Project description:IntroductionPediatricians are at the front line to diagnose new-onset diabetes and treat acute diabetes complications in children. Pediatric residents need a strong foundation in recognizing and managing pediatric diabetes, imposing a demand for a structured, comprehensive pediatric-specific diabetes curriculum.MethodsThis three-module case-based curriculum focused on diabetes fundamentals relevant to pediatricians in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Each module covered an independent topic within pediatric diabetes. Topics included diabetic ketoacidosis, new-onset diabetes management, and acute complications of diabetes. The modules were focused, short, and flexible to accommodate learners' demanding clinical duties and time limitations. We delivered the curriculum to pediatric residents rotating in the inpatient endocrinology department over 3 separate days. Pre- and posttests assessed learners' knowledge and confidence in diabetes care.ResultsWe tested the curriculum for 7 months in 10 individual cycles, with 11 learners participating. We noted an increase in learners' scores on diabetes knowledge assessment of 16% (95% CI, 5-28; p = .01) after completing the curriculum. The residents' confidence in performing diabetes clinical care skills also improved, with the majority going from reporting low or neutral confidence before instruction to reporting high confidence after instruction. Learners reported 100% extreme satisfaction with the curriculum.DiscussionThis case-based curriculum exposed residents to pediatric diabetes using authentic, clinically relevant, engaging scenarios. The curriculum enabled learners to actively rationalize their thought process and slow down learning. Short and focused, the curriculum was suitable for mitigating the cognitive load and the time constraints in busy clinical environments.
Project description:A great technological revolution in surgery occurred with the introduction of laparoscopic and other minimally invasive procedures, with enormous patient benefits. Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is a form of minimally invasive surgery that overcomes some of the limitations of laparoscopic techniques. Until recently, there were few standardized curricula for RAS. The Fundamentals of Robotic (FRS) developed a process through expert consensus conferences to develop an effective and validated curriculum for basic robotic surgery. A specialty specific curriculum for thoracic robotic surgery is also needed. The Fundamentals of Thoracic Robotic Surgery (FTRS) Consensus Conference brought together expert thoracic surgeons to build upon the accomplishments of FRS and incorporate the experiences of thoracic societies and academic institutions to establish a standardized FTRS curriculum for the development and maintenance of specialty-specific robotic surgical skills. A task deconstruction was completed for the thoracic 'signature' procedure, the lobectomy and training items and potential errors were identified for each step of the procedure. A final outline of the FTRS curriculum was developed during the conference and physical and virtual reality thoracic surgery training models were discussed. Following the conference, the steering committee completed the FTRS curriculum with editorial review from all stakeholders. The FTRS consensus conference followed the validated FRS model but in an accelerated process due to important groundwork set by experts in the FRS consensus conferences. A full online curriculum and supporting psychomotor skills training and team communication has been developed for the lobectomy procedure.
Project description:BackgroundSichuan University West China Medical School was the first institution in China to develop an undergraduate sonographer education program in 2016. This program was certificated by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and students are qualified for the ARDMS credential verification test. In this 4-year program, the international curriculum of ultrasound physics and hemodynamics was set for students in the third year since 2018. This study is aimed to compare the teaching effect of international remote teaching mode and domestic on-site teaching mode of this international curriculum before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAll undergraduate sonographer students after completing ultrasound physics and hemodynamics in the academic years 2018-2019 (30 students; before the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2020-2021 (47 students; during the COVID-19 pandemic) were included in the study. The scores of 77 students were analyzed for their curriculum. Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney test was employed to compare students' scores before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chi-square test was used to compare students' feedback about this curriculum through an online self-administered questionnaire. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsTotal scores were comprised of four parts: in-class tests, homework, mid-term, and final exam scores. The mean in-class test score for domestic on-site teaching mode during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher than that for international remote teaching mode before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was no observed a statistically significant difference in homework, mid-term, final exam, and total scores between the two types of teaching modes. For questionnaire feedback, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the satisfaction toward teachers, class atmosphere, teaching mode, curriculum content, exam difficulty, scores, and knowledge students gained. For the overall evaluation of the curriculum, 73.3% (22/30) of students were very satisfied before the COVID-19 pandemic, while 44.7% (21/47) of students felt very satisfied during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.02).ConclusionThe general teaching effect of domestic on-site teaching mode during the COVID-19 pandemic was comparable to that of international remote teaching mode before the COVID-19 pandemic, and domestic on-site teaching mode may provide a better in-class teaching effect.
Project description:This article aims to introduce the nature of data integration to life scientists. Generally, the subject of data integration is not discussed outside the field of computational science and is not covered in any detail, or even neglected, when teaching/training trainees. End users (hereby defined as wet-lab trainees, clinicians, lab researchers) will mostly interact with bioinformatics resources and tools through web interfaces that mask the user from the data integration processes. However, the lack of formal training or acquaintance with even simple database concepts and terminology often results in a real obstacle to the full comprehension of the resources and tools the end users wish to access. Understanding how data integration works is fundamental to empowering trainees to see the limitations as well as the possibilities when exploring, retrieving, and analysing biological data from databases. Here we introduce a game-based learning activity for training/teaching the topic of data integration that trainers/educators can adopt and adapt for their classroom. In particular we provide an example using DAS (Distributed Annotation Systems) as a method for data integration.
Project description:IntroductionAll physicians must learn comprehensive patient care delivery within the electronic health record (EHR). No studies have considered EHR communication training with an emphasis on clinical efficiency. This curriculum provides a method of teaching clinic efficiency while practicing effective patient communication in any EHR clinical situation. The target audience is resident physicians, fellow physicians, faculty physicians, and physician extenders practicing in a primary care setting where the EHR is present.MethodsThis curriculum of four separate workshops provides a structured EHR approach while addressing communication strategies for preclinical preparation, rapport building, encounter initiation, agenda setting, and visit closure. The curriculum contains interactive presentations, tools, and an evaluation survey. Presenting efficiency issues with the EHR using the ATTEND mnemonic and agenda setting allows documentation while practicing communication techniques that maximize efficiency.ResultsPostworkshop surveys revealed that participants felt the workshops were helpful (84%). One measurement of efficiency revealed improvement through decreased number of days to note completion after workshop participation. At the Program Directors Workshop, curriculum value was demonstrated by high attendance, with 94% feeling the workshops provided easily utilizable strategies.DiscussionThe curriculum utilized only the EPIC EHR but would be generalizable. Future directions could include measurement of effective communication and visit efficiency through direct observation and expanded EHR timing data.
Project description:The shortage of skilled workers who can use robots is a crucial issue hampering the growth of manufacturing industries. We present a new type of workforce training system, TeachBot, in which a robotic instructor delivers a series of interactive lectures using graphics and physical demonstration of its arm movements. Furthermore, the TeachBot allows learners to physically interact with the robot. This new human-computer interface, integrating oral and graphical instructions with motion demonstration and physical touch, enables to create engaging training materials. Effective learning takes place when the learner simultaneously interacts with an embodiment of new knowledge. We apply this "Learning by Touching" methodology to teach basic concepts, e.g. how a shaft encoder and feedback control work. In a pilot randomized control test with a small number of human subjects, we find suggestive evidence that Learning by Touching enhances learning effectiveness in this robotic context for adult learners. Students whose learning experience included touching the robot as opposed to watching it delivers the lessons showed gains in their ability to integrate knowledge about robotics. The "touching" group showed statistically significant gains in self-efficacy, which is an important antecedent to further learning and successful use of new technologies, as well as gains in knowledge about robotic concepts that trend toward significance.
Project description:Stimulating interest in science at an early age is important for STEM education. This work details an educational activity utilizing the anthocyanins found in the butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea). This activity was developed for use in official classroom settings, online, and/or at-home with parental or educator guidance. Primary and high school students aged 7 to 14 performed a straightforward extraction of anthocyanin pH indicators from Clitoria ternatea with hot water. Students were able to use this indicator and its vast range of colors to compare the acidity and basicity of different household solutions. Most responses recorded show that students used reasoning from the indicator and a subsequent chemical reaction to correctly differentiate acids from bases and compare their strengths. Overall, this activity's application of non-toxic and easily accessible indicators from the butterfly pea flower assisted in introducing young students to various concepts in acid-base chemistry, including acid/base strength and pH, solute dissolution, neutralization reactions, and qualitative analysis.
Project description:Teaching assistants (TAs) often lead courses using curricula they did not design. Therefore, examining how curriculum and professional development (PD) interact to influence TAs' teaching practices is critical. This study describes the effects of a curriculum and PD intervention in two contexts: when TAs are teaching curriculum that is explicitly linked to PD, and when teaching curriculum that is not linked to PD. The Intervention curriculum featured structured opportunities for reform-oriented teaching practices. The Intervention PD was situated in the context of these specific curriculum activities and modelled the desired teaching practices. TAs that participated in the intervention implemented more student-centered teaching practices than TAs that did not participate in the intervention, even when teaching curriculum that was not designed to be student-centered and was not linked to PD. A linear model of TAs' teaching practices that included PD type, task cognitive demand and curriculum type indicates that cognitive demand has the largest relationship with teaching practices, followed by PD type. These results have implications for policy. They suggest that investment in curriculum-linked TA PD can be effective even when teaching curricula that is not linked to PD. Additionally, investment in development of higher-cognitive-demand tasks may be an effective strategy to support implementation of student-centered practices.
Project description:Background:Clinicians are key drivers for improving health care quality and safety. However, some may lack experience in quality improvement and patient safety (QI/PS) methodologies, including root cause analysis (RCA). Objective:The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sought to develop a simulation approach to teach clinicians from the VA's Chief Resident in Quality and Safety program about RCA. We report the use of experiential learning to teach RCA, and clinicians' preparedness to conduct and teach RCA post-training. We provide curriculum details and materials to be adapted for widespread use. Methods:The course was designed to meet the learning objectives through simulation. We developed course materials, including presentations, a role-playing case, and an elaborate RCA case. Learning objectives included (1) basic structure of RCA, (2) process flow diagramming, (3) collecting information for RCA, (4) cause and effect diagramming, and (5) identifying actions and outcomes. We administered a voluntary, web-based survey in November 2016 to participants (N?=?114) post-training to assess their competency with RCA. Results:A total of 93 individuals completed the survey of the 114 invited to participate, culminating an 82% response rate. Nearly all respondents (99%, N?=?92) reported feeling at least moderately to extremely prepared to conduct and teach RCA post-training. Most respondents reported feeling very to extremely prepared to conduct and teach RCA (77%, N?=?72). Conclusions:Experiential learning involving simulations may be effective to improve clinicians' competency in QI/PS practices, including RCA. Further research is warranted to understand how the training affects clinicians' capacity to participate in real RCA teams post-training, as well as applicability to other disciplines and interdisciplinary teams.
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic challenges our ability to provide surgical education, as our ability to gather and train together has been restricted due to safety concerns. However, the importance of quality surgical education has remained. High-fidelity simulation platforms have been developed that merge virtual reality video streams to allow for remote instruction and collaboration. This study sought to validate the use of a merged virtual reality (MVR) platform for the instruction and assessment of the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) skills.MethodsThis was a prospective randomized controlled non-inferiority study. Thirty participants were randomized between three groups: The standard group received in-person instruction and expert feedback, the experimental group received identical training via the MVR platform, and the control group practiced on their own, but received no feedback. All participants were pre-tested for baseline performance at the beginning of the study. Change in performance was evaluated immediately after training and one month later for retention. Ordinary one-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effects of time, group, and time-on-group.ResultsThe pre-test confirmed baseline homogeneity between the groups. MVR was non-inferior to standard in-person training for total FLS times on either the post-test (p = 0.632) or the retention test (p = 0.829). Performance was also identical between MVR and standard training groups for each of the individual FLS tasks. Each group improved significantly in nearly all tasks after practice; however, the standard and MVR training groups both improved significantly more than controls for the ligating loop, extracorporeal suturing, intracorporeal suturing, and total FLS task training but did not reach statistical significance for peg transfer and pattern cut tasks.ConclusionThis randomized, controlled trial has demonstrated the use of an MVR platform as non-inferior to in-person instruction for the FLS program, forming the foundation for future work on remote instruction and collaboration.