Dr. Fish
Presenters: Cody Clary, MD, and Emily Hopkins, MD
In this impactful PHM 2023 session, Drs. Clary and Hopkins introduced web-based resources that they’ve used as effective teaching tools in their practice. Both presenters demonstrated their passion for education with examples of how they’ve used these tools during their recent pediatric hospital medicine fellowships and early careers where they are both currently working on their master’s degrees in medical education.
Web 2.0 tools were introduced as platforms that allow the user to read or write web content, including many forms of social media. Drs. Clary and Hopkins presented three separate web-based tools they’ve found to be successful in engaging trainees, allowing for collaboration between educators and learners, and improving efficiency in education. They demonstrated how these resources can be used in many different teaching settings, including at the bedside and in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching environments.
The first platform that was introduced was Padlet. An online tool and app that allows the user to organize their teaching material and share it with trainees. Ways to use this tool, including mapping out a teaching plan for the week as well as incorporating libraries for visual diagnoses, illness scripts, and evidence-based medicine were all demonstrated. This resource also allows the user to upload presentations as well as web-based surveys that can help facilitate discussion regarding expectations and feedback.
Two other platforms were also presented as effective teaching tools: Visme and Playposit. Visme is a resource that allows the user to create graphics as well as interactive handouts that can help engage learners. Playposit is a resource where the user can create interactive asynchronous materials including presentations with questions and surveys embedded within.
All the resources discussed have free options that the presenters stated they found effective in their teaching, but there are paid options as well that offer increased content. Videos demonstrating how to navigate each of these platforms were also provided (and presented seamlessly!) which were very helpful for audience members looking to explore these innovative teaching options.
Key Takeaways
- Learners are increasingly using new technologies to navigate medical education.
- Free web-based resources can be used effectively to increase engagement, collaboration, and efficiency between teachers and learners.
- Padlet, Visme, and Playposit are three examples of web-based resources that are being used innovatively.
Dr. Fish is a med-peds hospitalist at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., where he’s developing a pediatric hospital medicine fellowship. He currently serves as chair of the SHM’s Med-Peds Special Interest Group.