JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Novel Internet-based applications and associated technologies have influenced all aspects of our society, ranging from areas of commerce and business to entertainment and healthcare. Education is not an exception to this rule. In this context, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of a dermatology e-learning program on the academic performance of medical students in dermatology.

Objective:

Develop a dermatology blended learning course to undergraduate medical students and compare the knowledge gain between students exposed to this course and traditional teaching methods .

Methods:

This prospective study evaluated the performance of fourth semester medical students of the Federal University of Bahia - Brazil. A total of 129 students were selected and divided into two groups; the first group (57 students) attended traditional classes, using printed material (books and handouts); whereas the second group (72 students) utilized our e-learning course and e-book as a supplement, in a hybrid online plus traditional fashion. Each course was evaluated with traditional, multiple-choice paper-based tests, administered at the beginning and end of the course.

Results:

Whereas the pre-course tests didn’t show any difference between the classroom and the hybrid groups (2.74 ± 1.25 and 3.2 ± 1.22); students attending the hybrid course had better final term grades (8.18 ± 1.26) than students who attended traditional classes (7.11 ± 1.04). This difference was statistically significant (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the performance of undergraduate students attending the course with additional e-learning material was superior to the traditional course alone.