Evaluating an e-learning course's impact and challenges on genomic literacy among medical professionals

Int J Med Educ. 2024 Nov 22:15:139-149. doi: 10.5116/ijme.6736.4367.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to confirm and evaluate the learning effect of a physician-facing e-learning course on genetic medicine for improving genomic literacy.

Methods: We employed qualitative and quantitative methodology to survey 103 physicians who took the course at a national university in Japan. Evaluations were conducted at the levels of participant feedback, learning, and behaviour. Participants completed a questionnaire and test (full score = 100) before and after the course. Pre- and post-test scores were compared using paired-samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference their clinical experience. The effect size was estimated using Cohen's d.

Results: Responses were obtained from 96 physicians. Approximately 80% (n = 75-93) of participants responded positively to the course, a result supported by the qualitative data. The mean scores for the pre- and post-test showed an increase from 71.25 to 74.58 (p=0.008). In particular, mean test scores increased significantly from 68.94 to 75.53 (p<0.001) in physicians with no clinical experience in genetic medicine, while no significance was observed scores for physicians with clinical experience in genetics from 73.47 to 73.67 (p=0.903). Behavioural assessment was carried out for 28 participants; however, no statistically significant differences were identified.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that our e-learning course was useful for physicians with no experience of genetic medicine. For those with experience, it may be necessary to provide more practice-based education and educational methodologies. Behavioural assessment needs to be examined further.

Keywords: e-learning; genetic medicine; genomic education programme; genomic literacy; medical professionals.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Distance / methods
  • Educational Measurement
  • Female
  • Genomics* / education
  • Health Literacy
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physicians / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires