Web-based versus face-to-face learning of diabetes management: The results of a comparative trial of educational methods

Background and Objectives: Relatively little is known about the effectiveness of Web-based learning (WBL) in medical education and how it compares to conventional methods. This study examined the influence of an interactive, online curriculum in a third-year medical school family medicine clerkship on students' ability to create a management plan for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We also evaluated how the online curriculum compared to a conventionally taught curriculum. Methods: The online course included three integrated activities: (1) self-study modules, (2) a patient case study, and (3) a moderated discussion board for posting and discussing patient care plans. The WBL curriculum was compared to small-group case-based sessions with a faculty facilitator. Students completed a test case before and after the clerkship. Results: Among standard-of-care diabetic management interventions not ordered on the pretest, 38% were subsequently correctly ordered by WBL students on the posttest, versus 33% by students in the comparison group. For four out of five subgroups assessed on the case write-ups, the gain from before to after the clerkship favored the WBL group. Conclusions: Improvement among students learning online exceeded that of students learning face to face. This suggests superiority of the online method, a finding consistent with other recently published, well-controlled studies.