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ePosters (electronic Posters), a modification of traditional paper-based posters have gained popularity in medical education conferences since 2011. ePoster in educational settings differs from the traditional poster in that it allows the ePoster creator to focus on the learning process rather than reporting scientific outcomes. However, there is limited literature comparing ePosters to traditional paper-based posters and their impact on the student learning experience. ePosters as an assessment tool are well suited for online learning. This article presents twelve tips for using ePosters as an active learning strategy in classrooms and describes how to incorporate ePosters as a formative and summative assessment tool in health professions education, at all levels.

Diabetes is a public health challenge in Canada with a disproportionate number of Indigenous people, especially women, living with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes ocular complication and a common cause of blindness in Canadian adults. Many individuals living with diabetes do not have regular diabetic eye screening. This study sought to determine the diabetic retinopathy awareness and eye care behaviour of Indigenous women with diabetes or at risk of diabetes. This was a quantitative study among 78 Indigenous women (First Nations and Métis) in Saskatoon, Canada. Data on diabetic retinopathy awareness and eye care behaviour were collected via a knowledge, attitude, and practice survey. Participants had high diabetic retinopathy practice mean scores (32.16) than knowledge (30.16) and attitude scores (22.56). Sub-group analysis showed a significant difference in knowledge scores between age, education, and diabetes status, and differences in practice scores between age and education. Although our regression analysis indicated an association between education and knowledge scores (p = 0.024), and diabetes status and attitude scores (p = 0.044), the associations are not conclusive. Indigenous peoples with or at risk of diabetes may benefit from targeted interventions on diabetes and eye care, which could improve eye care awareness and behaviour.

Student Response Systems (Clickers) have been adopted by a number of instructors to increase interactions, student engagement and/or formative assessment and feedback especially in large group sessions. Clickers are well known as tools for active learning strategy particularly in formative assessments. However, they are rarely used in assessments that count. With the advent of clickers with a display screen, attempts are being made to use clickers in summative exams. We examined the feasibility of their use in high stakes summative assessment by piloting such an assessment in a simulated setting. Utilizing the lessons learned in the pilot study, clickers were used in formative and summative assessments in various iterations of a computer course taught by one of the authors (CC). At the end of the course, perceptions of students on the use of clickers for high-stake examinations were obtained using an online survey. The instructor was interviewed to identify factors that facilitated clicker use and the challenges faced. In general, students were accepting of the use of this technology in high stakes exams and found it engaging and satisfying, primarily because of instant feedback. The instructor found the process less time consuming and efficient, and more secure compared to scan sheets. Clickers are best used for examinations of short duration, with multiple-choice questions or questions with minimal text or mathematical entry.

Background Self-directed learning (SDL) is defined as learning on one’s own initiative, with the learner having primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating the effort. Medical education institutions promote SDL, since physicians need to be self-directed learners to maintain lifelong learning in the ever-changing world of medicine and to obtain essential knowledge for professional growth. The purpose of the study was to measure the self-directed learning readiness of medical students across the training years, to determine the perceptions of students and faculty on factors that promote and deter SDL and to identify the role of culture and curriculum on SDL at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Methods Guglielmino’s SDL Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered in 2015 to six student cohorts (452 students) at admission, end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of training, and at the beginning of internship in the undergraduate medicine (MBBS) program. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare SDL scores between years of training. 5 student focus groups and 7 interviews with instructors captured perceptions of self-direction. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically. Results The overall mean SDLRS score was 212.91. There was no significant effect of gender and age on SDLR scores. There was a significant drop in SDLRS scores on comparing students at admission with students at subsequent years of training. Qualitative analysis showed the prominent role of culture and curriculum on SDL readiness. Conclusions Given the importance of SDL in medicine, the current curriculum may require an increase in learning activities that promote SDL. Strategies to change the learning environment that facilitates SDL have to be considered.

Many factors contribute to errors that occur during emergency Cesarean birth under general anesthesia. The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JACO) reports that 70% of sentinel events in obstetric practice are attributable to errors in communication and teamwork. Our objective was to develop a video training module to address these deficiencies, and measure its effectiveness. A webbased learning resource was created using professionally made videos that depicted effective and non-effective communication/teamwork techniques in an obstetrical event. This resource could be accessed by a facilitator of small group sessions or by self directed learners. Obstetrical nurses watched this learning resource and were then debriefed by a facilitator to highlight examples of how human factors contribute to the evolution of adverse events. The knowledge and skills, as well as, perceptions of their own behaviors and of other health professionals in the team, were evaluated preand post intervention. The performance of a subgroup of participants in a high-fidelity simulation of an emergency Cesarean birth was assessed to measure the outcome of intervention. Ninety-five obstetrical nurses were given the pre-intervention questionnaires, and 52 completed the post-intervention questionnaires one year later. Participants had significantly higher scores post-intervention (M = 0.78, SD = 0.09) as compared to pre-intervention (M = 0.73, SD = 0.12; t(53) = ?3.07, p

The School of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan curriculum promotes self-direction as one of its learning philosophies. The authors sought to identify changes in self-directed learning (SDL) readiness during training.Guglielmino's SDL Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered to five student cohorts (N = 375) at admission and the end of every year of training, 2006 to 2010. Scores were analyzed using repeated-measurement analysis. A focus group and interviews captured students' and instructors' perceptions of self-direction.Overall, the mean SDLRS score was 230.6; men (n = 168) 229.5; women (n = 197) 232.3, higher than in the average adult population. However, the authors were able to follow only 275 students through later years of medical education. There were no significant effects of gender, years of premedical training, and Medical College Admission Test scores on SDLRS scores. Older students were more self-directed. There was a significant drop in scores at the end of year one for each of the cohorts (P.001), and no significant change to these SDLRS scores as students progressed through medical school. Students and faculty defined SDL narrowly and had similar perceptions of curricular factors affecting SDL.The initial scores indicate high self-direction. The drop in scores one year after admission, and the lack of change with increased training, show that the current educational interventions may require reexamination and alteration to ones that promote SDL. Comparison with schools using a different curricular approach may bring to light the impact of curriculum on SDL.

In many areas of study—especially health professions, visual demonstration of concepts, processes and procedures form an important strategy for teaching and learning. Video recordings can be invaluable in capturing visual components. Annotations add another all-important dimension to the learning value of the video. Our Annotated Video Software is an innovative e-learning tool in support of experiential and self-directed learning. Annotations are independent of the video and the separation of annotation and video provides a robust learning environment that supports content. The tool is user-friendly and instructors can add annotations, without the need for intervention by programmers. Annotations can consist of notes of explanation, complementary videos, links to additional information and questions to engage critical thinking. Students’ answers to questions may also be collected and collated. Upon submission of answers feedback can be displayed, thus transforming evaluation into an immediate learning opportunity. We have already created educational resources for health professionals. Next steps include dissemination of the software to educators, provision of software access by mobile devices and better strategies to incorporate the annotated videos into existing learning management systems.

Objectives: The purpose of this evaluation study was to identify the feasibility of repurposing specific online modules developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada as continuing education modules for front-line practitioners, in teaching clinical epidemiology to undergraduate medical students. Specifically, relevancy of the content, quality of online material, time-effectiveness of using the online component, required resources, and student satisfaction were investigated. Method: Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders from the Skills Enhancement Program, technical support personnel, instructors, a web administrator and an assignment marker. Surveys measuring student satisfaction were administered to students in the middle of the online component and at the end of the course. Two student focus groups were conducted. As well, other documents (e.g., online materials, course packages) were reviewed. Results: Instructors felt that the content of the modules was appropriate and would enhance learning, although making changes was time consuming. Medical students reported that the content was relevant and they enjoyed the flexibility allowed by the online components. However, students reported that there were too many assignments and too much content for the allotted time frame. Conclusion: The Public Health Agency’s online content seems to be relevant to medical students, but needs to be fine-tuned further to cater to their specific needs. Instructors required a lot of time to review and revise the content. The time allocated for online content in this course was too little compared to the volume of information. It is feasible to repurpose the online modules in undergraduate medical education. Key words: Community health education; undergraduate medical education; online learning

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in dental students' self-directed learning (SDL) readiness during their education. Guglielmino's SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) was completed at admission by dental students at the University of Saskatchewan and at the end of each year of training. The response rates varied from year to year. Between twenty-seven and thirty students completed the questionnaire each year at admission (93-100 percent of the entering class). The numbers of participants were lower in succeeding years: numbers used for analysis ranged from eleven to twenty-six; years in which fewer than eleven students participated were not included in the analysis. At admission, the students' mean SDLRS score was 228.98 (on a scale from 58 to 290, with 290 the highest); this score was higher than that of the average adult population (214±25.59). There was no significant effect of years of predental education, prior unsuccessful applications to dental school, interview scores, age, or admission test scores. There was a significant drop in SDLRS scores at the end of the first year for most of the cohorts (p

This module is a collection of 40 video vignettes developed for use by faculty developers in a variety of settings. The vignettes depict effective and ineffective teaching methods. There is an accompanying resource manual with guiding questions and suggestions for how the vignettes may be used in training. While many of the video vignettes target those who train medical faculty, others may be used by those involved in training the learners at all educational levels. Each video has been kept deliberately short so that it can be used to quickly demonstrate a technique, or as a starter for discussions. Using these, participants may be asked to critically analyze good and not-so-good ways of teaching. This DVD is divided into four major categories: presentation skills, active learning strategies, small-group teaching, and clinical teaching. Each category has been further divided into specific teaching methods. Questions added under each of the categories, may be used to actively engage participants watching the videos. This resource has been used as part of the 2-day Teaching Improvement Project Systems (TIPS) workshops to train faculty and residents at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. TIPS is mandatory for all new faculty. All residents take TIPS in their first and second year of training. During TIPS, these videos are used to trigger discussions, as well as identify effective and ineffective teaching methods.

Innovations in medical education have led to the increasing use of problem-based learning techniques, a committee system organization, and more time for independent study in many undergraduate programmes. There has been an increase in availability of alternative methods for presentation of information. To encourage self-directed learning, resources such as computers, videos and models, among others, should be readily available to students. The University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine has provided various resources contained in one area, called the Bacs Learning Resource Centre (BLRC). Since the maintenance and further development of such a centre requires significant resources, it is important to determine student utilization of the various components used in their learning. For those who are about to set up such a learning resource centre this information gives guidance on which materials are most useful. The utilization of the centre by 69 first year medical students was studied using questionnaires. The utilization during a specific course was determined by analysing the entries in the individual log books given to the students at the beginning of the Integrative Course. With the exception of one student, all those who responded to the questionnaire used the Centre, with 20% or less of their total study time being spent there. The BLRC was most used for the Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular and Reticulo-Endothelial courses. All categories of resources were found to be useful, with the tape/slides least utilized. Utilization was most influenced by the quality of resources available and recommendations by peers. The development of a centre such as the BLRC, with a variety of resources concentrated in one area, suitable for individual or group study and accessible 24 hours a day, should be considered by all medical schools to enhance self-directed learning in medical students.

Methods Twenty-four MS patients with scores ranging from 3.0 to 7.0 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) received four weeks of Swedish massage treatments. The Six-Minute-Walk-Test (6MWT) was used to assess their exercise capacity and leg function and the Hamburg Quality of Life in MS (HAQUAMS) instrument was used to assess changes in client QoL. These assessments were measured before and after a massage period and a rest period where no massages were employed.

The need for cesarean birth is sometimes so urgent that regional anesthesia techniques such as spinal or epidural cannot be done quickly enough to safely deliver the baby. Primary general anesthesia for surgery is a rare event on the labor and birth unit, but is the only way in which cesarean birth can occur without jeopardizing the health and safety of the baby and/or mother. While this represents a small number of patients overall (10–12 per year in the authors' unit), the outcome can be devastating for both mother and baby when this procedure is not well managed. The purpose of this resource is to improve patient safety and quality of care for patients who must have an emergency cesarean birth under primary general anesthesia. This quality improvement resource emphasizes teamwork and communication in the labor and birth unit during these critical and emergent times through a series of videos depicting a pregnant woman requiring emergency cesarean birth under general anesthesia. This web-based and interactive video format is used as a clinical example that emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in an interdisciplinary acute care setting. Further, it is the authors hope that engagement with these videos will provoke an emotional involvement that will prime the learner to more actively participate in other medical education exercises such as debriefings after medical simulations.

This module is a game-based desktop study and review tool that deals with the cysts and tumors of the liver. Medical Solitaire structures factual course content into an engaging format. The top half of the game screen can display up to eight categories (e.g., types of hepatic cysts and tumors in the illustrative example). The lower half of the game screen contains a stack of digital cards (text, laboratory data, radiographic images, gross pathology images, histopathologic images) that are to be matched with the categories above. The student evaluates the data on the top card of the stack and decides with which of the categories it matches. They then drag the card to that category (much like playing computer solitaire). A score is tabulated in the lower right corner. At the end of the game, the student receives a percent grade reflecting how well they have done in matching card data with each category. Low scores would tell the student that they need more review of the material. The categories and card stack reshuffle every time a new game is started to avoid having students remember material based solely on its location in the game. The first iteration of the tool is being published to highlight the role that game-playing can have in medical education and to obtain feedback from medical educators aiding the further development of the educational approach.

This web-based learning platform was developed for use by faculty and students who wish to learn about and engage in mentor/mentee relationships. Mentoring is a learning process where helpful, personal, and reciprocal relationships are built while focusing on achievement, and providing emotional support. Within mentoring relationships, mentees develop and learn through conversations with more experienced mentors who share knowledge and skills that can be incorporated into their thinking and practice. This platform has been evaluated by four representatives from the target audience, and all agreed or strongly agreed that it was very useful, specifically in their practice. The content of this platform is not only applicable to medical and dental educators, but for anyone wanting to learn about mentoring or start a program in mentoring. Future plans include making the platform more interactive by introducing a Wiki-style interface, so that the target audience can share their experiences and add to the resource.

With the reduction in hands-on lab time in medical courses, recordings of animal experiments are the next best way of actually visualizing physiological changes. This learning object has been developed for use in physiology courses and comprises a video with accompanying instructor manual. It can be used in a large- or small-group setting in sessions that address any of the following topics: regulation of the cardiovascular system, effect of changes in posture, prolonged bed rest and its physiological effects, antihypertensives, mode of action and side effects, effect of gravity on the body—zero gravity and g forces, handling of animals, anatomy of blood vessels, systemic circulation, and physiological effects of acceleration and deceleration. This learning object can be used to predict, see, and discuss changes in the cardiovascular system produced by posture. At our institution, it has been effectively used in a large-group setting. This learning object can be stopped at will by the instructor, so that varying aspects can be focused on, depending upon the audience. The resource actively engages students.

Student response system or clickers is an electronic application where a receiver in the instructor's computer captures responses to questions from student keypads. Used effectively, clickers can promote learner engagement and serve to improve learning. It can be used in a variety of ways such as to provide feedback to learners and instructor, to start discussions, for peer evaluation, for formative and summative assessment, to build a learning community, and to experiment on human responses.Using our experience in the use of this technology and literature review, we provide twelve tips for successful use of the student response system.We have found these strategies useful and envisage that the application of these tips can help maximize learner engagement and learning.