LAUSR

Background We have previously demonstrated that key components of the regional PGME paediatric teaching programme can be shared with the Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) Paediatric MSc Programme. Both share archived material online and live streamed teaching sessions. This allows students geographically distant from the teaching location to access the MSc Programme. A recent survey of our paediatric trainees returning to training (RTT) revealed a similar need for accessing the regional training programme from more distant locations. We investigated whether the same learning outcomes can be achieved with remote online access by comparing how ACP trainees access the learning resources and their summative assessment results based on their distance from the teaching location. Methods We stratified ACP trainees according to distance between workplace and teaching location with those in the upper quartile classified as distance learners. Using student’s access data, we calculated the number and length of sessions accessed online. The amount of sessions where online resources were used instead of face to face teaching was compared between the distance learning group and the remaining trainees, alongside their mean exam performance across the MSc programme. Results 77 trainees’ data was analysed with a range in distance of 0–264 miles from the teaching location (median 8.5 miles, IQR 0–28 miles). 475 hours of access data was analysed from all 4 modules of the course over 3 years. Distance learners attended more live streamed sessions online than those who lived closer (median 84% vs 32% p=0.00001) yet the amount of archived material accessed was similar (14.4 vs 15.4 hr, p=0.9442). This suggests it is convenience rather than a predisposition that encourages students to choose online access methods. Despite this we did not demonstrate any difference between their summative exam result (70% vs 67% p=0.169) or within individual modules, years or pathways. Conclusion ACP MSc students prefer online methods of learning if they are based a greater distance from teaching locations and this does not impact their performance in summative assessments. This indicates paediatricians RTT with similar distance learning needs may also benefit from accessing online training opportunities in this way.