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Journal of Medical Education

Abstract

Simulation of physiological processes has often been used in teaching concepts on physiological mechanisms of action. For example, the simulation of action potential generation by numerical solutions of the Hodgkin-Huxley membrane equations has often been used to describe the processes of impulse generation. Based on a set of phenomenological equations, the model accurately realised the impulse trajectory of the squid giant axon. However, though highly realistic, numerical integration of stiff differential equations are often unwieldy, processor-intensive and not patricularly suitable for the purpose of teaching basic concepts. Development of simulations based on manipulation of graphical objects (sprites) or animation are more amenable and the advent of various ”easy-to-use” and relatively affordable animation-authoring softwares saw the rapid production of various multimedia instructional or informational packages on a wide range of topics, including Physiology. Development strategies for the most cost-efficient and fastest development of a delivery module (start to finish) were analysed using the Pareto analysis of the time-line of individual identified process. However, it should be clear that the results of such study are partially dependent on the complexity of the development and delivery model of choice.

First Page

461

Last Page

468

DOI

10.6145/jme.200212_6(4).0011

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