DEMONSTRATION
A Demonstration of the University of Toronto's Web-based Learning Tool to Assist Medical Students with History Taking, Case Report Writing, and Physical Examination Skills.
Hance Clarke, Errol Colak, Collan Simmons, Joyce Nyhof-Young and John Bradley
University Health Network and Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
ABSTRACT:
The Art and Science of Clinical Medicine (ASCM 1) at the University of Toronto, Canada teaches traditional medical history taking and physical examination skills. Students develop the verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills necessary to obtain appropriate information from patients and to effectively document the data. Students are also taught the physical examination skills fundamental to becoming a competent physician.
This innovative web based educational tool is divided into two major modules:
1) The History module includes an interview between a medical student and a standardized patient, lessons on effective history taking, and opportunities to practice and get feedback on case reports.
2) The Physical Examination module demonstrates the examination of the cervical lymph nodes, thyroid gland, respiratory system, precordium, abdomen, hip, knee, peripheral vasculature, jugular venous pulse, and vital signs. Teaching points and accompanying graphics detail each skill.
Students are given passwords and are able to use the tool throughout their 4 years as undergraduate medical students. An ongoing evaluation of the tool by the users (both students and tutors) is taking place in order to gather data to improve this educational resource and shape further development.
This demonstration session will focus on:
1. The original iteration of the ASCM I web-based educational tool (2000 - 2001).
2. The results of a formal evaluation of student perceptions, experiences, and usage pattern of the ASCM I educational tool.
3. The updated history homepage modules (2001 - 2002).
4. The newly developed physical examination modules (2001 - 2002).
5. The final proposed formal evaluation of the site.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
1. To understand how Information Technology is being utilized at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine to teach history-taking, case report writing, and physical examination skills to undergraduate medical students.
2. To examine our evaluation strategy and to understand how student feedback has guided changes to the interactive web based tool.
3. To discuss difficulties encountered during the development of a web-based learning resource.
Hance Clarke
56 Hunter St
Toronto, Ontario
M4J 1C2
CANADA
Phone: (416) 466-7577
Fax: (416) 462-9005
Email: hance.clarke@utoronto.ca
CO-AUTHORS:
Errol Colak, Collan Simmons, Joyce Nyhof-Young and John Bradley Toronto General Hospital
200 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2C4
CANADA
Phone: (416) 340-4832
Fax: (416) 340-4705
Email: John.Bradley@uhn.on.ca