Caring for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury: A Mixed Study Evaluation of eLearning Modules Designed for Family Physicians

Colla J MacDonald, Dr. James Milligan, Dr. Tara Jeji, Kaitlin Mathias, Dr. Hugh Kellam, Jane Gaffney

Abstract


Abstract

Background: Family physicians often do not feel comfortable or have the knowledge or experience to adequately treat and manage the needs of persons with Spinal Cord Injury. An eLearning resource was designed to provide family physicians with accessible information to facilitate their treatment of persons with Spinal Cord Injury. Methods: This study evaluated the effectiveness of eLearning modules with regard to meeting the learning needs of family medicine residents treating individuals with spinal cord injury. A mixed methods approach, involved collecting and analyzing data from post module quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The constructs of the W(e)Learn framework guided data analysis. Findings: Family medicine residents reported they enjoyed the learning experience, learned new information and raised their awareness of specific health care needs with regard to treating and managing persons with spinal cord injury. Residents confirmed designing the resource to be accessed anytime and anywhere will enable them to retrieve information on a need to know basis. A few residents provided examples of how they applied information they learned as a result of completing the resource. Conclusion: Effectively designed eLearning modules that address learner needs can be a viable approach to providing information to physicians regarding treating and managing persons with spinal cord injury.


Keywords


eLearning, Medical Education, Spinal Cord Injury, Family Medicine

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References


References

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