Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42143602›Full record

SynthesisAge and ageing2026

Microlearning to teach geriatric principles in hospitals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Carol L Hunter, Keerti Paida, Tim J Wilkinson, Kamal Masaki, Janani Thillainadesan

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Age and ageing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Carol L HunterDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
Keerti PaidaDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
Tim J WilkinsonDepartment of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Kamal MasakiDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i System, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-1170-3118
Janani ThillainadesanConcord Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-5287-7483

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHospital-based education in geriatric medicine is often limited in availability and accessibility. Microlearning is defined as short, on-the-go, focused educational interventions (<15 minutes) and offers a practical way to deliver key geriatrics concepts in time-constrained environments. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of microlearning to learn geriatric medicine principles for hospital-based clinicians.

methodsThis systematic review with meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42023422522) involved a comprehensive search across five databases. Studies evaluating microlearning interventions for hospital-based clinicians (medical, nursing and allied health) were included. Two independent reviewers conducted title/abstract screening and full-text review. Effectiveness was assessed using Kirkpatrick model, which evaluates educational outcomes across four levels: participant reaction, learning, behaviour and clinical practice. Data were synthesised narratively, and meta-analysis conducted using random-effects model. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using Medical Education Research Quality Instrument and Newcastle-Ottawa scale-education.

resultsOf 15 232 articles retrieved, 15 met inclusion criteria, mostly pre-post implementation studies (11/15, 73%). Common interventions included bedside teaching (6/15, 40.0%), pocket cards (5/15, 33.3%) and e-modules (4/15, 27%), focusing on delirium (9/15, 60%) and dementia (3/15, 20%). Of 40 educational outcomes measured, 90% showed positive results, and 30% were statistically significant. Meta-analysis indicated significant improvements in delirium knowledge (SMD 0.80, 95% CI 0.49-1.10, P < .00001) and recognition (SMD 0.91, 95% CI 0.10-1.72, P = .03).

conclusionMicrolearning shows promise as an effective educational intervention for learning geriatric medicine principles, particularly recognising delirium. Further research is needed to assess impact on patient outcomes and guide implementation in current training programs.

Indexed as

GeriatricsHospitalsClinical CompetenceHumansLearninggeriatric medicinemicroeducationmicrolearningolder peoplepostgraduate healthcare professionalssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42143602
PMCPMC13180271

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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.