The Art and Science of Clinical Medicine (ASCM I) at the University of Toronto teaches traditional medical history taking and physical examination skills. Students develop the verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills to obtain and document appropriate information from patients. Creative and comprehensive educational resources are needed for students to develop and assess their knowledge of the patient history.

Phase one of this innovative, web-based curriculum includes a videotaped interview between a medical student and standardized patient; lessons on effective history taking; and opportunities to practice and get feedback on case report write-ups. Comprehensive tracking of Website use was undertaken during the first cycle of the online educational tool. All students entering their first year of medicine (n=190) and their tutors (n=96) were given a user name and password. Results demonstrated that 96.3% of students and 29.7% of tutors logged in to the ASCM site. The average time spent using the educational tool per session was 11 minutes, with the longest session exceeding 3 hours. Students found the content of the site to be appropriate for year one of medical training. The various teaching modules were given very good ratings. Most students found the full-length initial interview to be the most enjoyable aspect of the web site. The most common complaint was the lack of teaching clips relating to physical maneuvers an integral part of ASCM I. Phase one has been met with favorable reviews and student feedback was valuable to the further development of the Website. Phase two of the educational tool (2001-2002) includes physical examination skills of the chest, head & neck, hip, knee, peripheral vascular system and the abdomen. Refinement of the educational tool continues using feedback from students and tutors.

1. To understand the challenges faced in developing effective web-based evaluation strategies.

2. To understand how the results of an iterative, formative evaluative process can be used to refine web-based educational resources.

3. To understand how and why Information Technology can be utilized to teach history taking, case report writing, and physical examination skills to undergraduate medical students.

Errol Colak
Email: errol.colak@utoronto.ca

CO-AUTHORS:
Dr. John Bradley
Toronto General Hospital
200 Elizabeth St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5G 2C4
Phone: (416) 340-4832
Fax: (416) 340-4705
Email: john.bradley@uhn.on.ca