POSTER

POSTER

Engaging the Learner: Design & Evaluation of a Case-based, Continuing Education CD-ROM in Oncology

Catton, P., Brierley, J., Wiljer, D., & Nyhof-Young, J. University of Toronto

ABSTRACT:

In response to a call for more self-directed CE program development at the University of Toronto, oncology continuing education providers at Princess Margaret Hospital undertook to develop a CD-ROM in colorectal cancer to complement a traditional biennial course.

It is hypothesized that self-directed learning will be stimulated by presenting the learner with common oncology management dilemmas to solve; and that a hypermedia program can effectively provide the perspectives of a multidisciplinary group of practitioners and simulate the experience of a case conference.

The target audience is physicians of different disciplines and levels of training. A number of patient-centred management dilemmas in colorectal cancer are posed. Solutions can be derived from prior experience, first principles, or new learning. Learning resources include clinical material, on-line readings, vetted Internet sites, videotaped expert opinion, interactive text, and selected multimedia material highlighting patient experiences. A variety of evaluation methods, including written surveys, "think out loud"; interviews and computer tracking of user patterns, blend qualitative and quantitative data from representative beta testing subjects. This information was used to determine 1) interface effectiveness, 2) content relevance, 3) how effectively the experiences of a multidisciplinary case conference were simulated, 4) the impact of videotaped patient experiences on engaging the learner, and 5) the influence of this program on collaborative management approaches. This paper describes the design issues and presents preliminary evaluation data.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

1. To become familiar with a new hypermedia resource for continuing medical education in oncology.

2. To understand the opportunities and challenges provided by the hypermedia learning environment.

3. To gain familiarity with the learning context of continuing medical education, and the educational goals and design objectives of this self-directed learning resource.

4. To understand how the formative evaluation plan is being used to refine the software.

Pamela Catton
Princess Margaret Hospital
Departmentof Radiation Oncology
610 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA
M5G 2M9
Phone: 416-946-4501 X 4457
Fax: 416-946-4442
Email: pam.catton@rmp.uhn.on.ca

CO-AUTHORS:
Joyce Nyhof-Young
Email: joyce.nyhof-young@uhn.on.ca