APA Summit on Medical Student Education Task Force on Informatics and Technology: learning about computers and applying computer technology to education and practice.
OBJECTIVE
This article provides a brief overview of important issues for educators regarding medical education and technology.


METHODS
The literature describes key concepts, prototypical technology tools, and model programs. A work group of psychiatric educators was convened three times by phone conference to discuss the literature. Findings were presented to and input was received from the 2005 Summit on Medical Student Education by APA and the American Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry.


RESULTS
Knowledge of, skills in, and attitudes toward medical informatics are important to life-long learning and modern medical practice. A needs assessment is a starting place, since student, faculty, institution, and societal factors bear consideration. Technology needs to "fit" into a curriculum in order to facilitate learning and teaching.


CONCLUSIONS
Learning about computers and applying computer technology to education and clinical care are key steps in computer literacy for physicians.
Hilty
Donald M
DM
UCDMC, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2230 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. dmhilty@ucdavis.edu
Hales
Deborah J
DJ
Briscoe
Greg
G
Benjamin
Sheldon
S
Boland
Robert J
RJ
Luo
John S
JS
Chan
Carlyle H
CH
Kennedy
Robert S
RS
Karlinsky
Harry
H
Gordon
Daniel B
DB
Yager
Joel
J
Yellowlees
Peter M
PM
D003200:Computer User Training; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D048088:Informatics; D007858:Learning; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013672:Technology / Q000193:education*