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Published on: February 14, 2014
Educational effectiveness of a personal digital assistant-based geriatric assessment tool
Thomas G Mcleod1, Dean A McNaughton, Gregory J Hanson
1Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. mcleod.thomas@mayo.edu
Medical Teacher
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Personal digital assistant (PDA) use in medical education improved resident knowledge. A PDA-based geriatric assessment tool enhanced geriatric knowledge more than traditional methods, suggesting its utility in training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Geriatrics
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Personal digital assistant (PDA) use is prevalent among medical residents.
- Limited research exists on the educational impact of PDAs in medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the educational effectiveness of a PDA-based geriatric assessment tool.
- To evaluate the impact of this technology on medical residents' knowledge and practice.
Main Methods:
- Internal medicine residents were recruited for the study.
- Participants were randomized to use a geriatric assessment tool on their PDA or not.
- Outcomes measured included pre/post-test scores and documented geriatric issues on dismissal summaries.
Main Results:
- Residents using the PDA geriatric assessment tool showed the greatest improvement in pre/post-test scores (2.8, P=0.01).
- This group also had higher post-test scores and identified more geriatric issues, though not statistically significant.
- Fifty-three percent of residents reported using PDAs.
Conclusions:
- PDA-based geriatric assessment tools can enhance resident knowledge in geriatrics.
- Integrating PDA technology into medical curricula may be beneficial for training.
