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Strategic use of faculty workgroups to develop online interactive geriatric curricular modules.

Initiating a college-wide, complex multimedia approach to teaching-learning can be fraught with considerable challenges. The strategic use of faculty workgroups to maximize faculty involvement in the development and use of interactive Web-based modules was one successful approach to overcoming such challenges. Use of faculty workgroups composed of grant team faculty members and course faculty during the development process recognized the faculty's curricular and content expertise and tapped individual creativity. Other successful approaches to meeting development challenges were the inclusion of a multimedia designer in faculty workgroups, demonstrations of technology at college council meetings and the use of familiar software by faculty to communicate module design ideas. Additional practical approaches for technology teams within higher education settings are presented from both person and design perspectives.

Aged↗

Fuzzy ARTMAP with input relevances.

We introduce a new fuzzy ARTMAP (FAM) neural network: Fuzzy ARTMAP with relevance factor (FAMR). The FAMR architecture is able to incrementally "grow" and to sequentially accommodate input-output sample pairs. Each training pair has a relevance factor assigned to it, proportional to the importance of that pair during the learning phase. The relevance factors are user-defined or computed. The FAMR can be trained as a classifier and, at the same time, as a nonparametric estimator of the probability that an input belongs to a given class. The FAMR probability estimation converges almost surely and in the mean square to the posterior probability. Our theoretical results also characterize the convergence rate of the approximation. Using a relevance factor adds more flexibility to the training phase, allowing ranking of sample pairs according to the confidence we have in the information source. We analyze the FAMR capability for mapping noisy functions when training data originates from multiple sources with known levels of noise.

Algorithms↗

Using simulation to educate hospital staff about casemix.

When the Australian government funded a casemix development program, few hospital clinicians or staff knew much about casemix classifications like Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). Although the concepts behind casemix are essentially simple, it is not a trivial task to explain the logic used to assign patients to classes, or the use of casemix data for management or funding. Therefore, as part of a project to create educational material, a computer-based management game, built around a simulation model of a hospital, was developed. The game was designed for use in a workshop setting, to allow participants to test their understanding of the casemix information presented to them. The simulation mimicked the operation of a hospital, with a player taking the role of a hospital manager. It aimed to demonstrate how AN-DRGs might be used for funding; how patient costs are influenced by hospital activity; and how casemix data can assist in monitoring the use of resources. The game, called Dragon, proved to be very successful, and is now distributed as part of the National Casemix Education series.

Australia↗

Commissioning and quality assurance of treatment planning computers.

The process of radiation therapy is complex and involves many steps. At each step, comprehensive quality assurance procedures are required to ensure the safe and accurate delivery of a prescribed radiation dose. This report deals with a comprehensive commissioning and ongoing quality assurance program specifically for treatment planning computers. Detailed guidelines are provided under the following topics: (a) computer program and system documentation and user training, (b) sources of uncertainties and suggested tolerances, (c) initial system checks, (d) repeated system checks, (e) quality assurance through manual procedures, and in vivo dosimetry, and (f) some additional considerations including administration and manpower requirements. In the context of commercial computerized treatment planning systems, uncertainty estimates and achievable criteria of acceptability are presented for: (a) external photon beams, (b) electron beams, (c) brachytherapy, and (d) treatment machine setting calculations. Although these criteria of acceptability appear large, they approach the limit achievable with most of today's treatment planning systems. However, developers of new or improved dose calculation algorithms should strive for the goal recommended by the International Commission of Radiation Units and Measurements of 2% in relative dose accuracy in low dose gradients or 2 mm spatial accuracy in regions with high dose gradients. For brachytherapy, the aim should be 3% accuracy in dose at distances of 0.5 cm or more at any point for any radiation source. Details are provided for initial commissioning tests and follow-up reproducibility tests. The final quality assurance for each patient is to perform an independent manual check of at least one point in the dose distributions, as well as the machine setting calculation. As a check of the overall treatment planning process, in vivo dosimetry should be performed on a select number of patients.

Brachytherapy↗

Light-hearted negative terminology used in computer education and related skill of noncomputer users.

Theory suggests that light-hearted but negative phrases and terminology used in computer literature and course titles may have a negative effect on noncomputer users. This study tested the effect of providing the suggestion of a negative dimension of computer ability labelled with a category of "Computer Dummy" a also the relation between computer ability and computer anxiety. The study incorporated 37 noncomputer users, 17 men and 20 women whose mean age was 52.1 yr. Scores on a self-report questionnaire indicated that 23 of the nonusers responded on the negative dimension of computer ability and included themselves in the category of "Computer Dummy." Also, belief about ability and belief about computer training were associated with computer anxiety for noncomputer users.

Adult↗

Nurses' use of the Internet in clinical ward settings.

BACKGROUND: The potential of the Internet as a fast and efficient way of accessing evidence to support nursing practice has been well recognized. In addition, nurses have highlighted the need for training in the use of information technology, information retrieval and critical appraisal as essential to their professional development. AIM: The aim of this paper is to present selected results of a longitudinal project that evaluated the impact of networked computers, with open access to the Internet, on four acute wards in a large UK teaching hospital. METHOD: Evaluation methods in the project included monitoring data from an Internet surveillance software package, a questionnaire survey with the nurses (n = 97) and in-depth interviews with a sample of nurses (n = 12). FINDINGS: A complex picture was revealed of the nature of Internet use and the factors that nurses perceived as influencing this. The majority used the networked computers and some frequent users emerged. Nurses were able to use the technology during quiet periods throughout the day and night. Patterns of use were mixed, with nurses accessing the Internet for a combination of work and non-work-related activities. They integrated use of Internet technology into their working days in ways that appropriately fitted patterns of clinical activity. Factors relating to the organization, workplace culture and training were identified influencing Internet use. CONCLUSIONS: Open access to the Internet in the workplace emerged as a useful but unrefined tool for encouraging the retrieval of information for practice. Future development of this technology in the workplace must include support and training for professional staff in order to enhance the skills required. Recommendations are made about what and how training may be useful in promoting nurses' use of Internet technology in clinical settings.

Access to Information↗

A framework for evaluating image segmentation algorithms.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a framework for evaluating image segmentation algorithms. Image segmentation consists of object recognition and delineation. For evaluating segmentation methods, three factors-precision (reliability), accuracy (validity), and efficiency (viability)-need to be considered for both recognition and delineation. To assess precision, we need to choose a figure of merit, repeat segmentation considering all sources of variation, and determine variations in figure of merit via statistical analysis. It is impossible usually to establish true segmentation. Hence, to assess accuracy, we need to choose a surrogate of true segmentation and proceed as for precision. In determining accuracy, it may be important to consider different 'landmark' areas of the structure to be segmented depending on the application. To assess efficiency, both the computational and the user time required for algorithm training and for algorithm execution should be measured and analyzed. Precision, accuracy, and efficiency factors have an influence on one another. It is difficult to improve one factor without affecting others. Segmentation methods must be compared based on all three factors, as illustrated in an example wherein two methods are compared in a particular application domain. The weight given to each factor depends on application.

Algorithms↗

A DNA sequence analysis package for the IBM personal computer.

We present here a collection of DNA sequence analysis programs, called "PC Sequence" (PCS), which are designed to run on the IBM Personal Computer (PC). These programs are written in IBM PC compiled BASIC and take full advantage of the IBM PC's speed, error handling, and graphics capabilities. For a modest initial expense in hardware any laboratory can use these programs to quickly perform computer analysis on DNA sequences. They are written with the novice user in mind and require very little training or previous experience with computers. Also provided are a text editing program for creating and modifying DNA sequence files and a communications program which enables the PC to communicate with and collect information from mainframe computers and DNA sequence databases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Automatic speech recognition and training for severely dysarthric users of assistive technology: the STARDUST project.

The STARDUST project developed robust computer speech recognizers for use by eight people with severe dysarthria and concomitant physical disability to access assistive technologies. Independent computer speech recognizers trained with normal speech are of limited functional use by those with severe dysarthria due to limited and inconsistent proximity to "normal" articulatory patterns. Severe dysarthric output may also be characterized by a small mass of distinguishable phonetic tokens making the acoustic differentiation of target words difficult. Speaker dependent computer speech recognition using Hidden Markov Models was achieved by the identification of robust phonetic elements within the individual speaker output patterns. A new system of speech training using computer generated visual and auditory feedback reduced the inconsistent production of key phonetic tokens over time.

Artificial Intelligence↗

INFORM: European survey of computers in intensive care units.

The aims of this study were (a) to survey and evaluate the impact of information technology applications in High Dependency Environments (HDEs) on organizational, psychological and cost-effectiveness factors, (b) to contribute information and design requirements to the other workpackages in the INFORM Project, and (c) to develop useful evaluation methodologies. The evaluation methodologies used were: questionnaires, case studies, objective findings (keystroke) and literature search and review. Six questionnaires were devised covering organizational impact, cost-benefit impact and perceived advantages and disadvantages of computerized systems in HDE (psychological impact). The general conclusion was that while existing systems have been generally well received, they are not yet designed in such a developed and integrated way as to yield their full potential. Greater user involvement in design and implementation and more emphasis on training emerged as strong requirements. Lack of reliability leading to parallel charting was a major problem with the existing systems. It proved difficult to assess cost effectiveness due to a lack of detailed accounting costs; however, it appeared that in the short term, computerisation in HDEs tended to increase costs. It is felt that through a better stock control and better decision making, costs may be reduced in the longer run and effectiveness increased; more detailed longitudinal studies appear to be needed on this subject.

Case-Control Studies↗

OpScan-MIMS. A data network system.

The expansion of a unique system for medical, epidemiological, and laboratory information management is described. The system utilizes an automated, optically scanned data entry mode (OpScan), and a generalized, interactive storage and retrieval software package (MIMS). Aggregate medical, epidemiological, and laboratory information are monitored, with the permission of the locality, via telephone terminals at four sexually transmitted disease clinics. OpScan-MIMS combines an efficient, rapid, and cost-effective method for data entry with a user-friendly computer system that requires no specialized training in computer language.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

Comparative analysis of conventional and an adaptive computer-based hypoglycaemia education programs.

Adaptive interactive computer-based education programs which can be personalized to patients' needs and skills might be more suitable for patients' training as compared to conventional ones. We tested whether there are differences between an adaptive and a conventional version of a computer-based hypoglycaemia education program concerning successful training and user friendliness. One hundred and twenty randomized diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. The two different programs were compared by using the following criteria: (1) the number of actions needed to get out of or prevent hypoglycaemia, (2) the need for external help, (3) the average time needed for completing one task and (4) user friendliness as determined by a questionnaire. Patients using the adaptive computer-based hypoglycaemia education program needed less actions to get out of or prevent hypoglycaemia, less external help and less time to finish tasks. Furthermore, the user friendliness of the adaptive computer program received a significantly better rating by the patients. The adaptive computer-based hypoglycaemia education program shows significantly better results as compared to a conventional one. Therefore, using adaptive computer-based programs might be helpful for education of patients.

Attitude to Computers↗

Using the Internet for training.

An indisputable fact of life is that the Internet is changing the way business is done. The number of businesses that have web sites is growing at an incredible rate. Many of these supply training; online training offers numerous advantages over traditional training methods.

Audiovisual Aids↗

Survey of handheld computing among medical students.

The purpose of this study was to identify trends in the utilization and acceptance of handheld computers (personal digital assistants) among medical students during preclinical and clinical training. We surveyed 366 medical students and collected information on computer expertise, current handheld computer use, predicted future use, and user acceptance. Handheld computers were primarily used for personal applications by students during their preclinical training and as drug references and clinical calculators during their clinical training. In the future, all participants predicted they would use handheld computers at significantly higher rates and on a broader range of medical applications. The adoption of handheld computing was independent of user satisfaction. Those with more clinical experience were less satisfied with handheld computers, suggesting that the expectations of the more experienced users were not met. The lack of institutional support was seen as a key limitation.

Attitude to Computers↗

Medical informatics and the science of cognition.

Recent developments in medical informatics research have afforded possibilities for great advances in health care delivery. These exciting opportunities also present formidable challenges to the implementation and integration of technologies in the workplace. As in most domains, there is a gulf between technologic artifacts and end users. Since medical practice is a human endeavor, there is a need for bridging disciplines to enable clinicians to benefit from rapid technologic advances. This is turn necessitates a broadening of disciplinary boundaries to consider cognitive and social factors pertaining to the design and use of technology. The authors argue for a place of prominence for cognitive science. Cognitive science provides a framework for the analysis and modeling of complex human performance and has considerable applicability to a range of issues in informatics. Its methods have been employed to illuminate different facets of design and implementation. This approach has also yielded insights into the mechanisms and processes involved in collaborative design. Cognitive scientific methods and theories are illustrated in the context of two examples that examine human-computer interaction in medical contexts and computer-mediated collaborative processes. The framework outlined in this paper can be used to refine the process of iterative design, end-user training, and productive practice.

Cognitive Science↗