Mobile learning platform for undergraduate medical students: a hands-on approach to infectious diseases education

Abstract

The rapid progression of technology within the healthcare sector has markedly influenced medical education in a positive manner. The extensive adoption of digital resources, particularly accentuated during the Covid-19 pandemic, has spurred the development of innovative means to impart education through digital platforms, catering to both hybrid and distance learning. This study aimed to create a mobile educational support platform specifically tailored for undergraduate medical education in Infectious Diseases. An assessment of the platform's applicability, usability, impact on educational facilitation, and user satisfaction was conducted. Employing a quantitative, experimental, and descriptive approach, 42 fourth-semester medical students at Christus University Center (Unichristus) participated in evaluating the platform's effectiveness through questionnaires, particularly gauging its influence across various educational scenarios and user satisfaction levels. The System Usability Scale (SUS) was applied to measure effectiveness, resulting in an SUS score of 84.64 with a standard deviation of 13.8. The statistical analysis, specifically a significant Spearman correlation (p<0.05), underscored the platform's efficacy. In summary, the mobile platform dedicated to Infectious Diseases exhibited commendable acceptability and user-friendly attributes, presenting itself as a viable and effective alternative in undergraduate medical education.