Auditorium Presentation
HemoSurf - An Interactive Hemtological Atlas
Ulrich Woermann, M.D. Division for Instructional Media, University of Bern, Switzerland
Abstract:
With over 2000 images of blood and bone marrow films, HemoSurf is one of the richest collections of hematological images on CD-ROM. Additionally, the quality of the images is very high. The images are presented in two ways:
On one side, they are embedded into a learning environment. Going through steps of increasing complexity and constantly receiving feedback, the user learns to interpret blood films. They also can learn to recognize normal bone marrow cells.
On the other side, the blood films and partly the corresponding bone marrow films of over 30 different diseases can be looked up.
Theoretical knowledge can be acquired from over 100 context dependent information units. Throughout the program the user has the possibility to compare blood cells as well as blood and bone marrow films.
HemoSurf follows a didactical principle which could be called "inverse" compared to the traditional way of teaching. The latter typically consist in transferring systematized knowledge to the learner. This can be very useful to introduce beginners into a new domain but becomes more and more inefficient as the knowledge of the learners increase. With the inverse approach, the learner is first confronted with the different manifestations of the human body and its diseases. He then starts to acquire the corresponding theoretical knowledge according to his needs and interests. In this way, he is going through a similar process as medical researchers, only much faster.
In HemoSurf, students first look at many images of the different blood cells and their alterations, thus developing pattern recognition. In further steps, they can test their ability to recognize blood cells and their alterations. At the end, they have to perform a complete blood film interpretation including a differential count of leukocytes. Thus, the learner has to apply the acquired knowledge in a "close to real" situation.
The feedback from many users shows that this approach is very much appreciated. Here the example of a comment by a medical student from Germany: "The repetition of blood histology with this program (HemoSurf) is surprisingly efficient. Only after little time (1-2h), one can achieve a considerable proficiency in the differential blood count!"
Target audience:
Benefit in Attending Session:
HemoSurf is an excellent example of how a medical skill can be taught in a very efficient and straight forward way. The creation of a "close to real" situation can be - if applicable - a model for many learning programs. The quality of the images sets standards for other programs in this field.
Ulrich Woermann, MD Abteilung fuer Unterrichtsmedien AUM Instituts fuer Aus-, Weiter- und Fortbildung IAWF Medizinische Fakultaet der Universitaet Bern Inselspital 38, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland +41 31 632 25 34 Fax Number: +41 31 632 49 98 woermann@aum.unibe.ch http://www.aum.iawf.unibe.ch/ Name Co-Author(s): Andreas Tobler, MD, Professor M. Monatandon, chief lab technician Haematologisches Zentrallabor Universitaetsspital Inselspital 3010 Bern, Switzerland