New era of medical education: asynchronous and synchronous online teaching during and after COVID-19

Online vs. face-to-face interactive communication education using video materials among healthcare college students: a pilot non-randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine whether online interactive communication education using video materials was as effective as face-to-face education among healthcare college students.

METHODS

The participants were healthcare college students who were enrolled in study programs to obtain national medical licenses. They participated in lectures and exercises on healthcare communication, both online (n = 139) and face-to-face (n = 132). Listening skills, understanding, and confidence in healthcare communication were assessed using a self-assessed tool.

RESULTS

From the two-way ANOVA result, the interaction effects between group (online, face-to-face) and time (Time 1, Time 2, Time 3) were not statistically significant. The main effect of time increased significantly from Time1 to Time 3 on understanding of communication with patients (Hedges'g = 0.51, 95%CI 0.27-0.75), confidence in communication with patients (g = 0.40, 95%CI 0.16-0.64), and confidence in clinical practice (g = 0.49, 95%CI 0.25, 0.73), while the score of listening skills had no significant change (Hedges'g = 0.09, 95%CI - 0.03 to 0.45).

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that online communication education with video materials and active exercises is as effective in improving students' confidence as face-to-face. It will be necessary to modify the content of this educational program to improve skills as well as confidence in communication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not Applicable.

Comparative effects of three different physical education teaching modes on college students' physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Background

An appropriate teaching mode in physical education is crucial for ensuring effective education outcomes. Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching modes are often adjusted. However, there is a lack of in-depth research on the impact of different teaching modes on the outcomes of physical education. Our study aims to address this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the teaching effectiveness of three different physical education modes among Chinese college students, with a focus on evaluating their impact on physical fitness.

Method

This study adopted a longitudinal retrospective observational design. We systematically examined the three stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (stage 1: September 2020 to January 2021; stage 2: September 2021 to January 2022 and stage 3: February 2022 to July 2022), along with the three corresponding physical education teaching modes (classroom teaching, online teaching and blended teaching) and administered three physical fitness tests (T1, T2 and T3). The physical fitness test included 7 indicators: body mass index, vital capacity, 50-m run, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, pull-ups (male), 1000-m run (male), sit-ups (female) and 800-m run (female). A mixed ANOVA model was used to analyse the physical fitness test indicators across the three different teaching modes.

Results

A total of 3363 college students (1616 males and 1747 females) enrolled in 2020 completed the three physical fitness tests. Most students were aged between 17 and 20 years old, and the BMI criteria indicated a normal distribution. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the overall training effectiveness for all students across vital capacity (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.077), sit-and-reach (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.027), and middle and long-distance running (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.031). Post-hoc multiple comparison analyses further revealed that the blended teaching was the most effective in improving these fitness indicators, whereas the online teaching performed poorly on the training effects of middle and long-distance running. Significant training effects were also shown for sit-ups (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.192) for females and pull-ups (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.020) for males in gender-specific physical fitness indicators. Similarly, blended teaching showed superior results to other teaching modes.

Conclusion

These findings emphasize the importance of conducting online physical education during unforeseen public health events and highlight the comprehensive effects of blended physical education in the post-pandemic era. Future initiatives should prioritize targeted interventions to address the observed variations in various physical fitness indicators under different physical education teaching models.

Assessment and evaluation of online education and virtual simulation technology in dental education: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led medical universities in China to conduct online teaching. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a blended learning approach that combines online teaching and virtual reality technology in dental education and to evaluate the acceptance of the blended learning approach among dental teachers and students.

METHODS

The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was followed in this study. A total of 157 students' perspectives on online and virtual reality technology education and 54 teachers' opinions on online teaching were collected via questionnaires. Additionally, 101 students in the 2015-year group received the traditional teaching method (TT group), while 97 students in the 2017-year group received blended learning combining online teaching and virtual reality technology (BL group). The graduation examination results of students in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The questionnaire results showed that most students were satisfied with the online course and the virtual simulation platform teaching, while teachers held conservative and neutral attitudes toward online teaching. Although the theoretical score of the BL group on the final exam was greater than that of the TT group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.805). The skill operation score of the BL group on the final exam was significantly lower than that of the TT group (P = 0.004). The overall score of the BL group was lower than that of the TT group (P = 0.018), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.112).

CONCLUSIONS

The blended learning approach combining online teaching and virtual reality technology plays a positive role in students' learning and is useful and effective in dental education.

Providing Equitable Care for Patients With Non-English Language Preference in Telemedicine: Training on Working With Interpreters in Telehealth

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a large increase in telemedicine encounters. Despite this rise in virtual visits, patients who speak non-English languages have experienced challenges accessing telemedicine. To improve health equity, medical education on telehealth delivery should include instruction on working with interpreters in telehealth.

Methods

We developed a 25-minute self-directed module with collective expertise of faculty with experience in medical education, interpreter training, and communication training. The module was delivered online as part of a longitudinal health equity curriculum for third-year medical students. In addition to didactic information, the module contained video examples of interpreter interactions in telehealth.

Results

Sixty-four third-year medical students participated in the study, and 60 completed a postmodule survey. Students were satisfied with the content of the module, as well as the duration of time required to complete the tasks. Approximately 90% would recommend it to future students. Nearly 80% of students rated the module as being quite effective or extremely effective at increasing their comfort level with visits with patients with non-English language preference.

Discussion

Our module provides a basic framework for medical students on how to successfully work with interpreters during a language-discordant virtual visit. This format of asynchronous learning could also be easily expanded to resident physicians and faculty seeking more resources around working with interpreters in telemedicine.