Computer-Assisted Instruction in Health Professions Education: A Review of the Published Literature

Abstract

CAI has been used for more than twenty years in the education of health professionals. A variety of different hardware and software systems have been used in the implementation of CAI for this population. While early CAI was written for mainframe computers, later courseware has been developed for microcomputers. Later applications have also focused on higher order skills such as problem solving and synthesis through the use of simulation. Despite the numerous reports of CAI use, there has not been a lot of research on the effectiveness of CAI in medical, nursing, and allied health education, nor has there been much work on those features of CAI that lead to improved learning. While CAI has a good deal to offer, these issues must be addressed if we are to prepare health professionals who can adapt to a constantly changing body of medical knowledge.