scholarly journals Insights into student assessment outcomes in rural clinical campuses

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boaz Shulruf ◽  
Gary Velan ◽  
Lesley Forster ◽  
Anthony O’Sullivan ◽  
Peter Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Student Assessment ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Assessment Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There is an ongoing debate about the impact of studying medicine in rural vs. metropolitan campuses on student assessment outcomes. The UNSW Medicine Rural Clinical School has five main campuses; Albury-Wodonga, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga. Historical data of student assessment outcomes at these campuses raised concerns regarding potential biases in assessment undertaken, as well as the availability and quality of learning resources. The current study aims to identify the extent to which the location of examination (rural versus metropolitan) has an impact on student marks in OSCEs. Methods Assessment data was employed for this study from 275 medical students who sat their final examinations in Years 3 and 6 of the undergraduate Medicine program at UNSW in 2018. The data consists of matched student assessment results from the Year 3 (Y3) MCQ examination and OSCE, and from the Year 6 (Y6) MCQ, OSCE and management viva examinations. The analysis used Univariate Analysis of Variance and linear regression models to identify the impact of site of learning and site of examination on assessment outcomes. Results The results demonstrate that neither site of learning nor site of examination had any significant impact on OSCE or Management Viva assessment outcomes while potential confounders are controlled. Conclusion It is suggested that some of the supposed disadvantages inherent at rural campuses are effectively mitigated by perceived advantages; more intensive interaction with patients, the general and medical communities at those sites, as well as effective e-learning resources and moderation of assessment grades.

Abstract P70: Social Network Characteristics Are Associated With Long Term Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward P Havranek ◽  
Kensey L Gosch ◽  
Donna M Buchanan ◽  
Kim G Smolderen ◽  
John A Spertus
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Vas Score ◽  
Area Code

Background: Lack of social support is associated with worse outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI). Social support is a complex concept that includes the quality of perceived support and the size and quality of one's social network. It is not known if having a geographically close social network affects outcomes post-MI. We hypothesized that patients with a greater number of close network contacts would have better post-MI outcomes. Methods: From contacts listed by subjects in TRIUMPH, a prospective registry of MI patients from 24 US centers, we characterized social network size (number of contacts listed) and closeness (number of nuclear family contacts and number of contacts residing in the same area code). We assessed univariate relationships between these indices and outcomes (mortality and health status by the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], an overall assessment of patients' quality of life), and scores from the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI). We created multivariable Cox proportional hazards and linear regression models with mortality and VAS as dependent variables and with demographic, clinical, treatment and social support measures as independent variables. Results: Of 4340 subjects enrolled, 472 died over a median of 28.6 months. Mean 12-month VAS score was 75.4 ± 21.1. Having no same area code contacts (19.3% vs. 15.9%) (p=0.025 for trend), no nuclear family contacts (40.9% vs. 33.8%) (p=0.010 for trend), and living alone (33.0% vs. 23.6%, p<0.001) were associated with higher mortality on univariate analysis; total number of contacts and ESSI tertile were not. Univariate relationships with VAS were similar. In a multivariable model, age, prior stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, ejection fraction <40%, and living alone were significantly associated with mortality. In the multivariable VAS model, fewer area code contacts was additionally significant (p=0.023 for trend across number of contacts). Subjects with no area code contacts had a VAS score 3.2 ± 2.0 points lower than those with 4 near contacts. Conclusions: Geographic closeness of patients' social networks is weakly associated with outcomes after MI. Further investigation is warranted before proposing interventions designed to compensate for low network-based support.

Beyond vision loss: the independent impact of diabetic retinopathy on vision-related quality of life in a Chinese Singaporean population

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (9) ◽  
pp. 1314-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva K Fenwick ◽  
Ryan E K Man ◽  
Alfred Tau Liang Gan ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Charlene Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Impact

Background/aimsTo assess the independent impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on three domains of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in a Chinese Singapore population.MethodsThe Singapore Chinese Eye Study (n=3353; 2009–2011) was a population-based, prospective, cross-sectional study conducted at the Singapore Eye Research Institute. The study population included 292 adults with diabetes, with and without DR. DR (better eye) was categorised as presence and absence of any DR; severity of DR (no vision-threatening DR (VTDR); severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR); PDR and/or clinically significant macular oedema and VTDR). Our main outcome was VRQoL which was measured using Rasch-calibrated scores from the ‘Reading’, ‘Mobility’ and ‘Emotional’ domains of the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire. The relationship between DR and VRQoL was assessed using multiple linear regression models.ResultsOf the 292 individuals (mean age 61.35 ± 9.66 years; 55.8% male), 201 (68.8%), 49 (16.8%), 20 (6.8%), 22 (7.5%) and 27 (9.2%) had no DR, minimal-mild NPDR, moderate-severe NPDR, PDR and VTDR, respectively. Any DR and VTDR were independently associated with 6% and 12% worse Reading scores and 7% and 18% poorer Emotional well-being, respectively, compared with those without DR. These associations persisted after separate adjustment for visual impairment and presenting visual acuity. No significant difference was found in the Mobility domain between persons with and without DR.ConclusionsWe documented that DR, particularly VTDR, was independently associated with restrictions in Reading and Emotional well-being. Understanding factors underlying the detrimental DR-VRQoL relationship may optimise rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with DR.

scholarly journals Exploration of Factors Affecting Learners' Motivation in E-learning

2019 ◽  
pp. 1269-1275
Author(s):  
Shubham Dubey ◽  
Biro Piroska ◽  
Manjulata Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Dropping Out ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
The Common ◽  
Khan Academy ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact

The world is changing rapidly, so is academics. E-learning has altered the area of academics and education. ICT enabled learning has given ideal services to students by providing any type of content on demand which is proportional to the performance of students. The concentration of learner has been found instinctive; thus there is a need of engaging mind towards course progress with its entirety till the objectives of the course will be achieved. There are several e-learning platforms available as EdX, Udacity, Khan Academy, Alison those have a number of learners registered for various courses. Studies suggest that these platforms suffer from the common problem of learners’ dropping out. Investigations also claim early leaving rate is increasing due to lack of quality of content, distraction factors, learners’ mind change, outdated and succinct information, and some more detraction factors. These issues have been observed on the basis of early leaving rates in various MOOCs. Thus there is a mammoth scope for minimizing the impact of these reasons on the learners’ mind. It can be achieved by identifying these factors affecting learners’ motivation during the course. This study is aiming on identifying these factors. The approach is to explore some certain keywords on previous literature (total 41) and then calculating their frequencies and co-factors associated with them. Both grouped factors contribution and individual factor contribution have been taken care. The study gives a direction for future work towards overcoming these actor and engaging learners in ICT enabled learning.

scholarly journals Surface Roughness Investigation of Poly-Jet 3D Printing

Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1758
Author(s):  
Nectarios Vidakis ◽  
Markos Petousis ◽  
Nikolaos Vaxevanidis ◽  
John Kechagias
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Feed Forward Back Propagation ◽  
The Impact

An experimental investigation of the surface quality of the Poly-Jet 3D printing (PJ-3DP) process is presented. PJ-3DP is an additive manufacturing process, which uses jetted photopolymer droplets, which are immediately cured with ultraviolet lamps, to build physical models, layer-by-layer. This method is fast and accurate due to the mechanism it uses for the deposition of layers as well as the 16 microns of layer thickness used. Τo characterize the surface quality of PJ-3DP printed parts, an experiment was designed and the results were analyzed to identify the impact of the deposition angle and blade mechanism motion onto the surface roughness. First, linear regression models were extracted for the prediction of surface quality parameters, such as the average surface roughness (Ra) and the total height of the profile (Rt) in the X and Y directions. Then, a Feed Forward Back Propagation Neural Network (FFBP-NN) was proposed for increasing the prediction performance of the surface roughness parameters Ra and Rt. These two models were compared with the reported ones in the literature; it was revealed that both performed better, leading to more accurate surface roughness predictions, whilst the NN model resulted in the best predictions, in particular for the Ra parameter.

Multidimensional Assessment of Open-Ended Questions for Enhancing the Quality of Peer Assessment in E-Learning Environments

2020 ◽  
pp. 147-173
Author(s):  
Loc Phuoc Hoang ◽  
Le Anh Phuong ◽  
Somjit Arch-int ◽  
Ngamnij Arch-Int
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Peer Assessment ◽  
Student Assessment ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Multidimensional Assessment ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
E Learning

In online learning environments, peer assessment activities lack the observation and supervision by the teacher or instructor. Therefore, students may be lacked full effort to assess their peers. There exist the students' hesitation about criticizing their peers and scoring their peers honestly, the likelihood for peer assessment to be occasionally unreliable and unfair. The present assessment methods focus only on the single-dimensional assessment of content rather than the activities and collaborations among the students. Students also have no chance to analyze and comment on their peer answers. This study explored the multidimensional assessment method on open-ended question to foster positive attitudes and full effort among students engaging in E-learning environments. The objectives are as follows: 1) To develop a process model for multidimensional assessment (M-DA) to enable effective learning 2) To develop free-text answers assessment by using vector space model and semantic extraction model 3) To develop an algorithm for evaluating students' based on multidimensional assessment. Two groups of parallel students taking an e-course were tested on the system. The results of experiment noted that the proposed method overcomes the method just focuses on student assessment only without consideration and evaluation of the quality of the peer assessment. In light of the findings, the proposed method actively impacted on the development and improvement of learning and the quality of peer assessment among students in E-learning environments.

scholarly journals 008 Associations between comorbidities and adverse events of antiepileptic drugs and quality of life: a survey of epilepsy patients in australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (e7) ◽  
pp. A3.2-A3
Author(s):  
Jeremy M Welton ◽  
Christine Walker ◽  
Kate Riney ◽  
Alvin Ng ◽  
Lisa M Todd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
List Type ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stepwise Selection ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThis study explored the impact of specific types of comorbidities and adverse events (AEs) from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or caregiver proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May–August 2018 Data were collected on demographics, epilepsy severity and management, AEs, comorbidities, and QoL (using QOLIE-10-P total score).1 Multiple linear regression models were constructed to explore associations between AEs or comorbidities and QOLIE-10-P, with possible confounders determined using stepwise selection.Results978 responses were included (mean age 44.5 years, 64% female, 52% employed). 97% reported recent AED use, 47% on AED monotherapy, 35% exposed to ≤2 lifetime AEDs, and 55% seizure-free for >1 year. After stepwise selection, control variables included in both models were: time since diagnosis, employment status, seizure frequency, number of currently prescribed AEDs, and number of general practitioner visits per year. In the model for comorbidities, ‘psychiatric disorders’ was associated with the largest QOLIE-10-P decrease (-23.30, p<0.001). In the model for AEs, which additionally controlled for depression and anxiety disorder, ‘memory problems’ was associated with the largest decrease in QOLIE-10-P (-14.27, p<0.001).ConclusionsIn this survey of Australian PwE, of which many had relatively well-controlled epilepsy, psychiatric and memory problems were common and associated with the greatest detrimental impact on QoL. Further research is needed to understand causality, relationships between possibly interrelated or overlapping symptoms, and management strategies. UCB Pharma-sponsored.ReferenceCramer JA, Perrine K, Devinsky O, Meador K. A brief questionnaire to screen for quality of life in epilepsy: The QOLIE-10. Epilepsia 1996;37:577–582.

scholarly journals The Use of Virtual Reality in Geo-Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Nurzhanat Dalelovna Shakirova ◽  
Nidal Al Said ◽  
Svetlana Mihailovna Konyushenko
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Physical Geography ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Technological Capabilities ◽  
Before And After ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Impact

The paper discusses the technological capabilities of virtual reality (VR) in the field of education as a highly developed form of computer modeling. VR is con-sidered to be able to revolutionize the education field since it provides better en-gagement in learning activities than other teaching methods. In order to study the impact of VR technology on ensuring the quality of e-learning, an experiment is conducted during the Physical Geography online course. The current research in-volves 60 third-year students from the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical Uni-versity, Moscow Pedagogical State University, and Ajman University. All the re-spondents were divided into two groups. The training of the first group is under-gone through distance learning in the Moodle e-learning system, while the educa-tional process of the second is supplemented with the technological capabilities of the latest VR services (Google Earth, Apple Maps, My Way VR, The VR Muse-um of Fine Art). During the study, students’ subjective assessment of the training is performed according to the basic, expected, and desirable criteria. The exami-nation is carried out in two stages - before and after the course. At the first stage of the assessment, the use of VR corresponds to the desired quality of the educa-tional product. However, after the course and the acquiring of virtual experience, the transfer of the students' desired training criteria into the expected can be ob-served. This indicates a high degree of adaptability of VR technology in educa-tion as well as an increase in the respondents' requirements against the quality of subsequent training courses. Consequently, a significant impact of immersive technology's evolution on the demands on the e-learning quality can be noted.

Impact of Depressive Symptoms on the Work-life Quality of Financial Workers in China

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
The Impact

Depression cases have been reported among workers in the financial industries. Occupations in this industry are considered among the most stressful ones. This study aimed to examine the impact of depressive symptoms of financial workers in China on their productivity and well-being. A survey was conducted using a convenient sample of 1024 financial workers recruited from three large-scale financial organizations located in the north and south of China. The result of Hierarchical Regression Analyses shows that depressive symptoms of workers significantly impaired their work-life quality. Severity of depressive symptoms had significant positive relationships with three behavioral manifestations at works. These are, in order of decreasing effect size, turnover intention, presenteeism, and absenteeism. Specifically, depressive symptoms had a larger effect on presenteeism compared to absenteeism, which implies the unawareness or insufficient recognition of Chinese workers towards depression as an illness in comparison with other physical illnesses. Moreover, a Univariate Analysis was conducted to study the moderating effect of emotional labor on the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and presenteeism. An aggravating effect was found, displaying a greater damage of depressive symptoms to psychosocial functions of workers. Besides, depressive symptoms of workers also impaired their quality of life in aspects such as interpersonal relationships, life situation, and so on. This study provides evidence of impairments of depression in the workplace, urging the management to pay more attention to its employees' mental health no matter whether it is for the sake of the company's benefit or the employees' well-being.

scholarly journals TPH Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated With Disease Perception and Quality of Life in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Eun Jun ◽  
Ruth Kohen ◽  
Kevin C. Cain ◽  
Monica E. Jarrett ◽  
Margaret M. Heitkemper
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Tph2 Gene ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
The Impact

The aims of this exploratory study were to examine whether tryptophan hydroxylase ( TPH) gene polymorphisms are associated with psychosocial factors in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). TPH is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin and has two isoforms, TPH1 and TPH2. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TPH1 gene and one SNP in the TPH2 gene were selected based on previous studies investigating associations between these SNPs and psychiatric or behavioral disorders. One hundred ninety-nine Caucasian women with IBS were included. Results of univariate analysis showed no association between TPH1and TPH2 gene SNPs and current level of psychological distress or psychiatric illness. However, TPH1 gene SNPs were associated with IBS-related cognitions (rs4537731 and rs21105) and quality of life (rs684302 and rs1800532), in particular the mental health and energy subscales. These associations were independent of the subjects’ levels of gastrointestinal symptoms. These results suggest that patients’ perception of their illness, and of the impact it has on their lives, may be subject to genetic influences, in this case sequence variants in TPH1. However, caution should be used in interpreting these results given the large number of hypothesis tests performed in this exploratory hypothesis-generating study, and the results should be considered tentative until confirmed in an independent sample.

Sarcoligo: Impact of local ablative treatment of oligometastatic sarcomas on overall survival.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10042-10042
Author(s):  
Juliette Thariat ◽  
Laurence Moureau-Zabotto ◽  
Nicolas Penel ◽  
Antoine Italiano ◽  
Jacques-Olivier Bay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Lung Metastases ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Locoregional Treatment ◽  
Metastatic Sites ◽  
The Impact

10042 Background: 40-50% of sarcomas become metastatic. Median survival of metastatic patients has improved over time. The probably multifactorial reasons for such improvement are not fully clear. Noteworthy, for patients with a controlled primary and a limited number of lung metastases, complete resection of their metastases yields survival rates of up to 40% at three years. Advances in surgery, radiotherapy and radiofrequency have fostered the use of local treatments for various metastatic sites (lung, liver, spine...). Methods: A multicentric retrospective study of the Groupe Sarcome Francais (GSF-GETO); approved by the nationally-review board and ethical committee, was conducted to assess the impact of local ablative treatment on overall survival. Patients who had had oligometastases (any site, 1-5 synchronous metastases) at diagnostic or during the course of disease between 2000 and 2010 were included. Results: Median age of the 243 oligometastatic sarcoma patients was 53 years-old (11-86). Patients had grade I, II and III in 7.5%, 29.6% and 63.3% of cases, respectively with various histologies. 69% of patients underwent local ablative treatment of metastases. Median follow-up was 59 months (4-212) for living patients. Median overall survival was 51 months (1-348). On univariate analysis, grade, histology, absence of chemotherapy, local ablative treatment (surgery, irradiation, radiofrequency or chemoembolisation) correlated with survival but not age or site of oligometastasis. On multivariate analyses, grade (hazard ratio HR 0.12 [CI95 0.3-0.6]) and local ablative treatment (HR 3.8 [CI95 2.1-7.1]) remained significant. Conclusions: Local ablative treatment of metastases is associated with better survival in sarcoma patients with oligometastatic disease. The role of the locoregional treatment of metastases and its impact on quality of life should be assessed prospectively.

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