Using an Interactive Self-Directed Module to Teach Nicotine Use Disorder Management

Background Tobacco use is the largest and most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Though cessation counseling is an effective treatment, its priority is lowered in overcrowded medical curriculums, reducing students’ confidence in clinical counseling. Self-directed e-modules help with didactic lectures and could be used to teach nicotine cessation practices. This study evaluated an interactive self-direct module on students’ knowledge acquisition and confidence in nicotine use disorder management. Methods This pre-post interventional study had 155 medical students complete the module between January and December 2022. Students were given knowledge-based pre- and post-module tests, and later a post-module survey to evaluate their learning experience and comfort with nicotine use disorder management. Paired differences between pre- and post-module tests were assessed for the overall- and question-specific scores. The survey data was qualitatively analyzed. Results The module significantly improved students' overall test scores with a mean difference of 13.4 (IQR: 10.5-16.3) between the pre- and post-module tests. There was a significant increase in understanding of electronic nicotine devices' role in smoking cessation (difference: 29.7; IQR: 21.2-38.2), evidence-based pharmacology therapy (difference:15.5; IQR: 9.2-21.8), and combination treatment plans (difference: 16.1; IQR: 8.8-16.1). Topics related to diagnosis and the harms of electronic nicotine devices showed no significant change. Additionally, students self-reported a significant improvement in comfort with nicotine use disorder management (difference: 0.75; IQR: 0.58-0.93). Finally, most students (53%) did not have concerns about learning from the module. Conclusion Medical students developed knowledge of and confidence in nicotine use disorder management with this interactive self-directed e-module.