Demonstration with Equipment

Web-based Software Components for Producing Educational Material
 
Beatriz Helena S. C. Rocha, MD, PhD
Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR - Brazil

Abstract:

The demonstration will focus on a series of tools that were developed by the Informatics Division of the "Hospital de Clinicas", Federal University of Parana, Brazil. The objective of these tools is to produce educational material that will be available in the hospital's intranet. All the tools are Java-based using CORBA technology and run in any browser. The tools that will be demonstrated are:

Information Indexing Module: this component indexes the content of any "object", allowing the object retrieval and linking using semantic networks (concepts) maintained in specialized dictionaries. The specialized dictionaries were created based on standardized vocabularies, specific for each domain. The objects can be patient simulations, images, web pages, practice guideline protocols, etc. The Indexing Module offers search alternatives through generic or specific concepts.

Image Storage and Acquisition Module: this component is responsible for managing the Multimedia Database, integrating all the images obtained as pictures, slides, videos, and other sources. The component standardizes the image identification and indexing, including a content description, technical characteristics, copyright information, etc. The Image Storage and Acquisition Module is an important tool to support the other modules.

Patient Simulations Module: this component is responsible for managing the Patient Simulations Database, facilitating the creation of new simulations that involve the variety of specialties found in medicine. The component is based on a standardized structure, aiming at the creation of complete and well-documented simulations using the resources of images and sounds. The module has a consultation mode where the standardized structure reproduces the chronological sequence of the clinical events and evaluates the user through specific questions in each context.

Practice Guidelines Module: this component is responsible for managing the Practice Guidelines Database, facilitating the creation and usage of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up protocols. The protocols are created as algorithms with a detailed description of the protocol objectives, the patient inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the identification of the authors of the protocol. The component automatically converts the algorithms into full text so both formats can be reviewed by the end-user.

Electronic Help-desk Module: this component is responsible for acquiring and storing information about work routines and the functioning of the various hospital sectors. It is also used to explain how the other components work. The component objective is to orient the users on how to follow the routines and on how to use the modules. The orientation is done through help information linked to the context established in a web-page. The electronic Help-desk allows the users with little experience to use modules.

Acknowledgment
This project is being sponsored by a grant from the Brazilian branch of Hewlett-Packard.

Benefit in Attending Session:

The participants will see a demonstration of software components that were developed to support the creation of educational material. The components enable the creation of patient simulations, practice guidelines protocols, multimedia database and an electronic help-desk. A support tool indexes the different components and enables retrieval of the material by content will also be demonstrated.

Beatriz Helena S. C. Rocha, MD, PhD
Rua Mal Hermes, 360 - Apt 11
80530-230 Curitiba, PR
Brazil
 
+5541-352-4106 or 360-1871
Fax Number:
+5541 264-5872
bhrocha@hc.ufpr.br
www.hc.ufpr.br
 
1. Roberto A. Rocha, MD, PhD
2. Ana Paula G. Fernandes, BSc
3. Lúcio J. D. Matias, MD
4. Sandro L. Bihaiko
5. Luelson Nunes, BSc
6. Fabiola R. Santos, BSc
7. Nilceney I. Santos, BSc
8. Claudia O. Souza, BSc
 
Hospital de Clinicas - Assessoria de Informatica
Rua Gal Carneiro, 181
80060-900 Curitiba, PR
Brazil
Telephone Number(s):
+5541 360-1871
Fax Number(s):
+5541 264-5872
1. rrocha@hc.ufpr.br
2. anapaula@hc.ufpr.br
3. lmatias@rla14.pucpr.br
4. sandro@girasol.com.br
5. luelson@hotmail.com
6. fabiolanet@usa.net
7. masterbugs@hotmail.com
8. claudia@polo.com.br