MedEdPORTAL (Apr 2016)
PedsCases: A Learning Module for an Approach to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis for Medical Students
Abstract
Abstract Introduction PedsCases is a comprehensive web-based educational tool that focuses on the core objectives of undergraduate pediatric education with extensive student involvement. PedsCases was created for and by medical students and provides an opportunity for active self-directed learning in pediatrics. The learning modalities available include questions, flash-card type quizzes, multistep clinical cases, and podcasts. Methods This learning module includes a podcast, written script, reference chart, and self-assessment tool that allow medical students to develop an approach to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The podcast and script provide an overview of the seven different subtypes of JIA. The module also includes some real case examples to help solidify key concepts about the different subtypes of JIA. There is also an accompanying self-assessment that students can use to test their new knowledge and understanding of JIA in general, as well as the different subtypes of JIA. Also included is a quick reference guide that students can use throughout the learning module or on the hospital wards. Results The deployment of PedsCases has been empirically evaluated. Both cases and podcasts help medical students to achieve their desired learning objectives and improve student-assessed competency while cases improve student knowledge. Since 2008, PedsCases has had over 55,000 visitors from 150 countries with over 375,000 podcast downloads. PedsCases has published 14 previous learning modules in MedEdPORTAL. Discussion The content found on PedsCases.com is aligned with the Canadian National Undergraduate Curriculum in Pediatrics, which has been developed by the Pediatric Undergraduate Program Directors of Canada; thus, it is a key educational tool for pediatric educators and clerkship directors to use to complement the national curriculum and help learners to achieve the outlined competencies.
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