New Approaches to Self-Directed Learning: The "Medupol" Concept as part of the Meducase Learning Platform Developed at the Charité

Dr. med G. Bosse, Thomas Braun, Dr. med Kai Schnabel, Prof. Dr. med Ralf Schumann, University Clinic, Charité and Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology Berlin, Germany,

ABSTRACT:

Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a widely established method in medical education. Based on the concept of self-directed learning, the ideas of PBL originated in the late sixties (McMaster, Canada) and have become more and more popular in many medical schools around the world. In recent years, PBL-concepts in computer-based training have gained increasing importance. This is paralleled by a new influence of e-learning in the medical education field. Many computer-based training approaches incorporate aspects of self-directed learning. However, currently only a small percentage of European medical students utilize the products available at this time (Daetwyler, 1999). In order to increase the acceptance of modern computer programs there must be utilization of both the advantages of multimedia as well as the integration of didactic principles of modern education.

Here, we report on a survey performed at the Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany, analyzing computer-based training use among medical students. The results clearly show that today's computer-based medical training is not tailored to meet the needs of the students. Although more than 80% of students used computers at some point during their medical education, the percentage of students actually using computer-based training programs is low.

Meducase is a novel computer-based training in medicine currently being developed at the Charité, Berlin, funded by a major grant. It incorporates medical cases linked to granular content elements and includes a variety of didactic principles. It also allows the user a free choice between self-directed learning and more systematic approaches. Thus, it reflects the fact that users differ in their preferred technique of learning. Meducase includes multimedia content, links to large databases, libraries and chat rooms. Due to the incorporation of a semantic link and thesaurus network (UMLS, developed by the NIH), true self-directed learning can be achieved by linking granular content elements. The Medupol concept as part of Meducase was designed in close cooperation utilizing the broad expertise of the reformed medical curriculum in Berlin. It enables students to use PBL-techniques in a computer based training setting. Several users can connect via Internet and chat to form a "virtual PBL-group". The computer program itself acts as a "virtual student" and participates in the steps of the PBL-session. The Meducase database provides the case details, allowing the user to explore the content within the given time frame.

An online tutor is available for structural questions in support via chat or - if not available - email. Between the sessions, content can be gathered from the Meducase database, the Internet and by experts via email in order to reach the study goals previously set. This is in contrast to current "normal" PBL settings where students are working in a fixed group setting. With Medupol they are not bound to fixed time schedules, facilities, or the curriculum of their medical school. In addition, Medupol gives the students the option to create an individual learning environment and apply the tutor as a resource only if needed.

Medupol, in the context of the innovative Meducase platform, is intended to expand the advantages of PBL by adding multimedia features while integrating group interaction via Internet and chat. Whether PBL based on computer-based training will be able to completely substitute for "classic'' PBL group has to be shown in the future when these innovative approaches will reach versions that can be evaluated by the students. Most likely, however, they will be able to bring PBL to students who otherwise wouldn't have the chance to use it.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

PBL-concepts in computer-based training have gained increasing importance in medical education. Medupol, in the context of the innovative Meducase platform, is intended to expand the advantages of PBL by adding multimedia features while integrating group interaction via Internet and chat. Several users can connect via Internet and chat to form a "virtual PBL-group". The computer program itself acts as a virtual student and participates in the steps of the PBL-session.

Dr. med Goetz Bosse

Metzerstr. 8, 10405 Berlin, Germany

Phone: ++ 49 30 4172 5559

Email: mailto:goetz.bosse@charite.de

CO-AUTHORS:

Thomas Braun, Dr. med Kai Schnabel, Prof. Dr. med Ralf Schumann

Email: mailto:Kai.Schnabel@Charite.de,

mailto:Thomas.Braun@Charite.de, Ralf.Schumann@Charite.de

Bosse G.1,2 , Braun T.1,3 , Schnabel K.3 , and Schumann R.R.1,4

1 Meducase, Universitatsklinikum Charité Berlin, Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie

Dorotheenstr. 96, 10117 Berlin, Germany

2 Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin am Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany

3 AG Reformstudiengang Medizin, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany

4 Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Dorotheenstr. 96, 10117 Berlin, Germany