Welcome to the CHEDESK home page!

CHEDESK Desktops are customized workspaces developed by the Centre for Health Evidence in conjunction with Departments and Divisions within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta. CHEDESK provides a single point-of-access for presentations, surveys, tutorials, interactive cases, activities, information resources, professional development, and peer-to-peer support.

These online learning, practicing, and teaching environments developed for healthcare providers are an extension of the original CHE Demonstration Project (1999-2001).

CHEDESK is currently available to the following groups at the University of Alberta:

• Department of Family Medicine Residents
• Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
• Department of Medicine Faculty
• Department of Medicine Residents
• Department of Oncology
• Department of Pediatrics
• Department of Psychiatry
• Division of Critical Care Faculty
• Third Year Student Interns

If you would like more information about the logistics of developing a custom CHEDESK Desktop for your Division, please contact

This will reach a staff member at the Centre for Health Evidence, who can answer any questions you have.

Step 1: Statements

CHEDESK Desktop

This desktop has been developed by the Centre for Health Evidence (CHE) to facilitate the use of electronic information resources and to create a custom online learning environment for your group. Everything needed to participate is made available through this private, personalized workspace. You can download the desktop software for use at the office, at home, or wherever you want to access to the material.

• Read the Copyright and Disclaimer statement.
• Read the Security, Privacy, and Confidentiality statement.

Step 2: Desktop

• Register for a user account (required)
• Install the CHEDESK Desktop
• Quick Start Guide

After you register, you will receive your desktop username and password by email within two business days, often sooner.

Step 3: Plug-ins

We strongly recommend you also download the plug-in products available from the link below. These programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and Macromedia Flash Player, will allow you to view all content and files in the CHEDESK Desktop.

• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Flash Player
• Skype*
• More Optional Plug-ins

* Skype is a "voice over Internet" telephony product available free on the Internet. As the CHEDESK Desktop pilot project rolls out, not all participants will have the needed audio equipment to be able to use Skype in the office. The link above is provided for future use, and for anyone wanting to install Skype at home. Note that although Skype is a useful tool, it is not required for participation.

Help

• Video overview of CHEDESK.
• Video demonstrations on installing and using the Desktop.

For most computers, you will need admin rights to install the Desktop software. If you do not have admin rights, or if you are not sure, contact your network administrator for assistance.

Technical Requirements

• Windows NT or later Windows operating system ( Windows 95, 98, Me are no longer supported by Microsoft ) Note: if using Macintosh, please send an email to help@cche.net
• Internet Connection (preferrably high-speed)
• Internet Explorer 5 or higher (IE 6 recommended) Note: Internet Explorer 7 (which is in BETA version) currently is not supported
• Monitor resolution set to 1024*768 or better, 16K colours or better
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (for document displays; Download Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Adobe Shockwave Player (for video demonstrations; Download Adobe Shockware Player)
• Audio enabled computer to hear demonstration narratives

Help Desk

If you need help, contact the Centre for Health Evidence Help Desk:

• (780) 492-6632 (open M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm MT)