• Sasha Jenkins, Ruchika Goel, and Dean S Morrell.
• Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7287, USA.
• J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2008 Aug 1; 59 (2): 255-9.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction is unproven.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an online computerized dermatology module compared to traditional lecture-based teaching to medical students.MethodsMedical students were randomized to two groups. Group 1 of 37 students had access to a computer-based dermatology tutorial. Group 2 of 36 students attended a lecture on skin morphology, identical to the tutorial, given by a dermatology faculty member. The main outcome was the total number of correct answers on a multiple-choice morphologic terminology final examination. The mean number of questions answered correctly was 16.14 and 14.89 for group 1 and group 2, respectively.ResultsUnpaired statistical t tests showed the difference in mean scores between the two groups to be 1.25 (95% confidence interval: -0.70 to 3.20, p value = .20).LimitationsThe study was small, with a small amount of material, and was brief in duration.ConclusionsWithin the limits of our study, computer-assisted instruction is at least as effective as traditional lecture teaching of dermatology morphology to medical students.

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