Teaching using computer science in surgery

The purpose of this article is to illustrate a new interactive software built to teach the methodological features about differential diagnosis, final diagnosis and therapeutic decisions on surgical patients. The software was done in sequential flow with some interactive dialogue, choices of hypothetical diagnoses and requests of clinical and diagnostic procedures (X-ray, endoscopy, TC, echography etc.). The computer replies with color images, alpha numeric data, X-ray pictures and other answers, evaluating every choice and his propedeutic position. The student can do a final diagnosis, and if this one is true, must request the right therapy for the patient. The computer gives an evaluation about methodological process and final result about patient's health. This software is ready and operating on a limited number of patients affected by oesophageal pathology: its use is possible for other surgical pathologies and clinical courses.