Student perspectives on the integration of interactive Web-based cases into a family medicine clerkship.

Background. Web-based methods are increasingly used to educate medical students; several clerkships now use Web-based cases to supplement students' clinical experiences. However, few studies have reported on students' responses to specific features of interactive Web-based cases. Description: We developed an online template to author Web cases and created eight cases. We evaluated the usefulness of case-based learning for students at the end of each clerkship period, using a 9-item questionnaire with a 6-point scale, written student comments on the Web cases, and student focus groups. Evaluation: We report a 95% response rate, with 85% of students completing all 3 Web cases. Students were most enthusiastic about feedback from faculty after completing each module. They also liked the user-friendly Web design and linear format of the Web cases. Conclusion: Students were enthusiastic about the interactive Web-based cases and thought that the cases reinforced knowledge on common medical problems seen in the clinical setting. Copyright (C) 2005 by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.