COMPUTER-ASSISTED-LEARNING (CAL) OF ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF HIV DISEASE

General dental practitioners (GDPs) in the UK may wish additional educ ation on relevant aspects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diseas e. The aim of the present study was to develop and assess a computer a ssisted learning package on the oral manifestations of HIV disease of relevance to GDPs. A package was developed using a commercially-availa ble software development tool and assessed by a group of 75 GDPs inter ested in education nd computers. Fifty-four (72%) of the GDPs complete d a self-administered questionnaire of their opinions of the package. The majority reported the package to be easy to load and run, that it provided clear instructions and displays, and that it was a more effec tive educational tool than videotapes, audiotapes, professional journa ls and textbooks, and of similar benefit as post-graduate courses. The GDPs often commented favourably on the effectiveness of the clinical images and use of questions and answers, although some had criticisms of these and other aspects of the package. As a consequence of this in vestigation the package has been modified fled and distributed to GDPs in England and Wales.