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Impact on learning of an e-learning module on leukaemia : a randomised controlled trial . BACKGROUND e-learning resources may be beneficial for complex or conceptually difficult topics . Leukaemia is one such topic , yet there are no reports on the efficacy of e-learning for leukaemia . This study compared the learning impact on senior medical students of a purpose-built e-learning module on leukaemia , compared with existing online resources . METHODS A randomised controlled trial was performed utilising volunteer senior medical students . Participants were randomly allocated to Study and Control groups . Following a pre-test on leukaemia administered to both groups , the Study group was provided with access to the new e-learning module , while the Control group was directed to existing online resources . A post-test and an evaluation questionnaire were administered to both groups at the end of the trial period . RESULTS Study and Control groups were equivalent in gender distribution , mean academic ability , pre-test performance and time studying leukaemia during the trial . The Study group performed significantly better than the Control group in the post-test , in which the group to which the students had been allocated was the only significant predictor of performance . The Study group 's evaluation of the module was overwhelmingly positive . CONCLUSIONS A targeted e-learning module on leukaemia had a significant effect on learning in this cohort , compared with existing online resources . We believe that the interactivity , dialogic feedback and integration with the curriculum offered by the e-learning module contributed to its impact . This has implications for e-learning design in medicine and other disciplines .
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Intervention_Educational
e-learning
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Intervention_Educational
e-learning module
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Intervention_Educational
existing online resources .
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Intervention_Educational
directed to existing online resources
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Outcome_Mental
learning
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Outcome_Other
post-test
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Outcome_Physical
and an
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Outcome_Other
evaluation questionnaire
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Outcome_Other
post-test
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Outcome_Mental
learning
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Participant_Condition
students
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Participant_Condition
senior medical students