WEB-BASED DIGITAL MEDICAL MODULES AS A TEACHING TOOL IN RESIDENCY TRAINING

James D’Agostino*, MD, Ann Barker-Grifffith, MD, Paul Cunningham, MD, Jannie Woo*, PhD, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, U.S.A.

PURPOSE: At SUNY UMU a dynamic database-driven Website was introduced in 2002 as an adjunct to residency training in pathology (http://www.upstate.edu/pathology/residency), which has served successfully as a learning tool. To extend the advantage of Web-based learning to residents in pediatric and emergency medicine, ophthalmology and surgery, we developed multimedia Web-based modules in each discipline utilizing interactive case-based tutorials with national-board formatted quizzes. These modules allow residents assessment of their knowledge in pathophysiology & anatomy, and skills in procedures, diagnosis & management.

METHODS: Using an interactive case-quiz module built with FileMaker Pro (FileMaker Inc, Santa Clara, CA 95054) that allows search, storage, retrieval, with image, audio-video incorporation functions, a patient’s history is introduced with audio-video followed by key physical findings (e.g. emergency medicine module). Patient diagnostic studies and management are then displayed through sequential interactive quizzes that simulate medical-board questions. Answer submissions are followed by detailed responses. Patient data interpretation facilitates succession of subsequent quizzes.

It concludes with a detailed description of the disease with references. HTML-driven FileMaker Pro Web-based templates are available for convenient input of data, images and audio-video.

RESULTS: Feedback has been favorable. Residents feel that in addition to complementing and enhancing regular lecture sessions, these modules enhance educational opportunities and preserve interesting and/or infrequently encountered cases which some learners might otherwise miss due to other commitments.

CONCLUSION: Web-based digital medical modules can successfully be used to educate medical and surgical residents utilizing a dynamic database driven website with audio-video enhancements and interactive patient case simulation.