PANEL on CASES
Virtual Lessons Learned: Computerized Patient Simulation in
a Distributed Curriculum
Justin M. Bonzo
University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine,
Vancouver, Canada
ABSTRACT:
The University of
British Columbia Faculty of Medicine is launching an innovative, distributed
medical education program in partnership with the Government of British
Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of
Victoria and provincial regional health authorities. The first of its kind in Canada,
the program creates new opportunities for medical education and the application
of pedagogical and educational technology initiatives. As part of the medical
education process, it is expected that students actively interact with
patients.
Computer-based
patient and case simulations approximate real life situations and are
increasingly being used in medical education. Improvements in technology,
innovations in teaching and limited patient availability explain this shift.
For example, the adoption of computer-based patient and case simulation
technologies complements a shift in the curriculum for the UBC Faculty of
Medicine from a didactic lecture-style of delivery to a student-centered and
case-based format. It recognizes the need to provide material to students in
any location that have access to computers and enables the student the
opportunity to direct and track their own progress.
This presentation
describes the decision-making, needs assessment, and implementation process
employed in the development and realization of the Computerized Patient and
Case Simulation Project, and the significant issues and challenges faced in the
process. By examining these topics, we hope to improve the initial
decision-making, development, and implementation processes in future projects
while providing experiential knowledge that other institutions can apply to
their own projects.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
A Computerized
Patient Simulator is being implemented in the Faculty of Medicine at the University
of British Columbia. As education formats change, students will be expected to
use learning technologies to access, organize, and retrieve clinically relevant
information. This presentation illustrates pedagogical and technical
implementation issues, along with lessons learned.
Justin M. Bonzo
400-2194 Health
Sciences Mall
Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada
V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604-822-5891
Fax: 604-822-2495