Elves A W, Ahmed M, Abrams P
Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, UK.
Br J Urol. 1997 Nov;80 Suppl 3:59-62.
To report the use of a computer-assisted learning (CAL) program in the teaching of urology to medical students.
Four CAL tutorials were developed, covering the examination of the urological patient, prostate cancer, impotence and lower urinary tract symptoms, for an initial evaluation of the use of CAL. Twenty-six third-year medical students seconded to the department for one week of urology teaching were randomized to two equal groups. One group used the CAL programs in addition to daily formal teaching, while the other group only received daily teaching. Teaching was of a standardized format, covering all aspects of urology, including the four areas covered by the CAL tutorials. Students were assessed using standardized multiple-choice questions (MCQ) at the start and end of the week's teaching. Incorrect responses were marked negatively. The content and ease of use of the CAL programs were also evaluated by a questionnaire.
There was no difference between the groups in MCQ scores at the start of the week. The mean (SD) change in score over the week for those using the CAL tutorials was 6.0 (7.0), and for the control group was 0.9 (6.0), a significant difference (P < 0.005). Students reported the tutorials to be easy to use and of satisfactory content.
The results of this study suggest that CAL programs are of benefit to students learning urology.
报告计算机辅助学习（CAL）程序在医学生泌尿外科教学中的应用情况。
开发了四个CAL教程，内容涵盖泌尿外科患者检查、前列腺癌、阳痿及下尿路症状，用于对CAL应用的初步评估。26名被借调到该科室接受为期一周泌尿外科教学的三年级医学生被随机分为两组。一组除日常正规教学外还使用CAL程序，另一组仅接受日常教学。教学采用标准化形式，涵盖泌尿外科的各个方面，包括CAL教程所涉及的四个领域。在一周教学开始和结束时，使用标准化多项选择题（MCQ）对学生进行评估。答错的回答给予负分。还通过问卷调查对CAL程序的内容和易用性进行了评估。
两组在一周开始时的MCQ分数没有差异。使用CAL教程的学生在一周内分数的平均（标准差）变化为6.0（7.0），对照组为0.9（6.0），差异有统计学意义（P < 0.005）。学生报告这些教程易于使用且内容令人满意。
本研究结果表明，CAL程序对学习泌尿外科的学生有益。
