The change in focus of pediatric resident education to ambulatory primary care has decreased the contact time for inpatient experience. Rapid developments in computer technology provide us with the capability to combine sights and sounds of interactive multimedia programs to supplement the pediatric learning experience.

Our aim is to demonstrate the use of multimedia technology as a teaching tool in pediatric resident education using case scenarios in an inpatient environment. The module was developed using Authorware Professional™ 3.0. The process of development involved:

  1. a

    Selection of appropriate case scenarios illustrating the key principles of diagnosis and management.

  2. b

    Formatting text, video and graphics into digitized computer images.

  3. c

    Linking the images and text with interactive menu based links.

  4. d

    Incorporating tutorials and reference text with hypertext links to the interactive program.

  5. e

    Providing real-time assessment of performance and feedback.

Two specific case scenarios are demonstrated. A case of a premature infant with RDS who develops pneumothorax highlights the physiologic principles of gas exchange and mechanical ventilation. An interactive video clip instructs in the emergency placement of a chest tube. A second case of a cyanotic newborn incorporates echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization images to illustrate the steps in the diagnosis and management of transposition of great vessels. These cases will serve as templates to develop specific case series structured to the need of individual pediatric sub-specialities.