The MAClinical Workstation Project at Georgetown University

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Medical Education Technology

Background:

• The MAClinical Workstation Project was initiated to equip medical students with the computer skills necessary for future medical practice.
• Georgetown University Medical Center Library leads this project in collaboration with the School of Medicine, providing comprehensive technical support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To instill information query habits in medical students during their clinical training.
• To provide hands-on experience with medical informatics tools and systems.

Main Methods:

• Development and deployment of specialized computer workstations (Macintosh) for medical students.
• Integration of workstations into the local area network (LAN) for access to academic and library information systems.
• Installation of various software systems, including a history and physical (H&P) writer, diagnostic support, drug information, and literature access.

Main Results:

• The project has expanded from nine computers in 1988 to thirty, distributed across university hospital settings and affiliated hospitals.
• Students utilize workstations for tasks such as patient record preparation, diagnostic checks, and accessing medical literature.
• Workstations facilitate practical application of medical informatics in daily clinical activities.

Conclusions:

• The MAClinical Workstation Project successfully integrates technology into medical education, enhancing students' preparedness for practice.
• The initiative fosters the development of critical information management skills essential for modern healthcare professionals.