Medical Education Online™Manuscripts organized by VolumeVolume 1, 1996 |
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Because It's Time
David J. Solomon, Ph.D
The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Abstract: Recent advancements in technology and the dramatic increase in access to the Internet have made electronic journals feasible. This paper discusses the rationale for starting Medical Education Online and some thoughts on how electronic networks and other advances in communication are going to impact on scientific journals and scholarly communication in general.
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Problem-Based Learning: A Paradigm Shift or a Passing Fad?
Gwendie Camp, PhD
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Abstract: The use of problem-based learning in medical education and other educational settings has escalated. What once was considered a "fringe" innovation has become much more mainstream. The author raises issues surrounding whether PBL will become such a successful innovation that it becomes the "norm", or whether its popularity and widespread adoption will fade and be replaced by another, newer innovation.
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Medical Informatics for Medical Students: Not Just Because It's There
Eta S. Berner, Ed.D. and Dennis W. Boulware, M.D. with the assistance of the Medical Education Committee's Medical Informatics Subcommittee
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Abstract: There has been increasing interest in the use of computers in medical education, but there has been less attention given to the rationale for the use and selection of applications. This article discusses an approach to the selection of medical informatics applications for the undergraduate medical curriculum.
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Community Partnerships: Going Beyond Curriculum to Change Health Professions Education
Rebecca C. Henry, Ph.D.
Michigan StateUniversity
Abstract: Much of the recent reform in medical education has focused on the specific curriculum and location of the experience. The author describes the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Community Partnerships in Health Professions Education model which yields significant influence to the community for shaping the educational experience. The role of leadership and institutional policy change are also discussed as important factors in the change process.
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A Critical Elements Approach to Developing Checklists for a Clinical Performance Examination
Barbara G. Ferrell, Ph.D
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Abstract: A two-stage process was used to develop checklists for cases on a clinical performance examination for a clerkship in family medicine. Items generated for each checklist were reviewed by faculty members to determine which of them might be deemed "critical" to the case; those which were so important that less than mastery would result in failure of the exam. For each case, a score was determined based on completion of the items which judges rated as "critical," and weights for each of the items on the checklists were generated. This method yielded a scoring protocol for each case. The protocol is outlined and applied to a hypothetical student. The perceived advantages of the approach are discussed and suggestions made for further work. The protocol is being used to develop similar checklists for additional cases as they are written for the clinical performance examination.
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Computer Education in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs
Joilo C. Barbosa, MD, MS* , Paula Willoughby, DO** , Robert G. Mrtek, PhD ***, Craig A. Rosenberg, MD, FACEP*
*Departments of Emergency
Medicine and Internal Medicine
**Department of Emergency Medicine SAEM/Physio-Control EMS Fellow
***Professor, Departments of Medical Education and Pharmacy Administration,
University of Illinois at Chicago
Abstract Objective - To determine if and how recent innovations in computer technology have affected the access and usage of computers by emergency medicine residents. To evaluate the status of resident computer training as compared to a previous survey reported and as outlined in the Core Curriculum. Methods - Questionnaires were mailed to the 113 residency program directors listed in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) home page. Topics queried included current availability of computers, the existence of computer education programs, the status of Internet related activities as well as resident exposure to and actual usage of computers. Results - The response rate was 65% (73/113). The average resident to computer ratio is 6.5:1. While 100% of the programs have computers available for resident use, only 48% offer any kind of formal computer education and only 41% indicate they have an assigned computer educator. Most programs offer some kind of access to the Internet (79%). Software availability is as follows: word- processing (100%), spreadsheets (99%), graphics (96%), literature search programs (96%), databases (88%), statistics (86%), communications (85%) and Internet/commercial network (77%). Resident exposure and usage roughly parallels the availability of software. Conclusion - Computer knowledge in today’s world is a necessity whether one practices medicine as a clinician, researcher, educator, or administrator. Although computers are available for resident use in virtually all programs surveyed, less than half offer formal computer education as recommended by the Core Curriculum. Formal recommendations need to be developed regarding the design and implementation of a computer education program.
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A Plea for Health Manpower Training Through Distance Education
Prof. P.K. Dutta, Dr. T.K. Jena, Dr. S.K. Panda
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Abstract: To achieve the target of health for all by 2000 AD (HFA/2000), developing countries such as India need a proper perspective to implement health for all through a Primary Health Care approach and must develop a plan to achieve manpower needs. The present health institutional infrastructure is inadequate to meet this requirement.
Distance education is a relatively new concept which not only has the ability to train a large number of health care workers in a short time in a cost effective way but can also attend to skills of health care without diluting the quality. The School of Health Sciences, IGNOU is, at present, working on two health programs for nursing and medical personnel through distance education. Alternate models in distance education could also be envisioned to meet the immediate pressing needs.
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