The Critical Friends Group: An Innovative Way to Build Intercultural Competence Among Student and Faculty Groups

Introduction Few physicians involved in medical education are likely to have had formal training in teaching. One pedagogical method that can enhance relationships, thus improve teaching and learning is the Critical Friends Group (CFG). The CFG is a collegial support team that offers improved understanding of others. Unconditional high regard for team members frames the interactions in the CFG. These teams could be used to reduce bias and enhance intercultural competence among student CFGs and faculty CFGs. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Construct Validity of the Pig Intestine Model in the Simulation of Laparoscopic Urethrovesical Anastomosis

Introduction: Laparoscopic training models are increasingly important in urology to allow trainees to improve their laparoscopic skills prior to going to the operating room. For a training model to be valid, it must correlate with performance in a real case. The model must also discriminate between experienced and inexperienced subjects. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Taking Digital Microphotography and Videos through a Microscope without any Special Lens

Introduction: Photography through a microscope is virtually identical to that used with an astronomical telescope. For years, the 35mm camera was the choice for microphotography, but we live in a digital camera age now. We describe a custom homemade adapter that can be fit most of the cameras and microscopes. [See PDF for complete abstract]

The Role of Relationships in the Professional Formation of Physicians

BACKGROUND: Studies of the professional development of physicians highlight the important effect that the learning environment, or \"hidden curriculum,\" has in shaping student attitudes, behaviors, and values. We conducted this study to better understand the role that relationships have in mediating these effects of the hidden curriculum. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Using Video iPods to Teach Nursing Skills to BSN Nursing Stu

The use of technology has increased in several teaching institutions. These technologies include podcasting, webbased teaching and simulation. The purpose of this project is to compare student performance between students who are taught nursing skills by faculty demonstration and those taught nursing skills delivered via video iPods. [See PDF for complete abstract]

An Innovative Approach to Impacting Student Academic Achievement and Attitudes: Pilot Study of the HEADS UP Virtual Molecular Biology Lab

Introduction: The Virtual Molecular Biology Lab is an innovative, computer-based educational program designed to teach advanced high school biology students how to create a transgenic mouse model in a simulated laboratory setting. It was created in an effort to combat the current decrease in adolescent enthusiasm for and academic achievement in science and science careers, especially in Hispanic students. Because studies have found that hands-on learning, particularly computer-based instruction, is effective in enhancing science achievement, the Virtual Lab is a potential tool for increasing the number of Hispanic students that choose to enter science fields. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Evaluating Learner Perceptions of Use of Simulations for New nurses – A Collaboration Between the UT SON and the Methodist Hospital

The purpose of this evaluation project was to describe the integration of simulation into a nursing internship program and to help prepare new graduate nurses for patient care. Additionally, learning styles and perceptions of active learning, collaboration among peers, ways of learning, expectation of simulation, satisfaction, self-confidence, and design of simulation were examined. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Teaching Tuberculosis Content: Web-Based Resources for Nurse Educators

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern with one-third of the world’s population infected. With the goal of eliminating TB, a component of appropriate management of the disease is ensuring baccalaureate nursing students receive current and consistent TB education. [See PDF for complete abstract]

"Too Cool to Smoke": Using Puppets to Make Learning Fun

Introduction: According to the American Cancer Society, each day, more than 4,000 teens try cigarettes for the first time, and another 2,000 become daily smokers. One-half of these teens eventually will die from a smoking-related disease. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Self-Assessment in a Competency-Based Curriculum: Preliminary Findings

Introduction: The introduction of the ACGME core competency framework brought challenges of developing appropriate evaluation tools (i.e. self assessment) to provide evidence of competency. Baylor College of Medicine has 43 competency goals organized within the 6 ACGME domains, each domain having 4-10 goals. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Using 'Generic Abilities' to Foster Professionalism in a Post-Professional Program

Introduction To be successful in a profession, persons must have mastery of professional affective behaviors in addition to that profession’s core knowledge base. Health care delivery is more than just developing a good plan of care. The effective health care provider also will have good interpersonal and communication skills, have a commitment to learning, act professionally and responsibly, and have abilities in problem solving and critical thinking. But, these behaviors and characteristics are not taught directly in a professional program. This presentation will demonstrate how these ‘generic abilities’ have been incorporated in a post-professional program and how they can be used in other professional health care, professional development, and leadership programs. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Operationalizing Professionalism: A Course in Ethical Decision Making

All U.S. medical schools require some medical ethics education and must now ensure that their graduates, residents, and faculty exhibit competence in the area of professionalism and professional medical ethics. However, there remain many challenges to implementing formal ethics and professionalism education into medical school curricula. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Use of an Online Photo Management and Sharing Application to Create a Searchable Digital Dental Radiograph Repository

Problem: Dental radiographs generally display one or more findings/diagnoses, and are linked to a unique set of patient demographics, medical history and other findings not represented by the image. However, this information is not associated with radiographs in any type of meta format, and images are not searchable based on any clinical criteria (1,2). The purpose of this pilot study is to create an online, searchable data repository of dental radiographs to be used for patient care, teaching and research. [See PDF for complete abstract]

The Role of the Clinical Educator in Evaluating Nursing Competency

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of nursing competency is critical to assuring patient safety and maintaining high professional standards in the practice of nursing. All nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and successfully pass the national board exam before receiving initial licensure. State boards of nursing fulfill the role of gatekeeper, seeking to assure the public that nurses provide safe, competent care. In turn, high public awareness and patient advocacy initiatives require close monitoring of nursing competency. [See PDF for complete abstract]