Biomedical subjects

John A Bushnell

Publications and source records attributed to John A Bushnell.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Using a diary to quantify learning activities.

BACKGROUND: Diaries of actual learning activities can fill the gap between the planned curriculum and students' opinions and outcomes. We report the development and validity of such a method, estimate sources of variation and model sampling strategies to determine efficient ways to obtain information about a curriculum or about individual students. METHODS: Following development and piloting, the diary was administered to fourth- and fifth-year medical students. Each student was asked to complete a diary on 3 randomly selected days of the academic year. Sources of variance and generalisability were determined using variance components analysis. Validity was explored by comparing activities with what is known about the curriculum, assessment, timetables and the 2 classes of students. RESULTS: Response rate was 83% (287/345). Learning activities varied as expected with timing of assessments, and on weekdays compared with weekends. For most activities, 14 days per student would be needed to obtain generalisable information about an individual student. The variation between days is greater than the variation between students, meaning that sampling for information on a curriculum should include all students and all days of the year but the number of diaries per student could be kept low depending on the desired power to detect any differences. CONCLUSION: Such an evaluation method is feasible and can provide reliable and valid information about study activities. Reasons for good compliance are discussed. Sampling strategies should be tailored to the purpose of the study.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2004

Are differences between graduates and undergraduates in a medical course due to age or prior degree?

BACKGROUND: The number of medical programmes targeted at graduates is increasing and there are reports of beneficial outcomes. However, many new graduate medical schools have simultaneously changed their admission criteria and curricula. This study aimed to determine whether there were differences between graduates and undergraduates on the same medical course and to establish which differences might be due to having a prior degree, the course itself or age at entry to medical school. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was administered to all students in Years 2-5. It included the Study Process Questionnaire, the Achievement Motivation Profile and Likert scale questions on career. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 587 students (response rate 80.3%), of whom 143 had a prior degree. Whilst having a prior degree was associated with many outcomes, for most this disappeared, and the overall predictive ability of the model improved when age was included. Age at entry to medical school brought certainty and motivation about career choice, a prior degree had some effect on approaches to studying and co-operativeness, while the course itself had effects on most outcomes, some of which were positive and some negative. CONCLUSION: Graduates bring a distinct quality to a course but many of these relate to a student's age. Older age at entry may be more important than having a prior degree.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Epidemiology of pain in New Zealand.

Information on the prevalence of pain in the general population has relevance for the allocation of health services and for understanding of chronic pain. In 1986 a sample of 1498 adults were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Questions on pain were taken from the somatisation section of the interview schedule. These responses were used to determine the lifetime prevalence of pain in the urban population of New Zealand. The majority of subjects reported more than one life disrupting experience of pain. Pain was most common in the joints, back, head and abdomen. Women reported more pain than men. In general the prevalence of pain increased with age, however this was not true for headaches and abdominal pain. Most subjects related their pain symptoms to a physical cause.

Adolescent↗