Optimizing computer-based system use in health professions' education programs

The use of computer-based systems to support training in health profession education programs has been discussed and analyzed for more than 10 years. The literature is rich with examples of how using these systems can benefit programs by more effectively distributing human resources, by making the delivery of instruction more individual and more flexible, by expanding the professional and technical competence of trainees, and by improving the monitoring of trainee performance. Obstacles to and conventional recommendations for the broadened use of computer-based systems are discussed, and an additional set of system design characteristics are described that health care educators can use in their preview and specifications for procurement of more effective computer-based systems in their training settings.