# Assessing the effectiveness of a digital, case-based learning platform for cancer pain management in residency training

## TL;DR

A digital learning platform improved residents' knowledge and critical thinking in cancer pain management, with high satisfaction reported.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a digital, case-based learning platform in improving cancer pain management skills among residents.

## Key findings

- Residents showed significant improvement in knowledge scores after using the e-CBL platform.
- Critical thinking skills also improved significantly following the training.
- Participants rated the learning experience highly for convenience and understandability.

## Abstract

To determine
the effectiveness of self-directed, case-based learning in cancer pain
management via a digital learning platform (e-CBL) in interdisciplinary
residents' knowledge and critical thinking skill level.

The prospective
observational study was conducted on 51 first- and second-year residents from
anesthesiology, surgery, and family medicine who had not received training in
the management of cancer pain and were invited to participate by their Program
Director. Participants voluntarily underwent e-CBL in cancer pain management
using four modules (pain assessment, principles of pain management,
pharmacological techniques, and non-pharmacological techniques) at their
convenience within seven days via the Moodle platform. All participants
underwent pre-and post-test assessments of knowledge and rated their
satisfaction with the training on a 0-10 scale. Thirty-two residents completed
Cornell Critical Thinking Test Level Z. Paired t-tests assessed changes, and
the effect size was estimated by Cohen's d. A p-value < .05 was considered statistically
significant.

Knowledge and critical thinking test results significantly improved
after the training (M=68, SD=16.99 to M=86, SD=13.96 correct responses; t(50)=11.24,
p<.001, Cohen's d=1.56 for knowledge) and (M=39.8, SD=13.7 vs. M=46.1,
SD=10.2 correct responses; t(31)=-3.67, p=.001, Cohen's d=0.65 for
critical thinking test). Satisfaction of learning experiences for convenience
and understandability was high (M=9.4, SD=0.8).

Use of the e-CBL improved knowledge in cancer pain management and
critical thinking skills. This digital platform could play an important role in
the future of pain education. Further investigation, including a control group,
is warranted.