Endometriosis: internet resources

Endometriosis is a puzzling disease characterized by pelvic pain, infertility, allergies, fatigue, and bowel problems. It is a non-lethal medical condition that disables only women and frustrates physicians who are frequently limited in their treatment success. Recently endometriosis has been linked with endocrine, environmental, genetic, and immune factors. The public health impact of endometriosis is significant in terms of suffering, lost income, infertility, stress on families, and medical costs. Resources for endometriosis on the Internet include search engines, medical sources, advocacy sources, U.S. government sources, personal Web sites, public library databases, and social science sources.     

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     

Butterfly Power in the Art of Mentoring Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students

This article describes the ways in which critical events in the lives of college students may contribute to their career development and personal well being. These critical events are referred to as 'butterflies', adopting as a metaphor that concept from chaos theory which states that relatively small events can have large effects. The study analyzes these events and their effects from the perspective of the students' mentors. Results of the study are related to other concepts from chaos theory including bifurcation points, autopoiesis and emergence. The study explores both the different kinds of critical events students experience as well as how mentoring may help students to deal with them. The role of the mentor as interpreter of events, as change agent and as intervener are identified. The article argues that mentors need to be aware of the potential power of critical events in the career development of college students.     

Faculty integration of technology in teacher preparation: outcomes of a development model

This article reports on a faculty development model that uses a variety of approaches and strategies to help faculty restructure their curricula and effectively model technology integration for their students. A multifaceted model, funded in part by the Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) initiative, was implemented at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The model included training, technical and collegial support, access, and incentives. Questionnaires and qualitative data indicated substantive changes in faculty expectations and assumptions regarding technology as well as increases in faculty and student technology skills and the degree to which faculty members integrate technology into their curricula. The model helped to facilitate the collaborative efforts of a cadre of faculty to model and integrate technology throughout their teacher preparation programs.