Interactive videodisc and compact disc-interactive for ophthalmic basic science and continuing medical education.
BACKGROUND
The authors designed and implemented a complete curriculum in ophthalmic pathology using IBM- and Macintosh-based interactive videodisc (IVD) technology. They also redesigned a portion of this curriculum for a new television-based platform, compact disc-interactive (CD-I).


METHODS
The following issues were addressed: curriculum design, instructional design, the assembly of illustrations and the ownership of such materials, the generation of computer-based medical art and animation, and programming. The issue of academic credit for faculty participating in this effort also was considered.


RESULTS
The computer-based IVD program provides the following features: (1) rapid access to thousands of high-quality illustrations with the option of superimposing graphic labels and text directly over pictures; (2) the ability to view enlargements of photographs; (3) an online glossary to view definition of terms coupled with high-quality photographs; and (4) a dynamic introduction to pathophysiology using interactive animation sequences. The authors were able to incorporate the same interactive features into the CD-I version. High-quality medical illustrations can be used effectively on the CD-I platform.


CONCLUSIONS
Computer-based multimedia workstations are relatively expensive for personal use but may be useful if the equipment can be shared in a learning center or library. Compared with interactive computer-based solutions, consumer-oriented television-based technology such as CD-I is a relatively inexpensive vehicle for providing continuing medical education programs intended for use in the individual practitioner's office or home.
Folberg
R
R
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1182.
Dickinson
L K
LK
Christiansen
R A
RA
Huntley
J S
JS
Lind
D G
DG
D016250:Compact Disks; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008838:Microcomputers; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D014742:Videodisc Recording