1. Background
Various approaches to implement bended learning have been reported over many years, with recent
focus on the “flipped classroom”. AOSpine is an international provider of postgraduate education for
surgeons and has some prior success combining a face-to-face event with online precourse activities.
Summary of work
The curriculum for a 21-hour face-to-face course on minimally invasive spinal surgery was enhanced
by adding 3 hours of precourse blended online activities before two events.
Results
Many of the participants completed the online components and earned the
additional CME credits available. Evaluation by 45 spine surgeons and trainees
showed blended learning was a positive learning experience for the majority.
Development and Evaluation of
a Blended Learning Module
on Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Abstract ID
#8DD12 (132123)
Roger Härtl, Daniel Gelb, Dean Chou, Staffan Kallback,
Jessica Kimball, Mike Cunningham
AOSpine and AO Education Institute, Zurich, Switzerland
Contact: michael.cunningham@aofoundation.org
Conclusions
• Online blended learning activities can be used to enhance face-to-face education for practicing surgeons
• Online content must focus on appropriate parts of the curriculum and should not require an unrealistic amount of time to complete
• Faculty must engage in designing and delivering the online content—good moderation is essential
2016
AO Education Institute
Did the materials enhance the
course educational experience?
Course 1 Course 2
0
20
40
60
80
Yes, greatlyYes, somewhatDon't knowNo
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes, greatlyYes, somewhatDon't knowNo
Course 1 (n=19 in USA in 2015)
Course 2 (n=26 in USA in 2016)
Use of the online materials
in both courses (%)
Precourse self-assessment (20 min)
Precourse reading (pdf chapters)
Prerecorded lectures (30 min)
Archived webinar (1 hour)
Videos (1.5 hours)
Online case discussions
CME Quiz
Course 1 Course 2
. Completed
. Not completed
21+7979
21
. Completed
. Not completed
. Viewed all
. Viewed most
. No activity
. Posted
. Read
. No activity
. Viewed all
or most
. No (or brief)
access
. Viewed all
. Viewed most
. No activity
. Accessed
. Not accessed
23+7723
77
17+8383
17
10+37+5353 37
10
23+23+5454
23
23
15+8585
15
37+6337
63
54+465446
26+26+4848
26
26
27+50+2323 27
50
20+67+13
13 20
67
23+39+3838
23
39
63+3737
63
73+2727
73
Course 1 Course 2
0
20
40
60
80
Extremely usefulVery usefulUsefulSomewhat usefulNot useful
20%
40%
60%
80%
Extremely usefulVery usefulUsefulSomewhat usefulNot useful
Did you find the online materials
useful for the course?
Course 1 Course 2
0
20
40
60
80
All of theaboveTo updatemyself beforecourseI find it interestingTo enhancethecourseCMEcredits
20%
40%
60%
80%
All of the aboveTo update myself
before course
I find it interestingTo enhance the courseCME credits
What was your main reason
for completing the materials?
Course 1 Course 2
0
20
40
60
80
NothingUserfriendliness of websiteBetterquality materialMorematerialLess Material
20%
40%
60%
80%
NothingUser friendliness of websiteBetter quality materialMore materialLess material User friendliness
of website
What could be improved
with the online materials?