Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40177857›Full record

ArticleJMIR medical education2025

Preclinical Medical Students' Perspectives and Experiences With Structured Web-Based English for Medical Purposes Courses: Cross-Sectional Study.

Radhakrishnan Muthukumar, Isaraporn Thepwongsa, Poompong Sripa, Bangonsri Jindawong, Kamonwan Jenwitheesuk, Surapol Virasiri

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Radhakrishnan MuthukumarAcademic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0003-2023-865X
Isaraporn ThepwongsaDepartment of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mittraparb Road, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand, 66 43363588.ORCID 0000-0002-9862-9573
Poompong SripaInverkeithing Medical Group, Inverkeithing, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-9322-4198
Bangonsri JindawongDepartment of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mittraparb Road, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand, 66 43363588.ORCID 0000-0001-7692-2325
Kamonwan JenwitheesukAcademic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0002-2651-5753
Surapol VirasiriAcademic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0002-4679-6054

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: English for medical purposes (EMP) is essential for medical students as it serves as a foundational language for medical communication and education. However, students often undervalue its importance within the medical curriculum. Given their demanding schedules and workload, educational methods for EMP must align with their needs. Structured web-based learning offers flexibility and convenience, yet limited research has explored its exclusive application for EMP in undergraduate medical education. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate medical students' perspectives on structured web-based EMP courses and assess their impact on medical English proficiency using objective and subjective measures. Methods: Structured web-based EMP courses were developed based on evidence-based guidelines, addressing barriers to web-based learning during development and implementation. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 535 medical students who completed these courses. Data were collected via questionnaires, the learning management system, and the Khon Kaen University Medical English Test (KKUMET), which assessed proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 535 students, 452 (84.5%) completed the survey. Participants reported confidence in reading (mean 4.11, SD 0.87), vocabulary (mean 4.04, SD 0.84), and listening skills (mean 4, SD 0.89), but lower confidence in writing skills (mean 3.46, SD 1.07). The KKUMET results showed statistically significant improvements in all 4 language skills after course completion (P<.001). The top-rated benefits of the courses were convenience (mean 4.77, SD 0.59), sufficient instruction (mean 4.5, SD 0.85), and clear content (mean 4.41, SD 0.80). Conclusions: Structured web-based EMP courses are relevant and well received by medical students. These courses significantly improve students' medical English proficiency, as evidenced by both subjective feedback and objective measures. Medical educators should consider integrating structured web-based EMP programs to better support students' language proficiency in medical contexts.

Indexed as

Education, Medical, UndergraduateInternetLanguageStudents, MedicalAdultCross-Sectional StudiesCurriculumFemaleHumansMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adultbarrierscourseeducational methodEMPEnglishEnglish for medical professionalEnglish for medical purposesEnglish languageinstructional designslessonmedical researchmedical schoolmedical studentsonlineonline courseonline educationonline learnersonline learningperspectivesweb-based

Identifiers

PMID40177857
PMCPMC11967694

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.