Computer instruction in learning concepts of streptococcal pharyngitis
A. E. Hilger, H. J. Hamrick and F. W. Denny Jr
Department of Allied Health Professions, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a computer-assisted instruction unit covering the
basic concepts of streptococcal pharyngitis for effectiveness as a learning
tool. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. SETTING: A medical school
associated with a tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Third-year medical
students on a pediatric clerkship from December 1, 1992, to October 31,
1993. INTERVENTION: Students were randomized into a study or a control
group and given a pretest on streptococcal pharyngitis. The study group
then completed the computer-assisted instruction unit. No attempt was made
to distinguish among the clinical experiences of the two groups during the
next 4 weeks, after which a second test on streptococcal pharyngitis was
given to both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome was measured by scores
(percentage correct) from tests given at day 1 and week 4 of the clerkship.
RESULTS: The posttest scores of the study group increased by an average of
12.1 above the pretest scores, but the scores of the control group were
only 3.4 points higher. The difference between these increases is
statistically significant (P < .01, Student's t test). CONCLUSION:
Short, well-designed computer-assisted instruction units can be effective
tools in medical education.
