The Role of Educational Podcast Use Among Otolaryngology Residents

Objective: Medical podcasts are becoming increasingly available; however, it is unclear how these new resources are being used by trainees or whether they influence clinical practice. This study explores the preferences and experiences of otolaryngology residents with otolaryngology-specific podcasts, and the impact of these podcasts on resident education and clinical practice. Methods: An 18-question survey was distributed anonymously to a representative junior (up to post-graduate year 3) and senior (post-graduate year 4 or greater) otolaryngology residents at most programs across the US. Along with demographic information, the survey was designed to explore the preferences of educational materials, podcast listening habits and motivations, and influence of podcasts on medical practice. Descriptive statistics and student t-tests were used to analyze the results. Results: The survey was distributed to 198 current otolaryngology residents representing 94% of eligible residency programs and was completed by 73 residents (37% response rate). Nearly 3-quarters of respondents reported previous use of otolaryngology podcasts, among which 83% listen at least monthly. Over half of residents changed their overall clinical (53%) and consult (51%) practice based on podcast use. Residents rank-ordered listening to podcasts last among traditional options for asynchronous learning, including reading textbooks and watching online videos. Conclusions: While other asynchronous learning tools remain popular, most residents responding to this survey use podcasts and report that podcasts influence their clinical practice. This study reveals how podcasts are currently used as a supplement to formal otolaryngology education. Results from the survey may inform how medical podcasts could be implemented into resident education in the future.

Construction of the EFL Mobile Learning Model in the Hybrid Distributed Terminal

With the integration of technology in higher education, mobile learning plays an important role in EFL classes. In order to optimize the efficiency of EFL learning, a mobile learning model in the hybrid distributed terminal is constructed. The online platform supporting both synchronous and asynchronous learning with three types of interaction helps build a blended learning model and creates a closed loop for ubiquitous online and offline learning with multiple evaluation, which also builds a community of inquiry-based learning to facilitate collaborative study and deep thinking. Aiming to improve the resource scheduling performance of learning information sharing mode, based on the traditional sharing mode hardware, the mobile learning software for the hybrid distributed terminal is thus optimized. Learning resources are mined and fused to realize the scheduling of learning information resources, and user interface management function is designed to construct the EFL mobile learning mode with the hybrid distributed terminal.

Surgical Robotics Systems for Deep Brain Neurosurgery

Robotics systems designed for surgical applications such as Neurosurgery, likely may need to implement synchronous communication in real time and asynchronous learning. It will likely primarily be oriented towards spatial imaging and 3D virtualization, various communication protocols, and calibration settings in order to perform optimal results. In regards to computation, it needs to be heavily fault tolerant in operation. It also needs to be aware of false positives. Likely a complex deep brain surgical robotics system would implement variations of brain mapping technology and may utilize topological neuroanatomy. Various technologies in regards to the mapping of the brain, visualization, robotics and mechatronics systems would need to be in place. This paper is to look at the sciences through a theoretical and conceptual process. This isn’t FDA reviewed for medical accuracy and is meant to warrant a theoretical paper where information is “as-is”. This will hopefully provide a blueprint for continuing research later on.

Online learning in proton radiation therapy: the future in the post-Covid-19 pandemic era?

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on medical education and led to a vast increase in online learning. Subsequently, the XXXX International Proton School moved from face-to-face to online. Delegate feedback and current literature were studied to determine benefits, challenges, and potential solutions, for online proton therapy education. Methods: The course was converted to a six-week online course with twice weekly two-hour sessions. Feedback was studied pre, during, and post course regarding demographics, learning objectives, proton therapy knowledge, ease of engagement, technical difficulties, and course format. Statistical analyses were performed for proton therapy knowledge pre and post course. Results: An increase in delegate attendance was seen with increased international and multidisciplinary diversity. Learner objectives included treatment planning, clinical applications, physics, and centre development. Average learner reported scores of confidence in proton therapy knowledge improved significantly from 3, some knowledge, to 4, adequate knowledge after the course (p<0.0001). There were minimal reported difficulties using the online platform, good reported learner engagement, and shorter twice weekly sessions were reported conducive for learning. Recordings for asynchronous learning addressed time zone difficulties. Conclusions: The obligatory switch to online platforms has catalysed a paradigm shift towards online learning with delegates reporting educational benefit. We propose solutions to challenges of international online education, and a pedagogical model for online proton therapy education. Advances in knowledge: Online education is an effective method to teach proton therapy to international audiences. The future of proton education includes a hybrid of online and practical face-to-face learning depending on the level of cognitive skill required.

Surgical Robotics Systems for Deep Brain Neurosurgery

Robotics systems designed for surgical applications such as Neurosurgery, likely may need to implement synchronous communication in real time and asynchronous learning. It will likely primarily be oriented towards spatial imaging and 3D virtualization, various communication protocols, and calibration settings in order to perform optimal results. In regards to computation, it needs to be heavily fault tolerant in operation. It also needs to be aware of false positives. Likely a complex deep brain surgical robotics system would implement variations of brain mapping technology and may utilize topological neuroanatomy. Various technologies in regards to the mapping of the brain, visualization, robotics and mechatronics systems would need to be in place. This paper is to look at the sciences through a theoretical and conceptual process. This isn’t FDA reviewed for medical accuracy and is meant to warrant a theoretical paper where information is “as-is”. This will hopefully provide a bleuprint for continuing research later on.

Strategies to Maximize Asynchronous Learning

This chapter provides suggestions on how educators and learners can thrive in asynchronous learning environments. A review of what constitutes an asynchronous environment and how it contrasts to synchronous learning environments is discussed. Constructivist, social constructivist, constructivist learning environments, and active learning strategies are reviewed in the context of asynchronous learning. In addition, key tools, applications, and strategies that can be used to support successful asynchronous learning environments are reviewed. This includes the inherent tools within a learning management system, video, and collaboration tools. Finally, educator best practices and recommended areas of future research are discussed. Within the best practices section, strategies to create a more effective and empathic learning environment are discussed.

Preschool and early primary school age children learning of computational thinking through the use of asynchronous learning environments in the age of Covid-19

This current study aims to examine through a literature review whether children of preschool and early primary school age can be taught distance computational thinking (CT) through asynchronous learning environments in the age of covid. Over the past few years in Greece, a sharp rise in computational thinking has been noted as both students and teachers feel the need to create more imaginative and interactive ways. The study results illustrate the significance of digital media in the educational process and the educator’s crucial role in using such digital tools in preschool and early primary school age. The cooperation between educators of preschool age and teachers of Information Technology could offer new dimensions and provide numerous benefits to the learning process. Distance learning programs could help teachers’ training process through properly structured material that corresponds more effectively to the learning of CT.

Operationalizing the emergent management of psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at an academic public hospital

Background: While the volume of Emergency Department (ED) visits has declined during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19, the opposite has been observed with mental-health related visits. The need to screen and manage potential COVID-19 symptoms in parallel with psychiatric complaints have imposed new challenges in the ED at an academic public hospital.Objective: The objective is to share operational modifications in addressing the challenges related to the influx of ED mentalhealth related complaints at the departmental, hospital-wide, and city-wide level within an academic, public hospital.Methods: At the departmental level, a triage algorithm for screening patients with concerning symptoms was developed. A dedicated Respiratory Decision Unit with psychiatrically safe rooms that adhered to infection prevention protocol was also created. All staff were trained to utilize personal protective equipment through lectures, asynchronous learning, and multidisciplinary simulations. The ED team worked with hospital leadership to increase inpatient medical psychiatric bed capacity and to develop testing protocols for patients being admitted to allow for cohorting of symptomatic patients. At the city level, leadership within the three main organizations that provide mental health services to the city met regularly to address operational issues.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new challenges in terms of increased psychosocial needs while limiting transmission risks. Based on the experiences shared, a multitier approach is necessary. At all levels, the goals were to screen appropriately, decrease transmission risk, and maintain throughput. The purpose of this descriptive manuscript is to encourage dialogue and to raise awareness about the unique needs of the mental health system.