Interactive rich media that is designed to deliver medical education in a format similar to how physicians act and learn in the real world is highly effective. Research in adult education shows that retention of knowledge is greater if educational material is presented in small bites when participants are conveniently available for learning, so web-based delivery of case-based material in short segments is ideal.

When delivered via an on-demand video and multimedia platform like AccelaCast, an expert faculty member can make a case-based presentation in the particular medical specialty, when the learner is available. By using adaptive branching logic, physicians have an opportunity to test their knowledge in a manner similar to how education is conducted in medical schools and hospitals. Retention of learning is improved for a better educational experience. When closely tied to a sophisticated database system such as AccelaWorks, detailed analysis of the educational activity is easy and can be done in real time.

What is Adaptive Branching?

Adaptive branching is a method of using integrated response options to allow users to take different paths in a program, depending on how they respond to any particular question. The branching rules underlying the questions are governed by a macro using conditional logic to determine one of many paths, depending on what answer is provided.

For instance, the branching process can be used to present a clinical case and then provide feedback based on the choice made. At certain points during the program the presenter can ask viewers for input based on the information that has been presented. During these segments, viewers are challenged to respond to “real life” diagnosis and treatment scenarios that reflect choices they might make at the point-of-care with actual patients. Adaptive branching is linked to the questions allowing program managers to deliver different, unique content to users based on their responses. The viewer has a more engaging and educational experience, and extremely valuable data regarding knowledge levels and potential gaps is generated.

The expert presenter can also give feedback based on how the viewer answers and can expand on different reasons why a particular response may or may not have been the best choice. The system also supports customized feedback highlighted on answer pages to let participants know whether they completed a question correctly or not and how this compares to their peer group.

Want to learn more about using adaptive branching logic in your online medical education programs? Please contact us.

*Parts of this article were excerpted from the "Using Interactive Media to Improve Outcomes Measurement in CME."

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