Lauren Rimoin1, Lisa Altieri2, Noah Craft3, Sally Krasne4, Philip J Kellman5. 1. Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 2. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California. 3. Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California; Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, California; Science 37, Inc, Los Angeles, California; Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California. 4. Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: skrasne@mednet.ucla.edu. 5. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Insight Learning Technology Inc, Santa Monica.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ability to reliably recognize and classify a range of skin signs and symptoms remains a necessary skill across most clinical disciplines but one that is traditionally mastered via nonsystematic experience over long periods. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether online Perceptual and Adaptive Learning Modules (PALMs) could efficiently train preclerkship medical students to identify and discriminate primary skin lesion morphologies, configurations, and anatomic distributions. METHODS: Medical students completed an online skin lesion morphology PALM voluntarily in year 1 and by requirement, along with configuration and anatomic distribution PALMs, in year 2. In controlled before-and-after studies, multiple-choice pretests and posttests using previously unused images, assessed PALM-induced learning. In prospective cohort studies, differences in year-2 performance between students who had and had not completed the morphology PALM in year 1 were also assessed. RESULTS: Multiple-choice tests, used to evaluate PALM effectiveness, demonstrated large (effect sizes of 1.1 [±0.1 SE] to 2.2 [±0.1 SE]) and statistically significant (P < .0001) improvements after PALM training, with learning retention when tested after 1 year. LIMITATIONS: Results are from self-selected groups and a single class at 1 institution. CONCLUSION: PALMs are a useful tool for efficient development of the core clinical skills of pattern recognition and classification of skin lesion characteristics.
BACKGROUND: The ability to reliably recognize and classify a range of skin signs and symptoms remains a necessary skill across most clinical disciplines but one that is traditionally mastered via nonsystematic experience over long periods. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether online Perceptual and Adaptive Learning Modules (PALMs) could efficiently train preclerkship medical students to identify and discriminate primary skin lesion morphologies, configurations, and anatomic distributions. METHODS: Medical students completed an online skin lesion morphology PALM voluntarily in year 1 and by requirement, along with configuration and anatomic distribution PALMs, in year 2. In controlled before-and-after studies, multiple-choice pretests and posttests using previously unused images, assessed PALM-induced learning. In prospective cohort studies, differences in year-2 performance between students who had and had not completed the morphology PALM in year 1 were also assessed. RESULTS: Multiple-choice tests, used to evaluate PALM effectiveness, demonstrated large (effect sizes of 1.1 [±0.1 SE] to 2.2 [±0.1 SE]) and statistically significant (P < .0001) improvements after PALM training, with learning retention when tested after 1 year. LIMITATIONS: Results are from self-selected groups and a single class at 1 institution. CONCLUSION: PALMs are a useful tool for efficient development of the core clinical skills of pattern recognition and classification of skin lesion characteristics.
Authors: Christa Slaught; Pamela Madu; Aileen Y Chang; Victoria L Williams; Masego B Kebaetse; Oathokwa Nkomazana; Onkabetse Julia Molefe-Baikai; Negussie A Bekele; Bernard Omech; Philip J Kellman; Sally Krasne; Carrie L Kovarik Journal: J Cutan Med Surg Date: 2021-08-02 Impact factor: 2.092