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: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: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:Accessibility to potentiostats is crucial for research development in electrochemistry, but their cost is the principal drawback for their massive use. With the aim to provide an affordable alternative for resource-constrained communities, we present a low-cost, portable electrochemical workstation that integrates an open-source potentiostat based on Arduino and a smartphone application. This graphical user interface allows easy control of electrochemical parameters and real-time visualization of the results. This potentiostat can perform the most used electrochemical techniques of cyclic and linear voltammetry and chronoamperometry, with an operating range of ±225 μA and ±1.50 V, and results that are comparable with those obtained with commercial potentiostats. Three applications reported here demonstrate the capacity and the good performance of this low-cost potentiostat as a teaching tool: identification of redox pairs, electrochemical characterization of pencil graphite electrodes, and detection of heavy metals using an electrodeposited film of bismuth on the pencil graphite electrode. Furthermore, detailed schemes of the device and its software are entirely available, expecting to provide an open-source potentiostat easy to replicate to further support education in electrochemical fundamentals and instrumentation.
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.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Resistance to antimicrobial agents has become a problem in modern society. Antibiotic resistant bacteria undermine the prevention and treatment of infections. Undergraduate dental students in Europe are required to receive information in aspects of microbiology relevant for dental practice, including oral microbial pathogens and resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial compounds. The objective of this study was to implement a research-based strategy to aid the understanding of the increase in antimicrobial resistance in undergraduate dental student training. The primary outcome of this project is the efficacious delivery of the learning objectives. METHODS:Ten volunteer undergraduate student "ambassadors" were recruited to manage the project with assistance from lead academics. Student ambassadors were a source of peer learning for their colleagues. The project consisted of three phases: Pre-project preparation (in which the ambassadors received special instruction and training); Practical experience (in which the ambassadors worked with volunteer student colleagues to carry out the project); Public presentation of results (in which ambassadors presented study results at a scientific conference of their choosing). RESULTS:A total of 1164 students volunteered for the project, corresponding to an average participation rate of 76.4% students per year of the course. Following final debriefing, student participants and ambassadors were strongly positive in their evaluation of the achievement of 8 key student learning objectives. The results demonstrate that most volunteers improved their knowledge related to antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in microbiology. Additional benefits of participation in this project included an improvement in dental knowledge and ethics in biomedical research for the student volunteers, whilst the student ambassadors reported improved knowledge about critical thinking and study design, as well as a deeper understanding about microbiological analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS:To the best of our knowledge, this the first instance of the application of project-based methodologies to the teaching of a traditionally non-laboratory component of a subject taught in the dentistry curriculum. Results from both students and ambassadors highlighted the increase in dental knowledge and an increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance as the key outcomes of this project.
Project description:IntroductionEthics is an integral component of child and adolescent psychiatry. While ethics can seem abstract or philosophical, its tenets are fundamental to the practice of medicine. Understanding relevant ethical principles shapes how practitioners make decisions in all activities, including clinical, administrative, research, and scholarly.MethodsUsing the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Code of Ethics as the framework, these vignettes serve as stimulus material to help teach the ethical principles relevant to child and adolescent psychiatry practice. Each vignette briefly describes a clinical situation in practice, followed by questions and possible appropriate responses. The teacher's guide includes a discussion of the relevant ethical principles and perspectives on how to think about the issues involved. A supplementary overview of ethical issues in child and adolescent psychiatry and a list of resources are also provided.ResultsWe and other child and adolescent psychiatrists have used this curriculum at professional organizational meetings, in residency programs, and in teaching medical students with positive learner responses.DiscussionThis curriculum was developed by members of the AACAP Ethics Committee with input from the entire committee in an effort to produce material that was easy to use and provided valuable content about an essential aspect of practice that is relevant to all practitioners at all levels. While designed for child and adolescent psychiatrists, the content is relevant to all physicians working with children, adolescents, and families.
Project description:IntroductionCOVID-19 has altered the landscape of traditional surgical education. This is a pilot study of remote coaching and assessment of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) manual skills in obstetrics and gynecology residents.Materials and methodsPGY-3 obstetrics and gynecology residents participated in remote assessment of FLS manual skills using a live streaming platform. Learners who showed deficiencies in proficiency participated in live-streamed coaching sessions. The coaching sessions continued until the learner and coach mutually agreed that the learner was prepared for the skills portion of the FLS certification exam. The primary outcome was learner performance on skills assessment with external validation through the FLS manual skills exam pass rate.ResultsOne learner demonstrated proficiency at baseline and the remaining nine underwent remote coaching sessions. Learners received a mean of two coaching sessions to reach mutually agreed readiness for the FLS exam as per learner and coach. All residents performed significantly better at the conclusion of the remote coaching series (11.3 ± 0.82) as compared to their baseline scores (8.8 ± 2.82) (P < .03; 95% CI, 0.31-4.69). Proficiency was externally validated through the FLS exam taken by each resident 1-2 weeks following their final assessment, with all learners passing the manual portion. The average satisfaction of learners with remote coaching was 77/100 (range 50-100). 100% of learners felt prepared for their FLS certification exam and 100% would recommend this remote training program to a colleague.ConclusionRemote coaching and assessment of FLS skills yields similar results to traditional face-to-face instruction.