gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Every workplace has risks that imply the probability of occupational diseases or work accidents occurrence. The occupational pathology is rarely recognized. Therefore is necessary that the medical students and postgraduates have a basic knowledge of occupational medicine (OM). OM is more preventive than curative, is not so attractive for students, implying also legislation and technical knowledge. It is not compulsory in the curriculum of all medical universities. In that context our colleagues of The Institute for Occupational and Environmental Medicine “Ludwig Maximilian” University of Munich create CASUS platform in the NeTWoRM project: Net –based Training for Work-Related Medicine. This offers an easier and more pleasant way to teach and learn occupational medicine for undergraduates and postgraduates students.

Material and Method: This European project- NeTWoRM has developed into two stages, the first one being part of the SOCRATES program (2004-2007), and the second one of the Long Life Learning Programme Leonardo Da Vinci^® studies, indicators and dissemination (2008-2009). Each partner country has created a case which subsequently was translated into English. Also, each partner country translated and adapted into the national languages ten occupational medicine cases. The Romanian users were students (4^th year) and resident physicians in occupational medicine. The same cases, English version this time, were used by the students of the English section.

Results and Discussions: The total users were: 802 students and 70 resident physicians in occupational medicine and the active users were: 706, respectively 51. The average work time spent per case was 41.55 min (31.11 min for students and 52 min for resident physicians). The rate of correct answers was 67.84% for students and 55% for physicians.

The assessment of this type of learning was performed trough a questionnaire and revealed the fact that for most users it was a pleasant and interesting way to learn, to improve knowledge, it was helpful for the exam.

Conclusion: NeTWoRM user’s reaction was positive. Also, from the other university colleagues we had a positive reaction, but unfortunately they didn’t apply for financial reasons. It can be used as an evaluation method as well.

Now, there was made a free new homepage “http://virtualpatient-work.net/”, which presents the virtual cases of OM in English and Spanish.