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Evaluation of the Online Component of a Blended Learning Electroconvulsive Therapy Curriculum for Psychiatry Residents to Treat Depression in Older Adults

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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the online component of a blended curriculum for psychiatry residents on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat depression in older adults.

Methods

Second- and third-year general psychiatry residents completed a blended learning curriculum during their core geriatric psychiatry rotation. The curriculum consisted of didactic seminars, hands-on clinical management, and two online clinical cases focused on the management of late-life depression with ECT. Knowledge acquisition following module completion was measured using a nine-question multiple-choice test. The authors adapted the Medical E-Learning Evaluation Survey (MEES) to measure resident satisfaction, clinical relevance, and instructional design.

Results

A total of 37 residents completed both online modules. Of these, 35 residents completed the knowledge test and 23 completed the adapted MEES. Almost all participants (96%) agreed or strongly agreed that the modules were relevant to their clinical work, evidence-based, able to be completed in a reasonable amount of time, and a valuable learning experience. The average score on the knowledge test, after removing one outlier, was 83%.

Conclusion

Psychiatry residents are very satisfied with the content and delivery of the online component of a blended curriculum for understanding the use of ECT for late-life depression. Future work should examine satisfaction with the remainder of the curricula as well as the impact on longer-term knowledge acquisition and patient care.

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Data Availability

De-identified data available on request by contacting the corresponding author.

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Funding

MacPherson Institute Student Partners Program Grant (SO and AA), McMaster University and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences Innovation Award for Education, McMaster University (KS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Sawayra Owais, Karen Saperson, Anthony J. Levinson, Sarah Payne, Rachel Lamont, Michael V. Brown & Anita Acai

Authors
  1. Sawayra Owais
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  2. Karen Saperson
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  3. Anthony J. Levinson
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  4. Sarah Payne
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  5. Rachel Lamont
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  6. Michael V. Brown
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  7. Anita Acai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anita Acai.

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Ethical Considerations

As a program evaluation initiative, this study was deemed exempt from ethics approval by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board.

Disclosures

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Owais, S., Saperson, K., Levinson, A.J. et al. Evaluation of the Online Component of a Blended Learning Electroconvulsive Therapy Curriculum for Psychiatry Residents to Treat Depression in Older Adults. Acad Psychiatry 48, 36–40 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-023-01825-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-023-01825-2

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