Edward Ratner, M.D.
Edward Ratner, M.D., is an associate professor in the Medical School, where he specializes in geriatric medicine. He has developed a variety of e-learning tools using CD technology, multimedia Web sites, and handheld computers. He received a TEL Small Grant in 2002 to begin his work with handheld computers. That project has led to creation of a handheld software company, Infingo, LLC. In addition to teaching, Dr. Ratner serves as a medical director for several organizations, participates in several research projects, and provides housecalls to frail elderly patients.
Teaching Activities
Interests
Ratner's teaching interests include
- geriatrics,
- home care,
- end of life care, and
- teamwork.
University Courses
He has taught the following University of Minnesota courses:
- INMD 6050-1: Physician and Society (Master Tutor);
- INMD 6100-4: Physician and Patient 1, 2, and 3 (Associate Course Director);
- INMD 6051: Physician and Society, IDT Teams Annual Seminar;
- INMD 7509: Primary Care Clerkship, Dementia Seminar; and
- CSOM Long-Term Care Admin Certification Course, Ethics in LTC.
Research Activities
Research Interests
Ratner's research interests include
- end of life care,
- telemedicine, and
- medical education.
TEL Experience
His TEL publications include the following.
Ratner, E. R. "PDAs in Home Care." Presentation at the American Geriatrics Society/AAHCP Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, May 15, 2003.
Ratner, E. R., and B. Strok. "The Personal Digital Assistant in Medicine." Minnesota Physician (May 2004).
He also has developed the Geriatric Education in the Academic Health Center and Infingo Web sites.
Fellowship Project
Ratner is developing and testing methods for distributing curricular materials to medical students' handheld computers for use during clinical clerkships (in hospitals and clinics).
Most medical students carry handheld computers during their third and fourth year clinical clerkships. This project will promote development by faculty members of curricular materials for use on handheld computers, including
- course objectives,
- expected experiences, and
- key diseases that should be studied/observed.
Providing such handheld computer 'to do' lists will give students greater clarity regarding what they are to learn. This TEL methodology should result in improved consistency in learning across sites and encourage students to take responsibility for identifying important clinical experience opportunities. Once demonstrated successfully, this would be an appropriate methodology for enhancing all types of experiential and service learning opportunities provided to students at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere.
Consultation Areas
Ratner is available to consult with faculty members about the following educational technology topics and tools:
- electronic teaching portfolios;
- teleconferencing and telemedicine;
- videotaping of standardized clinical experiences;/li>
- handheld computers;
- PowerPoint software; and
- streaming video.
Contact Information
To schedule a consultation appointment, contact Ratner:
- Office: 6-140 PWB
- Telephone: (612) 624-1960
- E-mail: ratne001@umn.edu
