Konzeption und Entwicklung eines fallbasierten, computerunterstützten Lernprogramms in der Medizin (THYROIDEA)

The necessity to improve the quality of the German medical education system is undoubted. All participating discussants agree that bed-side teaching is the most efficient and intense form of case-based teaching. The resources of teaching hospitals to offer this form of traininig are limited, however. Computer- based learning programs are considered to be appropriate to serve as a bridge between lectures and bed-side teaching. The intention of the case-based program Thyroidea, which is described here, is to teach the essentials of diagnosis and therapy of thyroid disease by presenting typical cases. Working on the cases should convey diagnostic strategies and deep understanding. In order to achieve these goals, we decided to use new constructivistic theories of instruction. This becomes evident by the following characteristics of Thyroidea: A computer-based case represents an authentic problem as it mirrors the elements of real patient-care. The student takes the role of the physician and interactively works through the case consisting of medical history, physical examination, lab tests, technical investigations, diagnosis, and therapy. The various interactive elements stimulate the learner to apply his knowledge to the presented problem. A particularly important element is the supportive comment of a clinical expert, which accompanies the learner through each step of the program.