Implementation of computerized student-patient logs in podiatric medical education

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in World Wide Web-based teaching and learning materials; however, present-day systems for recording student-patient interactions have trailed behind other academic areas in the appropriate use of technology. This article reviews the implementation of an innovative Web-based computerized student-patient log. This system represents considerable improvement in terms of efficiency and accuracy over traditional paper-based reporting systems. It facilitates faculty tracking of students' clinical experiences at geographically disparate locations and allows gaps in student knowledge to be more easily identified. Moreover, the Web-based system has the added advantage of making students responsible for their own learning, providing them with a sense of ownership of the data collected.