkships has significant faculty demand. A less faculty-intense blended online curriculum (BOC) could provide similar/improved academic performance compared with traditional curricula (TCs).

Methods: Following an initial pilot study, students in the surgery clerkship at Johns Hopkins during 2013 to 2014 experienced a BOC (n = 129). Students the preceding year (2012 to 2013) experienced the TC (n = 108). Performance and satisfaction were compared between groups using clinical evaluations, National Board of Medical Examiners examination scores, and clerkship evaluations.

Results: No significant differences in academic performance between BOC and TC students were observed on National Board of Medical Examiners examination or clinical evaluation scores. After multivariable adjustment, student year was the only significant predictor of student performance. Clerkship teaching ratings were higher for BOC students than TC students (4.25/5 vs 3.98/5, P = .03).

Conclusions: BOC incorporation in the basic surgery clerkship resulted in noninferior academic outcomes and significantly improved student satisfaction.

Keywords: Blended learning; Clerkship; Curriculum; Medical student; Online learning.

Publication types

Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Clinical Clerkship / methods*
Clinical Competence
Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods*
Curriculum*
Education, Medical, Undergraduate / methods*
Educational Measurement
Feasibility Studies
Female
General Surgery / education*
Humans
Internet*
Linear Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Maryland
Multivariate Analysis
Personal Satisfaction
Pilot Projects
Program Evaluation
Prospective Studies