No abstract

This chapter describes the saliency of learning environments supported by information and communication technologies, followed by a conceptualization of the virtual learning environments, highlighting their overall advantages, more specifically those in the field of medical education. Special attention is also paid to some learning methodologies and strategies and their applicability. Before describing the e-fer, as Web based learning system, the authors also introduce some practical examples of the use of information and communication technologies in medical education. The importance of this training platform for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds is demonstrated here, with a description of its functionalities, as well as its characteristics such as case based learning and game based learning. At the end of this chapter, the authors present the research projects currently in progress, based on the e-fer, in areas such as the impact of the content adaptive model in learning processes, cost estimate as a result of non-training and the build up of communities of practice.

The high prevalence and incidence rates of chronic wounds represent high financial costs for patients, families, health services, and for society in general. Therefore, the proper training of health professionals engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of these wounds can have a very positive impact on the reduction of costs. As technology advances rapidly, the knowledge acquired at school soon becomes outdated, and only through lifelong learning can skills be constantly updated. Information and Communication Technologies play a decisive role in this field. We have prepared a cost estimate model of Non-Training, using a Simulator (Web Based System-e-fer) for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds. The preliminary results show that the costs involved in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds are markedly higher in health professionals with less specialized training.