A randomized trial comparing digital and live lecture formats [ISRCTN40455708.
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BACKGROUND: Medical education is increasingly being conducted in community-based teaching sites at diverse locations, making it difficult to provide a consistent curriculum. We conducted a randomized trial to assess whether students who viewed digital lectures would perform as well on a measure of cognitive knowledge as students who viewed live lectures. Students' perceptions of the digital lecture format and their opinion as whether a digital lecture format could serve as an adequate replacement for live lectures was also assessed. METHODS: Students were randomized to either attend a lecture series at our main campus or view digital versions of the same lectures at community-based teaching sites. Both groups completed the same examination based on the lectures, and the group viewing the digital lectures completed a feedback form on the digital format. RESULTS: There were no differences in performance as measured by means or average rank. Despite technical problems, the students who viewed the digital lectures overwhelmingly felt the digital lectures could replace live lectures. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence digital lectures can be a viable alternative to live lectures as a means of delivering didactic presentations in a community-based setting. (+info)
Comparison of knowledge acquired by students in small-group seminars with and without a formal didactic component.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study compared student knowledge gain from using a CD-ROM-based lecture only, from attending small-group seminars only, and from using a combination of both methodologies. METHODS: During a required second-year case-based seminar about falls in the elderly, one third of the 96 second-year medical students were randomized into each of three study groups. One group viewed a 12-minute CD-ROM didactic presentation on falls in the elderly, another group participated in the small-group seminars, and the third group did both. All three groups took a pretest and posttest to assess any change in knowledge. The timing of the viewing of the CD-ROM and of the pretests and posttests were varied to test the effects of each modality separately and of the modalities combined. RESULTS: The difference between the pretest and the posttest scores was significantly different among groups. Post hoc analysis showed that the change from pretest to posttest was greater for students who participated in the combined modalities than in those who viewed the CD-ROM only or participated in case-based seminars only. DISCUSSION: The addition of a 12-minute CD-ROM on the topic to a small-group seminar appears to increase student knowledge of the material being taught. (+info)
A randomized trial of the Little by Little CD-ROM: demonstrated effectiveness in increasing fruit and vegetable intake in a low-income population.
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INTRODUCTION: Research indicates that low fruit and vegetable intake is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. Despite large-scale education campaigns, the great majority of Americans do not consume recommended levels. We tested the ability of a single brief interactive experience of the Little by Little CD-ROM to increase fruit and vegetable intake in low-income women. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial included 481 low-income, female participants: mean age 50.1 years, 48.4% African American, 51.6% non-Hispanic white, and 92.5% below 185% of the federally designated poverty level. Participants received one of three conditions: 1) a one-time experience with the Little by Little CD-ROM, 2) the Little by Little CD-ROM plus two reminder telephone calls, or 3) a stress management CD-ROM (control condition). We assessed baseline and follow-up dietary intake with a modified 24-hour recall. RESULTS: Two months after the one-time experience with the CD-ROMs, both intervention groups reported significantly higher intakes of fruits and vegetables than the control group. The Little by Little group with reminder calls increased daily intake by 1.32 fruits/vegetables, an 86% greater increase than the control group (P = .016). The Little by Little group without reminder calls increased daily intake by 1.20 fruits/vegetables, a 69% greater increase than the control group (P = .052). Significantly greater movement in Stage of Readiness for Change also occurred in the Little by Little groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The Little by Little CD-ROM may be useful in public health and clinical situations to increase fruit and vegetable intake. (+info)
A multimedia CD-ROM tool to improve student understanding of bile salts and bilirubin metabolism: evaluation of its use in a medical hybrid PBL course.
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Over the last 35 years our understanding of bile salts, bilirubin metabolism, and hepatobiliary transport has progressively increased. From 1965 to the end of 2002, 3,610 articles and review papers have been published on hepatobiliary and enterocyte transport of bile salts. However, there is a lack of information in the content of current textbooks about hepatobiliary physiology, bile salt transporters, bile formation, mechanisms underlying cholestasis, and drug-induced liver injury. The use of an integrated multimedia program on the liver covering these gaps in textbooks may be useful to student learning. This study aims to 1) assess student views on a multimedia CD-ROM ("The Liver") integrating basic and clinical sciences related to the liver, bile salts, and bilirubin metabolism, 2) assess the usefulness of problem-based learning (PBL) cases included in the multimedia CD-ROM, and 3) assess student learning before and after use of the multimedia CD-ROM. A total of 106 first-year medical students (27 with and 79 without a prior university degree) at the University of Melbourne participated in this study. Students were tested on the liver, bile salts, and bilirubin metabolism before and after using the multimedia CD-ROM. After completing the multimedia CD-ROM, each student filled out a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire evaluating the features of the program and its usefulness to their learning. Results show that the aims of the package were clear to participants, the contents were logically organized and clear, the key concepts were easy to identify, the contents were pitched to an appropriate level, and the package was interactive and encouraged participants to reflect on their learning. Students also agreed that the assessment tools used in the program and the feedback provided were meaningful and helpful to their learning. No differences were found when responses were compared on the basis of academic background, gender, citizenship, or first language of participants. Students agreed that the PBL cases in the CD-ROM kept them engaged, were useful to their learning, and matched with the overall philosophy of the program. Compared with graduate-entry students (those with a prior university degree), school leavers (those with no prior university degree) showed a more positive attitude toward the PBL cases included in the multimedia CD-ROM and agreed that cases kept them engaged (P = 0.033). Students who completed the test after using the multimedia CD-ROM scored higher compared with those who completed the test before using the multimedia CD-ROM (P < 0.001). In conclusion, using bile salts, bilirubin metabolism, and their hepatobiliary transport as an example, the incorporation of a multimedia CD-ROM into the first-year medical course has the potential to improve student understanding of the main concepts in a variety of body systems. (+info)
Canadian physical therapists' interest in web-based and computer-assisted continuing education.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Distance education via computer-assisted learning (CAL), including Web-based and CD-ROM learning, confers a number of advantages compared with traditional learning methods. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the interest of Canadian physical therapists in participating in continuing education using CAL methods and (2) to determine whether interest in CAL was related to type of employment, area of practice, education, computer skill and access, and other demographic variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A random sample of Canadian physical therapists and all members of cardiopulmonary interest groups were surveyed. RESULTS: Of 1,426 survey questionnaires mailed, 69 were returned (58 were unopened and 11 were duplicates). From the remaining 1,357 potential survey responses, 757 responses were received, for an overall response rate of 56%. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents indicated their interest in participating in CAL. Factors associated with interest in CAL included 2 or more hours of Internet access per week, Internet access at both home and work, computer skill, education level, practice area, and belonging to a cardiopulmonary interest group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a large positive interest in CAL. Increasing CAL continuing education opportunities could increase options for physical therapists to meet professional expectations for continuing competency. (+info)
Incorporating out-patient data from CD-R into the local PACS using DICOM worklist features.
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With the introduction of digital imaging in radiology, CD-Rs are increasingly used to distribute patient materials. This study investigates the application of a new software package and work protocol to integrate out-hospital data into the local PACS (picture archive and communication system) archive, which is hampered by differences in patient numbers. A one-month trial was started to import CD-Rs from two departments (radiotherapy and radiology). Seventy CD-Rs were collected from 20 different hospitals holding data of eight different modality types and published by eight different software packages from different vendors. All CD-Rs were successfully transferred into the PACS. The new software and work protocol provide an easy way of introducing the out-hospital data into the PACS. CD-Rs can be destroyed after transfer to PACS, eliminating physical storage. Furthermore, all data can now be viewed and reported using the default viewers of the hospital and no additional training of staff is required. (+info)
Image quality assurance in the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer screening trial network of the National Lung Screening Trial.
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The National Lung Screening Trial is evaluating the effectiveness of low-dose spiral CT and conventional chest X-ray as screening tests for persons who are at high risk for developing lung cancer. This multicenter trial requires quality assurance (QA) for the image quality and technical parameters of the scans. The electronic system described here helps manage the QA process. The system includes a workstation at each screening center that de-identifies the data, a DICOM storage service at the QA Coordinating Center, and Web-based systems for presenting images and QA evaluation forms to the QA radiologists. Quality assurance data are collated and analyzed by an independent statistical organization. We describe the design and implementation of this electronic QA system, emphasizing issues relating to data security and privacy, the various obstacles encountered in the installation of a common system at different participating screening centers, and the functional success of the system deployed. (+info)
Combining new technologies for effective collection development: a bibliometric study using CD-ROM and a database management program.
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Librarians have used bibliometrics for many years to assess collections and to provide data for making selection and deselection decisions. With the advent of new technology--specifically, CD-ROM databases and reprint file database management programs--new cost-effective procedures can be developed. This paper describes a recent multidisciplinary study conducted by two library faculty members and one allied health faculty member to test a bibliometric method that used the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases on CD-ROM and the Papyrus database management program to produce a new collection development methodology. (+info)