EPC/IMPC Information Technology Subcommittee

September 3, 2002, Meeting Notes

Present: David S. Resch, MD, Chair; Terri Cameron, MA, Staff; Rhona Kelley, MSLS; Claudia McIntyre MS; Michael Shanahan, PhD; Jeffrey Suzewits, MD

Absent: Rafath Baig, Class of 2003; Michael Bass, Class of 2004; Rodney Curtis, MD; Ryan Diedrich, Class of 2005; George Dunaway, PhD; Gary Dunnington, MD; Janek Koirala, MD; Regina Kovach, MD; Scott MacGilvray, MD; Dean Naritoku, MD; Akshay Sood, MD

Educational Technology Sessions: Dr. Resch reported that the Presentation session by Carol Thornton and Fran Kovach was well-received, even though only three evaluations were completed. Ms. Kelley announced that the presentation and related useful links have been posted to the Information Resources section of the SIUSOM Intranet: http://intranet.siumed.edu/ir.

A draft of the poster for the September 25 Telehealth session was reviewed. Ms. Cameron reported that all arrangements for that session have been made.

It was suggested that a future topic might be resources available on FTP sites and how to access them.

Informatics in the Curriculum: Dr. Resch reported that this topic was on hold until the next EPC meeting, where he would ask for EPC approval to contact the year and Doctoring curriculum committees.
Assessment Software Process: Dr. Resch reported that Dr. Borgia is using LxR software for the Infection Unit in Year 2 and seems pleased with the process to date, although he has noted some of the limitations discussed in the initial review of the software. The first exam using LxR is scheduled for mid-October, and will be a paper exam with OPSCAN forms. Year 3 clerkships continue to use Perception, and several GME programs have expressed an interest in using Perception for self-assessment. Dr. Resch asked Ms. Cameron to query the clerkships to determine whether Perception was meeting their needs.
PDA Project: The value of PDAs in Year 1 was briefly discussed. Feedback from the Class of 2005 is that many students did not use their PDAs at all, some used them until their batteries died and then never used them again, and a few used them to enter their curriculum calendars and use ePocrates for drug references. The concept of training six “expert” users who would train the remainder of the class as they rotated through tutor groups did not appear to be successful. Ms. Cameron reported that the students appear to be fairly enthusiastic about being able to download curriculum calendars, and that nearly all students have signed up for one of the scheduled training sessions to download software, logbooks, and calendars, and to learn some basic usage tips. Monthly “user group” sessions are scheduled through the year to build on what is learned in these introductory sessions.

It was suggested that Y4 and Y3 students give a presentation to Y2 students regarding the most useful software and usage of PDAs. Ms. Cameron will contact some of the more involved students to see what can be arranged.

Ms. Cameron reported that PDA reports are being converted to online reports and will bring samples to the next meeting.

Dr. Resch reported that there had been instances when faculty and/or patients had expressed concern regarding use of PDAs in clinical settings. Students are trained to discuss use of PDAs with faculty before using them. Year 2 students were trained this year to explain to patients that their PDAs were handheld computers that they use to record information and look up references. Ms. Cameron will send an e-mail to Year 3 and Year 4 students with the same information. Ms. Cameron added that Public Affairs plans to do a story on the use of PDAs in the curriculum and in medicine and will be contacting Dr. Resch and the Class of 2003 students who initiated the concept of using PDAs in the curriculum.

The next meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Harbinger Conference Room in Springfield and Lindegren 310 in Carbondale.