scholarly journals Generation of Domains for the Equine Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Outcome Score: Development by Expert Consensus

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Tabor ◽  
Kathryn Nankervis ◽  
John Fernandes ◽  
Jane Williams
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
Physiotherapy Practice ◽  
Performance Functional ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Pain At Rest ◽  
Health Status Measures

Outcome measures (OMs) are a requirement of professional practice standards in human and canine physiotherapy practice for measurement of health status. Measures such as pain and functional capacity of specific regions are used to track treatment impact and can be used to develop optimal management strategies. To achieve comparable patient care in equine physiotherapy, OMs must be incorporated into practice; however, no reliable and valid OMs exist for equine rehabilitation. This study utilised the experience and opinion of a panel of experts working in the equine rehabilitation sphere to gain consensus on the core areas (domains) to be included in a model, to lead to an OM scale for horses undergoing rehabilitation. The Delphi method and content validity ratio testing was used to determine agreement with domains reaching the critical value required for inclusion. The expert panel agreed on ten domains to be included in the OM scale: lameness, pain at rest, pain during exercise, behaviour during exercise, muscular symmetry, performance/functional capacity, behaviour at rest, palpation, balance and proprioception. An OM with these domains would provide a holistic objective assessment tool which could be used by equine rehabilitation professionals in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT-SL) in Parkinson’s Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Travis H. Turner ◽  
Alexandra Atkins ◽  
Richard S.E. Keefe
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Capacity Assessment

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and highly associated with loss of independence, caregiver burden, and assisted living placement. The need for cognitive functional capacity tools validated for use in PD clinical and research applications has thus been emphasized in the literature. The Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT-SL) is a tablet-based instrument that assesses proficiency for performing real world tasks in a highly realistic environment. Objective: The present study explored application of the VRFCAT-SL in clinical assessments of patients with PD. Specifically, we examined associations between VRFCAT-SL performance and measures of cognition, motor severity, and self-reported cognitive functioning. Methods: The VRFCAT-SL was completed by a sample of 29 PD patients seen in clinic for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Fifteen patients met Movement Disorders Society Task Force criteria for mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI); no patients were diagnosed with dementia. Non-parametric correlations between VRFCAT-SL performance and standardized neuropsychological tests and clinical measures were examined. Results: VRFCAT-SL performance was moderately associated with global rank on neuropsychological testing and discriminated PD-MCI. Follow-up analyses found completion time was associated with visual memory, sustained attention, and set-switching, while errors were associated with psychomotor inhibition. No clinical or motor measures were associated with VRFCAT-SL performance. Self-report was not associated with VRFCAT-SL or neuropsychological test performance. Conclusion: The VRFCAT-SL appears to provide a useful measure of cognitive functional capacity that is not confounded by PD motor symptoms. Future studies will examine utility in PD dementia.

Validation of the quality of ultrasound imaging and competence (QUICk) score as an objective assessment tool for the FAST examination

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 1008-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Tyler Ziesmann ◽  
Jason Park ◽  
Bertram J. Unger ◽  
Andrew W. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Ashley Vergis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment

171 The Northeast Georgia Beef Cattle Short Course: An Eight-year Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 93-93
Author(s):  
Marrissa J Blackwell ◽  
Alexa Lamm ◽  
R Lawton Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
University Of Georgia ◽  
Short Course ◽  
Long Term Impact

Abstract A study was conducted to assess the economic impact and knowledge retention of participants that attended the Northeast Georgia Beef Cattle Short course over an eight-year period. The course is an educational program hosted by the University of Georgia Extension Service that brings evidence-based science, technology, and economic and management strategies to Georgia beef cattle producers. The short course is taught annually, lasts a full day, and offers guest speakers and demonstrations from University of Georgia faculty and staff along with industry professionals. Non-formal feedback received from participants showcases its value and supports its continuation, but little is known about how the program impacts beef production in Georgia. The goal of the study was to quantify the long-term impact of the short course while developing an assessment tool that can be used to analyze and improve the course moving forward. Qualtrics was used to distribute a survey to 308 attendees of the short course to gather information on respondents’ role in the cattle industry, knowledge of the concepts taught, comfort level utilizing what was learned, and self-reported economic impact. The response rate was 22% for this study. 41% of respondents are retired individuals, 18% were involved in agricultural production and the remainder of participants represented outside professions. 14% of respondents reported that they believed the knowledge they gained during the short course allowed them to save or gain more than $20 per head. An additional 84% reported an economic impact up to $20/head. The most frequently reported source of cattle information was extension programs, at 17%. Based on these data, Extension has a significant impact on the Georgia cattle industry. In order to further develop the program, the recommendation is made that future courses can be developed to further build relationships with cattle producers and larger operations across the state.

SMaRT Assessment Tool: An Innovative Approach for Objective Assessment of Flap Designs

2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (5) ◽  
pp. 837e-840e
Author(s):  
Mehrad Jaberi ◽  
Jad Abi-Rafeh ◽  
Yehuda Chocron ◽  
Dino Zammit ◽  
Becher Al-Halabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Innovative Approach

scholarly journals Evaluating and Predicting the Effects of Land Use Changes on Hydrology in Wami River Basin, Tanzania

Hydrology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sekela Twisa ◽  
Shija Kazumba ◽  
Mathew Kurian ◽  
Manfred F. Buchroithner
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
River System ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
The Impact

Understanding the variation in the hydrological response of a basin associated with land use changes is essential for developing management strategies for water resources. The impact of hydrological changes caused by expected land use changes may be severe for the Wami river system, given its role as a crucial area for water, providing food and livelihoods. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of land use changes on various elements of the hydrological processes of the basin. Hybrid classification, which includes unsupervised and supervised classification techniques, is used to process the images (2000 and 2016), while CA–Markov chain analysis is used to forecast and simulate the 2032 land use state. In the current study, a combined approach—including a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR)—is used to explore the influences of individual land use classes on fluctuations in the hydrological components. From the study, it is evident that land use has changed across the basin since 2000 (which is expected to continue in 2032), as well as that the hydrological effects caused by land use changes were observed. It has been found that the major land use changes that affected hydrology components in the basin were expansion of cultivation land, built-up area and grassland, and decline in natural forests and woodland during the study period. These findings provide baseline information for decision-makers and stakeholders concerning land and water resources for better planning and management decisions in the basin resources’ use.

scholarly journals Estimating the cost and effectiveness of different STI management strategies for sex workers in Madagascar

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Workers ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Medical Visits ◽  
Syndromic Approach ◽  
The Cost

In Madagascar, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a serious public health problem, particularly among sex workers. A Horizons study conducted in 2000 found approximately two-thirds of female sex workers had an STI, although few were infected with HIV. Since the link between STIs and transmission of HIV has been well established, affordable strategies to manage STIs among sex workers need to be developed. Study investigators also assessed STI management practices in health facilities in two urban areas of Madagascar. Health practitioners were using a syndromic approach, which may be appropriate for managing certain STIs in the general population but is less appropriate for sex workers who may have multiple, often asymptomatic infections. Diagnosing STIs with laboratory tests would make medical visits prohibitively expensive. Researchers developed a risk profile for various STIs based on characteristics of women that present with each STI, such as age, number of partners, symptoms. The investigators hypothesized that a risk assessment tool using these profiles would result in more appropriate and effective STI treatment for sex workers. This summary presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of different strategies to manage STIs among sex workers in Madagascar.

scholarly journals Essential habitat for sardine juveniles in Iberian waters

2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sílvia Rodríguez-Climent ◽  
Maria Manuel Angélico ◽  
Vítor Marques ◽  
Paulo Oliveira ◽  
Laura Wise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Generalized Additive Models ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Spawning Grounds ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Juvenile Abundance ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Core Areas

In a period when the Iberian sardine stock abundance is at its historical minimum, knowledge of the sardine juvenile’s distribution is crucial for the development of fishery management strategies. Generalized additive models were used to relate juvenile sardine presence with geographical variables and spawning grounds (egg abundance) and to model juvenile abundance with the concurrent environmental conditions. Three core areas of juvenile distribution were identified: the Northern Portuguese shelf (centred off Aveiro), the coastal region in the vicinity of the Tagus estuary, and the eastern Gulf of Cadiz. Spatial differences in the relationship between juvenile presence and egg abundances suggest that essential juvenile habitat might partially differ from the prevailing spawning grounds. Models also depicted significant relationships between juvenile abundance, temperature and geographical variables in combination with salinity in the west and with zooplankton in the south. Results indicate that the sardine juvenile distribution along the Iberian Peninsula waters are an outcome of a combination of dynamic processes occurring early in life, such as egg and larva retention, reduced mortality and favourable feeding grounds for both larvae and juveniles.

scholarly journals Teste de Progresso na Escola Médica: uma Revisão Sistemática acerca da Literatura

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ademir Garcia Reberti ◽  
Nayme Hechem Monfredini ◽  
Olavo Franco Ferreira Filho ◽  
Dalton Francisco de Andrade ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Andrade Pinheiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Progress Test ◽  
Advanced Search

Abstract: Progress Test is an objective assessment, consisting of 60 to 150 multiple-choice questions, designed to promote an assessment of the cognitive skills expected at the end of undergraduate school. This test is applied to all students on the same day, so that it is possible to compare the results between grades and analyze the development of knowledge performance throughout the course. This study aimed to carry out a systematic and literary review about Progress Test in medical schools in Brazil and around the world, understanding the benefits of its implementation for the development of learning for the student, the teacher and the institution. The study was carried out from July 2018 to April 2019, which addressed articles published from January 2002 to March 2019. The keywords used were: “Progress Test in Medical Schools” and “Item Response Theory in Medicine” in the PubMed, Scielo, and Lilacs platforms. There was no language limitation in article selection, but the research was carried out in English. A total of 192,026 articles were identified, and after applying advanced search filters, 11 articles were included in the study. The Progress Test (PTMed) has been applied in medical schools, either alone or in groups of partner schools, since the late 1990s. The test results build the students’ performance curves, which allow us to identify weaknesses and strengths of the students in the several areas of knowledge related to the course. The Progress Test is not an exclusive instrument for assessing student performance, but it is also important as an assessment tool for academic management use and thus, it is crucial that institutions take an active role in the preparation and analysis of this assessment data. Assessments designed to test clinical competence in medical students need to be valid and reliable. For the evaluative method to be valid it is necessary that the subject be extensively reviewed and studied, aiming at improvements and adjustments in test performance.

Improving the Selection of Candidates for Royal Marine Recruit Training by the use of a Combination of Performance Tests

2004 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
A. J. Allsopp ◽  
A. Shariff
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Psychomotor Tests ◽  
Training Centre ◽  
Selection Strategies ◽  
Personal Qualities ◽  
Recruit Training ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractCandidates who wish to undertake Royal Marine recruit training, a physically strenuous course which now extends 32 weeks, must first of all successfully complete a Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA) and four psychomotor tests (Naval Recruiting Tests or RTs) before attending a three-day selection course at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, where their Physical capabilities are tested to the full. The effectiveness of theses procedures was untested until the Institute of Naval Medicine conducted a retrospective study during 1999-2000 from which the present study is taken.Data from 1232 recruits were examined to explore the relationship between the outcome of Commando training (pass or fail) with these various selection measures. Estimated aerobic power, time to complete the assault course and age were associated with outcome, as were PQA, RTs 1, 3, 4 and total RT score. A regression equation comprising aerobic fitness, assault course time, RT4 and age gave the best overall prediction of outcome (64%). It is suggested that this mathematical approach provides a scientifically valid and objective assessment tool for future selection strategies.

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