Development of a computer clinical instruction program. Is the game worth the candle

Abstract PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED: Use of computers in medicine, as tools for information and education, is increasing. Many computer-assisted learning tools have been marketed. For clinician-teachers, computer-assisted learning offers interesting possibilities. Is this educational technology within the reach of family physicians? OBJECTIVE: To describe development of a computer-based learning tool and to suggest indications for its use. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: A team of clinician-teachers and information technologists developed a tool called Didacticiel sur l'Aviseur to train family physicians and family medicine residents on a clinical decision-making tool called l'Aviseur pharmacotherapeutique, which consists of a database and nine search functions. The Didacticiel in turn consists of an interactive guided tour, a series of exercises with formative evaluation and feedback, a real-time test with a final evaluation, and an integrated, multidimensional project evaluation program. CONCLUSION: Developing a computerized learning tool is a worthwhile investment if the content has longevity; the learning process is highly interactive; there is a market for the product; and the tool is developed by a team of experienced, committed information technologists.