From: <abstracts@gsm

DEMONSTRATION

CASK (Clinical Anatomical Skills): A Computer Assisted Learning Program as a Valuable Supplement to Traditional Anatomy Teaching Methods.

O.P.Gobee

Dept. of Anatomy & Embryology, LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center), the Netherlands

ABSTRACT

CASK (Clinical Anatomical Skills) is a series of web-based, highly interactive Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) programs focusing on clinically applied anatomy. It is developed by the Dept. of Anatomy and Embryology of Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Netherlands.

CAL is a valuable supplement to traditional learning methods as lectures, atlas study and dissection and is well suited to serve as preparation therefore. Its added value lies in its activating character (it is fun!), its time and place independency, the ability to serve large student numbers with limited staff and specifically for anatomy its ability to offer better three-dimensional (3D) insight compared to atlases, e.g. by scrolling through sections, hiding or moving structures, etc.

CASK aims to exploit exactly these assets. It presents the subject matter in an interactive (question-and-answer) way, using a variety of formats as identifying, positioning or ordering structures in single layer (2D) or multiple layer (3D) drawings or clinical photographs, testing anatomical knowledge in clinical procedures, simulations, explanatory animations and regular MCQ or open-text questions. Emphasis is put on anatomical facts directly relevant in clinical practice and the presentation is in a clinical context where possible.

CASK is a format in which new lessons (programs) are being developed continuously. Each program is developed in close cooperation with a clinician to guarantee clinical relevancy. A number of programs are now in regular use at the LUMC in different years of medical studies. Also, a first postgraduate program has been developed for national use in surgeon training in the new Surgical Basic Education (starting 2004), by order of LISA, the Dutch Surgical Association’s anatomical working committee. Evaluations of CASK amongst medical students and a pilot of surgical residents show it to be well appreciated and rated with scores around 8 (on a 10 points scale).

CASK can be reached at http://www.medfac.leidenuniv.nl/cask, by mid 2004 it will move to http://www.boerhaavenet.nl/, section e-learning.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

This series of web-based programs will soon become available for worldwide use and could be used to support your students' self-studies and preparations for the dissection-room. The programs are built up of individual items (learning objects), which can be combined at wish to form programs adapted to your curricular needs.

O.P.Gobee

Dept. of Anatomy & Embryology, LUMC

Wassenaarseweg 62

2333 AL Leiden

the Netherlands

Phone: +31 (0)71 5276673

Fax: +31 (0)71 5276680

mailto:o.p.gobee@lumc.nl

Website: http://www.medfac.leidenuniv.nl/cask by mid 2004 it will be moved to http://www.boerhaavenet.nl/, section e-learning

CO-AUTHORS:

A.C. Gittenberger-de Groot,

R.E. Poelmann