A computer aided learning package for training users and maintainers of medical equipment

A highly mobile work workforce, and the utilisation of a wide variety of ever increasing medical technology, necessitates more efficient, and standardised method of providing training in the use and maintenance of such devices. Peer to peer training has been found to be the most popular method of learning how to use medical equipment. Whilst maintenance training, having traditionally been provided by manufacturers, is now considered an unnecessary expenditure by hospital managers. Therefore in this area self-study is gradually becoming a standard practice. It is proposed that computer aided learning is a viable solution, which can provide significantly superior facilities, both in presenting information, and also assessing and recording the performance of trainees. This paper describes a computer aided learning package developed for users and maintainers of the Siemens-Elema servo ventilator 900C. The implications of this method of training are discussed