User interface evaluation of a multimedia CD-rom for teaching minor skin surgery

Abstract

Expert operative information is a prerequisite for any form of surgical training. However, the shortening of working hours has reduced surgical training time and learning opportunities. As a potential solution to this problem, multimedia programs have been designed to provide computer-based assistance to surgical trainees outside of the operating theatre. Few studies, however, have focused on the interface features of surgical multimedia programs, the successful design of which could be conducive to the evaluation of the effectiveness of learning. This study evaluated a multimedia CD-ROM designed for teaching minor skin surgery. A questionnaire, based on an existing user interface rating tool, was administered to 20 trainees (both junior and senior) in plastic surgery. Findings from the study revealed trainees' high rating of the CD-ROM on a scale of 1-10 (mean = 8); the analysis of which contributes towards an understanding of both the characteristics of the learning material and the learners in the evaluation of the user interface.