E-learning as a strategy in dentistry in the context of COVID-19: a path to follow?

Abstract The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of e-learning in compliance with the new biosafety recommendations in dentistry in the context of COVID-19 applied to the clinical staff of a dental school in Brazil. A quasi-experimental epidemiological study was carried out by means of a structured, pre-tested online questionnaire, applied before and after an educational intervention, using an e-learning format. After data collection, statistical tests were performed. A total of 549 members of the clinical staff participated in the study in the two collection phases, with a return rate of 26.9%. After the e-learning stage, a reduction was found in the reported use of disposable gloves, protective goggles, and surgical masks. The course had no impact on the staff’s knowledge concerning the proper sequence for donning PPE and showed 100% effectiveness regarding proper PPE doffing sequence. Knowledge about avoiding procedures that generate aerosols in the clinical setting was improved. Despite the low rate of return, it can be concluded that online intervention alone was ineffective in significantly improving learning about the new clinical biosafety guidelines. Therefore, the use of hybrid teaching and repetitive training is highly recommended.

摘要 本研究旨在评估新冠疫情（COVID-19）背景下，针对巴西某牙科学院临床医护人员开展的、符合牙科领域最新生物安全指南的电子学习（e-learning）的有效性。本研究采用类实验流行病学研究设计，通过经过结构化设计与预测试的在线问卷，在电子学习形式的教育干预前后分别开展调查。数据收集完成后，开展了统计学检验。本研究两阶段数据收集阶段共计549名临床医护人员参与，问卷回收率为26.9%。电子学习干预后，研究对象报告的一次性手套、护目镜与外科口罩使用量出现下降。本课程对医护人员掌握个人防护装备（Personal Protective Equipment, PPE）正确穿戴顺序的知识无显著影响，但在PPE正确脱卸顺序相关知识上达到了100%的教学效果。临床场景中规避气溶胶产生操作的相关知识得到了提升。尽管问卷回收率较低，但本研究仍可得出结论：仅依靠线上干预无法显著提升医护人员对最新临床生物安全指南的掌握程度。因此，强烈建议采用混合式教学与重复性培训相结合的模式。