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A cross-sectional study to assess Evidence-Based Medicine teaching method: online or face-to-face?

We aimed to study differences in postgraduate students’ achievement if they are taught evidence-based medicine (EBM) by face-to-face or by online learning. We assessed the performance of 28 postgraduate students who completed a face-to-face learning module and 34 students who completed an online learning module in a cross-sectional study. The teaching materials were the same in both courses so that any performance difference would be due to the teaching method. Grading involved semester work (15%), midterm (25%), oral (15%) and final (30%) examinations. Students were evaluated by a project submitted by the end of the semester (15%). Percentage of student satisfaction was calculated. Mean midterm and final examination scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (p=0.759 and 0.721, respectively). Students from both groups achieved almost the same median score on the oral discussion examination (p=0.31). Students who attended the online learning module were associated with a significantly higher median project score compared with those who attended the face-to-face teaching (p<0.001). In general, students from both modules were similarly satisfied about course contents, lecturers and students’ assessment process although one-third of students felt non-equality and unfair instructors’ practice towards them in face-to-face teaching method. Further research should be paid towards assessment of EBM e-learning to support the developing era of evidence-based practice in low-income to middle-income countries.