Demonstration with Equipment

Project CVP: An Interactive Cardiovascular Physiology Courseware on the Internet

Dr. Chi-Ming Chow MDCM CCFP FRCPC
Ahsan Alam
Steven A. Prescott BSc.
Ohmar Ahmad
Alvin Shrier PhD
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract:

Background: The cardiovascular system is inherently complex and dynamic. Understanding the physiology of such a system can be a daunting task. The use of information technology offers a complimentary media of instruction wherein students benefit from the capabilities of multimedia, including animation and user interactivity, which are often lacking from more traditional forms of instruction.

Methods: Project "CVP: Concepts in Cardiovascular Physiology" is an internet-based instructional courseware developed at McGill University to teach basic concepts in cardiovascular physiology to students in medicine and cardiology. This courseware can be used by lecturers as a teaching aid in class, and by students who wish to compliment this instruction independently. The program is divided into three fundamental modules. The first module reviews the cardiac cycle, pressure-volume loops, cardiac function and venous return curves. In the second module, students apply this knowledge to clinically relevant cases. In the third module, students evaluate their understanding of the important concepts.

Conclusion: Internet-based instruction has many benefits. The instructional material can be accessed at multiple sites and by multiple users simultaneously. Students are able to manipulate parameters influencing cardiac function and venous return, and visualize the effects on the respective graphs to help conceptualize changes in the cardiovascular system. Finally, students can test themselves and receive immediate feedback to help identify areas where comprehension may be inadequate. These features facilitate the students' understanding and application of concepts in cardiovascular physiology.

The web site can be accessed at the following World Wide Web address:

http://sprojects.mmip.mcgill.ca/cvp/

Benefit in Attending Session:

Project CVP is a good demonstration of fully utilizing the internet/browser technology to present complex dynamic elements in the field of cardiovascular physiology. This project achieves a dimension which cannot be provided by traditional textbooks. Medical students and other heatlh professionals can use the materials presented to supplement in-class teaching or use it as a basis for self-teaching. The demonstration will discuss the implementation using Macromedia Director and Adobe PageMill.

Dr. Chi-Ming Chow MDCM CCFP FRCPC
8 Musuem Way, Apt. 517
Cambridge MA 02141 USA
 
(617)945-8898
Fax Number:
(617)945-8891:
cmchow@compuserve.com
http://sprojects.mmip.mcgill.ca/cvp/
 
Dr. Alvin Shrier Ph.D.
McGill University, Dept. of Physiology
McIntyre Medical Sciences Building,
3655 Drummond St., Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6
Canada
 
Ahsan Alam , Steven A. Prescott, Ohmar Ahmad
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
McIntyre Medical Sciences Building,
3655 Drummond St., Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6
 
Telephone Number(s):
(514) 398-4318
Fax Number(s):
(514) 398-7452
ashrier@physio.mcgill.ca