Teaching Disaster Medicine With a Novel Game-Based Computer Application: A Case Study at Sichuan University

Author(s):  
Hai Hu ◽  
Zihan Liu ◽  
Hao Li

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of our game-based pedagogical technique by comparing the learning, enjoyment, interest, and motivation of medical students who learned about best practices for patient surge in a natural disaster with a novel game-based computer application, with those of medical students who learned about it with a traditional lecture. Methods: We conducted our study by modifying an existing optional course in disaster medicine that we taught at Sichuan University. More specifically, in 2017, while our application was still in development, we taught this course by lecture. In this iteration, 63 third-grade medical students voluntarily joined our course as our ‘lecture group.’ Once our application was complete in 2018, 68 third-grade medical students voluntarily joined this course as the ‘game group.’ We examined the different effects of these learning methods on student achievement using pre -, post -, and final tests. Results: Both teaching methods significantly increased short-term knowledge and there was no statistical difference between the 2 methods (p > 0.05). However, the game group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge retention than the traditional lecture group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our game-based computer application proved to be an effective tool for teaching medical students best practices for caring for patient surge in a natural disaster.

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather E. Kaiser ◽  
Daniel J. Barnett ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Thomas D. Kirsch ◽  
James J. James ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground: Although the training of future physicians in disaster preparedness and public health issues has been recognized as an important component of graduate medical education, medical students receive relatively limited exposure to these topics. Recommendations have been made to incorporate disaster medicine and public health preparedness into medical school curricula. To date, the perspectives of future physicians on disaster medicine and public health preparedness issues have not been described.Methods: A Web-based survey was disseminated to US medical students. Frequencies, proportions, and odds ratios were calculated to assess perceptions and self-described likelihood to respond to disaster and public health scenarios.Results: Of the 523 medical students who completed the survey, 17.2% believed that they were receiving adequate education and training for natural disasters, 26.2% for pandemic influenza, and 13.4% for radiological events, respectively; 51.6% felt they were sufficiently skilled to respond to a natural disaster, 53.2% for pandemic influenza, and 30.8% for radiological events. Although 96.0% reported willingness to respond to a natural disaster, 93.7% for pandemic influenza, and 83.8% for a radiological event, the majority of respondents did not know to whom they would report in such an event.Conclusions: Despite future physicians' willingness to respond, education and training in disaster medicine and public health preparedness offered in US medical schools is inadequate. Equipping medical students with knowledge, skills, direction, and linkages with volunteer organizations may help build a capable and sustainable auxiliary workforce. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:210–216)


POCUS Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-17
Author(s):  
Rimi Sambi, MD ◽  
Heather Sawula, MD ◽  
Brent Wolfrom, MD ◽  
Joseph Newbigging, MD

As point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) becomes increasingly popular and a standard of care in many clinical settings, the interest for integration in medical undergraduate curriculum is also growing [1]. This project aims to assess whether formal bedside Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma (FAST) exam training of medical students increases their knowledge and comfort with the use of bedside ultrasound in a family medicine setting at Queen’s University. Third year medical students (n=18) were recruited to participate in a training session involving a 1-hour online video and 2-hour hands-on session. Knowledge based surveys were completed before and after the training. A survey was completed 4 months after the teaching session evaluating knowledge retention, comfort, and application of skills. Student knowledge of PoCUS and FAST increased and was maintained (pre-training 56%±20%, post-training 82%±10%, p<0.001). Self-evaluation of comfort performing a FAST examination (5-point Likert scale) similarly increased post-training session (pre-training 1.4±0.8, post-training 3.8±0.9, p<0.005), but decreased 4 months later (3±1.2, p<0.005). Students in this study were unanimously interested in ultrasound training and the methods used effectively increased theoretical knowledge and comfort with use. Students did not retain their comfort levels with FAST exam 4 months after the training session, nor did they have the opportunity to utilize the skills learned. Further evidence is required to identify the applicability of these results to undergraduate curriculum development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110207
Author(s):  
Brad D Gable ◽  
Asit Misra ◽  
Devin M Doos ◽  
Patrick G Hughes ◽  
Lisa M Clayton ◽  
...  

Background: Mass casualty and multi-victim incidents have increased in recent years due to a number of factors including natural disasters and terrorism. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommends that medical students be trained in disaster preparedness and response. However, a majority of United States medical students are not provided such education. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1 day, immersive, simulation-based Disaster Day curriculum. Settings and Design: Learners were first and second year medical students from a single institution. Materials and Methods: Our education provided learners with information on disaster management, allowed for application of this knowledge with hands-on skill stations, and culminated in near full-scale simulation where learners could evaluate the knowledge and skills they had acquired. Statistical analysis used: To study the effectiveness of our Disaster Day curriculum, we conducted a single-group pretest-posttest and paired analysis of self-reported confidence data. Results: A total of 40 first and second year medical students participated in Disaster Day as learners. Learners strongly agreed that this course provided new information or provided clarity on previous training, and they intended to use what they learned, 97.6% and 88.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Medical students’ self-reported confidence of key disaster management concepts including victim triage, tourniquet application, and incident command improved after a simulation-based disaster curriculum. This Disaster Day curriculum provides students the ability to apply concepts learned in the classroom and better understand the real-life difficulties experienced in a resource limited environment.


Author(s):  
Hilary Humphreys ◽  
Niall Stevens ◽  
Louise Burke ◽  
Mariam Sheehan ◽  
Siobhán Glavey ◽  
...  

AbstractPathology is important in training to become a medical doctor but as curricula become more integrated, there is a risk that key aspects of pathology may be excluded. Following a survey of the current delivery of teaching in Ireland under the auspices of the Faculty of Pathology at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, suggested components of a core curriculum in pathology have been developed to be delivered at some stage during the medical course. These have been based on key principles and themes required by the Medical Council in Ireland. Professionalism is one of the core principles emphasised by the Medical Council. It includes the role of the pathologist in patient care and other professional values such as patient-centred care, clinical competencies and skills, e.g. explaining results, and knowledge under the various sub-disciplines, i.e. histopathology (including neuropathology), clinical microbiology, haematology, chemical pathology and immunology. In each of these, we suggest key aspects and activities that the medical graduate should be comfortable in carrying out. The methods of delivery of teaching and assessment across pathology disciplines have evolved and adapted to recent circumstances. Lessons have been learned and insights gained during the COVID-19 pandemic as educators have risen to the challenge of continuing to educate medical students. Integrated and multi-disciplinary teaching is recommended to reflect best the professional environment of the medical graduate who works as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team, with the minimum dependence on the traditional lecture, where at all possible. Finally, options on assessment are discussed, e.g. multiple-choice questions, including their respective advantages and disadvantages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s83-s83
Author(s):  
Luca Ragazzoni ◽  
Andrea Conti ◽  
Marta Caviglia ◽  
Fabio Maccapani ◽  
Francesco Della Corte

Introduction:Disaster medicine has been identified as a fundamental discipline for health professionals. In Italy, the role of physicians during disaster response is officially recognized by the Italian Code of Medical Ethics and by the Ministry of Education. Nevertheless, few Italian medical schools include this discipline in their curricula.Aim:With the aim of teaching basic knowledge of disaster medicine to Italian medical students, Research Center in Emergency and Disaster Medicine (CRIMEDIM) and Italian Medical Students’ Association (SISM) developed DisasterSISM, a nationwide training project in disaster medicine.Methods:DisasterSISM consists of three courses: Basic, Advanced, and Train-of-Trainers (ToT). The Basic courses are managed by medical students who are trained during the one-week intense ToT. All courses are delivered using innovative training methodologies, such as e-learning, peer education, table-top exercises, and virtual reality simulations.Results:From 2012 to 2018, a total of 122 courses (111 Basic, 5 Advanced, and 6 ToT) have been delivered. DisasterSISM reached 37 out of 45 Italian medical schools, training more than 2,500 students. A survey conducted after the end of each course showed that participants considered the knowledge in Disaster Medicine essential for their future profession, regardless of the specialty chosen. Students also expressed their appreciation about the blended-learning approach, with a predilection for virtual reality simulations. The comparison between the entrance and the final exam scores showed a significant increase in knowledge.Discussion:In six years, DisasterSISM reached the majority of Italian medical schools, providing disaster medicine knowledge to hundreds of undergraduates. Considering the fast growth and diffusion of the project, the significant increase of knowledge, and the positive feedback received from participants, we suggest that the DisasterSISM model be implemented in other countries to widely disseminate information about prevention and disaster preparedness among medical students and health professionals.


Author(s):  
CS Ahuja ◽  
NM Alotaibi ◽  
S Wang ◽  
B Davidson ◽  
T Mainprize ◽  
...  

Background: High volumes, ill patients, and steep learning curves can make neurosurgical rotations challenging for medical students. Furthermore, existing rotations often lack neurosurgery-specific orientation materials and level-appropriate pre-reading resources reducing the educational yield of short rotations. This is compounded by the lack of mandatory neurosurgical rotations across medical schools. We hypothesized that a “Neurosurgery Clerkship Manual” covering key orientation, knowledge, and practical topics would enhance educational experiences and generate sustained knowledge retention. Methods: Students rotating through neurosurgery at three hospitals were randomized to receive(intervention) or not receive(control) free access to the manual before their rotation. Participants completed surveys before, immediately after, and 4-weeks after the rotation assessing expectations, experiences, and clinically-relevant knowledge. Results: 61 participants were randomized between 2014 and 2017 with 43(70.5%) completing all three questionnaires. Baseline demographics, characteristics, and experiences were not significantly different. Those receiving the manual reported increased rotation enjoyment(p=0.02), decreased stress levels (p=0.05), and a greater feeling of being “part of the team”(p=0.01). There were also reductions in feeling like they were “not learning” (p=0.01). Finally, those receiving the manual demonstrated significantly better knowledge after the rotation (91.6%vs80.9%;p=0.04) which was sustained at 4-weeks post-rotation (89.2%vs79.0%;p=0.05). Conclusions: A simple and inexpensive clerkship manual can improve the neurosurgery rotation experience and knowledge retention for medical students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 158 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-973
Author(s):  
Andrew Q. Ta ◽  
Christopher G. Tang

Social media is no longer new, even in the professional medical world. It is an established and relatively public medium, and all users would do well to understand the risks associated with it. Medical personnel—whether medical student or staff physician—must familiarize themselves with it to ensure positive outcomes. As with other technologies, best practices will evolve with time, but existing and ongoing research can establish working use guidelines.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Valio Dominguez Gonzalez

Currently, the challenge for researchers and managers in the area of knowledge management is to study methods and models that promote and facilitate the acquisition, retention, distribution and utilization of knowledge by individuals and groups of organizations. The main objective of this paper is to analyze how a company that operates in multi-site service sector is organized internally in order to retain the acquired knowledge. The research strategy used is the simple case study, applied in a large multinational company. The findings points out that the service providing organizations should focus their knowledge retention process in a specific department toward this goal. This department has the task of identifying and registering the best practices and learned lessons among all the employees working on different clients in databases, in addition, to promote the integration of these employees in order to promote the distribution of tacit knowledge.


CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S86-S86
Author(s):  
A. Chin ◽  
A. Helman ◽  
T.M. Chan

Introduction: Podcasts have become increasingly popular as a medium for free online access medical education (FOAM). However, little research has examined the naturalistic use of podcasts as a tool in undergraduate medical education. This study aims to determine usage conditions, preferences, and level of retention of information from podcasts by medical students at a Canadian University. Methods: Medical students (Years 1 to 3) were instructed to complete an online test assessing their baseline knowledge on the topics of the podcasts and for qualitative data on podcast usage and preferences. Audio podcasts on two topics (adult asthma, and introduction to toxicology) were then distributed to study participants. One week and two weeks after the initial survey students were asked to complete a follow-up survey for knowledge assessment and further podcast usage data. Simple descriptive statistical generated using Microsoft Excel. Paired samples t-tests were utilized to assess knowledge acquisition using Microsoft SPSS version 23. Results: Participants who successfully completed the knowledge assessments demonstrated a significant effect of learning (Asthma, average test score improvement of 30%, p=0.002; Toxicology, average test score improvement of 13%, p=0.004). The majority of participants who stated a preference in podcast length indicated they preferred podcasts of 30 or less minutes (85%). The top three activities participants were engaged in while listening to the podcasts were driving (46%), completing chores (26%), and exercising (23%). A large number of participants who did not complete the study in its entirety cited a lack of time and podcast length to be the top two barriers to completion. Conclusion: This is one of the first studies to examine podcast usage data and preferences in a Canadian undergraduate medical student population. This information may help educators and FOAM producers to optimize educational tools for medical education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s101-s101
Author(s):  
Hai Hu

Introduction:Classroom instruction of disaster medicine for medical students is complicated and lacks attraction. Nowadays a novel method, which is named Game-Based Learning (GBL), has been used in other fields and received good feedback.Aim:To apply GBL to the teaching process of disaster medicine and discuss the effect of its application.Methods:A computer game was devised based on a syllabus of disaster medicine and employed it in classes of disaster medicine for medical students. Then a questionnaire about the application of GBL in education was used inquiring the demands of medical students for the designing of GBL in disaster medicine, including their platform and game mode preferences. Feedback was collected and data was analyzed after the class.Results:201 questionnaires were issued, and the valid rate was 100%. From the responses, 77% of medical students considered the application of GBL in education on disaster medicine was necessary, and 73% of the respondents thought it was practical. Furthermore, over 90% of medical students expressed their expectation for the adoption of GBL. According to another survey of 51 medical students we conducted, after attending a class about knowledge of injury classification with one board game adopted, most of the students believed GBL was better than traditional methods of teaching.Discussion:There is a high approbation degree among medical students to the adoption of GBL in the teaching process of disaster medicine, which suggests a great possibility for the application of GBL in medical education. It is concluded that GBL can be used in the teaching process of disaster medicine.


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