An app to enhance resident education in otolaryngology

Objective

Technological change is leading to an evolution in medical education. The objective of our study was to assess the impact of a medical knowledge app, called PulseQD, on resident education within our otolaryngology–head and neck surgery department at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted within the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery from July 2016 to June 2017. All faculty attendings and residents were asked to participate in the study and were included. A Web and mobile-based app, PulseQD, that allowed for collaborative learning was implemented. Questionnaires were given at the beginning and end of the academic year. Otolaryngology Training Exam (OTE) scores were collected

Results

A total of 20 residents and 13 faculty members participated in the study. Residents used online sources of medical information significantly more often than faculty (90% and 54%, respectively, P = 0.0179). Residents and faculty felt that PulseQD offered a valuable perspective on clinically relevant medical information (P = 0.0003), was a great way to test clinical and medical knowledge (P = 0.0001), and improved the sharing and discussing of medical knowledge (P < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant 5.8% improvement in OTE scores (P = 0.0008) at the end of the academic year.

Conclusion

The implementation of a novel mobile app, PulseQD, was well received by residents and faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Preliminary data suggest that app-based learning may lead to improved performance on knowledge-based assessments.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 2017

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