scholarly journals Low-cost assessment tools for the development of psychomotor competency in procedural surgical skills

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Author(s):  
A. Doud ◽  
R. Dockter ◽  
D. Vetter ◽  
J. Rana ◽  
M. Koester ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Surgical Skills ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Cost Assessment ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
Data Acquisition And Processing

Abstract. While didactic training is a crucial element of education in the health care profession, current technologies leveraging low cost data acquisition and processing may provide an attractive alternative means for rapid, objective assessment of the foundational skills. When these technologies are leveraged towards improving the procedural surgical skill set, there is a strong opportunity for enhancing current training practices. While the proctor will still play a crucial role in the refinement of clinical judgment, affordable options for rapid training of procedural skills may serve as an avenue to free an expert proctor to focus on the more nuanced elements of medical training. Here we propose and implement a system for the low cost assessment and training of procedural surgical skills. A knot-tying module and a tool articulation module were created using affordable sensing technologies, and initial validation with a trained clinician showed that the devices could discriminate correctly and poorly tied knots. The system lays the framework for a modular experiential component of skills development in the training of health professionals.

scholarly journals Exposure to impacts across a competitive rugby season impairs balance and neuromuscular function in female rugby athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000740
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Black ◽  
Bruno Follmer ◽  
Rinaldo André Mezzarane ◽  
Gregory E P Pearcey ◽  
Yao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Unstable Surface ◽  
Balance Board

ObjectivesWe used objective assessment tools to detect subtle neurological deficits that accompany repetitive and mild head impacts in contact sport across a season.MethodsFemale participants (n=13, 21±1.8 years old; 167.6±6.7 cm; 72.8±6.1 kg) completed assessments pre and post the varsity rugby season. A commercial balance board was used to assess static balance and response to dynamic postural challenge. Spinal cord excitability via the soleus H-reflex was assessed in both legs. Video analysis was used to identify head impact exposures.ResultsA total of 172 potential concussive events were verified across 11 athletes (15.6±11; 95% CI: 6.5 to 19.8). Balance performance was worse at post-season for total centre of pressure which increased by 26% in the double stance on a stable surface (t(12)=-2.33; p=0.03; d=0.6) and by 140% in the tandem stance on a foam surface (t(12)=-3.43; p<0.01; d=0.9). Despite that, dynamic postural performance was improved after the season (p<0.01). Spinal cord excitability in rugby athletes did not change across the season but deviated from normative values at baseline.ConclusionQuantitative measures revealed that exposure to impacts across a competitive rugby season impair balance in two specific stances in female rugby athletes. Tandem-leg stance on an unstable surface and double-leg stance on firm surface are useful assessment conditions when performed over a low-cost balance board, even without clinically diagnosed concussion.

Automating the Clinical Assessment of Independent Wheelchair Sitting Pivot Transfer Techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lin Wei ◽  
Cheng-Shiu Chung ◽  
Alicia M. Koontz
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Decision Threshold ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Test Set ◽  
Machine Learning Classifiers ◽  
Learning Classifiers

Background: Using proper transfer technique can help to reduce forces and prevent secondary injuries. However, current assessment tools rely on the ability to subjectively identify harmful movement patterns. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of using a low-cost markerless motion capture camera and machine learning methods to evaluate the quality of independent wheelchair sitting pivot transfers. We hypothesized that the algorithms would be able to discern proper (low risk) and improper (high risk) wheelchair transfer techniques in accordance with component items on the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI). Methods: Transfer motions of 91 full-time wheelchair users were recorded and used to develop machine learning classifiers that could be used to discern proper from improper technique. The data were labeled using the TAI item scores. Eleven out of 18 TAI items were evaluated by the classifiers. Motion variables from the Kinect were inputted as the features. Random forests and k-nearest neighbors algorithms were chosen as the classifiers. Eighty percent of the data were used for model training and hyperparameter turning. The validation process was performed using 20% of the data as the test set. Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the test set for each item was over 0.79. After adjusting the decision threshold, the precisions of the models were over 0.87, and the model accuracies were over 71%. Conclusion: The results show promise for the objective assessment of the transfer technique using a low cost camera and machine learning classifiers.

Assessment Tools

2020 ◽  
pp. 285-292
Author(s):  
Eric A. Youngstrom ◽  
Jessica A. Janos ◽  
Joshua A. Langfus
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Process ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Bipolar Disorders ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Cost Assessment ◽  
Proper Treatment ◽  
Current State ◽  
Specific Setting ◽  
Treatment Plans

Bipolar disorders are difficult to diagnose and treat, despite their global prevalence and pervasiveness. With the proper tools, however, clinicians and researchers alike are able to detect bipolar disorders in their patients and establish the proper treatment plans. Knowing the prevalence of bipolar disorders and other common diagnoses in a specific setting, gathering predictive information before the first visit, and screening patients with efficient, low-cost assessment options are a few of the ways that clinicians can be better prepared to detect bipolar disorders in their patients. Further, assessment should not halt once a diagnosis is established; brief, recurring measures to collect data about a patient’s current state throughout treatment offer important information about symptoms, progress, and how a treatment plan can be tailored to meet a client’s ongoing needs. This chapter equips clinicians and researchers with the tools to confidently diagnose their patients with bipolar disorders, suggesting tips to establish diagnostic hypotheses as well as specific assessments for both adults and youths for whom the diagnosis seems likely. Technology in particular offers the opportunity to access low-cost assessment options and administer ongoing measures to ensure that clinicians continue to meet their patients’ needs throughout the treatment process.

scholarly journals An Effective, Low Cost, Do-it-Yourself Suture and Knot Tying Training Kit for the Novice Learner

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Surgical Skills ◽  
Instructional Video ◽  
Knot Tying ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Novice Learner ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
The University

Introduction Too Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System is a seminal report that highlights how improved training and objective assessment are key to reducing medical errors. The purpose of this study is to design a low cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) suture and knot tying training kit that enhances the novice learner’s basic surgical skills and to evaluate the efficacy of this training kit. Materials and Methods: Pre-medical and medical students from the University of Hawaii were administered a pretest to evaluate their two-handed knot tying and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie using an objective scoring system. Then, subjects were shown an instructional video and allowed to practice using a low-cost, DIY training kit. A posttest was administered in the same format as the pretest. The primary outcome was subject confidence level, and secondary outcomes were time and quality of suturing and knot tying. Results: 20 subjects were recruited. After using the training kit, mean confidence levels increased for two-handed knot tying (1.55 vs. 7.15, p<0.0001), suturing (1.75 vs. 6.95, p<0.0001), and instrument tie (1.50 vs. 6.95, p<0.0001). Mean time to complete two-handed knot tying (116.03 vs. 52.85 seconds, p<0.0001) and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie (300.00 vs. 181.05 seconds, p<0.0001) both decreased. Mean quality of both knot tying (0 vs. 4.25, p<0.0001) and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie (0 vs. 13.1, p<0.0001) increased. Conclusions: This low-cost, DIY suture and knot tying training kit increased the confidence and basic surgical skills of the novice learner.

scholarly journals A Survey on the Current Status and Future Challenges Towards Objective Skills Assessment in Endovascular Surgery

2016 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 1640010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos B. Mazomenos ◽  
Ping-Lin Chang ◽  
Alexander Rolls ◽  
David J. Hawkes ◽  
Colin D. Bicknell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Surgical Skills ◽  
Endovascular Surgery ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Skills Assessment ◽  
Endovascular Interventions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Endovascular Skills

Minimally invasive endovascular interventions have evolved rapidly over the past decade, facilitated by breakthroughs in medical imaging and sensing, instrumentation and most recently robotics. Catheter-based operations are potentially safer and applicable to a wider patient population due to the reduced comorbidity. As a result endovascular surgery has become the preferred treatment option for conditions previously treated with open surgery and as such the number of patients undergoing endovascular interventions is increasing every year. This fact coupled with a proclivity for reduced working hours results in a requirement for efficient training and assessment of new surgeons, that deviates from the “see one, do one, teach one” model introduced by William Halsted, so that trainees obtain operational expertise in a shorter period. Developing more objective assessment tools based on quantitative metrics is now a recognized need in interventional training and this manuscript reports the current literature for endovascular skills assessment and the associated emerging technologies. A systematic search was performed on PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, IEEXplore and known journals using the keywords, “endovascular surgery”, “surgical skills”, “endovascular skills”, “surgical training endovascular” and “catheter skills”. Focusing explicitly on endovascular surgical skills, we group related works into three categories based on the metrics used; structured scales and checklists, simulation-based and motion-based metrics. This review highlights the key findings in each category and also provides suggestions for new research opportunities towards fully objective and automated surgical assessment solutions.

scholarly journals Light Cross-Linkable Marine Collagen for Coaxial Printing of a 3D Model of Neuromuscular Junction Formation

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Borja Sanz ◽  
Ane Albillos Sanchez ◽  
Bonnie Tangey ◽  
Kerry Gilmore ◽  
Zhilian Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Zoonotic Disease Transmission ◽  
And Migration

Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that modulates cell adhesion, growth, and migration, and has been utilised in tissue engineering applications. However, the common terrestrial sources of collagen carry the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and there are religious barriers to the use of bovine and porcine products in many cultures. Marine based collagens offer an attractive alternative and have so far been under-utilized for use as biomaterials for tissue engineering. Marine collagen can be extracted from fish waste products, therefore industry by-products offer an economical and environmentally sustainable source of collagen. In a handful of studies, marine collagen has successfully been methacrylated to form collagen methacrylate (ColMA). Our work included the extraction, characterization and methacrylation of Red Snapper collagen, optimisation of conditions for neural cell seeding and encapsulation using the unmodified collagen, thermally cross-linked, and the methacrylated collagen with UV-induced cross-linking. Finally, the 3D co-axial printing of neural and skeletal muscle cell cultures as a model for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation was investigated. Overall, the results of this study show great potential for a novel NMJ in vitro 3D bioprinted model that, with further development, could provide a low-cost, customizable, scalable and quick-to-print platform for drug screening and to study neuromuscular junction physiology and pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Using Commercial Physical Activity Trackers for Health Promotion Research: Four Case Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy ◽  
Danielle E. Jake-Schoffman ◽  
Camelia Singletary ◽  
Marquivieus Wright ◽  
Anthony Crimarco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sensewear Armband ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Tracking Devices

Background. Wearable physical activity (PA) trackers are becoming increasingly popular for intervention and assessment in health promotion research and practice. The purpose of this article is to present lessons learned from four studies that used commercial PA tracking devices for PA intervention or assessment, present issues encountered with their use, and provide guidelines for determining which tools to use. Method. Four case studies are presented that used PA tracking devices (iBitz, Zamzee, FitBit Flex and Zip, Omron Digital Pedometer, Sensewear Armband, and MisFit Flash) in the field—two used the tools for intervention and two used the tools as assessment methods. Results. The four studies presented had varying levels of success with using PA devices and experienced several issues that impacted their studies, such as companies that went out of business, missing data, and lost devices. Percentage ranges for devices that were lost were 0% to 29% and was 0% to 87% for those devices that malfunctioned or lost data. Conclusions. There is a need for low-cost, easy-to-use, accurate PA tracking devices to use as both intervention and assessment tools in health promotion research related to PA.

CASA: An Alternative Smartphone-Based ADAS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-41
Author(s):  
Manolo Dulva Hina ◽  
Hongyu Guan ◽  
Assia Soukane ◽  
Amar Ramdane-Cherif
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Electronic System ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
The Road ◽  
Driving Assistance ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Driving Assistance System

Advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) is an electronic system that helps the driver navigate roads safely. A typical ADAS, however, is suited to specific brands of vehicle and, due to proprietary restrictions, has non-extendable features. Project CASA is an alternative, low-cost generic ADAS. It is an app deployable on smartphone or tablet. The real-time data needed by the app to make sense of its environment are stored in the vehicle or on the cloud, and are accessible as web services. They are used to determine the current driving context, and, if needed, decide actions to prevent an accident or keep road navigation safe. Project CASA is an undertaking of a consortium of industrial and academic partners. A use case scenario is tested in the laboratory (virtual) and on the road (actual) to validate the appropriateness of CASA. It is a contribution to safe driving. CASA’s contribution also lies in its approach in the semantic modeling of the context of the environment, the vehicle and the driver, and on the modeling of rules for fusion of data and fission process yielding an action to be implemented. In addition, CASA proposes a secured means of transmitting data using light, via light fidelity (LiFi), itself an alternative means of wireless vehicle–smartphone communication.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF FLOW BEHAVIOR IN GAS-LIQUID CYLINDRICAL CYCLONE (GLCC©*) SEPARATORS WITH INLET DESIGN MODIFICATIONS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Srinivas Swaroop Kolla ◽  
Ram S. Mohan ◽  
Ovadia Shoham
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Inlet Section ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cylindrical Cyclone ◽  
Light Oil ◽  
Section Design

Abstract The Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC©*) is a simple, compact and low-cost separator, which provides an economically attractive alternative to conventional gravity-based separators over a wide range of applications. More than 6,500 GLCC©'s have been installed in the field to date around the world over the past 2 decades. The GLCC© inlet section design is a key parameter, which is crucial for its performance and proper operation. The flow behavior in the GLCC© body is highly dependent on the fluid velocities generated at the reduced area nozzle inlet. An earlier study (Kolla et al. [1]) recommended design modifications to the inlet section, based on safety and structural robustness. It is important to ensure that these proposed configuration modifications do not adversely affect the flow behavior at the inlet and the overall performance of the GLCC©. This paper presents a numerical study utilizing specific GLCC© field application working under 3 different case studies representing the flow entering the GLCC, separating light oil, steam flooded wells in Minas, Indonesia. Commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software is utilized to analyze the hydrodynamics of flow with the proposed modifications of the inlet section for GLCC© field applications.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document