The comparison of teaching efficiency between massive open online courses and traditional courses in medicine education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate and compare the passing rates of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with Traditional Courses to indicate how to improve the teaching efficiency in Medicine Education. Methods: A systematic search of relevant published literature was conducted to collect relevant retrospective cohort studies that compared the teaching efficiency of MOOCs and Traditional Courses. Results: There are three retrospective cohort studies included in the final meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the passing rates of MOOCs and Traditional Courses. Conclusions: it is necessary for universities to invest in online education to promote the development of MOOCs, which will probably have an advantage over Traditional Courses for postgraduate medical education in the near future.