Increased Educational Reach through a Microlearning Approach: Can Higher Participation Translate to Improved Outcomes?

Abstract

The quality of continuing medical education (CME) is frequently measured using the Moore's Level of Outcome framework, with higher-level outcomes (5 and above) perceived as more valuable than lower-level outcomes (such as Level 3 - knowledge). Higher-level outcomes require more rigorous evaluation, increasing the time requirements of an interaction; however, there is a trend among adult learners towards a preference for shorter, more informal education such as microlearning. This allows for greater reach but prevents outcome evaluation to higher levels. We explored the utility of combining microlearning with more traditional eLearning formats ("microlearning programme") to increase participation while retaining the ability to measure knowledge- and competence-level outcomes. Comparing two recent programmes with similar content run previously ("comparator programmes"), we identified a slight improvement in completion of evaluation activities associated with the microlearning programme. However, the significant reach microlearning affords presents a clear need to bridge the gap between participation and evaluation. Considering these two cases, we concluded that future microlearning initiatives should incorporate evaluation at the point of education, providing a combination of microlearning and microevaluation to drive knowledge gain in a form that is measurable in terms of educational outcomes.