AN electronic bulletin board for instruction in reproductive endocrinology in a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of an electronic bulletin board as a means of computer-based learning in reproductive endocrinology for residents in obstetrics and gynecology.


METHODS
An electronic bulletin board was networked to all residents to present a formal lecture series in reproductive endocrinology and an informal question, answer, and discussion session after each lecture. Ten lectures were presented, one each month, throughout the academic year followed by question, answer, and discussion sessions. All lectures could be stored in an electronic file folder or printed as hard copy for review. A questionnaire was distributed at the conclusion of the project to assess previous resident experience with computers, resident response to, and utilization of the bulletin board.


METHODS
A residency program in obstetrics and gynecology in a major medical center.


METHODS
Twenty-four residents in a 4-year program.


METHODS
Previous computer experience, ease of use, resident participation, and satisfaction with the bulletin board.


RESULTS
Sixty-five percent of the residents considered themselves computer literate and 33 percent previously had taken a course in computer technology. Computer experience in word processing, spreadsheet, and database management was related by 55 percent, 40 percent, and 25 percent of the residents, respectively. Ninety-five percent of the residents accessed the bulletin board for the lectures and found this system a convenient means of review. Sixty percent reviewed the lectures and stored them in an electronic file folder for later review. Forty percent printed the lecture on hard copy. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = lowest; 5 = highest), overall resident satisfaction was high at 4.5.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest a potential role for electronic bulletin boards as a complement to standard teaching protocols in resident education. The relative ease of use and satisfaction suggest that these techniques are feasible and offer an effective method of on-line instruction.
Letterie
G S
GS
Virginia Mason Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, 98110.
Salminen
E R
ER
McClure
G B
GB
D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000193:education*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires