scholarly journals A novel e-learning tool to improve knowledge and awareness of pelvic radiotherapy late effects: qualitative responses amongst therapeutic radiographers

BJR|Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Ann Oliver ◽  
Bridget Porritt ◽  
Mike Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Professional Responsibility ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Pelvic Radiotherapy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Learning Intervention ◽  
Time Space ◽  
E Learning

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a novel e-learning intervention to increase knowledge, awareness and confidence surrounding pelvic radiotherapy late effects amongst therapeutic radiographers (RTTs), and to change staff perceptions of responsibility in providing such information to patients. Methods: The e-learning intervention was developed using blended learning software (Articulate Global, New York). 23 therapeutic radiographers within a single UK radiotherapy institution received the e-learning. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were utilised pre- and post-intervention to obtain qualitative and quantitative results. Thematic analysis of coded interview responses identified recurring themes, whilst statistical analysis was conducted using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. This first paper presents the qualitative results. Results: Thematic analysis revealed increased knowledge and awareness of pelvic radiotherapy late effects amongst participants. Five key themes were identified: Knowledge/Confidence; Consent; Professional Responsibility; Gaps within Practice and Time/Space. Whilst several staff reported increased confidence in discussing late effects with patients, further training utilising “blended” pedagogical approaches may be required to achieve longstanding improvements. Following e-learning, participants demonstrated increased professional responsibility to deliver late effects information to patients. Conclusion: The novel e-learning intervention increased staff knowledge, awareness and confidence surrounding pelvic radiotherapy late effects, whilst changing staff perceptions on professional responsibility in delivering such information. Advances in knowledge: The e-learning has been disseminated to all hospitals within the region including a new “Radiotherapy Late Effects Clinic”, educating various healthcare professionals. Study recommendations have led to introduction of dedicated radiotherapy late effects modules on a novel MSc programme at a UK University.

scholarly journals Developing a Spatial-Skills-Focused Music Program for Older Adults With Changes in Cognition

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 291-292
Author(s):  
Jennie Dorris ◽  
Juleen Rodakowski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Music Notation ◽  
Spatial Skills ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Music Program ◽  
Orientation Test

Abstract Older adults with cognitive changes need stimulating programming to maximize their cognitive abilities. One area to maximize includes spatial skills, its decline can lead to disorientation and wandering. Music has potential to maximize spatial skills: reading music’s notation is associated with enhanced spatial skills in children and professional musicians. It’s critical to understand the potential impact of a spatially focused music program for older adults with changing cognition; if successful, future music programs could support people staying orientated in their environments and living independently longer. We developed and assessed a six-week marimba program focused on reading music with 15 older adults ages 65-89 with changes in cognition. We compared their scores on the Orientation Test from the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills pre- and post-intervention and assessed if participants self-selected to read music notation. Participants scored an average Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MSE) score of 81.3 (SD = 11.0). On average, participants’ scores on the Orientation Test moved from 13.4 (SD =1.9) to 14.1 (SD= 2.7), providing a cohen’s d effect size of 0.3. Over the six weeks, 11 out of the 15 participants selected to read music for at least one class, indicating a statistically significant change using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Z = -3.16, p < 0.01), suggesting that older adults with cognitive changes may be able to learn to read music. This is important, as a spatially focused music program may maximize spatial skills that older adults need to successfully navigate their world safely and independently.

scholarly journals 2044. An Assessment and Feedback Model Bringing Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Expertise to Long-Term Care Facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S687-S687
Author(s):  
Philip Chung ◽  
Kate Tyner ◽  
Scott Bergman ◽  
Teresa Micheels ◽  
Mark E Rupp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Background Long-term care facilities (LTCF) often struggle with implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) that meet all CDC core elements (CE). The CDC recommends partnership with infectious diseases (ID)/ASP experts to guide ASP implementation. The Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program (ASAP) is an initiative funded by NE DHHS via a CDC grant to assist healthcare facilities with ASP implementation. Methods ASAP performed on-site baseline evaluation of ASP in 5 LTCF (42–293 beds) in the spring of 2017 using a 64-item questionnaire based on CDC CE. After interviewing ASP members, ASAP provided prioritized facility-specific recommendations for ASP implementation. LTCF were periodically contacted in the next 12 months to provide implementation support and evaluate progress. The number of CE met, recommendations implemented, antibiotic starts (AS) and days of therapy (DOT)/1000 resident-days (RD), and incidence of facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infections (FO-CDI) were compared 6 to 12 months before and after on-site visits. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for statistical analyses. Results Multidisciplinary ASP existed in all 5 facilities at baseline with medical directors (n = 2) or directors of nursing (n = 3) designated as team leads. Median CE implemented increased from 3 at baseline to 6 at the end of follow-up (P = 0.06). No LTCF had all 7 CE at baseline. By the end of one year, 2 facilities implemented all 7 CE with the remaining implementing 6 CE. LTCF not meeting all CE were only deficient in reporting ASP metrics to providers and staff. Among the 38 recommendations provided by ASAP, 82% were partially or fully implemented. Mean AS/1000 RD reduced by 19% from 10.1 at baseline to 8.2 post-intervention (P = 0.37) and DOT/1000 RD decreased by 21% from 91.7 to 72.5 (P = 0.20). The average incidence of FO-CDI decreased by 75% from 0.53 to 0.13 cases/10,000 RD (P = 0.25). Conclusion Assessment of LTCF ASP along with feedback for improvement by ID/ASP experts resulted in more programs meeting all 7 CE. Favorable reductions in antimicrobial use and CDI rates were also observed. Moving forward, the availability of these services should be expanded to all LTCFs struggling with ASP implementation. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals The Impact of Short-term Integrated Yoga practice on Psychological wellbeing in special educators of individual with special needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Vijayakumar PS ◽  
Sahana AU ◽  
Anusha Rajanna
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Yoga Practice ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Background: Special educators face unprecedented work conditions and expectations that affect their psychological wellbeing and professional outcome as well. This study examines the growing evidence that even a short-term Integrated yoga practice enhance psychological wellbeing among special educators by reducing their stress, anxiety and depression levels. Materials and Methods: Special educators were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (n=20) age ranging between 25-50 years (Mean35±6.3) for a single group interventional pre-post study design: Integrated yoga module (included postures, breathing practices, relaxation and mediation) was given for a period of 8 weeks. The subjects were assessed on day 1 pre and post intervention on day 60 on perceived stress scale (PSS), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI-II) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After 8 weeks of Integrated yoga practice there was asignificant reduction in anxiety scores (P less than 0.000), depression scores (P less than 0.000) and perceived stress levels (P less than 0.000) respectively compared to baseline by wilcoxon signed rank test. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that even a short-term integrated yoga intervention that can enhance psychological wellbeing of the special educators.

Open Educational Resources for MOOC

2018 ◽  
pp. 220-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Deval
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
End Users ◽  
Open Educational Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Time Space ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Government

The higher education sector is being influenced by many factors, and a paradigm shift from conventional learning to virtual learning can easily be observed. MOOCs are an innovative initiative in promoting and imparting virtual learning to the end users that are restricted to pursue their higher education due to time, space, and money constraints. Open educational resources are an integral part of MOOCs, and to sustain the viability of MOOCs, quality open educational resources are a need of the hour. Issues related to MOOCs and open educational resources are being taken up by various governmental and non-governmental organizations in accelerating the e-learning concepts among their citizens and to fill up the gaps, if any, to avoid digital divide between the students of regular and open universities. India, being a developing country, needs to put more efforts into promoting the concepts of MOOCs and to popularizing the concepts. In this regard, the Government of India has introduced various platforms for open educational resources for enhancing and supporting MOOCs.

scholarly journals 1168 Preliminary Impact of a Sleep Health Educational Module for Social Work Students

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A446-A446
Author(s):  
C Spadola ◽  
D Groton ◽  
R Lopez ◽  
S L Burke ◽  
C J Hilditch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Educational Module ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Sleep Behaviors

Abstract Introduction Social workers are well-positioned to promote healthy sleep behaviors among underserved populations; however sleep health training is rarely integrated into social work curriculums. To address this gap, our interdisciplinary team developed a 2-hour online sleep health educational module for social work students. The module was grounded in best e-learning pedagogical principles, and based on qualitative formative research. We tested the initial impact and acceptability of the module. Methods We recruited 32 social work students at a Florida University via a departmental listserve. Pre- to post-intervention changes in the Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS) and the Sleep Practices and Attitudes Questionnaire (SPAQ) were assessed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests. We conducted qualitative research to assess intervention acceptability,and to inform future iterations of the program. Results Mean age was 29.5±11.6 yrs, 100% were female, and primarily Non-Hispanic White (41.9%), followed by African American/Black (35.5%), and Hispanic/Latino (22.6%). Results showed pre/post intervention improvements in both the Sleep Beliefs Scale (14.7±2.2 vs.16.9±2.6 [p=.002]; higher score=higher knowledge) and SPAQ (2.1±0.6 to 1.5±0.6 [p=.001]; lower score=higher importance of sleep) indicating improvements in knowledge surrounding healthy sleep behaviors and the importance of sleep for overall health (respectively). Qualitative data supports the intervention’s acceptability and utility. When asked what participants liked best about the module, responses included: “I was educated and am better prepared to offer some insight to my clients and staff”; “..they offer resources we can use for ourselves and our clients;” and “easy to navigage, and full of useful information.” Suggestions for improvement included shortening the module’s length. Conclusion Assessment of an online sleep health educational module indicates a promising impact on sleep health knowledge. A larger study is planned to more definitively evaluate the module’s impact and acceptability among social work students. Support American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation

scholarly journals 1167. Dialysis-Related Bloodstream Infections: A Pre- and Post-ClearGuard HD Cap Conception Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S417-S418
Author(s):  
William Li ◽  
Caitlin Otto ◽  
Mohamed Nakeshbandi ◽  
Michael Augenbraun
Keyword(s):  
Event Rate ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Ratio Test ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Average Hospital

Abstract Background 25% of patients on hemodialysis receive therapy via a tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC). Bacteremia is one of the most feared complications with an all-cause mortality rate of 12–25%, Medicare spending costs amounting nearly $600 million annually and average hospital length of stay of 12 days per episode. The ClearGuard HD chlorhexidine impregnated catheter (ClearGuard cap) has recently shown potential to significantly reduce rates of bacteremia. Methods Retrospective review of 150 patients receiving hemodialysis at a single outpatient center in Brooklyn, NY from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2019. As of February 1, 2019, the ClearGuard cap was implemented for all patients. Poisson regression was used to estimate crude event rate for both pre- and post-intervention periods, with 95% Wald-based confidence intervals (CI). Follow-up for pre-intervention cases terminated at the date the intervention was introduced. A likelihood ratio test of difference in incidence pre vs. post-intervention was conducted. A Kaplan–Meier (K-M) plot of time from the first dialysis since January 2015 to first infection was constructed (pre-intervention cases only). Subsequent subgroup analyses distinguished TDC vs. other patients. The log-rank test was used to test differences between subgroups; Bonferroni corrections to P-values were applied to address the multiple testing problem. Results Median total tracking period (including post-infection follow-up) was 1.75 years (range 0.02–4.26) for pre-intervention cases; 0.19 years (range 0.08–0.21) for post-intervention cases. Event rate was estimated as 9.7 events per 100 person-years (95% CI 6.7, 14.1) for pre-intervention cases; zero (95% CI 0.0, infinity) for post-intervention cases (P = 0.318 for pre- vs. post-comparison) with a clear limitation being lack of power given recent implementation date. We found a statistically significant risk for infection in patients with TDC (P < 0.001). Conclusion In an underserved, poorly health literate, largely foreign-born, socioeconomically challenged population such as ours, we not only established a significant risk of bacteremia with TDC’s but preliminary post-ClearGuard cap conception data currently being followed is promising for a significant reduction in catheter-related bacteremia. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals 19. A Breathing Manikin Model for Teaching Nasotracheal Intubation to EMS Professionals

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (S2) ◽  
pp. S39-S39
Author(s):  
Juan March ◽  
Kathleen Dunn ◽  
Lawrence Brown ◽  
Johnny Farrow ◽  
Phillip Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Nasotracheal Intubation ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Rapid Sequence Induction ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Orotracheal Intubation ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Signed Rank Test

Purpose: The wide spread use of orotracheal intubation with rapid sequence induction has made it difficult for EMS professionals to gain experience in nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in a controlled supervised setting. The purpose of this study was to determine if a training session on NTI with a breathing manikin can be used to improve skill and comfort of EMS professionals.Methods: A prospective trial was conducted with a convenience sample of 16 emergency medical service professionals, previously trained in nasotracheal intubation techniques. For the training session a Laerdal airway manikin was modified by replacing the lungs with a bag-valve mask device, to simulate breathing with an inspiratory and expiratory phase. Following verbal instruction, and with direct supervision, each participant practiced NTI using the breathing manikin. Each participant completed a questionnaire, both before and after the training session, to determine self assessed comfort and skill level for both oral and nasal intubations (0 = lowest, 10 = highest). The pre and post intervention scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, £ = 0.01.

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