Web based distance learning at Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University.

Abstract

The time in which we live is defined by the significant influence of the information technologies on our lives, changes and development of society and the efficacy of all the organization systems. Increase and development of distance learning (DL) technologies over the past decade has exposed the potential and the efficiency of new technologies. Number of events has organized by teaching staff from Cathedrae for Medical Informatics in order to promote distance learning and web based education are very extensive: professional-scientific events, workshops and congresses, first tele-exam at the Medical Faculty, Introducing of Distance learning in curriculum at biomedical faculties, etc. At the University in Sarajevo in year 2003 was opened the e-learning center for the support to the faculties the distance studies by use of the information technology. At Medical Faculty of University of Sarajevo at Cathedrae for Medical Informatics since 2002 is in progress realization of the project named: "Possibilities of introducing distance learning in medical curriculum", approved by the Federal and the Cantonal ministry of science and education. Pilot project was realized during three past school years, theoretical and practical education of subject Medical informatics are adapted to the new concepts of education using world trends of education from the distance. One group of students was included in the project finalized by electronic exam registration and electronic exam on 20 June 2005, publicly, in the Physiology amphitheatre of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo.

Full text

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BOSNIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2006; 6 (2): 71-75
&
Abstract
Th e time in which we live is defi ned by the signifi cant infl uence of the information technolo-
gies on our lives, changes and development of society and the effi cacy of all the organiza-
tion systems. Increase and development of distance learning (DL) technologies over the past
decade has exposed the potential and the effi ciency of new technologies. Number of events
has organized by teaching staff from Cathedra for Medical Informatics in order to promote
distance learning and web based education are very extensive: Professional-scientifi c events,
workshops and congresses, fi rst tele-exam at the Medical faculty, Introducing of Distance
learning in curriculum at biomedical faculties, etc. At the University in Sarajevo in year 
was opened the e-learning center for the support to the faculties the distance studies by use
of the information technology. At Medical faculty of University of Sarajevo at Cathedra for
Medical informatics since  is in progress realization of the project named: “Possibilities of
introducing distance learning in medical curriculum”, approved by the Federal and the Can-
tonal ministry of science and education. Pilot project was realized during three past school
years, theoretical and practical education of subject Medical informatics are adapted to the
new concepts of education using world trends of education from the distance. One group of
students was included in the project fi nalized by electronic exam registration and electronic
exam on  June , publicly, in the Physiology amphitheatre of the Medical faculty in Sa-
rajevo.
KEY WORDS: distance learning, web based education, curriculum
Web Based Distance
Learning at Faculty
of Medicine of
Sarajevo University
Izet Mašić*, Ahmed Novo,
Mensura Kudumović, Admir Rama,
Almir Džananović, Emir Guso, Mirza Bašić
Cathedra for Medical Informatics, Faculty Medicine, University of
Sarajevo, Čekaluša ,   Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Corresponding author

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BOSNIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2006; 6 (2): 71-75
IZET MAŠIĆ ET AL.: WEB BASED DISTANCE LEARNING AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY
Introduction
Distance learning is conventionally defined as: any
educational or learning process or system in which the
teacher and instructor are separated geographically or in
time from his or her students; or in which students are
separated from other students or educational resources
(,,). Th e most important factor which infl uences the
changes occurring in education has been the installa-
tion and development of the Internet and electronic
multimedia techniques. Contemporary Tele-education
or distance learning is aff ected through the implemen-
tation of computer and electronics technology to con-
nect teacher and student in either real or delayed time
or on an as-needed basis. Delivery of the content may
be achieved through a variety of technologies, includ-
ing satellites, computers, cable television, interactive
video, electronic transmissions via telephone lines, and
others. Distance learning does not preclude traditional
learning processes; frequently it is used in conjunction
with in-person classroom or professional training pro-
cedures and practices. Distance learning is used for self-
education, tests, services and for the examinations in
medicine, i.e. in terms of self-education and individual
examination services .Th e possibility to work in the ex-
ercise mode will image fi les and questions is an attrac-
tive way for self-education (,,,). Th e standard format
of the notation fi les enables to elaborate the results by
commercial statistic packets in order to estimate the
scale of answers and to find correlation between the
obtained results. Method of a multi-criterion grading
excludes unlimited mutual compensation of the criteria,
diff erentiates the importance of particular courses and
introduces the quality criteria. By using computers and
teleconferencing technology and through partnerships
with local communities, institutions and the private
sector, an open, eff ective, virtual learning community
is now in place. Sites are located in college and univer-
sity campuses, hospitals, schools, libraries, community
centers and private companies. Courses are also being
delivered to private homes. For the need of e-health,
telemedicine, and Tele-education there are various tech-
nologies and communication systems from standard
telephone lines to the system of transmission digitalized
signals with modem, optical fi ber, satellite links, wireless
technologies, etc. Th ere is no doubt that Internet causes
“revolution” in all above, and the latest its possibilities are
distribution of virtual medical instruments and medi-
cal data in real time and possibility of use in primary
health care, even for some diseases with bed prognosis.
Th is revolution how information is stored, transmitted
and accessed has extremely important implication for
the health sector, especially now when embarking on a
global eff ort to renew the tenets of Health for All based
on primary health care and disease prevention, health
promotion and costumer education, in the context of
service delivery guided by the equity, quality, eff ective-
ness and effi ciency (). According to Grimson at al in
Dublin, “the need to participate in continuing profes-
sional development or continuing medical education is
considered to be at the very least highly desirable and
more likely mandatory. Th e use of Information Com-
munication Technologies (ICT) is one way by which
this can be facilitated in a timely and cost-eff ective man-
ner” (,,,). Increase and development of distance
learning (DL) technologies over the past decade has ex-
posed the potential and the effi ciency of new technolo-
gies. Benefi t and use of contemporary information tech-
nologies is the area where medical informatics got the
most on understanding and importance. Defi nition of
distance learning as “use of technologies based on health
care delivered on distance” covers areas such as electron-
ic health, tele-health (e-health), tele-matics, telemedicine,
tele-education, etc. as web based education. For the need
of e-health, telemedicine, tele-education, web based
education and distance learning there are various tech-
nologies and communication systems from standard
telephone lines to the system of transmission digitalized
signals with modem, optical fi ber, satellite links, wireless
technologies, and wed sites, etc. Web based education
represents health education on distance, using IC tech-
nologies and Internet, as well as continuous education
of a health system benefi ciaries and use of electronic li-
braries, data bases or electronic data with data bases of
knowledge. Number of events has in order to promote
distance learning and web based education organized
by teaching staff from Cathedra for Medical Informat-
ics are very broad: Professional-scientifi c events, work-
shops and congresses, fi rst tele-exam at Medical faculty,
University of Sarajevo, Introducing of Distance learn-
ing in curriculum at biomedical faculties, etc (,,).
Materials and Methods
Method of the study is descriptive, compared education
in medical informatics at five B&H medical faculties
with emphasis on the distance and web based education.
Accent was given on the distance learning at Medical
faculty of University of Sarajevo as the only one bio-
medical faculty in Bosnia and Herzegovina where are
students able to learn and pass exam from the distance.
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IZET MAŠIĆ ET AL.: WEB BASED DISTANCE LEARNING AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY
Results
Under the results authors described “roots” of the
development of distance leaning in the all five uni-
versities in B&H. Th e mutual for all the universities in
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the connection on the In-
ternet mostly slow of  Mbps and with inadequate re-
liability. Th is technical limitations and relatively high
prices are the limiting factors of wider introduction
of ICT and e-Education into the educational institu-
tions. Currently estimated number of users of Internet
is about  of population. Th e prices of telecommuni-
cation services are high and one from the key obstacle
through connecting and using Internet in research
and educational process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In development of distance learning there are some indi-
vidual initiatives, mostly on faculties/universities which
results with realization of small pilot projects. Serious
initiative was generated by WUS Austria (World Uni-
versity Service of Austria) in B&H. During  and 
WUS Austria, through its programs, Distance learning
 and Distance learning  year, supported the
development of the educational processes at B&H uni-
versities. At the University in Tuzla by the beginning of
 was formed the University center for the develop-
ing of distance education – UCED, aims to give techni-
cal, organizational and didactic modern multimedia hall,
equipped for the needs of videoconference and training
in the field of IT; the center possesses the own com-
puter and communication equipment. To the students
through web-based platform for Tele-education Learn-
ing Cubes, off ers more multimedia interactive courses.
At the University in Banja Luka at the Electro-technical
Faculty since  works the Center for open education
and education from distance, whose primary role is to
promote, develop and improve learning methods based
on the contemporary information technologies. The
basic recourses of the center are: computer classrooms,
the rooms for the staff , e-educational platform of learn-
ing cubes software for the work with libraries, and com-
puter and communication equipment. Th e University
Dzemal Bijedic in Mostar, Faculty of the Information
technology provides the possibility of studying by the
system for the distance learning since / school
year. Th e student can approach to all practical works
and lectures which get be found at the faculty web page.
It is enabled to them also the on-line application, as well
as the asynchrony communication with the teachers by
e-mail and of the forum. At the University in Sarajevo in
year  is open the e-learning centre for the support
to the faculties the distance studies by use of the infor-
mation communication technology. At Medical faculty
of University of Sarajevo at Cathedra for Medical infor-
matics since  is in progress realization of the project
named: “Possibilities of introducing of distance learning
in medical curriculum”, approved by the Federal and
the Cantonal ministry of science and education. In Oc-
tober , University of Sarajevo began with Distance
learning education, opening University Distance Learn-
ing Centre. Opening the University Distance Learning
Centre, as coordination body and leader in all activities
in connection to Distance learning, has provided op-
portunity for development and growth of this kind of
lifelong education. In correlation with above project
conducted by the University Tele-information Centre
(UTIC) and as continuation of two-year project Possi-
bilities of introduction of Distance learning in Medical
curriculum, the Cantonal Ministry approved and sup-
ported a new project; Introduction and implementa-
tion of Distance learning in medicine. Th e purpose of
the project is to facilitate improvement of educational
process at biomedical faculties, applying contemporary
educational methods, methodologies and information
technologies in accordance with strategy and goals
proclaimed by Bologna declaration. Pilot project was
realized during three past school years, theoretical and
practical education of subject Medical informatics are
adapted to the new concepts of education using world
trends of education from the distance. Beside UTIC’s
website there are two another ones created for the stu-
dents study Medial informatics and Family medicine
where for the fi rst time at the medical faculty in Sarajevo
they can apply for the exam electronically and check
for the educational materials as well as useful informa-
tion. One group of students was included in the project
fi nalized by electronic exam registration and electronic
exam on  June , publicly, in the Physiology am-
phitheatre of the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo.
Discussion
The rise of IT as an artifact of everyday life in the
modern world has brought with it the dawn of a new
era, often dubbed the “Age of Information”. These
technologies are changing the way we perceive the
world, how wee think and communicate with an-
other. Established cultures are being transformed
and new cultures are forming. New virtual environ-
ment aff ects the way we build our sense of who we are.
Some characteristics of the Internet are:

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BOSNIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2006; 6 (2): 71-75
IZET MAŠIĆ ET AL.: WEB BASED DISTANCE LEARNING AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY
- Large volume of users and potential users,
- Lack of physical boundaries which allows
for the manipulation of time and space,
- Information can be accessed in a concur-
rent fashion using diff erent media,
- Concept of redundancy.
In the virtual environment we are applying for in-
formation in a way that is expanding our senses and
one must to take into account that experience is oc-
curring in the context of the virtual environment.
Information without a context has no meaning. Ex-
pected outcomes of the project Introduction and
Implementation of Distance learning in medicine are:
- Development and integration of informatics-
computer technologies in medical education
- Creation of fl exible infrastructure which will enable
access to e-Learning by all students and teaching staff
- Improvement of digital litera-
cy of academic population
- Ensure high educational standards to
students and teaching staff and
- To help medical staff to develop “Life-
long learning way of life”.
Th e health sector is one of the most evident potential
beneficiaries of the Internet revolution and World
Wide Web resource in the present and in the future,
when the tools now available and the system’s reliability
and effi cacy as a whole will be further incremented and
improved. Distance learning in medicine has impact
on telemedicine and practicing medicine as well. Basic
skills of the use of computers and networks must be a
part of all future medical curricula. Th e impact of tech-
nical equipment between patient and the doctor must
be understood, and the situation where the diagnosis
based on live voice or picture is diff erent from a nor-
mal doctor-patient contact. In some areas telemedicine
requires unique techniques. Tele-robotical guaranties
diff er from what surgeons normally learn. Telemedicine,
and distance learning as a prerequisite for it, is lest suited
for doctor-to-doctor consultation, and the fi rst contact
to a doctor should always be a face-to-face consultation.
Conclusion
Web based education is very useful for all kind of educational process: for under and postgraduate and continual medical
education. It enables the simultaneous education to the number of students of the various profi les, the approach to all
the relevant forms of data bases and data knowledge as well as the mechanism of the evaluation by the eminent institu-
tions.
- Increase capacities of educational institutions;
- Education can be easily adapted to the needs of education on-the-job;
- Costs of educational process are smaller;
- It is possible to distribute the education uniformly, thus the new educational programs are available for fi elds outside of
educational and economic centers;
- Enables the possibility of access to the foreign educational resources to the various institutions;
- Superior quality of the knowledge gained.
Process of introducing Bologna declaration, which started last years in European countries, enable us to promote and
introduce modern educational methods of education at biomedical faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cathedra of
Medical informatics and Cathedra of Family medicine at Faculty of Medicine of University of Sarajevo started to use web
based education as common way of teaching of medical students. Satisfaction with this method of education within the
students is good, but not yet suitable for most of medical disciplines at biomedical faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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IZET MAŠIĆ ET AL.: WEB BASED DISTANCE LEARNING AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY
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Expected outcomes of Distance learning in medicine should be:
- Development and integration of informatics-computer technologies in medical education
- Creation of fl exible infrastructure which will enable access to e-Learning by all students and teaching staff
- Improvement of digital literacy of academic population
- Ensure high educational standards to students and teaching staff and
- To help medical staff to develop “Lifelong learning way of life”.
Th e health sector is one of the most evident potential benefi ciaries of the Internet revolution and World Wide Web
resource in the present and in the future, when the tools now available and the system’s reliability and effi cacy as a whole
will be further improved.
ABBREVIATIONS
DL – Distance learning
B&H – Bosnia and Herzegovina
ICT – Information Communication technologies
IC – Information Communication
UTIC – University tele-information centre, Sarajevo
WUS Austria – World University Service of Austria
UCED – University center for the developing of distance education, Tuzla