E-learning-an interventional element of the PRiVENT project to improve weaning expertise.

BACKGROUND: PRiVENT (PRevention of invasive VENTilation) is an evaluation of a bundle of interventions aimed at the prevention of long-term invasive mechanical ventilation. One of these elements is an e-learning course for healthcare professionals to improve weaning expertise. The aim of our analysis is to examine the implementation of the course in cooperating intensive care units. METHODS: The course has been developed through a peer review process by pulmonary and critical care physicians in collaboration with respiratory therapists, supported by health services researchers and a professional e-learning agency. The e-learning platform "weLearn" was made available online to participating healthcare professionals. Feedback on the e-learning programme was obtained and discussed in quality circles (QCs). We measured the acceptance and use of the programme through access statistics. RESULTS: The e-learning course "Joint Prevention of Long-Term Ventilation" consists of 7 separate modules with practice-oriented training units as well as a cross-module area and corresponding interactive case studies. Users can receive 23 CME (continuing medical education) credits. The platform was released on July 1, 2021. By June 28, 2023, 214 users from 33 clinics had registered. Most users (77-98%) completed the modules, thus performing well in the test, where 90-100% passed. In the QCs, the users commended the structure and practical relevance of the programme, as well as the opportunity to earn CME credits. CONCLUSION: Especially for medical staff in intensive care units, where continuous training is often a challenge during shift work, e-learning is a useful supplement to existing medical training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PRiVENT study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05260853) on 02/03/2022.

E-Learning Is Not Inferior to On-Site Teaching in a Psychiatric Examination Course.

Background: Implementing e-learning into medical education is a growing field of research. Researchers have had positive experiences so far, and evidence suggests it to be no less effective than offline teaching. However, there are a few findings concerning psychiatric education and the use of simulated patients online. Methods: We developed an online workshop for medical students at our psychiatric clinic, including group work exercises, lectures, and interviews with simulated patients. To compare the learning outcome, a cohort of students learning online was compared with a previous cohort that learned on-site. The same objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) was used in both cases. Evaluation questionnaires were gathered from students and lecturers and were compared with the former semesters along with the exam results. Results: The exam grades did not significantly differ between on-site and online teaching, even though students rated their own communication skills better with online teaching. We also found that the connection experienced between students and teachers was impaired without on-site contact. Discussion: We conclude that an online course may be an effective alternative to on-site teaching but requires further improvement to maintain a dependable student-teacher relationship.

Bilateral paramedian pontine base infarction.

In paramedian caudal pontine infarctions, the medial lemniscus is often affected. This typically leads to dissociated sensory symptoms. We present a case in which a patient suffering from a bilateral caudal pontine infarction experienced a marked bilateral sensory disorder of the hands and distal arms.

Sauna stroke syndrome.

This report describes a 64-year-old man with a large cerebral infarction during sauna bathing. He had no typical cerebrovascular risk factors. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a patent foramen ovale of 5-mm diameter. In this patient a causal relationship between stroke and sauna bathing is considered and described by the term "sauna stroke syndrome."