A unique, interactive and web-based pediatric rheumatology teaching module: residents’ perceptions

Michelle Batthish,Rayfel Schneider,Avi Hyman,Brian M Feldman,Shirley Ml Tse,Ereny Bassilious

doi:10.1186/1546-0096-11-22

Abstract

BackgroundThe limited availability of pediatric rheumatologists for teaching in pediatric residency programs negatively impacts resident education about rheumatology. At present, there are no educational websites available for trainees to learn about pediatric rheumatology. We are planning to develop an interactive web-based teaching module to improve resident learning about rheumatology (“POINTER”: Pediatric Online INteractive TEaching in Rheumatology). The aim of this study was to perform a needs assessment of pediatric residents who will be using POINTER.MethodsPediatric residents (n = 60) at The Hospital for Sick Children were emailed an online survey. This was designed to assess prior use of online teaching modules, the utility of an online teaching module for rheumatology and which technologies should be included on such a site.ResultsForty-seven residents participated in the survey (78.3% response rate). Ninety-one percent of the respondents thought that an interactive teaching website would enhance their learning and should include case-based teaching modules. Several web-based technologies were felt to be important for inclusion on the teaching modules. These included graphics and animation (86.4%), interactivity (93.2%), pictures (100%), live digital videos (88.9%) and links to articles and research (88.6%).ConclusionsAn interactive web-based rheumatology teaching module would be well utilized by pediatric residents. Residents showed preference for case-based teaching modules as well as multimedia modalities for learning a detailed musculoskeletal examination.

Highlights

The limited availability of pediatric rheumatologists for teaching in pediatric residency programs negatively impacts resident education about rheumatology
Exposure to pediatric rheumatology training is limited to centers with pediatric rheumatologists [3] and formal instruction in pediatric MSK assessment is lacking within pediatric residency programs [4]
Residents were informed that the Division of Rheumatology at SickKids was in the process of developing an online interactive web-based teaching module for residents to learn about pediatric rheumatology (POINTER)

Summary

Introduction

The limited availability of pediatric rheumatologists for teaching in pediatric residency programs negatively impacts resident education about rheumatology. We are planning to develop an interactive web-based teaching module to improve resident learning about rheumatology (“POINTER”: Pediatric Online INteractive TEaching in Rheumatology). Exposure to pediatric rheumatology training is limited to centers with pediatric rheumatologists [3] and formal instruction in pediatric MSK assessment is lacking within pediatric residency programs [4]. The Interactive Rheumatology Tutor, initially developed in 1997, is aimed at undergraduates, general medical and rheumatology post-graduate trainees and general practitioners [5]. It contains many images and includes video and audio clips. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has both an online tutorial system aimed at medical students and primary care physicians as well as a case-based curriculum on CD-

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