Evaluating a technology supported interactive response system during the laboratory section of a histology course

Monitoring of student learning through systematic formative assessment is important for adjusting pedagogical strategies. However, traditional formative assessments, such as quizzes and written assignments, may not be sufficiently timely for making adjustments to a learning process. Technology supported formative assessment tools assess student knowledge, allow for immediate feedback, facilitate classroom dialogues, and have the potential to modify student learning strategies. As an attempt to integrate technology supported formative assessment in the laboratory section of an upper‐level histology course, the interactive application Learning Catalytics^TM, a cloud‐based assessment system, was used. This study conducted during the 2015 Histology courses at Cornell University concluded that this application is helpful for identifying student misconceptions “on‐the‐go,” engaging otherwise marginalized students, and forming a new communication venue between students and instructors. There was no overall difference between grades from topics that used the application and grades from those that did not, and students reported that it only slightly helped improve their understanding of the topic (3.8 ± 0.99 on a five‐point Likert scale). However, they highly recommended using it (4.2 ± 0.71). The major limitation was regarding the image display and graphical resolution of this application. Even though students embrace the use of technology, 39% reported benefits of having the traditional light microscope available. This cohort of students led instructors to conclude that the newest tools are not always better, but rather can complement traditional instruction methods. Anat Sci Educ 10: 328–338. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.     

农村医疗卫生政策创新的法制保障

农村医疗卫生政策创新与改革是当前我国农村医疗卫生工作面临的一项重要任务.在强调依法治国的条件下,加强法治建设,是消弥政策缺陷、保证政策实施效果的必要举措.为此,从制定基础性法律、建立专项法规体系和修订完善关联性、配套性法律法规体系三个方面着手,加强相关法治建设,是农村卫生政策创新与改革的必然选择.     

本科院校发展高职教育的认识与思考

本文从国内外教育改革的趋势和社会市场对人才的需求，阐述高职教育是社会经济发展的需要，提出发展高职教育以转变教育思想观念为先导，以适应市场需要来设置专业。在办学过程中，要正确处理好与普通高等教育的关系，要突出高职教育特色的观点。     

浅析大学生就业过程中的矛盾因素及应对

面对越来越严峻的就业形势,大学生主要面临着继续深造与即时就业的选择矛盾、学校教育与社会需求的反差矛盾、才能主导与关系主导的现实矛盾、下基层艰苦地区与进城市及发达地区的利弊矛盾、直接应聘与自主创业的出路矛盾等,大学生应及时调整心态,积极应对。     

我国新型农村合作医疗制度实施中值得关注的几个问题

新型农村合作医疗制度的试点工作,通过3年多的试点,取得了可喜的成绩,但仍然存在着发展不平衡、资金筹集难度大、管理人员及技术力量薄弱、监管力度不够等问题,如何建立稳定长效的筹资机制,完善地方政府和医疗机构的监管制度,是提高新型合作医疗保障水平的关键所在。     

大医华佗的医术、医德及医著

华佗是汉魏时期一代全能名医，医术精湛，医德高尚，具有大医风范。其医术在养生、方药、针灸、外科诸领域都达到了至高境界。用麻沸散对患者实施外科手术，只是其全能中之一能。华佗高尚的医德对纠正当今医务界的不正之风有很强的警示意义。华佗有丰富的医著流传下来。说其医著未能传世，值得商榷。     

强化管理,提高医疗设备使用效益

提高医疗设备的使用效益,是医疗设备投资管理中的关键环节。针对医院现有的不同资金来源、不同使用性质的医疗设备,采取恰当的管理模式和合理有效的评价体系,强化管理,使医疗设备能够真正体现其投资的价值。     

对农村居民医疗保障问题的思考

农村居民的医疗保障存在不少问题 ,应采取必要的一些政策性措施 :加强对农村的医疗卫生投入和预防保健 ,完善合作医疗 ,以及其他形式的农村医疗保障形式。     

Reasons for suboptimal learning in medical microbiology

Medical microbiology presents a challenge to undergraduate students, mostly due to its extensive content and complexity of unfamiliar terminology. In addition to a narrative review of the literature, we report findings on students’ motivation for and approach to learning in the Infections module of an undergraduate medical curriculum, and their perceived lack of retention of knowledge acquired in the module, as determined by a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. When students experienced information overload, they reverted to performance goals and the wrong motivation for learning. Their focus turned primarily to being successful in tests and examinations, and they consequently adopted a surface approach to learning. Surface learning and memorisation of facts without understanding its content usually result in moderate retention of knowledge, which could handicap the development of clinical reasoning. However, the concern about students’ perceived poor retention of knowledge can be laid to rest – the prognosis is not discouraging after all.     

Impact of Anatomy Boot Camp on Students in a Medical Gross Anatomy Course

Lincoln Memorial University‐DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU‐DCOM) offers an optional three‐week summer Anatomy Boot Camp course (ABC) to facilitate students' transition into medical school and promote retention of anatomy subject matter. The pre‐matriculation program is a supplemental instruction course that utilizes a small group learning format. Boot camp instruction is led by teaching assistants and two anatomy professors. Enrollees gain early exposure to Medical Gross Anatomy (MGA) course subject matter, which is taught in the fall semester, and learn study skills necessary to excel in medical school. No grade is assigned for the course, therefore participants can study without the fear of potentially affecting grades. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the LMU‐DCOM ABC course using data from four consecutive summers. Independent two‐sample t‐tests were used to compare ABC to non‐ABC students for the following variables: incoming grade point average (GPA) and Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) scores, MGA written and laboratory practical examination grades, and final MGA course grade. Additionally, a 26‐question survey was administered to 2012–2014 boot camp participants. There were no significant differences in incoming GPA and MCAT scores. However, boot campers scored significantly higher on the first two lecture and laboratory examinations (P < 0.05) for each year of the study. Thereafter scores varied less, suggesting a faster head start for boot camp participants. Mean MGA final grade was on average 3% higher for the boot camp cohort. The survey feedback supports that the ABC course assists with the academic and social transition into medical school. Anat Sci Educ 10: 215–223. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.