(1106) Enhancing Otolaryngology Knowledge in Medical Students: A Self-Paced Learning Module on the Pediatric Airway

Introduction: Although up to 50% of all primary care complaints are head and neck related, otolaryngology is not consistently incorporated into the curriculum at most US medical schools. Given the rigor of medical school education, interventions to improve foundational otolaryngology knowledge for students entering primary care specialties must be flexible and concise.

Methods: A pilot medical education quality improvement study was conducted at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine from December 2023 to January 2024. A total of 8 medical students were provided self-paced online learning modules focused on the workup, differential diagnosis, and management of pediatric stridor and laryngomalacia. Prior to completing the module, participants completed a survey and a 15-question assessment which was again administered after completion of the module. Survey data encompassed the current year of study, specialty of interest, exposure to otolaryngology, and the number of core clerkships completed and USMLE board exams taken. Pre and postintervention assessment scores were compared using a paired t-test.

Results: Participants were predominantly (75%) in the 4th year of medical school. Of 8 students, 7 had completed both USMLE STEP 1 and 2. All 100% completed neurology and OBGYN clerkships; 87.5% completed internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry; and 75% completed primary care. On average, students spent 21 minutes studying the module. The average baseline assessment score of 54% significantly increased to 77% (p = 0.026) after the educational intervention.

Conclusions: Despite having taken most core clerkships and at least one major USMLE board exam, baseline knowledge of the airway, stridor, and laryngomalacia were low in this sample. A brief adjunct to the curriculum was shown to significantly increase knowledge of the pediatric airway without imposing a time burden on clerkship directors or medical students. A self-paced digital learning module can be seamlessly integrated into the existing curriculum to improve foundational otolaryngology knowledge for students entering primary care specialties.