A comparative analysis of the participation and knowledge gained by clinicians and researchers in a web based learning program on regenerative medicine

Abstract

Gary A Levy,Helen C Reena, Vidyasagar Devaprasad Dedeepiya , Justin Benjamin William, Mathaiyan Rajmohan, Ramalingam Karthick,Senthilkumar Preethy, Samuel JK Abraham

Objective: The Training Programme in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM) is a web-based learning program on Regenerative Medicine (RM) live telecasted from the University of Toronto, Canada to Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), India through a partnership agreement. This manuscript analyses the participation of clinicians and basic researchers in this programme and their knowledge gained. Methods: Scholars’ participation and scores gained in the three assignments during the course for three consecutive batches from 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 were analyzed. Results: The results showed that the participation of clinicians was high compared to basic science researchers. When the average scores obtained by each individual scholar was calculated and then analysed over three years, it was observed that clinicians scored statistically significant higher marks than the basic science researchers (p value = 0.0029). There was no significant difference in the scores between graduates and doctorates. Conclusion: Thus this analysis based on the scores suggests that clinicians have relatively higher exposure and interest in the field of RM compared to basic science researchers in India. Designing courses so as to provide equal exposure to clinicians and scientists will help to bridge the gap which will in turn lead to better bench to bedside translation of RM technologies.