A multipurpose teaching workstation using expert systems, CD ROM and interactive laserdisc.

Abstract

This demonstration shows a multipurpose workstation used in a clinical teaching application which combines currently available software suitable for clinical diagnosis and teaching. The medical software includes QMR, Scientific American Medicine, the Slice of Life and generic video laserdisc authoring software developed at the University of Ottawa. The system allows a clinical instructor either in an individual or in a small group teaching setting on a ward or in a classroom, to access high quality differential diagnosis information via QMR, which is then supplemented by the text components of Scientific American Medicine on CD ROM, with video laserdisc of the appropriate anatomy, imagery and pathology provided by one of the various laserdiscs. The generic authoring software allows the instructor or students to construct subject related tutorial or testing modules either with or without video laserdisc support. The workstation uses DESQview as the multitasking environment to control the various resources. This program allows easy transfer from one application to another and allows for marking and pasting of text material into a study document. DESQview can also be used to script a specific learning sequence. The demonstration will show the interaction required to study a specific clinical problem and how this can be made into a meaningful multimedia experience with hardcopy for study purposes.