Presentation Title:

 

CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A WEB BASED VIRTUAL REALITY PROGRAM IN TEACHING PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS SKILLS TO MEDICAL STUDENTS

 

Julie A. Grundman

University of Nebraska Medical Center

 

Abstract:

Teaching physical diagnosis skills lends itself particularly well to multimedia and virtual reality (VR) presentations, an attribute we utilized in developing web-based multimedia tutorials to teach medical students physical examination skills.  The two tutorials (eye and ear) were designed to facilitate independent, interactive learning and practice in application.  Topics covered included physical examination technique, interpretation of audiograms and tympanograms, and evaluation of a retina or tympanic membrane for pathology.  Throughout the tutorials are self-tests consisting of multiple-choice and image-based questions, both of which provide the student with immediate feedback.  Also included are numerous QuickTime VR movies of the retina and tympanic membrane that simulate the actual exam by showing only the portion of the eye or ear visible through an otoscope or ophthalmoscope.

We conducted a controlled study of 120 first-year medical students at the University of Nebraska comparing these multimedia tutorials to printed versions presenting identical information written by identical authors.  The students who participated were divided into two groups that were matched according to pre-test score.  The first group used the written tutorial for the ear material and the multimedia tutorial for the eye material.  The second group did the reverse.  Students who used the multimedia version spent more time on the tutorial and scored higher on a post-test consisting of web-based and paper sections, even after controlling for time.  In addition, students expressed a preference for using the multimedia versions.  In this trial, we found that multimedia presentations increased learning of physical diagnosis skills and this suggests that computer learning may contribute uniquely to teaching certain areas of physical diagnosis.

 

Benefit in Attending Session:

This presentation will demonstrate the value and application of QuickTime VR movies in simulating clinical exams and the successful application of multimedia in teaching physical diagnosis.

 

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Julie A. Grundman

984285 Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE  68198-4285

Telephone Number: (402) 559-5610

Fax Number: (402) 559-9232

E-mail Address: jgrundma@unmc.edu

 

CO-AUTHORS' INFORMATION

Robert S. Wigton

Devin Nickol

984285 Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE  68198-4285

Telephone Number(s): (402) 559-5610

Fax Number(s): (402) 559-9232