Pharmacases.de - a student-centered e-learning project of clinical pharmacology

Med Teach. 2013;35(3):251-3. doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2013.759642. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the project Pharmacases.de was to develop an innovative concept for creating high-quality e-learning content which integrates and promotes the theoretical and cooperative skills of final-year medical students and is easily adoptable by cooperating institutes and hospitals.

Methods and results: A peer-teaching concept was developed in which final-year medical students with the elective pharmacology independently researched and wrote e-learning cases of clinical pharmacology ("pharmacases"). Subject-specific expertise was acquired by consulting a peer network of elective students of other disciplines. The created material was subjected to a multi-step peer review and published on the open-access internet platform http://www.pharmacases.de . At present, the website contains 45 e-learning cases, 27 quizzes, and a student-managed discussion forum. Each month, approximately 1200 students access the e-learning content on the website with above-average evaluation results.

Summary and conclusion: The didactic concept of Pharmacases.de enabled the efficient generation of high-quality e-learning content in a student-centered and interdisciplinary manner and was well received by the students. It will likely facilitate the transfer of theoretical pharmacological knowledge into clinical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Education, Distance*
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate
  • Educational Measurement
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Peer Group*
  • Pharmacology, Clinical / education*
  • Teaching