Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study

Background: Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a core unit delivered across many medical schools. Few studies have investigated the most effective method of teaching a course in EBM to medical students. The objective of this study was to identify whether a blended-learning approach to teaching EBM is...

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Main Authors: Ilic, D., Hart, William, Fiddes, P., Misso, M., Villanueva, E.
Format: Journal Article
Published: BioMed Central Ltd. 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/37516
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author Ilic, D.
Hart, William
Fiddes, P.
Misso, M.
Villanueva, E.
author_facet Ilic, D.
Hart, William
Fiddes, P.
Misso, M.
Villanueva, E.
author_sort Ilic, D.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a core unit delivered across many medical schools. Few studies have investigated the most effective method of teaching a course in EBM to medical students. The objective of this study was to identify whether a blended-learning approach to teaching EBM is more effective a didactic-based approach at increasing medical student competency in EBM. Methods. A mixed-methods study was conducted consisting of a controlled trial and focus groups with second year graduate medical students. Students received the EBM course delivered using either a didactic approach (DID) to learning EBM or a blended-learning approach (BL). Student competency in EBM was assessed using the Berlin tool and a criterion-based assessment task, with student perceptions on the interventions assessed qualitatively. Results: A total of 61 students (85.9%) participated in the study. Competency in EBM did not differ between the groups when assessed using the Berlin tool (p = 0.29). Students using the BL approach performed significantly better in one of the criterion-based assessment tasks (p = 0.01) and reported significantly higher self-perceived competence in critical appraisal skills. Qualitative analysis identified that students had a preference for the EBM course to be delivered using the BL approach. Conclusions: Implementing a blended-learning approach to EBM teaching promotes greater student appreciation of EBM principles within the clinical setting. Integrating a variety of teaching modalities and approaches can increase student self-confidence and assist in bridging the gap between the theory and practice of EBM. © 2013 Ilic et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-375162017-09-13T13:42:27Z Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study Ilic, D. Hart, William Fiddes, P. Misso, M. Villanueva, E. Background: Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a core unit delivered across many medical schools. Few studies have investigated the most effective method of teaching a course in EBM to medical students. The objective of this study was to identify whether a blended-learning approach to teaching EBM is more effective a didactic-based approach at increasing medical student competency in EBM. Methods. A mixed-methods study was conducted consisting of a controlled trial and focus groups with second year graduate medical students. Students received the EBM course delivered using either a didactic approach (DID) to learning EBM or a blended-learning approach (BL). Student competency in EBM was assessed using the Berlin tool and a criterion-based assessment task, with student perceptions on the interventions assessed qualitatively. Results: A total of 61 students (85.9%) participated in the study. Competency in EBM did not differ between the groups when assessed using the Berlin tool (p = 0.29). Students using the BL approach performed significantly better in one of the criterion-based assessment tasks (p = 0.01) and reported significantly higher self-perceived competence in critical appraisal skills. Qualitative analysis identified that students had a preference for the EBM course to be delivered using the BL approach. Conclusions: Implementing a blended-learning approach to EBM teaching promotes greater student appreciation of EBM principles within the clinical setting. Integrating a variety of teaching modalities and approaches can increase student self-confidence and assist in bridging the gap between the theory and practice of EBM. © 2013 Ilic et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/37516 10.1186/1472-6920-13-169 BioMed Central Ltd. unknown
spellingShingle Ilic, D.
Hart, William
Fiddes, P.
Misso, M.
Villanueva, E.
Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title_full Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title_fullStr Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title_full_unstemmed Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title_short Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: A mixed methods study
title_sort adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: a mixed methods study
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/37516