An Integrated Program for User Training: Experience with COSTAR

COSTAR is a flexible, complex medical record system involving users of diverse backgrounds and interests. The challenge is to provide at the implementation site a training program and appropriate support tools so that each user is able to learn the different COSTAR capabilities and to function appropriately in the new system. Training programs that we developed for two different sites and implemented one year apart are described. Experience gained at the first site resulted in the development of an integrated program for the second site. Effectiveness of each program is discussed, and user reactions to each program are presented.