During the last 35 years our understanding of bile salts, bilirubin metabolism, and Hepatobiliary transport has increased. From 1965 until the end of 2002, 3610 and review articles have been published papers on Hepatobiliary and enterocyte transport of bile salts.However, there is a lack of information in the contents of textbooks currently on the Hepatobiliary
physiology, bile salt transporters, bile formation, mechanisms underlying cholestasis and drug-injured liver damage. The use of integrated multimedia program to cover the gap in the heart of this book may be useful for student learning. This study aims to
1) assess the student’s view multimedia CD ( “The Heart”) to integrate the basic sciences and clinical-related liver, bile salts and bilirubin metabolism,
2) assess the usefulness of problem-based learning (PBL) cases included in the multimedia CD-ROM, and
3) assess student learning before and after the use of multimedia CD. A total of 106 first-year medical students (27 with and 79 without previous degree) at the University of Melbourne participated in this study. There is zero distinction discovered in comparison replies depending on school backdrop, sexuality, nationality, or even the first language associated with individuals. After completing the multimedia CD , each student filled 5-point Likert scale questionnaire evaluating the features of the program and its usefulness for their learning.
The results indicate that the purpose of the package clearly to the participants, it is logically arranged and clearly, the key concepts easy to identify, it pitched to the appropriate level, and interactive package and encourage participants to reflect on their learning. Students also agreed that the assessment tool used in the program and provided feedback meaningful and useful to their learning. There was no difference found when compared responses based on academic background, gender, nationality, or the first language of participants.
Students agreed that PBL cases in the CD-ROM keep them involved, it is useful to their learning, and compatible with the overall philosophy of the program. Compared with the graduate-entry students (those who were previously undergraduate), graduate school (those who have no previous degree) showed more positive attitudes toward PBL cases included in the multimedia CD-ROM and agreed that the cases that make them involved (P = 0.033). Students who complete the exam after using the multimedia CD higher scores than those who completed the test before using the multimedia CD (P <0.001). In conclusion, using bile salts, bilirubin metabolism, and Hepatobiliary transport them as an example, combining a multimedia CD-ROM into the first year of medical school courses have the potential to enhance student understanding of key concepts in a variety of body systems.