A new mobile learning module using smartphone wallpapers in identification of medical fungi for medical students and residents

Abstract

Introduction

Medical students and residents will encounter many cutaneous fungal infections in medical practice. However, the training for identification of medical fungi has been insufficient due to limited lecture-based courses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of using smartphone-based wallpapers in learning the microscopic morphology and colony characteristics of medical fungi for medical students and residents.

Methods

A smartphone-based wallpaper learning module using a wallpaper-changing software application (app) was introduced in this 3-week training course. Twenty-six participants were enrolled and divided into two groups: nondermatology trainees, including medical students and postgraduate year one (PGY-1) doctors who have not yet specialized, and dermatology trainees (dermatology residents). All of the participants completed a 3-week training course, and the effectiveness of the module was evaluated by pre- and post-course multiple-choice examinations.

Results

Both nondermatology and dermatology trainees scored significantly higher in post-course examinations than pre-course examinations (P < 0.001). The dermatology trainees performed better than nondermatology trainees in the pre-course examinations (P < 0.001). In the post-course examinations, no significant difference in scores was noted between dermatology and nondermatology trainees (P = 0.573).

Discussion

The smartphone-based wallpaper learning module was effective in helping medical students and residents learn and memorize morphologic characteristics of fungi. In comparison to conventional lecture-based learning, this new mobile module was more readily accessible and convenient for learners to engage in learning.