In an effort to make continuing education classes more accessible
to rural primary care physicians and other health-care providers, the University
of Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Hospital have combined forces
to put Pediatric Grand Rounds lectures on the Internet.
The project is being directed by James Harper, M.D., director
of undergraduate pediatric education at UNMC and a pediatric oncologist
at UNMC and Children’s. It is being partially funded by a grant from the
John A. Weibe, Jr. Foundation.
“Given the demands on a physician’s time and the distances that
many of our rural colleagues are forced to drive to go to a continuing
medical education class, this may represent a meaningful advantage to rural
primary care physicians,” Dr. Harper said. “With the hectic schedule of
all physicians, both urban and rural physicians may benefit as this technology
allows people to view the presentations at a later time that may be more
convenient.”
The grand rounds are presented live every Friday from 8 a.m. to
9 a.m. The first Internet broadcast was transmitted on Aug. 21 with subsequent
broadcasts made on Aug. 28 and Sept. 4. Among the topics covered have been
exercise for children and Third World illnesses and their application in
the United States. Future presentations will deal with the pediatric perspectives
on high cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory muscle
disorders.
“The transmissions have gone off without a hitch,” Dr. Harper
said. “I believe this is the first time anything like this has ever been
done in Nebraska. We’re really excited to be a part of this experiment.
“The beauty of this program is that you can view the presentation at
any time. You’re not restricted to viewing it when it airs live between
8 and 9 a.m. You can view it in your office or your home — all you need
is a computer that has access to the Internet. For people in rural Nebraska,
it literally can save them several days every year. They can stay in their
hometown and don’t have to drive back and forth to Omaha.”
The web site is located at: http://www.unmc.edu/Pediatrics/Grand
Rounds/. Dr. Harper said all the presentations will be archived for six
months, so physicians can review them at any time if they wish.
Depending on their practice specialty, many health-care professionals
are required to take a certain amount of continuing medical education
courses annually, Dr. Harper said. Each Pediatric Grand Rounds lecture
is worth one credit hour.
For more information on the program, you should call Dr. Harper
at (402) 559-7257 or email him at jlharper@unmc.edu.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than
$27 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists
annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.