MEDCASE is a multimedia, Web based, problem solving case study application developed to: 1) facilitate medical students' learning of pathology, pathophysiology and clinical reasoning, and 2) assess the ability of students to synthesize and apply their knowledge base, and to evaluate their interpretation skills.

So far, six case studies have been developed. Cases 1-3 cover hematopathology, case 4 represents a patient with cardiovascular problem, case 5 is a patient with hepatic problem, and case 6 is a diabetic patient. Each case study is presented with a brief clinical history, physical findings and the results of a limited number of diagnostic tests. The students are asked to select one or several possible pathophysiologic processes from a list provided to them and to select a number of relevant tests in order to approach a diagnosis. To be able to get the results on any test ordered, students are required to first answer why they decided to order the test. Each test has a turn around time. Test results are reported as text, graph, figure, or a combination of them. Each case may have one or several follow-ups, and each follow-up may require additional studies. This program is highly interactive and user-friendly.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

The participants will add another interactive approach to case based learning on the Web. Implementation strategies will also be a component of the discussion, shedding some insights into successful integration with the curriculum. Audience will learn about the process of migration of old, text based cases to new, image rich cases for the Web.

Anju Relan, PhD
60-051 Center for Health Sciences
School of Medicine, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: 310-206-0572
Fax: 310-267-0320
Email: arelan@ucla.edu
Website: http://www.medsch.ucla.edu/idtu

CO-AUTHORS:
Fara Naeim, MD
60-051 Center for Health Sciences
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: 310-825-4275
Email: fnaeim@mednet.ucla.edu