Integration of computers into the medical school curriculum: An example from a microbiology course

Abstract

While the use of computers has become widespread in recent years, a unified, integrated approach to their use in the medical school curriculum has not yet emerged. The University of New Mexico School of Medicine will phase in computerization of its curriculum beginning in the fall of 1993. Areas to be included in this change will be curricular material, modeling programs, examinations and teacher-student communication. All areas of the medical school are connected by network enabling rapid communication. From the first day of medical school, students will construct a personal, interrelational, database. This material will form the basis of information for ‘life-long learning’. Use of modeling programs will enable students to understand the interrelationships in dynamic systems which may not be obvious by other means. The introduction of computer assessment will allow faculty and students to assess student progress before course material is presented, in order to set a suitable standard, and during the course to monitor student progress. A central part of the program is the extensive use of electronic mail, both for student-teacher communication and dissemination of reading materials and exercises. We hope to achieve a level of computer literacy which is rapidly becoming an increasingly essential feature of the training of a modern physician.