scholarly journals Evaluating the Difference between Virtual and Paper-Based Clinical Cases in Family Medicine Undergraduate Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zalika Klemenc-Ketis ◽  
Branka Cagran ◽  
Dejan Dinevski

Introduction. A “virtual patient” is defined as a computer program which simulates real patients’ cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of virtual patients affects the level of factual knowledge of family medicine students at the undergraduate level. Methods. This was a case-controlled prospective study. The students were randomly divided into experimental (EG: N=51) and control (CG: N=48) groups. The students in the EG were asked to practice diagnosis using virtual patients instead of the paper-based clinical cases which were solved by the students in the CG. The main observed variable in the study was knowledge of family medicine, determined by 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) about knowledge of family medicine. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the groups’ initial knowledge. At the final assessment of knowledge, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, but there was a statistically significant difference between their initial and final knowledge. Conclusions. The study showed that adding virtual patient cases to the curriculum, instead of paper clinical cases, did not affect the level of factual knowledge about family medicine. Virtual patients can be used, but a significant educational outcome is not expected.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardus Par

This study aims to explore the difference between the field independent (FI) and field dependent (FD) learners in the area of EFL critical reading skills. To this end, 60 undergraduate EFL students who had taken and passed the Critical Reading course involved as the subjects. The Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT) was administered to classify the students’ cognitive styles into FI and FD groups. Furthermore, to measure the students’ critical reading skills, the critical reading comprehension test (CRCT) in the form of multiple choice questions was developed and administered. The test items were focused on assessing students’ analytical and inferential skills of reading texts, specifically on determining the main idea, the purpose, the tone, making an inference and taking conclusion. The findings indicate that there is a statistically significant difference in the critical reading skills between FI and FD students. More specifically, the differences are in determining the main idea, determining the purpose, making an inference, and taking the conclusion of the texts in the CRCT. Pedagogically, selecting appropriate reading texts to be used in Critical Reading course practice for developing the students’ critical reading skills will be beneficial for both of FI and FD students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 496-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Yılmaz ◽  
Funda Kavak

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia. The patients were recruited from the community mental health centers. This quasiexperimental study was conducted using pretests and posttests with a control group. The participants were 69 patients with schizophrenia; 34 were part of the experimental group and 35 were part of the control group. The patients in the experimental group participated 2 days a week for 6 weeks in a total of 12 sessions which were given in the form of face-to-face group training. The difference between the scale mean posttest scores of the patients in the experimental and control groups was found to be statistically significant ( p < .05). In the intragroup comparisons, a significant difference was found between the stigma mean scores in the experimental group ( p < .05). It was concluded that mindfulness-based psychoeducation was effective in reducing stigma in patients with schizophrenia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
Narayan Subedi ◽  
Indra Prasad Subedi

The diversity of insect pollinators and their impact on crop yield of mustard were studied in Kusma, Parbat, Nepal from December 2018 to April 2019 in four blocks with each having 12 m2 areas. Two plots; treatment and control, were established in each block. Insect diversity was observed from 8 to 16 hrs, with the interval of an hour for three consecutive months (Jan-Feb). Eighty mustard plants were randomly selected, 40 from each plot just before flowering to find the impact of insect pollination on crop yield and these selected plants were examined for various qualitative and quantitative parameters. Altogether 16 species of pollinator insects belonging to five orders and nine families were recorded. Hymenoptera (36 %) was the most abundant order visiting mustard flowers followed by Diptera (34 %), Coleoptera (17 %), Lepidoptera (12 %) and Heteroptera (1 %). The most abundant family was Apidae (35.64 %), followed by Syrphidae (31.84 %). Apis cerana and Eristalis sp. were the most important pollinator insects of mustard. Seven species were found foraging both on pollen and nectar, four species foraging only on nectar and remaining five as casual visitors. The peak foraging activities of majority of the insects were observed between 12 hr to 14 hr. A significant difference was observed in the number of pods (59.80 ± 1.967 and 70.47 ± 2.431), fruit set (70.55 ± 1.362 and 80.94 ± 0.638), number of seeds per pods (16.70 ± 0.248 and 19.30 ± 0.330), diameter of seed (0.133 ± 0.2547 and 0.275 ± 0.0051) and weight of 100 dry seeds (0.33 ± 0.058 and 0.48 ± 0.023) in control and treatment plots whereas, the difference was non-significant in case of pod length between control and treatment plots (P=0.163).


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Leo Saputra ◽  
Farisza Gita ◽  
Ratna Sari Dewi

Objective: To find out the difference in the plaque index scores of FPD users before and after using a 12.5% VCO mouthwash.Methods: The plaque index measurement of an abutment tooth was taken on 40 subjects with FPD in both test and control groups. Subjects used a 12.5% VCO mouthwash or aquades twice a day for 4 days after brushing their teeth. Statistical analysis of the measurement result of the plaque index scores before and after using the coconut oil mouthwash was done using the Wilcoxon test.Results: There is a statistically significant difference in the plaque index scores of FPD users before and after using the 12.5% VCO mouthwash with a statistically significant decrease in plaque index scores among restoration margin locations and tooth brushing habits, but not among age and gender groups.Conclusion: Using a 12.5% VCO mouthwash may decrease the plaque index of fixed prosthetic denture users.


2015 ◽  
Vol 172 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-559
Author(s):  
Ömer Akyürek ◽  
Duran Efe ◽  
Zeynettin Kaya

ObjectiveTo evaluate thoracic periaortic adipose tissue (TAT) volume in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in comparison with controls and in relation to cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsThe study population consisted of 28 newly diagnosed SH patients (mean (s.d.) age: 37.3 (±11.4) years, 85.7% were females) and 37 healthy volunteers (mean (s.d.) age: 35.3 (±10.7) years, 81.5% were females). Comparisons between patient and control groups used demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, and laboratory findings. All participants underwent thoracic radiographic assessment in the supine position, using an eight-slice multidetector computed tomography scanner and TAT volume was measured.ResultsThe TAT volume was determined to be 27.2 (±12.7) cm3 in the SH group and 16.3 (±8.1) cm3 in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). In addition, TSH levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared with the control group (P<0.001). A significant correlation was also found between TSH levels and TAT volume (r=0.572; P<0.001). In SH patients, no significant difference was noted in TAT levels with respect to sex (P=0.383) or concomitant smoking status (P=0.426).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that SH patients have significantly higher TAT values than controls and that increased TAT levels correlate with increased TSH levels.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Secic ◽  
Dzenana Husremovic ◽  
Eldan Kapur ◽  
Zaim Jatic ◽  
Nina Hadziahmetovic ◽  
...  

Testing strategies can either have a very positive or negative effect on the learning process. The aim of this study was to examine the degree of consistency in evaluating the practicality and logic of questions from a medical school pathophysiology test, between students and family medicine doctors. The study engaged 77 family medicine doctors and 51 students. Ten questions were taken from cardiac pathophysiology and 10 questions from pulmonary pathophysiology, and each question was assessed on the criteria of practicality and logic. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used to test the difference between evaluators. On the criteria of logic, only four out of 20 items were evaluated differently by students in comparison to doctors, two items each from the fields of cardiology and pulmonology. On the criteria of practicality, for six of the 20 items there were statistically significant differences between the students and doctors, with three items each from cardiology and pulmonology. Based on these indicative results, students should be involved in the qualitative assessment of exam questions, which should be performed regularly under a strictly regulated process.


1967 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Arimura ◽  
Takashige Saito ◽  
Cyril Y. Bowers ◽  
Andrew V. Schally

ABSTRACT Pituitary adrenal activation in rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) and normal control rats (Brattleboro strain) was studied under various conditions. Plasma corticosterone concentration was essentially the same in resting DI and control rats. No significant difference in plasma corticosterone was observed after giving the animals ether, histamine, vasopressin or acetylcholine. Since DI rats lack vasopressin, these findings provide some evidence that vasopressin is unlikely to be the physiological corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). Epinephrine induced a smaller increase in plasma corticosterone in DI rats than control animals, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% saline resulted in significantly less elevation of plasma corticosterone in DI rats than normal. This suggests certain differences in responses between normal and DI rats depending upon the intensity or nature of the stress. Hypothalamic CRF in control and DI rats was determined using rats treated with chlorpromazine, morphine and Nembutal®. The CRF of hypothalami of DI rats was about half of that of control animals. In the extracts of posterior pituitary lobes, corticotrophin (ACTH) activity was found in almost the same amount in DI and control rats. The posterior pituitary lobe of DI rats lacked CRF activity when tested in neurohypophysectomized rats. Histological examination of the adrenals of DI rats revealed normal structure, suggesting normal ACTH secretion at rest.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-209
Author(s):  
Melvariani Syari Batubara ◽  
Emita Sabri ◽  
Masitta Tanjung

Research the effect of andaliman leaf extract on mice ovaries, volume test material using oral gavage needles as much 0.1 ml / 10 g bb 4 days before and after estrus stage and using RAL non-factorial method consisting of control and treatment group. Treatment consisted of factor test material with dose 2500, 5000, 10000, 20000, 40000 ppm. Chemical content of andaliman leaf extract shown from results study are alkaloids, steroids and saponins. Giving treatment of andaliman leaf extract for 9 days on histological data in the number primary, secondary, De Graff, and atretic follicles experienced fluctuating changes, but statistically did not show a significant difference between treatment and control mice groups, while different results were significantly shown in the number of corpus luteum. Parameters diameter of primary follicles, De Graff, and corpus luteum tended to experience changes that fluctuated, but statistically did not show the difference between the treatment and control mice groups, while the diameter of secondary and atretic follicles showed significantly different results. From the results study, administration of andaliman leaf extract affects histological mice ovaries, because it affects oogenesis and ovulation, but fluctuates, possibly due to crude extract, which has not isolated chemical content.


Author(s):  
Dang Thi Thu Huong ◽  

The current study determines the effectiveness of using task-based language instructions in teaching writing at a high school in Thai Nguyen province. The participants consist of 92 grade 10 students from Bing Yen high school, Dinh Hoa district. The study employs a mix method research design (MMR) as the plan for the research. The results of the study reveals that the results of writing performance were reported at a low level (M=3.72). The results also confirmed that the intervention worked well for the experimental group. The mean score of the pre-test (the baseline for both groups) was M=3.72. The intervention focused on TBLT instructions. After first five weeks, the means of post-test1 were M=4.96 and M=3.83 for experimental group and control group respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean of pre-test and post-test1 for the experimental group (M=3.72 compared to M=4.96), while the control group showed a little improvement (M=3.72 compared to M=3.83) the difference was not significant. After another five weeks, the difference in the mean scores of the experimental group were far more than the mean scores of the control group, M=5.56 and M=4.45 respectively. By the end of the fifteenth week of the intervention, the mean of post-test 3 of the experimental group reached M=6.41, the mean for control group was M=5.54. The difference of the mean scores in the pre-test and post-test revealed a significant improvement in both groups. However, the experimental group showed a greater improvement, M=6.41 and M=5.54 respectively. It can infer that the uses of TBLT writing instruction improved writing achievement greatly.


10.2196/16772 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e16772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Windy SY Chan ◽  
Angela YM Leung

Background Social network sites (SNSs) are widely exploited in health education and communication by the general public, including patients with various conditions. Nevertheless, there is an absence of evidence evaluating SNSs in connecting health professionals for professional purposes. Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility of an intervention aiming to investigate the effects of a continuous professional education program utilizing Facebook to obtain knowledge on dementia and care for patients with dementia. Methods Eighty health professionals from Hong Kong were recruited for participation in the study and randomized at a 1:1 ratio by a block randomization method to the intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The intervention was an 8-week educational program developed to deliver updated knowledge on dementia care from a multidisciplinary perspective, either by Facebook (intervention group) or by email (control group) from October 2018 to January 2019. The primary outcomes were the effects of the intervention, measured by differences in the means of changes in pre- and postintervention scores of knowledge assessments from the 25-item Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and formative evaluation of 20 multiple choice questions. Other outcome measurements included participant compliance, participant engagement in Facebook, satisfaction, and self-perceived uses of Facebook for continuing professional education programs. Results Significantly more intervention group participants (n=35) completed the study than the control group (n=25) (P<.001). The overall retention rate was 75% (60/80). The mean of changes in scores in the intervention group were significant in all assessments (P<.001). A significant difference in the mean of changes in scores between the two groups was identified in the DKAS subscale Communication and Behavior (95% CI 0.4-3.3, P=.02). There was no significant difference in the total DKAS scores, scores of other DKAS subscales, and multiple choice questions. Participant compliance was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<.001). The mean numbers of participants accessing the learning materials were 31.5 (SD 3.9) and 17.6 (SD 5.2) in the intervention and control group, respectively. Polls attracted the highest level of participant engagement, followed by videos. Intervention group participants scored significantly higher in favoring the use of Facebook for the continuing education program (P=.03). Overall, participants were satisfied with the interventions (mean score 4 of a total of 5, SD 0.6). Conclusions The significantly higher retention rate, together with the high levels of participant compliance and engagement, demonstrate that Facebook is a promising tool for professional education. Education delivered through Facebook was significantly more effective at improving participants’ knowledge of how people with dementia communicate and behave. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward utilizing Facebook for professional learning. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility of using Facebook as an intervention delivery tool in a manner that can be rolled out into practical settings.


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