CALRAD
CALRAD is a Computer Assisted Learning program which has been developed by a consortium of Universities in the United Kingdom with the aim of educating medical students, junior doctors and other medical staff about the principles of radiation protection of patients.
It should prove of particular interest to Medical Physicists, Radiation Protection Staff, Radiologists, Radiographers and Dental staff, though it should be noted that the program is expected to be replaced in the not too distant future by some of the RITI project's work. Until such time as that is complete, however, CALRAD remains a viable and useful tool.
Contents
- The CALRAD program
- CALRAD Evaluation
- The Consortium
- POPUMET Training
- Download a Demonstration Version
- Other Otems Available
- Further Information
The CALRAD Program
The Library
CALRAD contains a Library of eight interactive multimedia reference books covering the following topics:
- Basic Physics of Radiation
- Radiation Doses and Quantities
- Biological Effects of Radiation
- Aims of radiation Protection
- Safe Use of X-Rays
- Safe Use of Radionuclides
- Radiation and Pregnancy
- Rules and Regulations
The Problem Based Learning Section
CALRAD also includes a Problem Based Learning section which is made up of case studies, or clinical scenarios, for students to work through. Problem-Based Learning is an instructional method which focuses on patient problems as a context for students to acquire knowledge.
The case studies complement the factual information that is provided in the interactive books by providing the students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge.
Educational research supports the view that a student will retain more information when it is presented in the context of particular problems and it will be more likely to be recalled at a later stage.
CALRAD Evaluation
The program has been evaluated at 20 Universities and Hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. An independent external evaluation has been carried out by the Scottish Council for Research in Education. Evaluations carried out at the University of Dundee in 1996 and 1997 have proved that the program is a very useful tool for teaching medical students and junior doctors the principles of the safe use of ionising radiation. Further details of the results of these evaluations can be obtained on request.
The Consortium
CALRAD was developed by a consortium of six member universities:
| University of Dundee (lead site) |
Dr. R.A. Lerski (project director) Mrs. J. Wilson (project coordination) Mr. L. Burns (project administration) Mr. S. Morrison (software developer) |
|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | Dr. B. Heaton |
| University of Edinburgh | Mr J. Williams |
| University of Glasgow | Dr. M. Davison |
| University of Liverpool | Dr. P. Cole |
| University of Newcastle | Dr. D. J. Rawlings |
POPUMET Training
CALRAD covers the Core of Knowledge for Radiation Protection as outlined in the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988, otherwise known as the POPUMET Regulations.
The program has been approved for use in POPUMET training courses in the United Kingdom by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
It should be noted that regulations were revised slightly in 2000 and the current CALRAD package does not include the revisions. Since the program is expected to be replaced in the not too distant future with some of the fruits of the RITI project there are no plans to update the existing content within CALRAD.
Download a Demonstration Version
It is possible to download a Demonstration version of CALRAD. You'll need a PC running MS Windows 3.x or better, 640 by 480 or 800 by 600 resolution and 256 colours to run it.
Here are the two files you'll need...
- setup.exe sets up the program from the distribution archive
- demo.shr has the actual set of demonstration programs inside, and is unpacked by the setup.exe program
It's possible that your browser may try to load demo.shr as a text file, since the filename extension is unusual for a binary file. If this happens, use your browser's option to save a link as a file (e.g., Shift + Left Button or Right Button followed by Save Link As using Firefox or Save Target As in Internet Exploder).
When you have downloaded the files, you can install the Demo to a suitable directory using the Setup program.
Once you've downloaded the files, run the setup program within windows, and follow the instructions to get the demo loaded and rolling.
Other Items Available
The following items are also available:
- Assessment
Computer-based and paper-based Multiple Choice Questions are available - RadEdit and GlosEdit Text Editors
These enable users to modify and adapt the text in the Interactive Books and the Glossary to suit local needs - CALRAD Logging System
Can be used to monitor the time spent by students on the various sections of the program.
Please note the student study guide is no longer available
Further Information
If you would like further information about the program, then please contact:
| Post | Peter Clinch Department of Medical Physics Ninewells Hospital & Medical School Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK |
|---|---|
| telephone | (44) (0)1382 660111 extension 33637) |
| facsimile | (44) (0)1382 640177 |
| p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk |