Teaching medical students exposure therapy for phobia/panic - randomized, controlled comparison of face-to-face tutorial in small groups vs. solo computer instruction.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To compare the teaching value of one session of computer-guided solo instruction in exposure therapy for phobias with that of one face-to-face small-group tutorial.

DESIGN:
Non-blind, randomized, controlled study.

SETTING:
King's College Hospital Medical School, London.

PARTICIPANTS:
Thirty-seven third-year medical students and 11 behaviour therapists.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Seventy-five true/false multiple choice questions relating to (b) below answered at pre- and post-teaching by students and just once by behaviour therapists to obtain 'expert' scores; pre- and post-teaching ratings of interest in behaviour therapy and post-teaching ratings of educational and enjoyment value.

EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS:
(a) All students had a 20-minute group lecture on basic concepts and historical aspects just before randomization to:
(b) 90 min of either solo computer or group face-to-face tutorial teaching. Computer instruction used a short version of 'FearFighter'- a self-help computer system for people suffering from phobias.

RESULTS:
Solo computer instruction taught exposure therapy principles effectively but improved multiple choice question scores marginally less than did small-group tutorial teaching. Tutorial teaching required 5 times more teacher time but led to knowledge scores that did not differ significantly from those of behaviour therapists. Students clearly rated face-to-face small-group tutorial teaching as more enjoyable.

CONCLUSION:
The knowledge gain from a solo computer session resembled that from a small-group face-to-face tutorial, and required far less teacher time, but was less enjoyable. Enjoyment might rise if the computer session was group-oriented and aimed at students rather than patients. In general computer teaching might be best used to complement rather than replace conventional teaching.

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Author information

Author/s: McDonough, Michael (M); Marks, Isaac M (IM);

Affiliation: Maudsley Hospital, London, UK. spbpmdm(-atsign-)iop.kcl.uk.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Medical education (Med Educ), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 36 (issue 5) : pp 412-7

Dates: Created 2002/05/24; Completed 2002/06/21; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12028390, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods
Curriculum
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods
England
Female

Humans
Male
Phobic Disorders - therapy
Psychotherapy - education
Teaching - methods

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