A case-oriented web-based curriculum in geriatrics for third-year medical students

OBJECTIVES: This payer describes the development, implementation, and evalu ation of a case-oriented, web-based curriculum in geriatric medicine for th ird-year medical students. DESIGN: Single cohort, pre/post trial. SETTING: University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas. PARTICIPANTS: Third-year medical students (n = 130). INTERVENTION: A web-based curriculum, offered during a clinical geriatrics clerkship, is composed of 13 case-oriented, web-based modules spanning key topics in geriatric medicine. Each module topic is also reviewed in a post- module, faculty-led discussion session. MEASUREMENTS: A pre-and post-rotation test of knowledge was completed. Stud ent feedback about the curriculum was collected through web-based and writt en evaluation. MAIN RESULTS: Pre-and post-rotation comparison of examination scores demons trated an average increase of 13 correct items on a 40-item exam. Seventy-f ive percent of students rated each module favorably at the time of completi on (range 53-89%). Most modules (10/13) were rated as excellent or good aft er all modules had been completed. CONCLUSIONS: A case-oriented web-based curriculum in geriatrics was rated f avorably by third-year medical students. Students' knowledge increased in k ey geriatric topics. Student feedback allows for continuous improvement of the curriculum. This model of curricular innovation may be useful for other institutions seeking to develop or enhance geriatric medicine content in t he medical school curriculum.