Francisco Sendra-Portero MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Oscar Ernesto Torales-Chaparro, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patricia Sánchez-Gallego MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maria Teresa Osuna-Boy MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Manuel Martínez-Morillo MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To demonstrate that virtual lectures can substitute magisterial lectures in radiology education for medical students

During the last Academic Course (2005-2006), students of a third course obligatory subject named “Radiologia General” were asked to voluntarily participate in a virtual learning pilot study. Participants did not assist to theoretical lectures but studied by means of virtual lectures, available in the project web page at around the same time than conventional lectures. The rest of the subject (practices and seminars) was followed by all, participants (P) and non-participants (NP). Virtual lectures were Flash presentations translated from the same PowerPoint presentations of conventional lectures, adding recorded narration and some navigation tools such as “forward”, “backward”, “repeat slide” or “main menu” buttons. The results of the last oral exam were classified from 0 to 3 (failed, approved, notable or excellent respectively) to compare P and NP.

The project was accepted with enthusiasm, 89 (46.6%) from 191 students participated in it. The rate of students not presented to exam was 55.5% and 29.2% for NP and P respectively. Within those presented, the rate of failed was 23.2% and 15.9% for NP and P and the average score 1.51 and 1.84 for NP and P (STD 1.10 and 1.08 respectively)

At the light of these preliminary results we conclude that virtual lectures can substitute conventional lectures in radiology education for medical students. But their real advantage is that magisterial lectures can be used to discuss contents with students in a more participative way if virtual lectures are provided before.

Virtual lectures can aid to restructure conventional lectures improving student-professor interaction to enrich undergraduate radiology education

Sendra-Portero, F, Torales-Chaparro, O, Sánchez-Gallego, P, Osuna-Boy, M, Martínez-Morillo, M, Virtual Lectures to Educate Medical Students on Radiology: a Pilot Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5005058.html