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. 2015 May 15;10(5):e0126345.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126345. eCollection 2015.

Development of a learning-oriented computer assisted instruction designed to improve skills in the clinical assessment of the nutritional status: a pilot evaluation

Laura García de Diego  1 , Marta Cuervo  2 , J Alfredo Martínez  2
Affiliations

Development of a learning-oriented computer assisted instruction designed to improve skills in the clinical assessment of the nutritional status: a pilot evaluation

Laura García de Diego et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Computer assisted instruction (CAI) is an effective tool for evaluating and training students and professionals. In this article we will present a learning-oriented CAI, which has been developed for students and health professionals to acquire and retain new knowledge through the practice. A two-phase pilot evaluation was conducted, involving 8 nutrition experts and 30 postgraduate students, respectively. In each training session, the software developed guides users in the integral evaluation of a patient's nutritional status and helps them to implement actions. The program includes into the format clinical tools, which can be used to recognize possible patient's needs, to improve the clinical reasoning and to develop professional skills. Among them are assessment questionnaires and evaluation criteria, cardiovascular risk charts, clinical guidelines and photographs of various diseases. This CAI is a complete software package easy to use and versatile, aimed at clinical specialists, medical staff, scientists, educators and clinical students, which can be used as a learning tool. This application constitutes an advanced method for students and health professionals to accomplish nutritional assessments combining theoretical and empirical issues, which can be implemented in their academic curriculum.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The information flow of the Computer Assisted Instruction.
Fig 2
Fig 2. A screenshot of a section of the module of Medical History.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Diagram of the operational processes of the Computer Assisted Instruction.
Fig 4
Fig 4. A screenshot of a risk chart of the Cardiovascular Risk section.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Activity Diagram for the First Phase of the assessment of the CAI.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Activity Diagram for the Second Phase of the assessment of the CAI.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Assessment of different characteristics of software.
Fig 8
Fig 8. Percentages relating to the clinical assessment tools.
Among respondents who would apply these tools, 33.3% would do for teaching, 37.5% in hospitals, 54.2% in dietetic consultation and 16.7% in research.
Fig 9
Fig 9. Overall assessment rating for Computer Assisted Instruction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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