scholarly journals End of Life Virtual Reality Training: Medical Student Increased Empathic Ability

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 826-826
Author(s):  
Marilyn Gugliucci ◽  
Daniel Manukhin ◽  
Elizabeth Dyer ◽  
Barbara Swartzlander

Abstract Introduction It is unclear if medical student empathy declines by third year of clinical rotation trainings. Desensitization throughout the first two years may lead to decreases in empathy as a coping mechanism to avoid burnout in the clinical years. This study determined if self-assessed empathy increased after conducting an Embodied Labs, Inc. end of life virtual reality (VR) experience. Methods Mixed methods, quantitative/qualitative, research were applied for University of New England (UNE) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) 2nd year medical students (N=174). They completed the 3-part 30 minute Clay Lab VR experience. UNE IRB approved pre/post-tests focused on empathy. Data were collected using RedCap. Closed questions were analyzed applying frequency analysis and paired-sample t-test through excel. Open-ended questions were analyzed through N-VIVO 12+. Results The data included pre/post-tests from 146 students volunteers. Results indicated statistical significance (P=.01) in all closed questions except for question 7 (What is your view of conducting a full code on a patient with a DNR? (P=.14). The greatest difference seen between pre (23.97% agree or strongly agree) and post-test (64.38% agree or strongly agree) data was for question 3 (I gained knowledge about what hospice is by embodying Clay in this virtual reality lab); P= .00. Three qualitative themes included: Impact, Empathy, EOL Knowledge. Conclusion This VR Lab experience increased self-assessed empathy at the time of Clay Lab completion; however, enduring empathy and learning about hospice/EOL has not been measured. Further research is suggested to determine the longitudinal impact of virtual reality education.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
Beatrice Akers ◽  
Glenn Davis ◽  
Jordan Keys ◽  
Stacey L. Pierce-Talsma ◽  
Gregg Lund

Abstract Context The Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-CA) is one of many colleges of osteopathic medicine with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) predoctoral teaching fellowship programs. OMM fellows serve as near-peer teachers for preclinical osteopathic medical students (OMS) at TUCOM-CA, with the objectives of increasing student satisfaction with and understanding of the OMM curriculum. Our aim was to assess whether the TUCOM-CA fellowship program has achieved these objectives. Methods All osteopathic medical students at TUCOM-CA were sent an electronic survey. The survey items queried: frequency of and type of interaction; impact on satisfaction with and understanding of the OMM curriculum; impact on confidence in using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); valuation of OMT and intention to use OMT in future clinical practice. Frequencies, means and standard deviations were calculated, omitting “no basis for evaluation” responses. Two-tailed Z-tests of proportions were utilized for analysis of statistical significance, with significance set at 95% (P<.05 ). Results In total, 156 of 538 (29.0%) responses were received, and 150 had sufficient data to analyze. Respondents reported varied rates and modes of interaction with OMM fellows (OMM lab table-training [97.3%] to early clinical experiences [30.9%]). Response means for items regarding satisfaction with and understanding of the OMM curriculum fell between “strongly agree” and “agree” for all activities. Many respondents (82.5%–83.8%) reported that interaction with OMM fellows increased their confidence in using OMT. Additionally, respondents who were treated with OMT by OMM fellows reported significantly higher agreement with statements about clinical utility of OMT (Z=2.6, P<.05) and intention to use OMT in future practice (Z=2.3, P<.05). Conclusions The majority of osteopathic medical students at TUCOM-CA reported significant agreement with the positive impact of interaction with OMM fellows on satisfaction with and understanding of the OMM curriculum. This supports the conclusion that the OMM predoctoral teaching fellowship program achieves its objectives to increase student satisfaction with and understanding of the OMM curriculum. The survey data also showed significantly stronger agreement with statements supporting valuation of OMT in clinical practice and intention to use OMT in the future, among respondents treated with OMT by OMM fellows.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Makransky ◽  
Gustav B. Petersen ◽  
Sara Klingenberg

Science-related competencies are demanded in many fields, but attracting more students to scientific educations remains a challenge. This paper uses two studies to investigate the value of using Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) laboratory simulations in science education. In Study 1, 99 (52 male, 47 female) 7th (49) and 8th (50) grade students between 13 and 16 years of age used an IVR laboratory safety simulation with a pre- to post-test design. Results indicated an overall increase in interest in science and self-efficacy, but only females reported an increase in science career aspirations. Study 2 was conducted with 131 (47 male, 84 female) second (77) and third (54) year high school students aged 17 to 20 and used an experimental design to compare the value of using an IVR simulation or a video of the simulation on the topic of DNA-analysis. The IVR group reported significantly higher gains from pre- to post-test on interest, and social outcome expectations than the video group. Furthermore, both groups had significant gains in self-efficacy and physical outcome expectations, but the increase in career aspirations and self-outcome expectations did not reach statistical significance. Thus, results from the two studies suggest that appropriately developed and implemented IVR simulations can address some of the challenges currently facing science education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S849-S849
Author(s):  
Emily Tamimie ◽  
Marilyn R Gugliucci

Abstract Introduction: Most US medical schools are not able to provide practical experiences in end-of-life or palliative care. The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Learning by Living 48 Hour Hospice Home Immersion (HHI) Project provides intense learning for second through fourth year medical students. Students are immersed into an acute care 18-bed in-patient hospice home for 48 hours to provide patient care, family support, and post-mortem. Students work with an Interprofessional staff team and independently. Methods: The HHI utilizes qualitative ethnographic/autobiographic research designs. Two key research questions include: (1) What is it like for ME to live in the Hospice Home for 48 hours? and (2) What will I take from this experience to my future as a practitioner?” Each student writes a journal during the three research stages; pre-fieldwork; fieldwork; post-fieldwork. Twelve 2nd year medical student journals randomly selected from 2017-18 immersions (N=24) were analyzed 5/2019-7/2019. Detailed qualitative manual and content analysis utilizing established interrater-reliability procedures were conducted on 300+ pages of data (UNECOM Morgane Student Research Fellowship). Results: Of the many themes identified, three key themes were notable for all 12 students for question one: Religion/Spirituality; Acceptance; and Reactions to Death. Key takeaways for question two included being: (a) able to have conversations about death; (b) at peace with death; (c) present with death, and knowing death is a part of life. Conclusion: Each student experienced his/her immersion differently, but all expressed this was a life-altering project providing critical education on hospice and end-of life care.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Bickham ◽  
Summer Moukalled ◽  
Heather Inyart ◽  
Rona Zlokower

BACKGROUND Screenshots is an in-school curriculum that uses aspects of digital citizenship to develop the emerging digital social skills of middle-schoolers with the long term goal of improving their health and well-being. The program seeks to create a knowledge base on which young adolescents can build a set of beliefs and behaviors that foster respectful interactions, prosocial conflict resolutions, and safe and secure uses of communication technology. Intervening in this way can improve mental health by limiting their exposure to cyberbullying and other forms of negative online interactions. This study reports on an evaluation of Screenshots conducted with 7th graders in a public school system of a mid-size New England City. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the Screenshots program in increasing participants’ knowledge about key concepts of digital citizenship and in shifting beliefs and intended behaviors to align with pro-social, respectful, and safe online interactions. Additionally, the study examines the extent to which the program has differing effects for boys and girls in terms of their conflict and bullying resolution strategies. METHODS This quasi-experimental evaluation was conducted in four middle schools in which one group of 7th graders received the Screenshots curriculum and another did not. Before and after the curriculum, all students completed a questionnaire that measured their knowledge of and beliefs about digital citizenship and related online behavioral concepts, their attitudes regarding strategies for stopping online bullying, and their intended online conflict resolution behaviors. RESULTS The sample included 92 students who received the curriculum and 71 in the comparison group. Pre- to post-test retention rates ranged from 52.4% to 84% varying by school and condition. Results showed an increase in knowledge about key curricular concepts for some students (F1,32= 9.97, P = .003). In response to some individual items, student increased their beliefs supportive of online privacy (F1,42= 4.389, P=.04) and safety (F1,76= 2.79, P=.099) compared to the comparison group. Gender moderated the results related to conflict resolution with some boys reducing their endorsement of an aggressive option (F2,40= 5.77, P = .006), and some girls increasing their tendency to pursue a non-aggressive option (pre-test=3.83, post-test=3.58). Participants, on average, reported learning something new from the classes. CONCLUSIONS This study represents a rare evaluation of an in-school digital citizenship program and demonstrates the effectiveness of Screenshots. Students’ increased knowledge of key curricular concepts represents a foundation on which to develop future beliefs and healthy behaviors. Differences in how boys and girls experience and perpetrate online aggression likely explain the conflict resolution findings and emphasizes the need to examine gender differences in response to these programs. Students high rating of the relevance of Screenshot’s content reinforces the need for this type of intervention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 441-441
Author(s):  
Catheryn Koss

Abstract Advance directives (AD) help to ensure patients’ wishes are honored and contribute to improved end-of-life care. According to normative life course theory, retirement is a significant role change that signals a transition into the third age and its socially prescribed activities. To the extent that ACP is viewed as something to do when one reaches a more advanced stage in life, retirement may spark recognition that planning for incapacity and the end of life is now personally relevant and appropriate. This study tested whether transitioning from work to retirement prompted AD completion. The sample included Health and Retirement Study participants 65 and older who, in 2012, had no ADs and were not completely retired (N = 919). Retirement was operationalized as both a categorical status and as a multistep process. Three waves of data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression to test associations between retirement transition and advance directive completion. By 2014, 21% had completed ADs and another 17% completed them by 2016. Those who completely retired between 2012 and 2014 were almost twice as likely to complete ADs between 2014 and 2016. Graduated increase in level of retirement between 2012 and 2014 was associated with higher odds of new AD possession in 2016, but did not reach statistical significance at p < .05. These results suggest the period following retirement may be an optimal time to encourage patients and clients who have not already done so to complete advance directives.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 238212051985204
Author(s):  
Erik Langenau ◽  
Sarah B Frank ◽  
Sarah J Calardo ◽  
Michael B Roberts

Introduction: Shadowing a physician is an observational experience which includes a student observing a licensed healthcare provider caring for patients. Shadowing is commonly done by students before and during medical school, but little is known about the nature or extent of these extra-curricular observational experiences. Objective: We hypothesized that shadowing experiences were common yet variable. We investigated the prevalence, nature, and perceived value of medical student experiences with shadowing physicians (both before and during medical school). Methods: This survey-based study was non-experimental with a cross-sectional convenience sample of osteopathic medical students about their shadowing experiences before and during medical school. The survey was sent to all matriculated osteopathic medical students (OMS1-4) for the 2017 to 2018 academic year from two medical schools: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) (1084 total students) and PCOM-Georgia (554 total students). The final survey instrument included three sections: demographics (6 questions), pre-medical shadowing experiences (21 questions), and medical student shadowing experiences (24 questions). Results: Respondents (357) identified themselves as OMS1 (96), OMS2 (89), OMS3 (73), OMS4 (95) and other (2, OMS5) with enrollment at PCOM-Philadelphia (242) and PCOM-Georgia (115). Among survey respondents, 339 (95.5%) reported shadowing a physician as a pre-medical student, and 110 (30.8%) reported shadowing (outside of their required clinical rotations) a physician during medical school. Requirements to participate were inconsistent; fewer than 50% of shadowing experiences required Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) training, proof of vaccination, or purified protein derivative (PPD) documentation. In addition to observation, pre-medical and medical students, respectively, participated in history taking (44 [13%], 47 [42.7%]), physical examinations (45 [13.3%], 44 [40%]) and procedures (13, [3.8%], 20 [18.2%]) during their shadowing experiences. Motivations to participate in shadowing varied between pre-medical and medical student experiences, but both groups mentioned their desire to learn more about a particular discipline, obtain letters of recommendation, and gain patient care experience. Students recommended both pre-medical (273 [80.5%]) and medical school (93 [84.5%]) shadowing to future students. Conclusion: Shadowing remains a common and important tool for students to learn about patient care, medicine and careers. The nature of each shadowing experience and participation requirements are quite variable. Measures to ensure patient safety, confidentiality, liability and supervision are inconsistently applied. Promoting guidelines, as well as codes of conduct, for shadowing could serve as a helpful resource for students, academic advisors and supervising clinicians.


Author(s):  
Navin Soni ◽  
Jayesh Soni

Introduction: Basic first aid knowledge helps children to deal with emergency situations. Everyone needs to teach children about being mentally prepared for emergencies. Children should be taught about different first aid measures, both at home and at school, which helps emphasize the importance of child safety. This enables them overcome difficult situations like injuries, burns and outdoor emergencies. First aid is all about using common sense in the hour of need. Objectives of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of self Instructional module by comparing the pretest and post test knowledge of school children. Method and Material: quantitative pre experimental one group pre test post test research design was used. by using Simple random sampling technique. This study was also done on 120 samples; data was collected by semi structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding First aid and safety measure among Early Adolescent age (10-14 year). Results: The pre test means score was 10.58, standard deviation was 1.71 and the mean % was 52.9. The post test means score was 14.94, standard deviation was 1.39 and the mean % was 74.7. The difference in mean% was 21.8. The calculated ‘t’ value of 22.31 which showed high statistical significance at p<0.001 level. There was no significant association of post test level of knowledge with any of the demographic variables. Regarding First aid and safety measure. Conclusion: The present study assessed the knowledge of school children regarding first aid and safety measures, the school children had inadequate knowledge regarding first aid safety measures. After reading Self Instructional Module, there was a significant improvement in school children knowledge regarding first aid and safety measures.


Author(s):  
Sowmya M V ◽  
Nandhini S ◽  
Manigandan V

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound and calf stretching in subjects with gastrocnemius tightness in plantar fascitis to reduce pain and improve functional ability. Method: 30 patients with plantar fascitis selected from Saveetha college of physiotherapy and rehabilitation center (SPARC) based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were treated with ultrasound therapy and calf stretching. The pre and post test values of pain and functional ability was be calculated using Silfverskiold test and Foot Function Index as an outcome measure. Results: The mean value and standard errors were calculated for different variables and the difference in mean value was tested for statistical significance using paired t test. P value of <0.0001 was considered as statistically significant. Conclusion: From the statistical analysis and graphical interpretation the final derived results concluded that combined therapy of ultrasound and calf stretching is found to be effective in relieving gastrocnemius tightness in patient suffering with plantar fascitis and it can be used to improve the functional activities.


Author(s):  
Kizito Ndihokubwayo ◽  
Jean Uwamahoro ◽  
Irénée Ndayambaje

Science education in Rwandan schools still faces a number of challenges including the lack or shortage of equipment available for science experiments. This paper describes research conducted to assess the impact of using improvised versus conventional laboratory equipment in experiments. Eighty-five lower secondary school students were assessed using a semi-experimental post-test design on thermal expansion of bodies. Data analysis using a t-test produced a t-Stat of 2.74 over a t-Critical of 1.98 indicating a statistical significance between the two experimental groups in favour of the group using improvised equipment. As a result, it is recommended that improvised equipment be used in those instances in which there is a lack or shortage of conventional equipment since students’ achievement was similar regardless of the type of equipment used.


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