A Library of Teaching Cases for Hematology Course Directors in Case Bank of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Emmanuel C. Besa, M.D. and John Bolles, M.S

In April 1999 the American Society of Hematology (ASH) began a web site that provides a library of interactive instructional cases in hematology to support to medical education. Although the site is developed to meet the needs of students who are expected to practice in the care settings found in North America students in many countries use it.

The site is designed to allow faculty members to choose link to only those specific cases that benefit their course. Although the cases are named for a general finding associated with the case, they force the student to discover the actual diagnosis. In a typical case the student must evaluate the patent's medical history and physical findings, select and evaluate laboratory data, make a diagnosis and choose treatment options. Distracting and/or irrelevant data are available with comment re. the rational for choosing or not choosing options based on what is known at that point in the case.

The ASH Educational Affairs Committee composes the "wish list" for case development. The authors are recruited from the membership of ASH. Each case is reviewed by at least 2 other hematologists with expertise in the specific subject being presented before it is placed on the ASH web site.

There were 7 cases available in January 2002 with 2 cases in production and 2 in the initial evaluation and planning stages.

The site was visited by between 2,000 and 3,500 users per month in 2001. The bulk of users (68%) are from the US. The average session length is approximately 15 minutes.

The site can be considered a model for the involvement of a professional society in medical education.

Visit the pdf file online at: ASH-HTC.pdf

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

Demonstrates a source of cases for teaching second year Pathophysiology in the field of Hematology developed by faculty and course directors for sharing and supported by the Specialty Association.

Emmanuel C. Besa, M.D.
MCP Hospital
MCP Hahnemann University
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Phone: 215-842-6980
Fax: 215-843-3620
Email: emmanuel.besa@drexel.edu
Website: http://www.hematology.org/education/teaching.cfm

CO-AUTHORS:
John Bolles, M.S.
Email: bolmac@earthlink.net