The CyberDoc project: using portable computing to enhance a community-based primary care clerkship

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Informatics
• Family Medicine Training

Background:

• Introduction of a required family medicine clerkship at MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in July 1995.
• Recognition of the need to integrate computer skills into medical education.
• Development of a specialized program to support this integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the CyberDoc program, a suite of computer applications for medical students.
• To outline the goals and structure of the CyberDoc project.
• To report on the preliminary outcomes of the CyberDoc pilot year.

Main Methods:

• CyberDoc is a laptop-based application suite utilizing "off-the-shelf" database and connectivity programs.
• Designed for community-based training sites to facilitate off-site learning.
• Provides access to pharmaceutical databases, online academic information systems (including MEDLINE), Internet functions, and e-mail.

Main Results:

• Faculty can track student progress in off-site clerkships.
• Students gain access to vital medical information and communication tools.
• Preliminary outcomes from the pilot year are presented.

Conclusions:

• CyberDoc successfully integrates computer skills into family medicine clerkships.
• The program enhances both student learning and faculty supervision.
• It serves as a model for utilizing technology in medical training at diverse sites.