Engaging Clinical Learners Asynchronously With Social Annotation for Case-Based Discussions

Abstract

Background

Clinical educators are often challenged to sustain learner engagement beyond the clinical learning environment. A social annotation platform is an instructional tool typically used in bachelor's-level and other nonmedical instructional settings to facilitate asynchronous discussions for reading assignments. This work aimed to promote asynchronous engagement among clinical learners by adapting a social annotation platform for case-based learning.

Approach

We piloted a social annotation platform in a 4-week surgical residency preparatory course with fourth-year medical students. We designed four longitudinal clinical cases representing common scenarios that surgical interns may encounter. Students discussed each case section asynchronously on the platform by annotating case content and replying to peer discussion comments.

Evaluation

We measured engagement through activity on the platform and collected student perceptions through a postcourse evaluation survey. Nine students completed the residency preparatory course over 4 weeks in 2023. Engagement was high, with 95% of reading assignments completed. On average, students submitted nine discussion comments per assignment (three required) and spent 62 active minutes discussing each case section. Students engaged more overall with nonclinical topics. All students completed the postcourse survey and indicated that the platform was easy to navigate. Students appreciated being able to see peers' line of thinking through the case and reported feeling engaged with other students.

Implication

A social annotation platform may offer an effective tool for engaging clinical students asynchronously. This platform can be used in clinical education to provide instructional flexibility for faculty while helping students feel engaged with their peers and clinical curriculum.