An interactive computer program for teaching residents pap smear classification, screening and management guidelines: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility, utility and resident attitudes towards an interactive, Web-based computer learning program.


METHODS
Pretest/ posttest evaluation of an interactive curriculum to teach current recommendations for cervical cancer screening and classification and management of abnormal Pap smears. Thirty-five Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/ GYN) residents were encouraged to complete a Web-based computer program that consisted of a pretest, 9 educational sections (3 didactic and 6 case based), a posttest and an exit survey. Clinical cases involved virtual case management of patients' cytologic, histologic and colposcopic images. Mastery was set at 82% (or 23/28 correct answers).


RESULTS
Thirty-one of the 35 residents (89%) completed the curriculum. No resident demonstrated mastery (82%) on the pretest; 15 of 31 residents demonstrated mastery on the posttest (p = 0.04). Mean improvement for all residents was 9 additional questions answered correctly. All the residents thought that the Web site was useful and covered all the learning objectives and would recommend it to other residents.


CONCLUSIONS
A program to teach current cervical cancer screening, classification and abnormal Pap smear management guidelines was useful, feasible and well accepted by residents in this population.
Banks
Erika
E
From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Chudnoff
Scott
S
Freda
Margaret Comerford
MC
Katz
Nadine T
NT
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000145:classification*