WEB-BASED INTERACTIVE CURRICULUM FOR THE ACGME OUTCOMES PROJECT. N.B. Mehta 1 , A. Hull 1 , J.H. Isaacson 1 , A. Jain 1 , 1 Cleveland, Cleveland, OH STATEMENT OF PROBLEM OR QUESTION: The ACGME has endorsed competencies in 6 core areas as a first step to emphasize educational outcome (rather than process) assessment for residency program accreditation. The guidelines require the residency programs to provide an appropriate educational experience in these areas, evaluate the residents' performance, provide feedback and achieve progressive improvements in residents' competence and performance. In addition the effectiveness of the educational program itself also needs to be evaluated. To achieve the ACGME goals, residency programs must develop a new educational model that will engage residents in a time efficient manner. OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: 1. Implement a web-based interactive curriculum that would meet common and specific needs of residency programs 2. The curriculum be available at a time and place convenient to the residents. 3. The residents' decide the order and pace of the curriculum. 4. Utilize existing teaching materials as far as possible. 4. Make efficient utilization of educators' time and skills. 5. Incorporate an evaluation and feedback system seamlessly in the new curriculum. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: 1. The curriculum is on a password protected web site and consists of brief interactive case scenarios (ICS) grouped in the 6 core competency areas. 3. The ICS can be created by an educator without programming knowledge by automatically converting text into interactive HTML format on the web site. Audio, video and graphic files can also be included. 4. Various question formats can be included to capture the users' responses and assess competency. The residents can order consults and clinical tests to solve the ICS. 5. Extensive feedback includes amount of money spent while resolving an ICS, number of attempts and questions answered correctly at first attempt and comparison with peers. 6. The program creates a customized recommended reading material based on performance. 7. If interrupted, the user's progress is saved for subsequent sessions. 8. The program creates individualized reports for program directors on the participation and performance of their residents. FINDINGS TO DATE: We plan to formally implement the program beginning in the July 2001. Pilot testing has shown this system to be acceptable to house staff, attractive to program directors and effective and efficient method of teaching for the educators.