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Biomedical subjects

W A Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to W A Thomson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Results of a summer academy to increase minority student access to allied health and other health professions.

To promote interest among incoming ninth grade students at two specialized high schools for health professions, and to help these students prepare for the upcoming high school experience and for pursuit of education and careers in allied health and other health professions, a three-week Summer Health Professions Academy was established. Students, 82.8% of whom were African American or Hispanic, participated in relevant didactic and experiential activities, with emphasis on allied health. Science, problem solving, communications, health career counseling, and allied health career exploration activities are described. Results of instruments administered both prior to and following the Academy indicated that students improved their abilities to analyze and solve science problems, and increased their knowledge of the nine primarily allied health professions emphasized during the program. Students also demonstrated heightened awareness of the factors that could impede their pursuit of allied health professions and other health careers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Baylor's program to attract minority students and others to science and medicine.

To attract minority students and others to careers in medical practice and biomedical research and to prepare them for such careers, Baylor College of Medicine conducts a variety of summer enrichment programs and other programs to improve how science is presented to students in their preprofessional years from elementary grades through college. These efforts aim to increase the number of competitive candidates for medical school, particularly those from minority groups underrepresented in medicine. They entail close collaboration between the Baylor administration and faculty from Texas public schools and two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The authors discuss the rationale for these programs and comment about the need for institutional commitments of faculty and financial support. They note that these programs are an investment in the future and that longitudinal assessment is needed to determine their ultimate success.

Advertising↗
PubMed1991

Survey of 1975-1987 graduates of Houston's High School for Health Professions.

Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Independent School District created in 1972 the Houston High School for Health Professions (HSHP). Fifteen years later, Baylor conducted a follow-up study of HSHP graduates to determine whether the high school has been successful in encouraging and supporting young people to pursue health professional careers. Of the 2,033 students who graduated from the HSHP between 1975 and 1987, 951 (46.8%) returned usable responses to the survey. The results raised some concerns about the value of the high school's counseling services and showed that financial barriers posed problems for many students in their pursuit of health-related careers. Also, the results suggest that gender stereotyping may influence the students' career choices. Overall, however, the results of the survey were clearly favorable and provide evidence that the HSHP has been successful in fostering its students' pursuit of careers in the health professions and related careers.

Career Choice↗
PubMed1991

A follow-up study of allied health educational and career interests of graduates of a high school for health professions.

In response to reports and trends suggesting a national shortage of health professionals, a survey was administered to graduates from Houston's High School for Health Professions, in part to measure their interests in pursuing higher education and careers in the allied health fields. Project administrators were concerned that only 82 of 1,028 survey respondents indicating a career choice (8.0%) expressed interests in allied health. The career choices, educational pursuits, perceptions regarding likelihood of career attainment, and factors influencing career attainment of these 82 respondents were examined. Ultimately, it is believed that many students are unaware of allied health professions, and that others simply do not perceive allied health disciplines as attractive career options. Results of this study are consistent with other reports suggesting that new strategies must be employed nationally to promote greater participation in allied health, especially by groups previously underrepresented in these professions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Perceptions of CRNAs: current and future roles--Part II.

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, to identify current roles and future role perceptions for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) using the delphi methodology. Second, to analyze the level of agreement or disagreement of anesthesiologists and CRNAs with the identified roles. A survey instrument was developed using the delphi methodology which involved five CRNAs and five anesthesiologists. The instruments with a dimensional rating scale were labeled "Current Roles for CRNAs" and "Future Role Perceptions for CRNAs." The former instrument contained 26 items and the latter contained 28 items. Participants in this study were randomly selected from the active memberships of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Usable responses were obtained from 369 of the 684 CRNAs and 354 of the 1,400 anesthesiologists. Analysis of the data revealed there were significant differences between the two professions on all roles. There was evidence of extreme polarity on roles relating to expanded practice, independent practice, the role of CRNAs on the anesthesia care team, and nontraditional practice settings. CRNAs differed from anesthesiologists in their role as nurse anesthesia educators. Anesthesiologists who worked with CRNAs were influenced in their support of CRNA roles, except for roles in independent and expanded practice, and responded differently from anesthesiologists who did not work with CRNAs. The conclusions were as follows: 1. CRNAs and anesthesiologists differ in support for expanded practice in both current and future perceptions. 2. CRNAs and anesthesiologists differ on the issue of independent practice. 3. The perception of anesthesiologists relative to the anesthesia care team appeared to be influenced by a working relationship with CRNAs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed1988

Health behavior and beliefs of students in traditional and health-oriented high schools.

Based in part on the national health objectives, a survey of health behavior and beliefs was administered to ninth and 12th grade students at a traditional and a health-oriented high school. Responses indicated a high level of awareness among both groups for the importance of widely acknowledged health practices, but the health-oriented high school students consistently rated the behaviors and beliefs as "more important" than their counterparts. Both groups, however, indicated the practice of beliefs and behavior was yet to be fully realized. These findings suggest the need for continued effort to encourage behavioral practices consistent with the knowledge already present in this school-age population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

A longitudinal evaluation of graduate programs in allied health education and administration.

A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted of 196 graduates of allied health education and administration programs in Texas. The study assessed the graduates' continued presence as educators and their career patterns, experiences related to teaching, research, service, administrative leadership, job satisfaction, and perceived continuing education needs. The conclusions drawn from the results of the study were that the graduates are instructional and administrative resources for colleges, universities, and hospitals located in Texas and 23 other states; have exemplary records related to teaching, research, service, and other faculty activities; and are generally satisfied with their current employment. Application of computer technology was the most frequently cited continuing education need of the graduates.

Administrative Personnel↗