Teaching of Nuclear Cardiology in Times of Pandemic: Transfer of a Case-based Interactive Course from Classroom to Distance Learning

Nuklearmedizin - NuclearMedicine, vol. 61, pp. 6–15

Abstract

Abstract Aim While methods of independent study, such as problem-based learning, have been shown beneficial to students’ learning outcome and motivation to self-educate, these concepts are currently challenged by the pandemic. The aim of the current study was the evaluation of the transfer of an interactive nuclear cardiology teaching module to an online, distance learning setting. Methods Two-hundred-forty medical students completed and evaluated the teaching module in a classroom and 127 students in the distance learning setting. Results The interactive, problem-based teaching module was transferred well into the distance learning setting during the pandemic. However, while the presented results suggest that distance learning is a good substitute for classroom teaching when in-person teaching is not possible, the distance teaching module was perceived less efficient in its course didactics, demands as well as applicability than the same module in a classroom setting. Conclusion Although distance learning thus cannot entirely replace classroom education, it does provide a well-suited alternative method to teach particularly nuclear medicine and medicine in general. Future applications should offer introductory sessions, provide learning materials in advance and slow down the teaching pace to facilitate online, distance learning.

Authors 4

1. Martín Lemos Aachen Audiovisual Media Center

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Audiovisual Media Center, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany

2. Felix Manuel Mottaghy Aachen Department of Nuclear Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University · Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany

   Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht, Netherlands

3. Oliver Lindner

   Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Radiology, Nuclearmedicine and Molecular Imaging, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

4. Alexander Heinzel Aachen Department of Nuclear Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, Julich, Germany

   Department of Nuclear medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany