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PubMed2004

The effects of an interactive software application on the self-assessment ability of dental students.

A randomised controlled trial was designed to test an Internet-based interactive application as a stand-alone support for the development of self-assessment skills among second-year dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malmö, Sweden. Fifty-two students were randomised into an experimental (n = 26) and a control group (n = 26). Both groups went through four identical learning cases in elementary clinical Periodontology during a period of 1 month. The experimental group received the cases with the interactive software, while the control group received them through a static web page. After the end of the learning phase, both groups were assessed blindly by two assessors during the interactive examination methodology. There was a moderate agreement between the two assessors, but both failed to find any significant differences between the two groups with regard to self-assessment skills and overall performance of the students. Students positively received the Internet support, but several attitude differences were observed between the two groups during the study. Time on task and competence with computers were positively correlated to assessment results for both groups. On the basis of these findings, it remains unclear if computer-based applications with automated feedback can constitute an effective remedial support for the improvement of self-assessment skills of students. In addition, for such applications to be successfully accepted, two factors are critical: students must have a clear perception of the benefits deriving from the use of the software and the use of the software should be integrated in the curriculum, replacing some of the existing workload.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed2006

Process evaluation results from the Healthy Directions-Small Business study.

The Healthy Directions-Small Business randomized, controlled study aimed to reduce cancer risk among multiethnic workers in small manufacturing businesses by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and daily multivitamin in take and decreasing consumption of red meat. The intervention incorporated participatory strategies and was built on a social-contextual framework that addressed people with varying cultural backgrounds and literacy levels. In addition, the intervention aimed to reduce worker exposure to occupational hazards. Process evaluation was conducted using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative results showed high levels of worker awareness of and participation in programs. Qualitative findings suggested that management support, worker input, and a history of social interaction between workers and management may have contributed to high participation rates. Future studies need to examine characteristics associated with participation and nonparticipation of both managers and nonmanagers to increase the likelihood of participation and ultimately improve health behavior.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2004

National and regional health information infrastructures: making use of information technology to promote access to evidence.

The vision for national and regional health information infrastructures (HII) includes provision of a framework that is supportive of access and integration of health information with the goal of improving the health and safety of individuals, public health systems, and nations. Internationally, prominent examples of national and regional HIIs exist that provide a means for achievement of this goal. However, to fully realize benefits, an explicit mechanism is needed for linking national and regional HIIs with existing knowledge, automated processes and evaluation of the ability of HIIs to meet the information needs of primary recipients. Using the United States' Na-tion Health Information Infrastructure (NHII) as an example, the authors describe expansion of the conceptual framework to explicitly acknowledge the role of access to evidence at the overlap between the three dimensions of the NHII to create an "evidence-based" link between interrelated components. The role of national measures in setting e-communication goals and evaluating the evolving infrastructure in meeting informational needs of users is discussed. Additionally, automated knowledge management tools such as practice guidelines are presented as a means by which access to critical information is delivered to users, in a format that is appropriate for their health literacy level and that provides adequate support for informed decision making.

Decision Support Techniques↗
PubMed1991

Traditional birth attendants in an endemic area of tetanus neonatorum in Thailand: pitfalls in the control program.

A survey of the characteristics of traditional birth attendants in Krabi Province, Thailand, where the incidence rate of tetanus neonatorum was the highest in the country, was conducted in order to obtain background information necessary for planning a training curriculum and to evaluate previous training courses. Five second year medical students were used as research assistants. After the questionnaire was constructed and tested, the students went to visit a sample of 116 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to interview them about their personal backgrounds, techniques and practices in delivery and beliefs and attitudes towards midwifery. The study revealed that these TBAs were a mixture of Buddhist and Islamic females whose literacy rate was 53 percent. Ninety-one per cent knew about the availability of an injection for antenatal care at the health center, but only about half knew that it was for tetanus prevention. More than half provided antenatal care at their own home but 85 per cent conducted delivery at the client's home. About eighty per cent of the TBAs claimed that sterilization of instruments was performed. However, dressing of the umbilical cord was done inappropriately using various kinds of powders by about 40 per cent. The majority of TBAs had experience with complicated labors but only 30 per cent were referred, perhaps, due to excessive self-confidence and supernatural beliefs. The trained TBAs possessed a higher level of knowledge of immunization and sterile techniques for cord cutting and dressing of the stumps of the umbilical cord than the untrained group. However, knowledge of sterilization of instruments was not significantly different, indicating a need to improve teaching in this area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Asepsis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is acculturation related to use of hearing protection?

Noise-exposed employees with limited English skills may pose a special challenge for hearing conservation programs. This pilot field study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding use of hearing protective devices in a largely Hispanic group of 88 workers exposed to industrial noise. Effectiveness of hearing protection was determined through field measurements of personal attenuation ratings. Individual scores on an acculturation scale (first language learned, language at home, degree of literacy in English, preferred language) demonstrated a correlation between a low degree of acculturation and low personal attenuation rating (R2= 0.49, p=0.0001). Low acculturation was also correlated with high-perceived barriers to use of hearing protection (p=0.006). Although neither self reports of self-efficacy nor perceived benefits of hearing protection correlated with personal attenuation rating, perceived barriers to hearing protector use was a significant predictor of hearing protector fit (p=0.05). These results indicate that less acculturated workers may be underutilizing hearing protection in the workplace partly due to perceived barriers to use of hearing protective devices. To be effective, hearing conservation training programs in work sites with an immigrant work force need to address language and cultural barriers to the use of hearing protection.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2006

Developing a Web-based education and counseling program for heart failure patients.

This paper describes a 2-phase method utilized to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a Web-based program targeted to the specific learning needs of elderly patients with heart failure. In the first phase, informational resources specific to the needs of elderly patients were identified using aspects of participant-focused research. Data from 69 patients were obtained through a structured interview and later reviewed with health care providers and patient representatives. Items deemed important by the patients and health care providers were incorporated into the Internet-based program that was drafted for the study. The second phase of the process entailed obtaining data to support the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention by providing 12 patient volunteers access to the Internet-based program that was developed. After 2 weeks, the authors contacted the volunteers and asked them about their experiences with accessing and navigating the Web page. The authors found that elderly persons with limited computer skills can and will use Web resources to obtain information when given adequate instructions on how to access the Web pages.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Social and ethical dimensions of nanoscale science and engineering research.

Continuing advances in human ability to manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular levels (i.e. nanoscale science and engineering) offer many previously unimagined possibilities for scientific discovery and technological development. Paralleling these advances in the various science and engineering sub-disciplines is the increasing realization that a number of associated social, ethical, environmental, economic and legal dimensions also need to be explored. An important component of such exploration entails the identification and analysis of the ways in which current and prospective researchers in these fields conceptualize these dimensions of their work. Within the context of a National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in nanomaterials processing and characterization at the University of Central Florida (2002-2004), here I present for discussion (i) details of a "nanotechnology ethics" seminar series developed specifically for students participating in the program, and (ii) an analysis of students' and participating research faculty's perspectives concerning social and ethical issues associated with nanotechnology research. I conclude with a brief discussion of implications presented by these issues for general scientific literacy and public science education policy.

Attitude↗
PubMed1990

Twin children in volunteer registries: biases in parental participation and reporting.

The biases in voluntary participation by adult twins are well known but less attention has been paid to twin children where parents decide on participation and provide much of the information. Several aspects of reporting including the assessment of zygosity are compared in four large Australian data bases: 1) a nationwide compulsory (and hence representative) survey of literacy and numeracy; 2) a nationwide "Twins in School" survey of parents and teachers of twins run through Education Departments and AMBA, the parents organisation in conjunction with LaTrobe; 3) the LaTrobe Twin Study which is a longitudinal program involving frequent interactions between families and researchers, and 4) the Australian NHMRC Twin Registry which has surveyed a large sample of their families with twin children by mail. One potential bias comes when recruitment is on a continuing basis as in the LaTrobe Twin Study and the Australian Twin Registry when differences between "early" and "late" enrolling families arise. One difference between the four samples arose from parents being much more likely to contrast their twins and to report problems in one but not the other, whereas teachers' and psychologists' assessments of these same children generally reported much smaller intrapair differences. Future studies should have some common questions to provide comparative data on such biases. Key questions are proposed for this area, mainly on the perceived need for different forms of remediation, together with other recommendations about the minimal essential baseline data set for a registry.

Attitude↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of a computer intervention on the psychological status of chronically ill rural women: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Adaptation to chronic illness is a lifelong process presenting numerous psychological challenges. It has been shown to be influenced by participating in support groups. Rural women with chronic illness face additional burdens as access to information, healthcare resources, and sources of support are often limited. Developing virtual support groups and testing the effects on psychosocial indicators associated with adaptation to chronic illness may help remove barriers to adaptation. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a computer-delivered intervention on measures of psychosocial health in chronically ill rural women including social support, self-esteem, empowerment, self-efficacy, depression, loneliness, and stress. METHODS: An experimental design was used to test a computer-delivered intervention and examine differences in psychosocial health between women who participated in the intervention (n = 44) and women in a control group (n = 56). RESULTS: Differences between women who participated in the intervention and controls were found for self-esteem, F(1,98) = 5.97, p =.016; social support, F(1,98) = 4.43, p =.038; and empowerment, F(1,98) = 6.06, p =.016. A comparison of means for depression, loneliness, self-efficacy, and stress suggests that differences for other psychosocial variables are possible. DISCUSSION: The computer-based intervention tested appears to result in improved self-esteem, social support, and empowerment among rural women with chronic illness. Descriptive but nonsignificant differences were found for other psychosocial variables (depression, loneliness, self-efficacy, and stress); women who participated in the intervention appeared to improve more than women in the control group.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Together we are heard: effectiveness of daily 'language' groups in a community preschool.

Strong oral language skills are a prerequisite for successful literacy and there is a strong interdependence between oral language acquisition and emergent literacy development. Ramifications of this are that children with language impairments are at great risk for difficulties in learning to read and write, with problems often persisting throughout the school years into adulthood. The Together we are heard program involved improving each child's oral language skills through group sessions facilitated by a speech pathologist on a daily basis at preschool. The aim of the present research was to determine the effectiveness of the program to identify the best way to assist children to develop appropriate language skills. The study showed that the children improved significantly in all four levels of the Preschool Language Assessment Inventory (PLAI). Importantly, the program was effective for both genders and there was no difference in the success of Indigenous children when compared to their European counterparts. There is a strong recommendation for further research and to expand such programs, particularly in areas that target children from impoverished and deprived environmental backgrounds.

Child Day Care Centers↗
PubMed2006

Improving library services for graduate nurse students in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Graduate students are expected to have basic information literacy skills. Knowing how to access and select relevant information and then utilize that information is a necessary skill in today's knowledge and information-age world. In the health-care sector, the rise in evidence-based medicine has brought into focus the importance of information literacy skills for nurses. In the case described, information literacy skills are embedded in the curriculum and strengthened in collaboration with library staff. AIMS: To identify graduate student nurses' use of the library, and the library's response to findings. METHODS: A case-study approach was used with both quantitative and qualitative data. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all nurses enrolled in graduate courses in the second semester of 2002. Interviews were then undertaken with library staff. RESULTS: The university library services were not used by 43% of graduate nursing students and the library responded by developing a number of initiatives. CONCLUSIONS: Finding a deficit in use of the library by graduate nurses, this paper outlines the response by the library to improving awareness of services, access and providing education in a bid to improve literacy skills.

Computer Literacy↗
PubMed1998

Using multimedia for patient information--a program about nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the information needs of children with nocturnal enuresis, and to design, produce and evaluate an interactive computer program to provide this information. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The program was developed over an 18-month period using information provided by children, parents and professionals, and was evaluated in a hospital-based enuresis clinic in 65 children. Usability and knowledge gained were also evaluated in 43 healthy children aged 8-10 years attending a local inner-city primary school. RESULTS: An interactive program about nocturnal enuresis was developed, which runs on a personal computer and uses sound, voice, cartoon drawings and animation in a modular design. Knowledge scores increased in clinic attendees and in schoolchildren after using the program (Wilcoxon matched pairs test, P < 0.001). This improvement was maintained when the program was re-tested 6-10 months later. CONCLUSION: This interactive computer program holds children's attention and increases their understanding of enuresis. Interactive multimedia may be useful to complement the information provided by health professionals. This method of communication may be particularly useful for children with a low level of literacy.

CD-ROM↗
PubMed1991

Using medical genetics applications to educate for computer competence.

This article proposes specific areas of computing competence and illustrates how these skills can be acquired as an integral part of the curriculum of medical genetics. Geneticists are at the forefront in the use of computers for medical care, because of the driving force of the Human Genome Project. Computer searching of international data bases is the most efficient method to keep current with the explosion in molecular genetics data and with its immediate relevance to clinical care. The use of computers in genetics education could go far beyond the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to show how to use computer systems to assist with clinical decisions. The proposed basic computer skills can be obtained using genetics software. The six proposed skills include the use of (1) microcomputers, (2) productivity software, (3) CAI, patient simulations and specific application programs, (4) remote computers, (5) data bases and knowledge bases, and (6) computers to improve the clinical care of patients.

Clinical Medicine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computerized patient care documentation. Educational applications in the baccalaureate curriculum.

This baccalaureate program integrated computerized patient care documentation with courses in nursing fundamentals and health assessment. Using an information system designed for acute care settings, students become familiar with computer use while learning documentation of care and other nursing skills. Computer literacy may be enhanced with integration of content and increased exposure to different information systems.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2002

Using a decade of data on medical student computer literacy for strategic planning.

PURPOSE: From 1991 through 2000, incoming medical students (M-Is) at the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University have been surveyed with a written questionnaire on their computer literacy. The survey's purpose is to learn the students' levels of knowledge, skill, and experience with computer technology to guide instructional services and facilities. METHODOLOGY: The questionnaire was administered during M-I orientation or mailed to students' homes after matriculation. It evolved from sixteen questions in 1991 to twenty-three questions in 2000, with fifteen questions common to all. RESULTS: The average survey response rate was 81% from an average of 177 students. Six major changes were introduced based on information collected from the surveys and advances in technology: production of CD-ROMs distributed to students containing required computer-based instructional programs, delivery of evaluation instruments to students via the Internet, modification of the lab to a mostly PC-based environment, development of an electronic curriculum Website, development of computerized examinations for medical students to prepare them for the computerized national board examinations, and initiation of a personal digital assistant (PDA) project for students to evaluate PDAs' usefulness in clinical settings. CONCLUSION: The computer literacy survey provides a snapshot of students' past and present use of technology and guidance for the development of services and facilities.

Computer Literacy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors for consideration in the development and implementation of an online RN-BSN course. Faculty and student perceptions.

An online "issues in nursing" course was developed over the summer 2000 and subsequently implemented over a 4-semester time period in an RN-BSN program. Student and faculty anecdotal evaluation records were compiled and reviewed to determine universal needs and concerns associated with online learning for this particular population. Seven themes emerged from student course evaluation data and 5 "factors for faculty consideration" were identified by the course facilitator.

Anecdotes as Topic↗
PubMed2001

Mental health literacy: an impediment to the optimum treatment of major depression in the community.

BACKGROUND: Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention. This study examined the mental health literacy and experience of depression in a random and representative community population. METHODS: The experience of depression and mental health literacy of 3010 subjects from a random and representative population were determined on the basis of responses to the mood module of the PRIME-MD and questions about a vignette of a person with features of major depression. RESULTS: Those with major depression had significantly more personal experience of depression than those with other depressions and those who were not depressed, but there were few significant differences between the groups in terms of mental health literacy. Of those with major depression, 40% considered anti-depressants helpful, but 40% also considered they were harmful. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable impediment to the recognition and management of major depression and a need for further community education programs.

Adolescent↗