Implementation of a computer-based test generator to evaluate health professions continuing education

A variety of artificial-intelligence-based expert medical systems have been adapted to evaluate a learner's performance in the information areas in which the systems are expert. This paper describes a similar adaptation of a computer-based health sciences tutor (called the COMMES system). The Evaluation Consultant system to be described adapts the COMMES system to become a test generator. This computer-based consultant generates tests entirely on its own, covering programs of study that the COMMES system previously constructed to satisfy a user's identified needs. A health professional is awarded continuing education credits after (1) finishing a study unit constructed by COMMES and (2) completing successfully a test created by the Evaluation Consultant. This system is being implemented in several test sites and has significant advantages for the support of continuing education, especially in rural or isolated areas.