Undergraduate perceptions on the educational value of a novel ENT e-Learning platform.

Abstract

ENT is a consistently under-represented specialty in medical school curricula. With social distancing measures limiting face-to-face (FtF) teaching and clinical opportunities, we created an e-Learning platform to consolidate and improve knowledge on common ENT emergencies. Following invitation to medical students undergoing their rotation in ENT at University Hospital Wales (UHW) Cardiff, five focus groups were shown an e-Learning module and interviewed between June and July 2021. 13 medical students participated in total (9 female, 4 male, median age 22 years). These structured interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo (QSR International, UK). The modules were found to be concise, clinically relevant and beneficial to student confidence in recognising and managing ENT emergencies. While e-Learning will likely never replace face-to-face learning, it was perceived to be a beneficial resource both academically and practically- especially in the context of limited clinical opportunities.