WE-G-BRA-01: Development of a Web-Based Dosimetry Training Tool for Therapy and Dosimetry Education.

PURPOSE: Training in clinical dosimetry is an important component of radiation therapy, dosimetry, and medical physics training programs. Based on our in-house treatment planning system, PLanUNC, we are developing and assessing a web-based dosimetry teaching tool to augment existing training programs. METHODS: We surveyed radiation therapy program directors to assess the need for clinical dosimetry training tools. Based on survey results, we are developing a web-based dosimetry-training tool consisting of 10 modules containing didactic content based on the ASRT curriculum, student assessment, and hands-on treatment planning exercises. External content specialists reviewed the self-paced modules for accuracy and content validity. Two external dosimetry students were observed as they completed three sections, and were interviewed in-depth to evaluate the modules. This qualitative analysis combined features of usability testing with formative evaluation of instructional products. We revised the modules based on these data. Our next phase, quantitative evaluation, will assess the effectiveness of the modules, the quality of the interactivity and the degree of student engagement when completing the modules. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of program directors indicated they had insufficient local resources for dosimetry training, and over 90% indicated interest in web-based training tools as teaching supplements. External evaluators indicated module content was appropriate and accurate. Students indicated the modules were easy to use with clear and understandable content. They were engaged when using the modules and motivated by the interactive components. They placed value on the exercises and the feedback they received. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-institutional evaluation improves the quality and generalizability of instructional modules. Carefully designed online learning modules are viewed as effective teaching tools by dosimetry students. The clinical dosimetry teaching tool will be made accessible to therapy and dosimetry training programs worldwide. This work is supported by NCI grant 5R25-CA134307.

Design and effectiveness of a computer-based continuing education program for orthodontists.

The design of computer-based continuing education for health professionals is an important consideration for Internet delivery because the size of graphic files greatly affects the speed with which information is delivered. Orthodontists who had indicated an interest in computer-based continuing education were shown via CD-ROM either a dynamic version of a computer continuing education program (with transitions and animations to liven up the content) or a plain version (identical content except that the transitions and animations were omitted). The program provided new information about superelastic arch wires for the initial stage of orthodontic treatment. For both versions, over 90% of the viewers thought the program was well done and provided useful information. Six of the orthodontists who received the dynamic version felt that the animations were distracting rather than helpful; only one who received the plain version felt that it was lifeless. A follow-up questionnaire showed that two-thirds of those who viewed the program had subsequently reviewed the performance data for the initial wire they were using and 20% had changed it, so the computer program was effective in changing clinical behavior. Those who saw the plain version also were more likely to have changed their clinical procedures. For Internet delivery of information to highly motivated professionals, it appears that transitions and animations are not necessary and may be more likely to decrease than increase the effectiveness of the teaching material.

FDDI information management system for centralizing interactive, computerized multimedia clinical experiences in pediatric rheumatology/Immunology.

This paper describes the design, authoring, and development of interactive, computerized, multimedia clinical simulations in pediatric rheumatology/immunology and related musculoskeletal diseases, the development and implementation of a high speed information management system for their centralized storage and distribution, and analytical methods for evaluating the total system's educational impact on medical students and pediatric residents. An FDDI fiber optic network with client/server/host architecture is the core. The server houses digitized audio, still-image video clips and text files. A host station houses the DB2/2 database containing case-associated labels and information. Cases can be accessed from any workstation via a customized interface in AVA/2 written specifically for this application. OS/2 Presentation Manager controls, written in C, are incorporated into the interface. This interface allows SQL searches and retrievals of cases and case materials. In addition to providing user-directed clinical experiences, this centralized information management system provides designated faculty with the ability to add audio notes and visual pointers to image files. Users may browse through case materials, mark selected ones and download them for utilization in lectures or for editing and converting into 35mm slides.