What and How Should We Teach as Informatics in a Medical School? —Consideration from Experiences in Tokai University School of Medicine—

Abstract

 The need to teach informatics in a medical school has been increasing. But what and how we should teach is discussed now. We have teaching experiences in Tokai University School of Medicine according the guideline which we established for private universities in Japan. It is described that the teaching course should be divided into three steps as basic, advanced and specialized ability to utilize information. We are considering that the advanced ability is mostly desired for students in medical schools. But, some students do not have experiences to use computers until they enter medical schools. A basic course is needed for such students. Practices are more effective than lectures. We are using Internet, softwares on the market and information systems which we have developed. The evaluations by students are performed and they are effective for teachers to improve education courses. But we are discussing additional evaluation methods.