Continuing Educational Program on Medical Informatics- Program Design and Experiences

Program Design and Experiences

Ritva Karjalainen-Jurvelina, Tuula Kivinena, Pasi Karjalainenb, Juha Kinnunena, Jukka S. Jurvelinb

a

Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kuopio, Finland

b

Department of Applied Physics, University of Kuopio, Finland

Abstract

In order to improve abilities of physicians to apply informa-tion technology (IT) in their every-day work a continuing edu-cational program was established. The program, altogether 30 credits, covers a wide field of medical IT. In the realiza-tion, as well as for student feedback, web-based teaching is actively used. The outcome measures of the program indi-cated that the participants` experiences were largely positive. Keywords: Continuing educational program; Medical infor-matics; Web-based learning;

outcomes, i.e. the content of program and the teaching ar-rangements of the 2001-2002 programs, were evaluated by using both quantitative (n=29, program content) and qualita-tive (n=20, learning environment WebCT) methods. The re-sults indicated that the participants` experiences were largely positive. The WebCT based discussion list has been in active use among participants. Thereby, multi-professional views of the participants on lectures and exercises have been very use-ful for the further development of the program. The program coordinator’s role is essential and her input is also acknowl-edged by the students.

Table 1. Contents of the continuing educational program

1 BASIC INFORMATICS (3ects) 2 MEDICAL IMAGING (9ects)

2.1 Digital Image Processing in Medicine I & 2 2.2 Signal Processing in Medicine 2.3 Imaging Techniques in Medicine

3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE (15ects)

3.1 Information Management in Health Care

3.2 Data protection, security and confidentiality in Health Care 3.3 Evidence -based Medicine

3.4 Communication, Networking and Internet in Health Care 4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN HEALTH CARE (9ects) 4.1 Information Systems in Health Care

4.2 Purchase Process of Information Systems 4.3 Evaluation of the Health Informatics 4.4 Telemedicine

5 OTHER OPTIONAL COURSES ON MEDICAL IT

Introduction

Rapid advancement of modern health care is strongly bound to developments in medical informatics. This sets high de-mands for the operators of IT applications, e.g. physicians often without formal IT education. Deficient knowledge makes difficult the effective utilization and further develop-ment of the medical IT systems.[1]

The need for further education of health care professionals in the field of medical IT was recognized and a continuing edu-cational program was established by following the Imia WG 1 recommendations.[2] The program was designed primarily for physicians and dentists, but also other health-care profession-als were accepted. The program, initiated and managed by Centek, a high-technology network of the University of Ku-opio, Pohjois-Savo Polytechnic, Kuopio, and the Teknia Technology Centre, is carried out by Department of Health Policy and Management and Department of Applied Physics, University of Kuopio.

References

[1] Bemmel J.H.van & Musen.A.1997. Medical Informatics. Heidelberg. Spinger.-Verlag.

[2] IMIA WG1. Recommendations of the International Medi-cal Informatics Associaton (IMIA) on Education in Health and Medical Informatics. http://www.rzuser.uni-Heidelberg.de/ ~de16/rec.htm Address for correspondence

Ritva Karjalainen-Jurvelin, Department of Health Policy and Man-agement, University of Kuopio, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland (ritva.karjalainen-jurvelin@uku.fi)

Design and Experiences

The students choose a 30 credits´ package from the program (Table 1). The studies are extensively based on the use of web-based teaching. Course material is distributed, student exercises communicated through the web-based learning envi-ronment, WebCT. The lectures are given during week ends, typically on Friday and Saturday once a month.

From year 2001 22 physicians, 3 dentists and 10 other health-care professionals, including e.g. biochemists, microbiologists and radiographers, have taken part in the program. By May 2003, 15 students have completed the 30ects program. The

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