Application of the CD-ROM 'Tox-Didact' for the teaching of toxicology and pharmacology

Tox-Didact is a multimedia teaching software package for initial training, continuing training and self-learning of toxicology and pharmacology. This software covers a large part of toxicology in its acute and chronic patholo gy using several approaches: drugs (salicylics, paracetamol, lithium...); t oxins (lead, methanol, carbon monoxide...); drug addiction and doping (coca ine, heroin, LSD, amphetamines...); systemic targets (kidneys, skin, liver. ..). Tox-Didact is currently composed of 39 modules in validation, each tac kling the diagnosis, biological surveillance, treatment, prevention and doc umentation of a real clinical case. Each module is organized around four ty pes of questions, requiring a choice either (drug, symptom, formula...) or an open response. Each validated answer is analysed by software which then comments on or corrects it. The essential points which characterize this so ftware are: its multidisciplinarity (toxicology, pharmacology, semiology... ), its reliability (validated by experts), its simplicity of use. It is mod ular and offers an interactive teaching approach. The objective is to creat e a portable multimedia tool operational with all computer systems (IBM PC, Macintosh). This program is sustained by the Region des Pays de la Loire a nd by the Multimedia Resource Office of the French Ministry of National Edu cation.