Using a web-based system for the continuous distance education in cytopathology |
| |
Authors: | Nikolaos Stergiou Giannis Georgoulakis Dionisios Aninos Efi Stergiou Petros Karakitsos |
| |
Affiliation: | a Cytopathology Department, University General Hospital ‘Attikon’, Haidari, Rimini 1 - 12462, Athens, Greece b Department of Cytopathology, “Laikon” Hospital, Athens, Greece c Research and Development, Space Hellas S.A., Athens, Greece |
| |
Abstract: | BackgroundThe evolution of information technologies and telecommunications has made the World Wide Web a low cost and easily accessible tool for the dissemination of information and knowledge. Continuous Medical Education (CME) sites dedicated in cytopathology field are rather poor, they do not succeed in following the constant changes and lack the ability of providing cytopathologists with a dynamic learning environment, adaptable to the development of cytopathology. Learning methods including skills such as decision making, reasoning and problem solving are critical in the development of such a learning environment.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are (1) to demonstrate on the basis of a web-based training system the successful application of traditional learning theories and methods and (2) to effectively evaluate users’ perception towards the educational program, using a combination of observers, theories and methods.ImplementationTrainees are given the opportunity to browse through the educational material, collaborate in synchronous and asynchronous mode, practice their skills through problems and tasks and test their knowledge using the self-evaluation tool. On the other hand, the trainers are responsible for editing learning material, attending students’ progress and organizing the problem-based and task-based scenarios. The implementation of the web-based training system is based on the three-tier architecture and uses an Apache Tomcat web server and a MySQL database server.MethodsBy December 2008, CytoTrainer's learning environment contains two courses in cytopathology: Gynaecological Cytology and Thyroid Cytology offering about 2000 digital images and 20 case sessions. Our evaluation method is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore how the various parts of the system and students’ attitudes work together.ResultsTrainees approved of the course's content, methodology and learning activities. The triangulation of evaluation methods revealed that the training program is suitable for the continuous distance education in cytopathology and that it has improved the trainees’ skills in diagnostic cytopathology.ConclusionsThe web-based training system can be successfully involved in the continuous distance education in cytopathology. It provides the opportunity to access learning material from any place at any time and supports the acquisition of diagnostic knowledge. |
| |
Keywords: | Internet Continuing medical education Cytopathology Education theory Quantitative evaluation Qualitative evaluation |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|