[Teaching medical informatics in Belgrade school of medicine]

Numerous information from various fields of science determined applying informatics in biomedical sciences and medical practice. Informatics became an important part of the life which is the reason why education in medical informatics (MI) is of a such importance. Almost 20 years have past since the first results in teaching MI were presented. In Medical School, University of Belgrade MI was introduced in graduate education program in 1990. During the same year practical lessons from MI have started. There were 10 lectures from MI as well as 10 practical lessons during each term. Starting with 1990, education from MI for postgraduate medical students has been organizing. In order to teach medical doctors MI courses on basic of informatics, MS DOS, PC Tools, text processor, graphics, and statistics program were organized. Evaluation of lessons on MI is based on opinion of expert group and results of questionnaire which is performed among first year students at the end of every school year. The questionnaire consists of 10 questions which include evaluation of practical and theoretical lessons of MI, opinion about applied software and there were possibilities to express objections and suggestions. The last questionnaire was performed in june 1994 in which participated 498 students. Except questions concerning theoretical and practical lessons from MI, computer software there was opportunity for objections and suggestions. Most of students 343 (68.9%) were satisfied with this way of education and some of them felt need for even more lessons. For most students (23.1%) graphics software was the most interesting while the most useful (33% of students) was statistical software made in our Institute. Numerous graduate and postgraduate medical students as well as medical doctors are involved in education from MI on Medical School. Education from this new medical discipline is of the utmost importance because of rapid MI development and important role in medicine and public health.