The radiographic signs of arthritis: a computer teaching module

This article describes the steps involved in production of a computer teaching module on the radiographic diagnosis of arthritis. The module was part of a research project aimed at producing seven computer teaching modules. Several staff radiologists and residents were involved, as well as a consultant on medical education. A generic shell program was used as a frame for all seven modules. The author of each module then filled in the empty pages of the shell with the appropriate text and images, along with additional short program scripts. The module on the radiographic diagnosis of arthritis described and illustrated the basic radiographic signs of arthritis. Practice cases were also included, and interactive and hypermedia features were implemented. The modules were then evaluated by means of task list tests and interviews. The experience was judged to have been successful, although the amount of time spent by some authors was much more than expected.