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PubMed · 3763173

A primer for the novice. Basic computer concepts.

C Sadler
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Abstract

A computer is nothing more than an organized bureaucratic structure that allows one to perform a large number of very simple acts by the issuance of a few simple commands. It has the disadvantage of being a machine and, at the present time, being incapable of interpretive behavior. Such machines can only follow orders blindly. On the other hand, the computer is capable of performing simple tasks at lightning speed. Learning how to take advantage of this ability is no more difficult than learning to reduce a Colle's fracture. Buy a book, obtain some "clinical material" (a computer), and start experimenting. Learn from your mistakes; it only takes time and interest--not genius.

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C Sadler. 1986. A primer for the novice. Basic computer concepts.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3763173/

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Students can learn medicine with computers. Evaluation of an interactive computer learning package in geriatric medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a computer-aided learning program on dementia. DESIGN: Fourth year medical students were arbitrarily assigned to groups that used a computer-aided learning program (65) or had a tutorial covering similar material (73). These sessions were in addition to a base curriculum in a two-week course in geriatric medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effectiveness of the teaching sessions was judged by the performance on a multiple choice questionnaire about dementia, given to the students on two occasions, one at the beginning and one at the end of the two-week course. RESULTS: Both groups of students scored significantly better on the second test (computer group, 66% [95% confidence interval, 64-69] to 81% [79-83] and tutorial group, 66% [63-67] to 74% [73-77]). The difference between the groups at the start of the course was not significant (F1,136 = 0.61, P = 0.61); however, there was a significant difference between the groups at the end of the course (F1,136 = 21.83, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both groups improved their knowledge of dementia during the two-week course. Students who used the computer-aided learning programs showed a greater improvement in score. Computer learning programs are effective learning tools and are a useful addition to traditional teaching methods. Further study is required to assess the effects of computer-aided learning programs in long-term studies of dementia knowledge.

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