Computer programs that teach the interpretation of image-based laboratory tests.

Autor: Astion MI; Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA., Lecrone CN, Cookson BT, Orkand AR, Curtis JD, Pagliaro L, Wener MH, McGonagle LA, Fine JS
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Clinical laboratory science : journal of the American Society for Medical Technology [Clin Lab Sci] 1996 Jan-Feb; Vol. 9 (1), pp. 44-7.
Abstrakt: Objective: To review the effort of the University of Washington (UW) Department of Laboratory Medicine to develop and use personal computer programs to teach the interpretation of image-based clinical laboratory tests to medical technologists and other health care workers.
Data Sources: Professional journals and books; Software owned by and licensed by the University of Washington.
Study Selection: Not applicable.
Data Extraction: Not applicable.
Data Synthesis: We have been developing interactive personal computer (PC) programs for teaching image-based laboratory tests to medical technologists and other health care workers. The programs, called "Laboratory Tutors," are useful for teaching microscope-based tests and tests based on electrophoresis. Our programs include ANA-Tutor, which teaches the immunofluorescence assay for anti-nuclear antibodies; Gram Stain-Tutor, which teaches the direct Gram stain; Electrophoresis-Tutor, which teaches the interpretation of agarose gel protein electrophoretic patterns; Urinalysis-Tutor, which teaches the microscopic examination of urine sediment; in addition to other programs. The tutorials are all based on high-quality digital images that were acquired and processed using digital imaging systems. They require minimal computer literacy and have a number of advantages over standard approaches to teaching image-based laboratory tests. The computer tutorials are used in UW's medical technology and medical school curriculum, where they are used as supplements to traditional instruction.
Conclusion: Laboratory tutors are computer programs that use high resolution digital images to teach the interpretation of image-based laboratory tests. We plan to continue to develop these programs, study their educational effectiveness, and update them periodically.
Databáze: MEDLINE