Demonstration

Acquisition, Integration, and Dissemination of Educational Information Using Web-based Tools

Roberto A. Rocha, MD, PhD
Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR - Brazil

Abstract:

Introduction:  An appealing technology that is helping to disseminate educational
information is the intranet. A hospital intranet can facilitate the
integration of educational material and make it readily available to all
members of the staff connected to the computer network. The information can
be retrieved using software tools that are compatible with almost all
computer operating systems. In addition, intranets can help standardize the
presentation of the information, while enabling users to elaborate and
update their own material. The goal of the present project is to develop
tools and methodologies for the acquisition, integration, and dissemination
of educational information. The information is organized into Web pages
that are linked and made available using an intranet. The development site
is a 600-bed teaching hospital, with intense academic and professional
activities.
 
Development Strategy:  The devised strategy seeks continuous and widespread acquisition of
information by faculty and staff members that customarily create and/or
mange educational material. Faculty and staff members work as volunteers
and are labeled as "partners" or "authors," according to the amount of time
they are capable of dedicating to the project. Normally, each partner helps
to coordinate the work produced by a group of authors within a given area
of expertise. The acquisition of information applies complementary methods
that require at least two kinds of software tools. The first kind are
personal productivity tools capable of generating HTML files and also
Web-page editing applications. These "off-the-shelf" tools are utilized to
create pages with low to moderate levels of complexity and they are used by
both partners and authors. The second kind of software tools include a
series of Java-based components that enable the acquisition and management
of complex information. The components currently being implemented include
domains such as clinical practice guidelines and patient simulations and
case studies. Components designed to provide more basic functionality are
also under implementation, including an indexing and retrieval tool and a
multimedia resources database. The indexing dictionary was created using
the Portuguese terms available in the UMLS Metathesaurus. Authors and
partners are the foremost users of these components, and all partners are
encouraged to participate on the design of the software components.
 
Areas of Application:  The current areas of application include Internal Medicine, Pediatrics,
Obstetrics and Gynecology and Infection Control, covering topics such as
the management of multi-resistant bacteria, high-risk pregnancies,
high-risk newborns and obesity. New areas of application will include
Pulmonary Medicine, Pathology and Surgery.
 
Acknowledgment
This project is being sponsored by a grant from the Brazilian branch of
Hewllet-Packard.
 
Benefit in Attending Session:
The participants will learn about an intranet with educational material that is currently being implemented in a large teaching hospital. The authors will describe the strategy being used to generate the educational material in a simple and continuous manner, and the infrastructure available to faculty and staff members working as part-time volunteers.
 
Roberto A. Rocha, MD, PhD
Rua Mal Hermes, 360 - Apt 11
80530-230 Curitiba, PR
Brazil
 
+5541-352-4106 or +5541-360-1871
Fax Number:
+5541-264-5872
rrocha@hc.ufpr.br
www.hc.ufpr.br
 
1. Beatriz Helena S. C. Rocha, MD, PhD
2. Ana Paula G. Fernandes, BSc
3. Lucio J. D. Matias, MD
4. Monica N. L. Cat, MD, MS
5. Candido G. Doring, MD
6. Cesar L. Boguszewski, MD, PhD
7. Luzilma T. F. Martins, MD, MS
 
Hospital de Clinicas
Rua Gal Carneiro, 181
80060-900 Curitiba, PR
Brazil
 
1. bhrocha@hc.ufpr.br
2. anapaula@hc.ufpr.br
3. lmatias@rla14.pucpr.br
4. monica@hc.ufpr.br
5. doring@bsi.com.br
6. cesarlui@hc.ufpr.br
7. scih@hc.ufpr.br