Authors
1 Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India
2 Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, India
3 Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India
Abstract
Introduction: Providing feedback to students is an essentialcomponent in medical education and has been shown to improvethe students’ learning. The purpose of this study is to evaluatethe effect of computer-based immediate feedback on the medicalstudents’ learning in a pharmacology course.
Methods: In this prospective intervention study some feedbackmodules in pharmacology (FMP) were prepared in two topics:the cardiovascular system (CVS) and chemotherapy, using blanktemplates on “Hot Potatoes” software. The FMP included MCbasedquestions and two versions were developed: one withfeedback (FMP-1) and the other without feedback (FMP-2). TheFMP-1 module provided immediate feedback for each option thestudent chose. The students (n=48) were randomized by computergenerated random number table to two groups A and B to receivethe module in CVS, i.e., FMP-1 and FMP-2, respectively. A crossoverdesign was adopted to expose all students to immediatefeedback modules. The test scores were compared and feedbackwas obtained from students and faculty using a validatedquestionnaire. A focus group discussion was conducted to clarifythe issues raised by the students.
Results: The module with immediate feedback was much better appreciated by the students than the module without feedback. The students spent more time on FMP-1 (42±7.00 minutes vs 27±12.36 minutes; p<0.001 in chemotherapy and 40±12.11 minutes vs 24±6.01 minutes; p<0.001 in CVS). However, there was no statistically significant difference in mean test scores. The qualitative data collected provided important information on the value of immediate feedback. The students believed that immediate feedback was an excellent way for self-assessment and improved their deeper understanding of content areas. They also felt that it supplemented their traditional learning habits
and stimulated them to read more. The students enjoyed its nonthreatening nature.
Conclusion: Immediate feedback improved the deeper understanding of pharmacology and its relevance to medicine for the two topics although immediate feedback did not improve test scores. Overall, immediate feedback had a positive impact on the students’ self-directed learning.
Keywords
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