Innovative E-Learning for Mechanical Ventilation: A Solution for Standardized Training Across Resource-Limited and Diverse Backgrounds

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-30-2025

Publication Title

Michigan Medical Education and Health Bulletin

Abstract

Introduction: Most trainees from a broad spectrum of subspecialties including anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, and pulmonary and critical care medicine expressed dissatisfaction with their mechanical ventilation education in a meta-analysis of 15 studies. The time constraints inherent in bedside teaching make it difficult to create a structured, standardized curriculum, leading to knowledge gaps among trainees. We developed a cost-free, self-sustaining e-learning platform designed to provide a standardized mechanical ventilation curriculum without the economic and faculty time burdens that can be done in the learner’s free time. Methods: Our curriculum targeted fellows in pulmonary and critical care medicine at both our institutions. We created an e-learning simulator that mimicked the case scenarios used in a previous study but eliminated the need for high-fidelity simulation. All participating trainees completed a baseline knowledge pre-test prior to beginning the curriculum. We tracked the progress through Edpuzzle©, an online interactive learning platform. This enabled us to monitor the development of specific skills in real time. In addition to the simulation, we produced on-demand instructional videos which covered a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from respiratory mechanics and ventilator taxonomy to clinical applications. Results: To date, we have implemented this curriculum with 12 fellows. The mean score on the pre-test was 66.1+10.8%, and the mean score on the post-test was 85.0+13.4% (p=0.0010), showing a significant improvement in knowledge. Among the 6 fellows who completed the virtual simulator assessment, the mean score on the pre-test was 46.6+5.4%, and the mean score on the post-test was 72.9+6.9% (p=< 0.0001). We demonstrated that our e-learning platform could be effectively scaled to meet the needs of fellowship programs globally, particularly in resource-limited settings. Conclusions: Our innovative e-learning platform offers a scalable, cost-effective solution to the challenges of mechanical ventilation education. By minimizing the need for high-fidelity simulation and extensive faculty involvement, we believe this curriculum has the potential to standardize training and address the gaps in mechanical ventilation education, particularly in institutions with limited resources and among trainees from diverse backgrounds.

Volume

3

Issue

2 Suppl

First Page

A117

Last Page

A117

Comments

10th Annual Michigan Summit on Quality Improvement, Patient Safety & High Value Care, May 22, 2025, Troy, MI

DOI

10.69735/​001c.141318

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