Ottawa U embraces “high-tech, high-touch” medical education

Medical students at the University of Ottawa (www.uottawa.ca) will be spending more time cracking their “notebooks” than their textbooks as they wend their way through the new U of O Web-based curriculum this year.

The new curriculum is called “meded” and is based on problem-based learning (PBL), but takes the concept a step further with the integration of Web-based images, test results and videos, all accessible through notebook computers supplied to each student.

“The real bonus of PBL is that it adds a much more detailed clinical perspective to the basic science of our learning,” said second-year student Fawzi Mankal. “The computerized cases are excellent because we can see what a grand mal seizure actually looks like, instead of having to rely on descriptions in a book.”

The U of O still incorporates some traditional lecture-style teaching for its medical students, but organizes learning about the major body systems into 13 blocks. Training is further linked to a “problem of the week” patient case that is presented to students on a Monday and serves as the basis for the teaching for the rest of the week.

Professor Walter Hendelman hopes to expand the resources available online. He cites cooperation among Canadian medical schools as one of the best ways to achieve this growth. “Within the confines of our own country, we should be able to share resources across provincial boundaries because we are all basically drawing from the same trough.”

Hendelman has collaborated with other physicians to develop neurological images for students. His most recent effort, developed with Ottawa neurologist Christopher Skinner, details syringomyelia and includes graphic images of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the spinal cord.

Dr. Peter Walker, the dean of medicine, sees computerized education as an important tool for the future of medical training, particularly in preparing physicians to practise in rural and underserviced areas.

“Web-based learning means that you can take the student anywhere. Whether you are in Ottawa or Smooth Rock Falls, it doesn't matter. You are plugged in and you can be confident that they can access the information they need.” —