Presentation Type:

Demonstration with Equipment

CAMPS- A Patient Simulation for Teaching and Evaluating Problem Solving
 
William Schwartz MD
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Abstract:

CAMPS, an authoring system for creating patient simulations, allows non- programmer faculty to enter patient information into a data base which is then present to the trainee for assessment of the patient's problem. The authoring mode contains a series of normal patient files, about 500 items including History, Physical Examination, Laboratory tests, Consultations, Treatment and Disposition. Since all the items are normal, about 30-40 items require editing to create a patient. The author supplies additional information about the patient including bibliography, a brief discussion about the case and a series of correct forms of the diagnosis. The systems easily inserts images of the patient, physical findings and images. Once the author is acquainted with the program, authoring takes 1-2 hours. Other features are: ability to ask questions. The answers are recorded in the user's file along with the choices and scores. There is an opportunity to make teaching points when specific items are chosen.

The trainee signs on and selects items of the categories in any order of history, physical examination, laboratory tests, consults and disposition. After completing the evaluation, the user enters the diagnosis and receives a grade and reads the case discussion and bibliography. The cost of the evaluation is displayed as the items are selected. The evaluation page also shows items that were correctly selected as well as important items that were omitted.

The evaluation system begins with a series of faculty entering their selections to evaluate the patient. These choices are merged into a expert panel score. The trainees choices are compared with the expert panel's selections from which a score is created. The evaluation includes the total score and subscores of history, physical examination, laboratory, costs and diagnosis.

The program can be used for any age group. The degree of difficulty can be altered to reflect the experience of the trainees e.g. classic cases for students,more complex for residents and common presentations with rare etiologies. Acceptance by students is positive. The program is written in Foxpro(c) and runs on PC or MacIntosh.

Benefit in Attending Session:

This program provides a simple way to present simulated patients to teach and evaluate trainees' problem solving skills. Authoring is simple and user acceptance is generally quite positive. The program allows students to practice on this "patient" and gain experience on the computer when all patients may not be available. The program fits well into curriucula featuring problem based learning, independent study and small group clinical exercises

William Schwartz
Room 2417 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
34th and Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia Pa 19104
 
215-590 3347
Fax Number:
215-590 4877
wschwart@mail.med.upenn.edu