The Future of Medical Education on the Internet
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0092-8615/98 Copyright 0 1998 Drug Information Association Inc.
THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL EDUCATION ON THE INTERNET LAWRENCE S. STERN,PHD Adjunct Assistant Professor. Ohio State University. Division of Orthopaedics, Columbus, Ohio
There has been a rapid growth in the development of large repositories of medical information and knowledge on the Internet. The Internet provides a new vehicle to disseminate timely information to assist in medical education. For the user, however. it is ofen daficult to obtain concise information or to verify the accuracy of that information. Advancements in technology and the development of interactive web browsers will improve the eficiency and accuracy of information, retrieval, and education. These advances will result from improvements made to the sofrware inte$ace and network infrastructure. Increases in data transmission rates, and more powerful computer systems will allow for extended use of graphical, video, and audio media on browsers. Many of the websites and databases will become more interactive. New program modules are already available to automatically “push” information on to the user’s computer. Additionally, rising concern about the misinformation in many databases will drive professional organizations and companies to find methods to validate their information. Advances in computer technology will result in the development of new methods and aids in medical education. Wrtual educational environments, simulations, and medical home visitations using telemedicine will add to the tools available to educators at universities and medical schools. Course instruction on the Internet already has been started at many universities and will continue to expand. Educational sofrware programs will be designed to interact with the student, asking questions, and determining courses of action. Even with all the advances in technology and information dissemination methods, direct interaction with patients will continue to be essential to complete a medical student’s educational requirement. Additional research will be required to determine if computer-based education is an effective alternative to classroom instruction and if these educational strategies can modify behavioral attitudes. Key Words: Medical education; Internet; Computers; Networks; Databases
INTRODUCTION
use in education. Medical education has traditionally been accomplished through a seNEW INTERNET becomes ries of didactic lectures followed by individincorporated in everyday life, so too will its ual mentoring of a senior staff member, usually performed on real patients. The transition from book to patient, especially in an Presented at the DIA Workshop “Second Annual Sym- operating room setting, can be quite proposium on Osteoporosis Education: Focus on Behav- found. The new medical Drofessionals have ioral Change,” April 14-15, 1997. Philadelphia, Pennless time to learn increase; volumes of inforsylvania. mation* Advances in computer Reprint address: Dr. L.S. Stem, P.O. Box 4 WP39can Provide new methods to improve the
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