PedsCases - A Learning Module of Acute Stridor for Medical Students

Abstract This learning module includes a podcast and three cases that review the common causes of acute stridor in children, as well as the pathophysiology and treatment of those causes. It is intended for medical students of all years. The podcast covers foreign body inhalation, anaphylaxis, epiglottitis, croup, and bacterial tracheitis. A script of the podcast has also been included. In addition to the podcast and script, the module includes cases discussing croup, epiglottitis, and bacterial tracheitis. Each case begins with the initial presentation of a child with stridor. The student is required to answer multiple-choice questions that focus on establishing a differential diagnosis and confirming the diagnosis. Next, the student lists a management plan for the specific cause of the stridor. The correct answer for each question is explained once the question has been answered. By working first through the podcast and then through the cases, the student will have the ability to recognize some of the acute causes of stridor and develop an initial management plan. This module is a part of PedsCases, a series of comprehensive web-based educational tools that focus on the core objectives of undergraduate pediatric education with extensive student involvement. PedsCases was created for and by medical students and provides an opportunity for active self-directed learning in pediatrics. The learning modalities available include questions, flash card–type quizzes, multistep clinical cases, and podcasts. PedCases has been used in 96 different countries, and there have been over 10,000 downloads of the available podcasts