e-Learning Portfolio

ATSDR Interactive Case Study: Immunologic Disorders

Tour the site

This is one of a series of instructional case studies for physicians on diagnosing health problems related to environmental exposures that is published by ATSDR. ERG was hired to create the agency's first interactive case study, a Web-based training (WBT) program on environmental causes of immunologic disorders.

Working with medical consultants, our in-house writers, and designers, ERG's Web specialists designed and developed a highly interactive, multimedia training program targeted specifically at physicians and other health professionals. The WBT program allows learners to participate in a simulated patient examination that features animated graphics, audio voiceovers, digitized x-rays, and other media elements. Learners who successfully complete the training can register via the site to obtain continuing education credits for their work. ATSDR plans to use the site as a prototype for future WBT programs.

Tech Notes:

• Dynamic "patient chart" allows users to record symptoms and review case history.
• Online testing for professional accreditation while ensuring integration with offline databases.
• Server- and client-side form validation to ensure accuracy of user-submitted data.
• Programmed with Perl/CGI to ensure portability and compatibility with various servers.