ANA-TUTOR - A COMPUTER-PROGRAM THAT TEACHES THE ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY-TEST

We have developed an interactive personal computer program for teachin g the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test to medical technologists. The pr ogram, called ANA-Tutor (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Inc, Chaska, Minn) , introduces the user to the microscope-based immunofluorescence assay for ANA and examines understanding of the test. ANA-Tutor is based on digital images of human epidermoid carcinoma cells that have been lab eled with fluorescein-conjugated antibodies using a standard indirect immunofluorescence assay for ANA. The program requires minimal compute r literacy and has a number of advantages over traditional approaches to teaching the ANA test.