Chasing the sun: a virtual reference service between SAHSLC (SA) and SWICE (UK)

AIM: In 2002, a discussion in the United Kingdom (UK) between South-west Information for Clinical Effectiveness (SWICE) librarians and a member of the South Australian Department of Human Services Libraries' Consortium (SAHSLC) raised the possibility of developing an after-hours virtual reference service between the two consortium groups. The aim of the service is to put medical practitioners in contact with a librarian when urgent help is required in finding clinical medical information after hours. METHODS: A trial project has begun and has been given the name 'Chasing the Sun'. The service will make use of time-zone differences between the UK and Australia, so that librarians at work in another country will be able to answer urgent patient-related queries that cannot wait until normal office hours. RESULTS: This paper looks at the development of 'Chasing the Sun' from initial concept, funding proposal and trial project stage to implementation. It includes details of the groundwork, software evaluation, trials, outcomes, cost and benefits, future directions and potential problems yet to be experienced or overcome. CONCLUSION: This service is the first of its kind between health libraries in the world and offers potential for future worldwide expansion.     

The relationship between qualified personnel and self-reported implementation of recommended physical education practices and programs in U.S. schools

The authors analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 to assess the associations between the presence of a district physical education coordinator and district-level physical education policies and practices recommended by federal government agencies and national organizations. The authors also examined the relationship between teacher qualifications and staff development related to physical education and self-reported implementation of recommended teachingpractices. District-level data were collected by self-administered mail questionnaires from a nationally representative sample of school districts. Classroom-level data were collected by computer-assisted personal interviews with teachers of randomly selected classes in elementary schools and randomly selected required physical education courses in middle/junior high and senior high schools. Nearly two thirds (62.2%) of districts had a physical education coordinator, and those were generally more likely than other districts to report having policies and practices that corresponded with national recommendations for high-quality physical education programs. More than two thirds of teachers (66.9%) met the criteria for teacher qualifications based on their education and certification. These teachers were more likely than others to report use of certain recommended physical education teaching practices. Teachers who participated in staff development also were more likely to use recommended teaching practices in their classrooms. Using a district physical education coordinator and teachers with appropriate qualifications as well as offering staff development opportunities on physical education may enhance school physical education programs.     

Modification of attitudes of regular class children towards the handicapped for the purpose of achieving integration

Two experimental procedures for positively modifying the attitudes of regular classroom children towards the handicapped were conducted. In both studies, curriculum and/or experiences with the handicapped were introduced to randomly selected groups of regular class elementary children. The curriculum consisted of literature, filmstrips, and lectures about handicapped children, while the experiences consisted of controlled integrational activities. The results indicated that the procedures were partially successful in modifying the attitudes of regular class children towards the handicapped. It was concluded that techniques must be developed systematically for achieving more positive attitudes in regular class children if “mainstreaming” is to become an effective educational concept.     

Using Simulation and Patient Role Play to Teach Electrocardiographic Rhythms to Physical Therapy Students

Purpose

The aims of the study were to differentiate: (1) physical therapy (PT) students’ preferred method for learning electrocardiographic (ECG) recognition utilizing standardized patient (SP) and human patient simulation (HPS) approaches, (2) the impact of HPS or SP on confidence in interpreting ECG, and 3) the effect of HPS or SP on students’ ability to make clinical decisions based upon ECG interpretation.

Methods

“Three educational methods were employed to teach ECG recognition to two different years of novice PT students enrolled in a cardiopulmonary physical therapy class. First, all students had a traditional lecture on ECG. Following the lecture, two problem-based learning (PBL) approaches were utilized. One approach used a SP and paper ECG strips, and the second approach utilized HPS with simulated ECG monitoring.”¹ Following the two PBL approaches, a post instructional survey regarding the learning experiences was conducted. Following instruction, each cohort (n = 24, n = 29) of PT students was given a mixed methods survey about their experience.

Results

Survey return rate amongst both cohorts was 77%. Independent sample of individual cohort and paired t-tests of combined data comparing HPS to SP revealed a strong preference for HPS (p = 0.003 (2008 cohort) and p = 0.0001 (2010 cohort)) and combined cohort (p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in responses between cohorts or preference between the HPS method and the use of SP and HPS combined. Additionally, 75% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that they felt confident with their skill in ECG interpretation as presented with HPS or SP. 90% either strongly agreed or agreed that they understood how the ECG relates to patient treatment. Summative assessment utilizing HPS revealed that students were competent in their performance in ECG recognition and clinical decision making related to patient treatment.¹

Conclusion

Data support that HPS was the preferred method to improve student confidence in ECG recognition and interpretation.Key Words: human patient simulation, electrocardiography, critical care management, educational technology     

Developmental trajectories of personal and collective self-concept among American Indian adolescents

Developmental trajectories of personal and collective self-concept were examined among American Indian adolescents. Personal self-concept (self-esteem) and collective self-concept (American Indian identity, Euro-American identity, community-mindedness) were assessed 6 times over 3 years in 4 cohorts of adolescents from 3 American Indian cultural groups (N=1,252). An accelerated longitudinal design was used to estimate developmental trajectories from 14 to 19 years; parallel-process and covariate models were used to examine variation in trajectories. Both personal and collective self-concepts were generally positive and showed small gains; they were moderately related to one another and differentially related to cultural group, gender, and perceived social support. The findings highlight the complexity of self-concept for American Indian youth and the significance of both personal and collective identity.     

Do individuals with autism process categories differently? The effect of typicality and development

This study examined the effect of exemplar typicality on reaction time and accuracy of categorization. High-functioning children (age 9-12), adolescents (age 13-16), and adults with autism (age 17-48) and matched controls were tested in a category verification procedure. All groups showed improved processing throughout the lifespan for typical and somewhat typical category exemplars. However, individuals with autism responded more slowly than matched controls to atypical exemplars at all ages. The results are discussed in terms of potential differences in the type of processing that may be required for categorizing typical and atypical category exemplars. Parallels are also drawn to the results of previous studies on face processing in individuals with autism.