Use of mobile learning module improves skills in chest tube insertion

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research 2012-09, Vol.177 (1), p.21-26
• Main Authors: Davis, James S., MD, Garcia, George D., MD, Wyckoff, Mary M., PhD, Alsafran, Salman, MD, Graygo, Jill M., MA, MPH, Withum, Kelly F., BS, Schulman, Carl I., MD, PhD, MSPH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chest tube; Chest Tubes; Clinical simulation; Competency assessment; Humans; Internship and Residency - methods; Manikins; Military Medicine - education; Mobile learning; Problem-Based Learning; Resident education; Surgery; Thoracostomy - education
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2012.03.022

Abstract Background Just-In-Time Learning is a concept increasingly applied to medical education, and its efficacy must be evaluated. Materials and methods A 3-minute video on chest tube insertion was produced. Consenting participants were assigned to either the video group, which viewed the video on an Apple® iPod Touch immediately before chest tube insertion, or the control group, which received no instruction. Every participant filled out a questionnaire regarding prior chest tube experience. A trained clinician observed participants insert a chest tube on the TraumaMan® task simulator, and assessed performance using a 14-item skills checklist. Results Overall, 128 healthcare trainees participated, with 50% in the video group. Participants included residents (34.4%, n = 44), medical students (32.8%, n = 42), and U.S. Army Forward Surgical Team members (32.8%, n = 42). Sixty-nine percent of all participants responded that they had never placed a chest tube, but 7% had placed more than 20. Only 25% of the participants had previously used TraumaMan®. Subjects who viewed the video scored better on the skills checklist than the control group (11.09 ± 3.09 versus 7.17 ± 3.56, P