PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING THE COMPUTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

Although computer-based instruction has become widely available as a learning aid in medical education, few physicians interact with educational programs after they have left medical school. Some notable exceptions occur when specially prepared computer programs are made available by vendors or program committees at annual clinical meetings. Yet this kind of learning tool is seldom used by practicing physicians at other times during the year. In this paper, I would like to consider ways in which computer-based education might be more effectively integrated into the clinical activities of the practicing physician, and to outline some of the technological and psychological barriers to their successful implementation.