The Athena Group, Inc. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: 100

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The Athena Group Inc Athena in close collaboration with practicing faculty and clinicians at Morgan State University MSU University of Delaware UD and George Washington University GWU proposes the Phase II development of eClinic as an effective affordable and sustainable educational software product de signed to improve the quality of the undergraduate clinical laboratory science CLS experience The Phase II eClinic project will leverage Athenaandapos s significant experience in developing D virtual learning environments and MSUandapos s UDandapos s and GWandapos s CLS subject matter expertise to build on the student success demonstrated during eClinicandapos s Phase I modules and activities The Phase II eClinic technology will result in CLS scenario based student learning modules including lessons and virtual instruments VIs and faculty modules that emulate high end laboratory instrumentation The faculty modules will feature simulations and activities that can be cross purposed for use by CLS students All eClinic modules will focus on content common to accredited CLS program courses The student modules will be quantitatively assessed in existing CLS courses while a cadre of CLS instructors will review and evaluate the faculty modules In Phase II Athena will address the question of how the eClinic hypothesis can be applied to more broadly impact CLS students across the nation supporting programs of study that focus on traditional wet la boratories as well as those that expose students to the high tech instrumentation found in professional practice Efforts will continue to increase the connectivity between high tech instrumentation and techniques found in practicing medical facilities and the learning experiences offered in the laboratory section of CLS courses In Phase II Athena will expand eClinicandapos s focus on providing CLS program instructors and practicing professionals with professional development opportunities Extensive assessment of the comprehensive eClinic system will be completed in Phase II To achieve widespread commercial product adoption in the marketplace Athena will license eClinic to publishers dealers retailers and distributors with established marketing channels PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The proposed eClinic project advances the cause of public health better preparing clinical laboratory science CLS students for professional practice providing CLS faculty and practitioners with enhanced professional development opportunities and reducing the overall costs of CLS education Societal benefits are expected in that better health care can result from better trained CLS specialists