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