E-Learning Resources for Vascular Surgeons: A Needs Analysis Study

• Published in: Journal of surgical education Vol. 69; no. 4; pp. 477 - 482
• Main Authors: Mâtheiken, Seán J., MBBS, FRCS, Verstegen, Daniëlle, PhD, Beard, Jonathan, ChM, MEd, FRCS, van der Vleuten, Cees, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical Competence; Cross-Sectional Studies; e-learning; Education, Medical, Continuing - methods; Education, Medical, Graduate - methods; Electronic Mail - utilization; Europe; Female; Humans; Internet - utilization; Learning; Male; Medical Knowledge; Needs Assessment; online resources; Online Systems - utilization; Personal Satisfaction; Pilot Projects; Practice Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; Surgery; surgical education; Surveys and Questionnaires; vascular surgery; Vascular Surgical Procedures - education; web-based learning; Europe; web-based learning; e-learning; Medical Knowledge; online resources; surgical education; Professionalism; Practice Based Learning and Improvement; vascular surgery
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2011.12.008

Objectives To obtain the views of vascular surgeons about online resources in their specialty as a guide to future e-learning development. Design A focused questionnaire regarding e-learning resources in vascular surgery was circulated online. A combination of structured and open-ended questions addressed users' ranking of various resource types, examples of presently used websites, suggestions for future growth, and the opportunity to become actively involved in e-learning development. The responses were collected over a 4-week period and remained anonymous. Setting The study was conducted online at http://www.vasculareducation.com as part of an ongoing project on e-learning for vascular surgeons by the Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Participants The survey population consisted of vascular surgeons and surgical trainees in Europe. The participants were contacted via their membership of the European Society for Vascular Surgery and national academic or administrative vascular surgical organizations. Demographic information was collected about clinical seniority and country of work. Results In all, 252 responses were obtained. Respondents favored the development of a variety of online resources in vascular surgery. The strongest demand was for illustrations and videos of surgical techniques, followed by an interactive calendar and peer-reviewed multiple-choice questions. Overall, 46% of respondents wished to contribute actively toward e-learning development, with consultants being more willing than trainees to do so. Conclusions Members of the vascular surgical community value online resources in their specialty, especially for procedural techniques. Vascular surgeons would like to be actively involved in subsequent development of e-learning resources.