Development of a knowledge sharing tool based on medical students' preferences to enhance clinical learning at the University Family Medicine Clinic, Ragama

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Teaching common clinical presentations is a primary objective during the 4th year 4-week Family Medicine rotation. Sharing new clinical knowledge becomes vital as only two students can be accommodated per consultation. Our objective was to develop a tool for students to share knowledge obtained during consultations. METHODS: Three successive student groups (averaging 20) contributed to the development of the tool. At the end of rotations, the provided feedback/suggestions, based on which the tool was improved Group_ 1 Students shared knowledge by posting questions based on new learning at consultations on a wall mount quiz board (WMQB) using sticky notes. Group_2 based on Group_1 students' preference, E-quiz board (EQB) was introduced to post questions. WhatsApp was the preferred platform for the EQB. Guideline on netiquette was uploaded on EQB. Group_3 based on suggestions from Group_2, students were requested to post questions with answers as text, web link or photograph. RESULTS: Most students of Group_1 (75%) preferred an online tool for knowledge sharing. WhatsApp (75%), Viber (15%) and faculty's virtual learning environment (10%) were electronic platform preferences WMQB was interesting for 90%, EQB for 71 % and EQB with answers for 95%. WMQB was helpful in sharing knowledge for 75%, EQB for 90% and EQB with answers for 100%. 65% agreed that WMQB encouraged reading while 52% for EQB and 76% for EQB with answers. Three students (n=42) experienced technical difficulties and one lacked a device to access EQB. CONCLUSION: WMQB and EQB were both acceptable for knowledge sharing. Introducing answers increased usefulness.