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PubMed · 10172737

Computer programs that teach the interpretation of image-based laboratory tests.

M I Astion·C N Lecrone·B T Cookson·A R Orkand·J D Curtis·L Pagliaro·M H Wener·L A McGonagle·J S Fine
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the effort of the University of Washington (UW) Department of Laboratory Medicine to develop and use personal computer programs to teach the interpretation of image-based clinical laboratory tests to medical technologists and other health care workers. DATA SOURCES: Professional journals and books; Software owned by and licensed by the University of Washington. STUDY SELECTION: Not applicable. DATA EXTRACTION: Not applicable. DATA SYNTHESIS: We have been developing interactive personal computer (PC) programs for teaching image-based laboratory tests to medical technologists and other health care workers. The programs, called "Laboratory Tutors," are useful for teaching microscope-based tests and tests based on electrophoresis. Our programs include ANA-Tutor, which teaches the immunofluorescence assay for anti-nuclear antibodies; Gram Stain-Tutor, which teaches the direct Gram stain; Electrophoresis-Tutor, which teaches the interpretation of agarose gel protein electrophoretic patterns; Urinalysis-Tutor, which teaches the microscopic examination of urine sediment; in addition to other programs. The tutorials are all based on high-quality digital images that were acquired and processed using digital imaging systems. They require minimal computer literacy and have a number of advantages over standard approaches to teaching image-based laboratory tests. The computer tutorials are used in UW's medical technology and medical school curriculum, where they are used as supplements to traditional instruction. CONCLUSION: Laboratory tutors are computer programs that use high resolution digital images to teach the interpretation of image-based laboratory tests. We plan to continue to develop these programs, study their educational effectiveness, and update them periodically.

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Clinical Laboratory Information SystemsClinical Laboratory TechniquesComputer-Assisted InstructionHumansImage Interpretation, Computer-AssistedMedical Laboratory PersonnelMicrocomputersSoftware ValidationJournal Article

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M I Astion, C N Lecrone, B T Cookson, A R Orkand, J D Curtis, L Pagliaro, M H Wener, L A McGonagle, J S Fine. Computer programs that teach the interpretation of image-based laboratory tests.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10172737/

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