Comparison of the learning outcomes achieved through text-based and video-based online training of anesthesia residents in jet ventilation and anesthesia techniques for microlaryngeal surgery: a multicenter randomized trial

Abstract

Background Effective clinical training is essential for healthcare personnel with clinical skill requirements to ensure that the required standard of care is provided. This study aimed to identify an effective learning medium for anesthesia residents by comparing text-based and video-based online training. Methods This randomized, multicenter study was conducted online between October 2020 and March 2021. Three Thai institutions were involved: the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University; and the Faculty of Medicine, Songklanagarind Hospital, Prince of Songkla University. In all, 126 anesthesia residents responded. They were randomized into a “text group” and a “video group.” Four residents were subsequently excluded from the analyses due to contamination of their learning material from the other group. The 122 eligible students undertook 3 knowledge and skill assessments (“Pretest,” “Posttest 1,” and “Posttest 2”). The primary outcome for both study groups was the gain score after training. This was measured in 2 ways: the difference between the Posttest 1 and Pretest scores and the difference between the Posttest 2 and Pretest scores. Results The mean gain scores for Pretest and Posttest 1 were 6.78 ± 6.59 for the text group and 5.77 ± 3.74 for the video group, with no significant difference (P = 0.347). The mean differences between the Posttest 2 and Pretest scores were 4.69 ± 9.13 for the text group and 3.47 ± 9.07 for the video group, without a significant difference (P = 0.488). The mean satisfaction score of the video group was significantly higher. Conclusions This study demonstrated a significantly higher degree of satisfaction with video-based training but without a significant commensurate improvement in gain score. The results suggest that the online video technique can be helpful in the teaching of clinical skills.