title: Evaluation of a computer program for teaching laboratory diagnosis of acid-base disorders.
abstract: A computer program was evaluated as a tool for increasing the diagnostic acumen of medical housestaff and students in identifying acid-base disorders. The participants were randomized into two groups; group A (N = 20) was encouraged to use the software, and group B (N = 19) was denied access. Pre- and post-tests were administered to delineate the groups' ability to identify correctly an acid-base disorder from laboratory data (electrolytes and arterial blood gas). During 6 weeks, group A used the computer for a mean of 2.83 h (range 1 to 6). The mean +/- SE number of correct answers out of 20 questions, prior to use of the computer program, were 5.7 +/- 0.8 (95% confidence interval 3.9 to 7.5) for group A and 5.2 +/- 0.6 (95% confidence interval 3.9 to 6.5) for group B. These results were not statistically different. Correct responses increased significantly in group A to 10.3 +/- 0.9 (P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 8.4 to 12.2) but did not increase significantly in group B. The data suggest that this software program was effective in increasing the diagnostic capabilities of medical housestaff and students for identifying acid-base disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, New York 10451.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saini
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D009518:New York; D012984:Software