e-Learning in Medicine
Dr.T.V.Rao. MD*
Professor of Microbiology
Medical education in India continues to have as its foundations with a combination of didactic lectures in the classroom and integrated, hands-on "Socratic Method" learning in any clinical setting. In the recent past there is more emphasis on problem based learning. Traditional didactic lectures address the delivery of factual knowledge; however it is questionable on the effectiveness as well as efficiency of existing mode of education. With rapid growth of Medical Colleges all over the world, in particular India, increasing constraints being placed on medical educators as well as non availability of experienced teachers one needs to explore other avenues for effective knowledge transfer to trainees in health care. The harnessing of computer technology, more specifically web-based tools open the door for collaboration amongst students and teachers, the development of updated, web-based learning platforms that are easy to use from a student and a teacher prospective. Medical education is beginning to embrace a new modality of knowledge transfer e-learning, it means intentional use of networked information and communications technology in teaching and learning. Web-based, multimedia learning platforms bring about numerous possibilities not easily met with traditional didactic instruction, however, many of the studies looking to e-learning as a replacement for more traditional classroom education have not shown a significant improvement, the major reason being as it is not human. We already know the power of Internet and World Wide Web; many protocols can be learned and taught easily than in the past. By using web-based tools, we are no longer constrained to a given time or location to deliver information and interact with students on a given topic. The ability to engage many facets of a student using multimedia material has the added advantage of covering the many learning styles present in the diverse student population in the medical fields. It is certainly necessary to improve the technical capabilities of our young medical gradates. Continuing Medical Education (CME) becomes a crucial factor, because the life of knowledge and human skills in the field of medicine are shorter than ever. e-learning comes with solutions and methods, which can be very helpful in supporting doctors with access to the up-to-date medical knowledge and achievements. Several Medical colleges are providing internet access to students and teaching staff. Recently Indian Medical Council has identified the role of computers and wishes to implement some training in computers and other related technologies to our young graduates. It is time to strengthen the Problem based learning with Skill based teaching, possible with opting for e-learning and teaching. All medical colleges and departments can develop, or obtain soft ware and programmes to strengthen skills to make our students good clinical practitioners. Internet is an occasion of knowledge; one need to know is how to get desired content faster, to suit your needs. One of the problems with e-learning is that students have to learn on their own without any interaction with teachers and other students. In true sense e-learning is not a substitute for a skilled and humanistic teacher, but a great boon to upcoming teachers. e-learning is a emerging option in the coming future, are we prepared to acknowledge ?
