scholarly journals Comparison of Online Tests of Very Short Answer versus Single Best Answers for Medical Students in a Pharmacology Course over One Year

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Neumann ◽  
Stephanie Simmrodt ◽  
Holger Teichert ◽  
Ulrich Gergs
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Online Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Retention Of Knowledge ◽  
Online Tests

Single best answers (single choice, SC) are the classical tools used in medical examinations on all levels of education. In contrast, very short answer (VSA) probably requires sound prior knowledge and deeper learning than SC, and VSA should make cueing and guessing impossible. Hence, in a basic pharmacology course, we wanted to compare the SC and VSA formats directly at the end of the course and one year later. Medical students (n = 211) were given a formative online test. Two groups were randomly formed (A and B). Participants in group A were first given fifteen single choices (one out of five) pharmacology questions and thereafter fifteen very short answer questions (open question which were to be answered online and semiautomatically assessed). Very similar questions with regard to learning objectives but in opposite order were given to group B. After one year, about half of students from group A were again given the very same questions (AA) or the opposite questions (AB). Likewise, group B was again tested with the opposite questions (BA) or the same (BB). The SC questions in groups A, AA, AB, B, BA, and BB were in sum easier to answer than the corresponding VSA questions. Repeating the test after one year with the same students increased retention of right answers by about 1.5 points. In summary, direct comparison questions in the VSA format are more difficult for our students to answer than questions in the SC format, conceivably because cueing and guessing are eliminated. Knowledge retention is present by repeating the very same examination format online. Retention of knowledge is higher when starting with VSA (group B) both for a subsequent SC format or a VSA format. These data would argue for more use of the VSA format at least in pharmacology examinations.

Single-choice or multiple true false questions (Kprime):Direct comparison of online tests in pharmacology over one year (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Neumann ◽  
Stephanie Simmrodt ◽  
Beatrice Bader ◽  
Bertram Opitz ◽  
Ulrich Gergs
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Online Test ◽  
True Answer ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

BACKGROUND There remain doubts about whether multiple choice answer formats (single choice) offer the best option to encourage deep learning or whether SC formats simply lead to superficial learning or cramming. Moreover, cueing is always a drawback in the SC format. Another way to assess knowledge is true multiple-choice questions in which one or more answers can be true and the student is not aware of how many true answers are to be anticipated (K´ or Kprime question format). OBJECTIVE Here, we compared both single-choice answers (one true answer, SC) with Kprime answers (one to four true answers out of four answers, Kprime) for the very same learning objectives in a study of pharmacology in medical students. METHODS Two groups of medical students were randomly subjected to a formative online test: group A) was first given 15 SC (#1-15) followed by 15 different Kprime questions (#16-30). The opposite design was used for group B. RESULTS The mean number of right answers was higher for SC than for Kprime questions in group A (10.02 vs. 8.63, p < 0.05) and group B (9.98 vs. 6.66, p < 0.05). The number of right answers was higher for nine questions of SC compared to Kprime in group A and for eight questions in group B (pairwise T-Test, p < 0.05). Thus, SC is easier to answer than the same learning objectives in pharmacology given as Kprime questions. One year later, four groups were formed from the previous two groups and were again given the same online test but in a different order: the main result was that all students fared better in the second test than in the initial test; however, the gain in points was highest if initially mode B was given. CONCLUSIONS Kprime is less popular with students being more demanding, but could improve memory of subject matter and thus might be more often used by meidcal educators.

Long-Term Knowledge Retention after Peer-Assisted Abdominal Ultrasound Teaching: Is PAL a Successful Model for Achieving Knowledge Retention?

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasenien Nourkami-Tutdibi ◽  
Erol Tutdibi ◽  
Susanne Schmidt ◽  
Michael Zemlin ◽  
Hashim Abdul-Khaliq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Knowledge Gain ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Successful Model ◽  
Post Test ◽  
One Year ◽  
Retention Of Knowledge

Abstract Background Diagnostic ultrasound has a crucial importance in clinical settings, especially in intensive care medicine where bedside ultrasound has become indispensable. Medical students as well as residents therefore have a strong interest in learning this useful skill. Since staff resources are limited, more and more universities are using student tutors in a peer-assisted learning concept (PAL) to teach medical students early in their training. To date, there is very sparse data about knowledge retention after peer-assisted teaching. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PAL is a suitable method for teaching complex skills like abdominal ultrasound and to evaluate whether students do achieve adequate long-term knowledge retention after peer-assisted teaching. Method A total of 40 volunteer 3rd to 5th year students were randomly assigned to a basic abdominal ultrasound course in small training groups of 5 persons each. Participants were evaluated using a pre-post-test design by a validated objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) before and immediately after the course. To measure the retention of knowledge, 15 former participants were randomly selected to repeat the OSCE assessment after one year. Results All groups showed a significant improvement in practical skills and knowledge gain after the training with mean values of 13.1 for pre-test compared to 83.5 (maximum 100 points) for post-test (p < 0.001). The overall score achieved after one year was 78.7 and did not significantly differ from the post-test result. Conclusion PAL is effective for teaching abdominal ultrasound. Students were able to accomplish a satisfactory level of ultrasound skills. We further demonstrated that PAL can assure long-term knowledge retention.

Comparison of one-year prognosis of patients classified as chronic critical lower limb ischaemia according to TASC II or European consensus definition in the COPART cohort

VASA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 0220-0228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Vircoulon ◽  
Carine Boulon ◽  
Ileana Desormais ◽  
Philippe Lacroix ◽  
Victor Aboyans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Critical Limb Ischaemia ◽  
Limb Ischaemia ◽  
Medical Group ◽  
Consensus Definition ◽  
Transcutaneous Oxygen ◽  
European Consensus ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

Background: We compared one-year amputation and survival rates in patients fulfilling 1991 European consensus critical limb ischaemia (CLI) definition to those clas, sified as CLI by TASC II but not European consensus (EC) definition. Patients and methods: Patients were selected from the COPART cohort of hospitalized patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease suffering from lower extremity rest pain or ulcer and who completed one-year follow-up. Ankle and toe systolic pressures and transcutaneous oxygen pressure were measured. The patients were classified into two groups: those who could benefit from revascularization and those who could not (medical group). Within these groups, patients were separated into those who had CLI according to the European consensus definition (EC + TASC II: group A if revascularization, group C if medical treatment) and those who had no CLI by the European definition but who had CLI according to the TASC II definition (TASC: group B if revascularization and D if medical treatment). Results: 471 patients were included in the study (236 in the surgical group, 235 in the medical group). There was no difference according to the CLI definition for survival or cardiovascular event-free survival. However, major amputations were more frequent in group A than in group B (25 vs 12 %, p = 0.046) and in group C than in group D (38 vs 20 %, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Major amputation is twice as frequent in patients with CLI according to the historical European consensus definition than in those classified to the TASC II definition but not the EC. Caution is required when comparing results of recent series to historical controls. The TASC II definition of CLI is too wide to compare patients from clinical trials so we suggest separating these patients into two different stages: permanent (TASC II but not EC definition) and critical ischaemia (TASC II and EC definition).

scholarly journals Infective complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy in relation to preoperative urine culture status

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Birendra Kumar Yadav ◽  
Robin Bahadur Basnet ◽  
Anil Shrestha ◽  
Parish Mani Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy ◽  
Urine Culture ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Stone Characteristics ◽  
Negative Urine Culture ◽  
Infective Complications

Introductions: Fever and sepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) secondary to urinary tract infection is a major determinant of overall post PCNL complications. This study aims to analyse infective complications after PCNL in relation to pre-operative urine culture status. Methods: A comparative analysis of post PCNL infective complications in pre-operative urine culture positive (Group A) and negative (Group B) was done for one year during June 2017 to May 2018 in department of urology, Bir Hospital, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal. Demographics, stone characteristics, mean operative time, post-operative hospital stay and post-operative complications as per Modified Clavien classification were compared between the two groups. Results: Out of total 136 PCNL patients, 51 were in Group A and 85 in Group B. Infective complications were significantly high, 28 (54.90%) in group A compared to 20 (23.53%) in group B, p=0.004. The most common isolate was Escherichia coli 19 (37.25%), sensitive to amikacin 37 (72.55%). The mean operation time, transfusion and hospital stay was not statically different in two groups. Morality occurred in 1 (1.96%) in group A. Conclusions: Infective complications were significantly high after PCNL in patients with preoperative positive urine culture, even when it was treated to sterile with sensitive antibiotics, compared to patients with preoperative negative urine culture.

Perforator-Based Flap Reconstruction after Melanoma Resection: Evaluation of Oncological, Aesthetic, and Functional Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beniamino Brunetti ◽  
Rosa Salzillo ◽  
Stefania Tenna ◽  
Bruno Brunetti ◽  
Mario Alessandri Bonetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Locoregional Recurrence ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

Abstract Background Evidence in literature about the best reconstructive approach after melanoma resection is controversial, with some authors advocating that tissue rearrangement flap techniques might hinder the early detection of local relapses. The aim of the present study is to evaluate oncological, aesthetic, and functional outcomes following melanoma reconstruction using pedicled perforator-based flaps. Methods The authors reviewed all patients affected by melanoma treated during a 6-year period. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and operative variables were evaluated. Locoregional recurrence was assessed with clinical and radiological follow-up. One-year postoperatively patients rated on a 5-point Likert scale the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the procedure. Three blind observers examined preoperative and 1-year postoperative photographs and rated the aesthetic outcome of the reconstructive procedure. Results One-hundred sixty-five patients were treated with wide excision and delayed reconstruction, including pedicled perforator-based flaps in 70 patients (group A) and primary closure in 95 patients (group B). Mean Breslow thickness was 2.972 and 2.189 mm in group A and B, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in locoregional recurrence (chi-squared test, p = 0.8333; Fisher's exact test, p > 0.9999) between the two groups. Group A reported a higher satisfaction with both the aesthetic (mean rating 4.390 in group A and 4.094 in group B) and functional (mean rating 4.732 in group A and 4.170 in group B) outcomes of the procedure, the latter being statistically significant (p = 0.0006). Conclusion This series suggests that pedicled perforator-based flaps provide optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes in melanoma reconstruction without impairing the locoregional control of the disease.

Immunity to Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, and Poliomyelitis in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia After Cessation of Chemotherapy

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. van der Does-van den Berg ◽  
J. Hermans ◽  
J. Nagel ◽  
G. van Steenis
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
First Year ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Antibody Levels

Antibody titers to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and poliomyelitis (types I to III) were measured in previously vaccinated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in remission after cessation of therapy. The response to revaccination one year after therapy was stopped was also studied. The patients' antibody titers were compared with those of healthy children, matched for age and sex. Two groups of patients were studied: one group (group A, N = 30) was given two drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate); the other group (group B, N= 19) was given three drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide) for maintenance treatment. In general, the patients' antibody titers were lower than those of healthy children, but in most patients they were still at levels considered to be protective. No significant differences in antibody levels between the two patient groups were found. A spontaneous rise in antibody titers in the first year after termination of therapy was not observed. After revaccination the rise in antibody titers was correlated with preexisting antibody titers in the same way in patients as in healthy children, and the antibody titers in patients and in healthy control subjects were on roughly the same level.

scholarly journals Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Nepalese medical students: a report

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-158
Author(s):  
T. Pramanik ◽  
S. Pramanik
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Blood Groups ◽  
Blood Group A ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Group Distribution

The frequencies of ABO and rhesus blood groups vary from one population to another. We studied blood group distribution in 120 Nepalese students; 34% were blood group A, 29% group B, 4% group AB and 32.5% group O. The frequency of Rh-negative blood was 3.33% and Rh-positive 96.66%

scholarly journals Amino acid infusion in oligohydromnios and increase in AFI and impact on perinatal outcome

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 617
Author(s):  
Isha Sunil ◽  
Chejerla Sunitha ◽  
Harkirat Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Perinatal Outcome ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Apgar Scores ◽  
Acid Infusion ◽  
Amino Acid Infusion ◽  
Vaginal Deliveries ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

Background: Decreased amniotic fluid is related to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of amino acid infusion in patients of oligohydromnios and compare the perinatal outcome in the two groups.Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASCOMS Hospital, Jammu for a period of one year from October 2017 to September 2018. A total of 50 women with AFI <8 cm were enrolled in the study . They were divided into two groups of 25 each. Group A were given amino acid infusion and Group B were not given any intervention. These were compared for increase in AFI and perinatal outcome.Results: In the present study, the gain in AFI in Group A was 2.32 ± 0.67 and in group B was 1.32 ± 1.03 which was statistically significant. The perinatal outcome was better Group A compared to Group B with decreased incidence of meconium stained liquor, low birth weight, low APGAR scores and NICU admissions and increase in vaginal deliveries as compared to caesarean sections.Conclusions: The present study suggests that parentral transfusion of amino acid in cases of oligohydromnios significantly increases the AFI of the patient and decreases the incidence of caesarean sections, meconium stained liquor, low APGAR scores and NICU admissions.

scholarly journals Hemodialysis Adequacy and Its Impact on Long-Term Patient Survival in Demographically, Socially, and Culturally Homogeneous Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Reza Hekmat
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Chronic Hemodialysis ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Iranian Patients

Background. Impact of hemodialysis adequacy on patient survival is extensively studied. The current study compares the survival of chronic hemodialyzed, undocumented, uninsured, Afghan immigrant patients with that of a group of insured Iranian patients matched for underlying disease, age, weight, level of education, marital status, income, and number of comorbid conditions. Methods. Eighty chronic hemodialysis patients (mean age 42.8 ± 10.5 years) entered this historical cohort study in Mashhad, Iran, between January 2012 and January 2015. Half of the patients were undocumented, uninsured, Afghan immigrants (Group A) matched with forty insured Iranian patients (Group B). To compare the survival rate of the two patient groups, Kaplan–Meir survival analysis test was used. Results. Group A patients were underdialyzed with a weekly Kt/V which was significantly less in comparison with that of Group B (1.63 ± 0.63 versus 2.54 ± 0.12, p value = 0.01). While Group A’s number of hemodialysis sessions per week was fewer than that of Group B (1.45 ± 0.56 versus 2.8 ± 0.41, p value = 0.04), the mean of Kt/V in each hemodialysis session was higher in them, in comparison with Group B (1.43 ± 0.25 versus 1.3 ± 0.07, p value = 0.045). In Group B and Group A patients, one-year survival was 70% versus 50%, two-year survival was 55% versus 30%, and three-year survival was 40% versus 20%, respectively (p values = 0.04, 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). In Cox regression analysis, hemodialysis adequacy and uninsurance were factors impacting patients’ survival (OR = 1.193 and 0.333, respectively). Conclusions. Undocumented, uninsured, inadequately hemodialyzed, Afghan patients had a significantly lower one-, two-, and three-year survival as opposed to their Iranian counterparts, probably due to lack of insurance.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study among medical students in Latvia: Differences of mental symptoms and somatic symptoms among Latvian and international students

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Kamiar-Kersten Rueckert ◽  
Gunta Ancane
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Event ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Adjustment Disorder ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Introduction. This research aims to determine the prevalence of mental symptoms (depressive symptoms, anxiety and adjustment disorders) and somatic symptoms among medical students at Riga Stradins University in Latvia, as well as to display the differences between local and international medical students. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of onlinebased questionnaires among medical students in their 1st, 4th and 6th years studying in Riga, Latvia, during March 2017. The mental and somatic symptoms were screened with the PHQ-D Option C (PHQ-15, PHQ-9, GAD-7). Symptoms of adjustment disorder were obtained by the ADNM-6. Medical students were divided into three groups according to their answers of the PHQ-D: Group A: no symptom, group B: a single symptom, group C: multiple symptoms. A general questionnaire and a questionnaire regarding stressful life events over the past half-year were distributed additionally. Results. 67 (40.1%) participants were Latvian students; 100 (59.9%) were international students. 23 (34.3%) Latvian students were in group A, 20 (29.9%) in group B, 24 (35.8%) in group C. 51 (51%) international students were in group A, 34 (34%) in group B, 14 (14%) in group C. Latvians displayed statisti cally significantly more health-related symptoms (0.003). 11 (11%) international students who reported a stressful life event over the last half-year were in group C. 21 (31.3%) of Latvian students who reported a stressful life event over the last half-year were in group C. 73 (43.7%) of all students had experienced stressful life events and displayed troubles adjusting to them. 65 (63.1%) students of the two groups with a stressful life found the event to have a great burden on them, 63 (61.2%) were wondering whether it could happen again, and 73 (70.9%) tried to suppress their feelings. Conclusion. Medical students in Latvia have a high prevalence of healthrelated symptoms. Latvian medical students display more health-related symptoms and symptoms of adjustment disorder. Further research needs to be performed to investigate whether Latvians have a lower threshold for stressors or whether they are exposed to more stressors than international students. The high prevalence of symptoms of adjustment disorder may impact the prospective patient-doctor relationship and the treatment outcome.

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