IU SBC Fellows: Good Practices

Good Practice from Glenda R. Westmoreland, IUPUI

Title	Web-based Geriatrics Modules for Resident Education
Course or Project	Web-based Geriatrics Modules for Resident Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Audience	Graduate students
Active	2001, still active
Background Information	This proposal will use funding from the SBC Fellows Program to enhance textual Web-based geriatrics education modules created by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded to the Fellow Applicant. These modules will be designed for residents’ geriatric education in four content areas. Using SBC funding, the modules were enhanced by adding video and audio components to increase stimulation and interactivity. A randomized controlled trial is ongoing to determine if the enhanced Web-based modules when compared with modules having largely textual, but similar content will improve resident satisfaction and improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes in geriatrics.
Teaching Challenge	Currently there is a disparity between the large numbers of resident learners who require training in geriatrics and the smaller number of qualified geriatrics trained teachers. Because of this disparity and mandates requiring resident training in geriatrics, innovative teaching approaches, such as computer-assisted instruction are needed. Toward this end, the Fellow Applicant submitted a proposal to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the Generalist Physician Faculty Scholars Program entitled “The Effect of Web-based Training and Activated Standardized Patients on Residents’ Practice Patterns with Older Patients.” The study is a randomized controlled trial with the following study aims: (1) to develop and assess the effect of a primary care geriatrics Web-based education intervention on internal medicine residents’ knowledge, skills and attitudes and (2) to employ standardized patients (SPs) to simulate older patients to further evaluate residents’ application of geriatric-focused health care in residents exposed to different educational interventions.
Good Practice	Textual modules on urinary incontinence, falls, dementia and depression were enhanced by adding video streaming. Videos were created and integrated into the modules to create an interactive component for the learner. The videos are used for skills development as they demonstrate the proper way for a physician to administer screening questionnaires to older adults.
Impact	Our work has large implications. Because of the deficiency in the number of teachers trained to deliver geriatrics content and the vast number of learners who are required by the Residency Review Committee to receive a geriatrics curriculum, the Web-based materials may be exported nation-wide to residency programs. Equally as important, these materials may be exported to community-based physicians who are teaching residents. The modules will allow all internal medicine residents to achieve a minimum standard in the care of older adults. Lastly, the Web-based materials may be amplified and edited to meet the needs of practicing physicians who are seeking continuing medical education.
Assessment	Data collection is ongoing. Residents tend to enjoy the Web-based format more so than the textual materials that the control group receives. These textual materials cover the same content as the Web modules but without the interaction.
Keywords	Presenting content, mastery of course objectives, online testing
Technical Format	Online, streaming audio and video, customized Web site

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