JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Flashcards applications are getting more and more popular among medical students. They rely on principles that have been largely proven in different studies. However, there is very limited data on their benefits in real life conditions. While infectiology is a difficult topic for medical interns, the proper use of antibiotics represents a major public health issue.

Objective:

Assessing the benefits of Flashcards (FC) for learning infectiology.

Methods:

This was a prospective study conducted among residents from intensive care – anesthesiology and emergency specialties in the north-west quarter of France. All residents included received infectiology courses in the form of a slide show by email. They were then randomized in a 1:1 fashion into two groups. The first group received slide shows only. The second group was invited to join a FC application (Brainscape®). The progression of each group was measured through an online questionnaire at 3 and 6 months.

Results:

188 students were included in this study. A total of 95 students were included in the flashcard group, and 64 logged in to the application. There were 93 students in the control group. 50 Students participated in the three-month evaluation and 85 students in the 6-month evaluation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in questionnaire results at 6 months (14.50±4.18 / 28 [n=44] vs 13.05±5.12 / 28, [n=41]; p=0.19, in the FC and control groups respectively; IC95=[-3.46 ; 0.56]).

Conclusions:

Flashcards are a powerful way of learning and can help doctors maintain and gain new knowledge. However, their benefits in practice still need to be proven.