Use of Multimedia tools for Training in Radiation Protection for Interventional Radiology

The European Commission has published and distributed cost free in the main European languages and interactive CD-ROM for Radiation Protection Training in Interventional Radiology (MARTIR project-Radiation Protection Series N. 119-EC 2002). The CD-ROM allows: a) To select different levels of training; b) To follow a training programme as a regular course (step by step) or looking only for the topics of interest; c) To do some auto evaluation multiple choice questions at the end of the different sections or topics; d) To perform a final examination at the end of the course and to have a certification with the total time dedicated to the training programme and the obtained score in final examination. During 2001 and 2002 the MARTIR material has been distributed for evaluation purpose to different experts and it has been used in different pilot courses. In this paper the experience of using this interactive CD-ROM is discussed. The University Complutense of Madrid offers an optional specific training on Radiation Protection for the students of Medicine during their clinical period (4th to 6th year). About 100 hundred students are enrolled per year, 10% of these students follow the MARTIR CD at home as a pilot course. All of them used the CD at Least during 40 hours, completed the low level step-by-step course and pass the exam (score over 75% for 60 multiple choice questions. 87% of the students after finishing the course stated that this education methodology was very suitable for them. (Author)