Objective: Neurosurgical boot camps allow trainees to hone practical skills in a risk-free environment, but the models and simulators used are relatively costly. In developing countries like the Philippines, low-cost alternatives have to be devised. The authors aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using local, readily available, and inexpensive tropical fruits as surrogate models for basic neurosurgical skills training during a neurosurgical boot camp. Methods: Locally available tropical fruits were used to teach basic neurosurgical skills to trainees. Coconut, pomelo, and watermelon were used as models for head clamp application, scalp and dural suturing, and ventriculostomy, respectively. Feedback was obtained from the participants after the boot camp. Results: All eight residents thought that the boot camp was useful in learning new skills, and that the fruit models served their purpose. The trainees favored the fruit models that catered to the skill sets required according to level of training. The use of tropical fruits in the boot camp also provided an informal atmosphere that was conducive to learning. Conclusion The novel use of tropical fruits as surrogate models in basic neurosurgical skills training was a feasible and affordable alternative in resource-limited settings, although the activity was perceived to be more useful to junior than to senior residents. The informal atmosphere generated by the use of the fruits contributed to an improved learning experience for the trainee.
Teaching ; Simulation Training ;

No abstract available.
Teaching*

No abstract available.
Teaching

Background: Technology has been a vital part of the 21st-century classroom. Because of these fast-changing innovations, this study focused on the relationship between computer self-efficacy, knowledge, and use of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK). Objectives: The study determined the perceived levels of computer self-efficacy and the perceived levels of knowledge (TPACK) among faculty members pursuing post-graduate degree programs, described the use of TPACK as reflected in their actual instructional designs, and determined the correlation between computer self-efficacy, knowledge, and use of TPACK. Methodology: This study was conducted in one government graduate school in Manila, Philippines. The “Computer Self-efficacy Scale” developed by Teoh and Koh in 2010 was administered. TPACK was measured by administering the Survey of Preservice Teachers' Knowledge of Teaching and Technology by Schmidt et al. in 2009. Results: Results showed that faculty members perceive that they have almost a high self-efficacy in terms of basic computer skills. In terms of TPACK, faculty members were observed to be only neutral in knowing technological knowledge. Correlations found were among the subconstructs of Computer Self-efficacy and the TPACK framework, although their relationship cannot be further explored due to limitations of data gathered. Conclusion Not all computer skills aid the learning experience. For example, results show that using skills like using word processors do not necessarily correlate with methods of teaching. It is recommended to perform a more in-depth analysis of the instructional designs and proficiency in web-based instructions to obtain correlations between constructs.
Teaching

OBJECTIVE: A clinically relevant approach to patient care grounded in neurobiological constructs and evidence based practice which emphasizes a relevant psychopharmacology is needed to optimally train psychiatry residents. METHODS: We implemented a biological psychiatry course that now incorporates neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice in conjunction with a Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) perspective. A survey launched prior to course implementation and following each class session, served as the outcome metric of residents' attitudes toward the new curriculum and followed a baseline attitudinal survey designed to evaluate the program. RESULTS: Greater than 90% of the psychiatry residents at Duke University who took the attitudinal survey agreed or strongly agreed with needing a course that helped them develop an understanding of neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice concepts. Most residents also indicated a less than adequate understanding of the neurobiology and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders prior to sessions. CONCLUSION: Our biological psychiatry curriculum was associated with enthusiasm among residents regarding the incorporation of neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice into course topics and discussions. A biological psychiatry curriculum with integrated neurobiology and psychopharmacology built on an evidence base approach is possible, well-received, and needed in training of future psychiatrists.
Biological Psychiatry* ; Curriculum* ; Evidence-Based Practice* ; Learning* ; Neurobiology* ; Patient Care ; Problem-Based Learning ; Psychiatry ; Psychopharmacology* ; Teaching

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the degree of meta cognition, critical thinking and self-efficacy and to identify correlations among the meta cognition, critical thinking, and self-efficacy of nursing students studying through PBL. METHOD: The subjects were 140 nursing students who had studied through PBL over three terms at C College. Data were collected from August to September, 2005 using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: The mean score of meta cognition was 40.14 (SD=6.02), critical thinking was 181.46 (SD=14.49), and self-efficacy was 942.93 (SD=167.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between meta cognition and self-efficacy and age. Also, meta cognition had a positive correlation with appropriateness to nursing and interest in nursing knowledge, and critical thinking had a positive correlation with appropriateness to nursing, interest in nursing knowledge, interest in lab on campus and interest in clinical practicum. There were statistically significant positive correlations among meta cognition, critical thinking and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Based on above results, further research should be done about many factors influencing nursing students' problem solving abilities for the development and application of many teaching methods for improving nursing students' meta cognition, critical thinking and self-efficacy.
Cognition* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Problem Solving ; Problem-Based Learning ; Students, Nursing* ; Teaching ; Thinking* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Medical education using the high-fidelity simulator has developed rapidly in the last twenty years. Simulation-based medical education is now recognized as one of the powerful complementary teaching methods in the medical profession. It is driven by the combination of the following forces; patient safety movement, constructive learning theory, objective structured clinical examination, patient right movement, medicolegal atmosphere and simulation industry. During the last decade in Korea, the number of simulation centers and high-fidelity simulators has increased rapidly, but the development and implementation of the simulation program has not yet been achieved. In this review, I will discuss the history of the development of the high-fidelity simulator, current status and problems of medical simulation using the high-fidelity simulators in Korea.
Atmosphere ; Computer Simulation ; Education, Medical ; Korea ; Learning ; Models, Educational ; Patient Rights ; Patient Safety ; Teaching

PURPOSE: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a well-established method for facilitating the learning of basic science concepts in the context of clinical cases. Relevant evidence is lacking regarding PBL's effectiveness and acceptability as perceived by students accustomed to classical traditional teaching in India. Hence, this study gathered students' opinions on PBL versus Traditional teaching methods to generate a foundation for institutional policymaking and ultimately, changes in the policy of regulatory bodies. METHODS: A total of 773 first year medical students admitted from 2007-2010 in Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal University, India were asked to respond to a 15-item questionnaire evaluating their preferences for PBL or traditional methods such as lectures after undergoing a systematically conducted PBL session in physiology. Their responses were analyzed with an unpaired t-test. Their comments were also collected. RESULTS: PBL scored significantly higher for most items in the questionnaire for "learning efficiency" and "student-teacher relationship". The students' comments highlighted the importance of a trained tutor/facilitator to enhance the learning process. CONCLUSION: Our students are willing to adapt to the PBL method, although they recognize certain benefits of traditional pedagogy. For learning efficiency and the student-teacher relationship, the students feel that neither method holds an advantage. We recommend that the future medical curriculum in India be a hybrid form of PBL and traditional methods with specific training on the unfamiliar PBL approach for both faculty and students.
Curriculum* ; Humans ; India ; Learning ; Lectures ; Methods ; Physiology ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Students, Medical ; Teaching ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study investigated student experiences of mobile technology in a medical English course using a free mobile classroom application, Socrative and its impact on student learning to help them achieve the competency expected in the course. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered of year 2 medical students enrolled in a medical English course between 2016 and 2017 to investigate their experience in using Socrative. Learning outcomes were assessed by comparing students' academic performance with that of the 2015 cohort, who had taken the same course without using mobile technology, and also by measuring changes in their self-efficacy in English over time during the course. RESULTS: This study found students' positive perceptions of and overall satisfaction with their experience in using mobile technology in the medical English course. There were no differences in the academic performance between the study cohort and the comparison group. The ratio of students who were in the remediation program after the mid-term examination was 11%, whereas the remediation ratio of the 2015 cohort was 21%. Students' self-efficacy in English improved significantly in the writing and reading domains (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found several benefits of using Socrative in the medical English course. Socrative fostered the classroom interaction by encouraging input from every student and sharing it instantly with the whole class. There was also learning improvement with the use of Socrative. Furthermore, it has the potential to enhance assessment by offering more various forms of assessment than that of conventional audience response systems.
Cohort Studies ; Educational Technology ; Humans ; Learning ; Mobile Applications ; Problem-Based Learning ; Students, Medical ; Teaching ; Writing

Science of Meridians and Acupoints is the bridge between basic medicine and clinical medicine of acupuncture and moxibustion. This teaching practice was conducted in reference to the teaching mode of problembased learning (PBL), in association with the clinical design problems, by taking as the students as the role and guided by teachers. In order to stimulate students' active learning enthusiasm, the writers implemented the class teaching in views of the typical questions of clinical design, presentation of study group, emphasis on drawing meridian running courses and acupoint locations, summarization and analysis, as well as comprehensive evaluation so that the comprehensive innovative ability of students and the teaching quality could be improved.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; Problem-Based Learning ; Science ; education ; Teaching