Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation And Revision Of An Introduction To Experiential Rotations Course, Eliza A. Dy, Sarah Nisly

Sarah A. Nisly

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the perceived student value of topics taught in Butler University’s Introduction to Experiential Rotations (RX500) course, implement course revisions to address any perceived weaknesses, and to reassess the course following implementation of those course revisions. Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students from Butler University’s 2012 doctorate of pharmacy class were initially surveyed to assess the perceived usefulness and design of RX500. Based on the findings of the initial data, course revisions were developed and implemented for the following semester’s RX500 course. In order to assess for potential changes in the perceived value …

Assessing Pragmatic Language In Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Yale In Vivo Pragmatic Protocol, Elizabeth Schoen Simmons, Rhea Paul, Fred Volkmar

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study compared pragmatic language in youths (9–17 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with typical development (TD) on the Yale in vivo Pragmatic Protocol (YiPP), a semistructured, dynamic conversational assessment. Method: Participants (n = 118) were divided into groups based on age and diagnosis. Each completed the YiPP, which included 4 pragmatic domains (discourse management, communicative functions, conversational repair, presupposition). The participant’s response to each probe was scored correct or incorrect; incorrect scores elicited cues from the examiner, and level of cue required for a correction was also scored. Results: The YiPP showed high reliability and …

Training Marriage And Family Therapists In Formal Assessment: Contributions To Students' Familiarity, Attitude, And Confidence, Scott C. Huff, Shayne R. Anderson, Lindsay L. Edwards

Faculty Publications

Studies suggest that few practicing marriage and family therapists use formal assessments and even fewer use systemic assessments. Given the potential value of formal assessment to both clinicians and clients, we surveyed current marriage and family therapy students (N = 91) about their familiarity, attitude, and confidence in training with assessment. Experience using assessments predicted familiarity. Having a supervisor that valued assessments predicted familiarity and confidence in training. The number of courses taken in assessment was not predictive of familiarity, attitude, or confidence. Implications for training and future research are discussed

High-Stakes Evaluation: Five Years Later, Tonya Rutherford-Hemming, Suzan Kardong-Edgren, Teresa Gore, Patricia K. Ravert, Mary Anne Rizzolo

Faculty Publications

This article compares the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) memberships' thoughts and discussions about the use of simulation for high- stakes evaluation in nursing education to a similar town hall discussion, five years ago. Data on the topic of high-stakes testing were collected through a survey before the INACSL conference in June 2014. During a town hall meeting at the conference, the survey data was presented, attendees shared their thoughts and reacted to prepared comments by selected simulation leaders. Half of the town hall attendees favored high stakes testing before the survey findings and discussion. This …

Beyond Credentialing In Physician Selection: Application Of An Instrument That Measures Behavioral Aptitude, Edgar Staren Md, Phd, Mba, Susan Hirt Ph.D., Doug Rath M.A.

Patient Experience Journal

This article explores the idea that the assessment of candidates for the role of physician caregiver can be enhanced by evaluating their inter-personal and behavioral aptitude as well as their clinical skills. The objective of this work was to determine whether results of a structured interview correlate to performance ratings for physicians. Two data sets were collected: a structured aptitude assessment for physicians (the Physician Interview) and job performance data for physicians. Analysis of performance data allowed categorization of the physicians into three groups: top performers, contrast performers, and neither. The two data sets were then analyzed to assess the …

A Proposed Holistic Model Of Assessment For Children With Cleft Palate Within The Icf-Cy Framework, Rabia Foreman, Jamesa Ewing, Olivia Hawley, Mariana De Cassia Macedo, Naiara Rodrigues Carlota Do Nascimento, Brenda Louw, Luciana Maximino

ETSU Faculty Works

The purpose of this project is to describe a proposed model for the assessment of children with cleft palate within the framework of the ICF-CY (WHO, 2007). Suggestions for clinical application and cleft palate curricula are made, and future research needs are identified.

Interrater Reliability Of The Wolf Motor Function Test–Functional Ability Scale: Why It Matters, Susan V. Duff, Jiaxue He, Monica A. Nelsen, Christianne J. Lane, Veronica T. Rowe, Steve L. Wolf, Alexander W. Dromerick, Carolee J. Winstein

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background. One important objective for clinical trialists in rehabilitation is determining efficacy of interventions to enhance motor behavior. In part, limitation in the precision of measurement presents a challenge. The few valid, low-cost observational tools available to assess motor behavior cannot escape the variability inherent in test administration and scoring. This is especially true when there are multiple evaluators and raters, as in the case of multisite randomized controlled trials (RCTs). One way to enhance reliability and reduce variability is to implement rigorous quality control (QC) procedures. Objective. This article describes a systematic QC process used to refine …

Tendinopathy: Setting The Record Straight, Craig Nuttall, Ryan Rasmussen

Faculty Publications

Tendinopathy is a commonly diagnosed injury. Traditionally, tendinopathy was considered to be caused by an inflammatory process. It is now known that a majority of tendinopathies are caused by tendinosis, a failed healing response resulting in a degenerated tendon. The recurrent nature of tendinopathies can present a challenge for the health care provider and be very frustrating for the patient. There are several principles that should be followed when treating tendinopathies. These principles include rest, ice, eccentric exercises, and avoidance of corticosteroid injections. Proper treatment of tendinopathies can lead to optimal healing and decrease the risk of recurrence.

Consumer-Oriented Drug Information Service Needs Assessment, Timothy K. Cheum, Kejal V. Patle, Rodney Richmond

College of Pharmacy Faculty Research ​and Publications

Federal legislation that has been introduced to amend the Social Security Act in order to provide for coverage of cognitive pharmacist services under the Medicare program in medically underserved communities. In the rural state of Arkansas this legislation would be well-received because a large portion of the state meets the criteria of a health professional shortage area. Considering the growing interest of using telecommunications as an alternative means of delivering healthcare services to medically underserved rural areas, a pharmacist-staffed consumer-oriented drug information service was explored. Over a 5-day period, 473 face-to-face consumer surveys were conducted in pharmacy and non-pharmacy settings …

Subgroups Of Cancer Patients With Unique Pain And Fatigue Experiences During Chemotherapy, Heeju Kim, Patrick S. Malone, Andrea M. Barsevick

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Context. Some cancer patients experience pain and fatigue, whereas others experience only one of the two symptoms. Yet, it is not clear who experiences these unique patterns and why.

Objectives. This study aimed to identify subgroups of cancer patients with unique pain and fatigue experiences in two different chemotherapy cycles to examine how selected factors influenced subgroup membership and identify how subgroups differed in concurrently measured functional limitation outcome.

Methods. The sample included 276 patients with diverse cancer types from four U.S. sites. To investigate subgroups, latent profile analyses were performed. Multinomial logistic regression and one-way analysis of variance-type analyses …

Bioregional Assessment Project: Sydney Metropolitan, Southern Rivers And Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchments: Data Collation Phase To Study The Impact Of Mining Activity And Coal Seam Gas On Environmental Assets, John Bradd, Tim Cohen, Sam Marx, Sol Buckman, Emma Burkhardt, A Clarke, Nicole Cook, Stephen Cullen, James Daley, Alexi Gavin, Ren Hu, Emma Kiekebosch-Fitt, Matt Lemcke, Andrew Lowe, Thomas Mcmahon, Luke Mcneilage, Kaitlyn O'Mara, Garth Nagle, Sam Robson, Carolyn Silveri, Joe Stammers

Samuel K Marx

This study was commissioned by the Hawkesbury-Nepean (HNCMA), Sydney Metropolitan (SMCMA) and Southern Rivers (SRCMA) Catchment Management Authorities and undertaken by the University of Wollongong to collate existing data and to provide a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) and coal mining activities on environmental assets within the three CMA regions, where environmental assets were defined under three broad themes; water, land and biodiversity. This study formed part of the Australian Federal Government’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) Bioregional Assessment initiative within regions potentially affected by CSG and coal mining activities. …

A Methodology For The Rapid Assessment Of The Potential Impact And Hazard Of Coal Seam Gas Mining On Aquifers And The Environment, John M. Bradd, Emma Kiekebosch-Fitt, Tim J. Cohen, Sam K. Marx, Solomon Buckman

Samuel K Marx

The potential environmental impacts and hazards of coal seam gas mining in Australia are highly contentious and poorly understood. Concerns have been raised by communities, and the Australian government has incorporated management tools and strategies to address these concerns. The primary environmental issue associated with coal seam gas mining would be on the aquifers above the target coal seam. If the upper aquifers are affected in terms of quantity and quality, then there are cumulative impacts to the surface environment such as groundwater dependent ecosystems and surface waters. This paper will examine the Australian situation with regard to coal seam …

Evaluation And Revision Of An Introduction To Experiential Rotations Course, Eliza A. Dy, Sarah Nisly

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the perceived student value of topics taught in Butler University’s Introduction to Experiential Rotations (RX500) course, implement course revisions to address any perceived weaknesses, and to reassess the course following implementation of those course revisions. Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students from Butler University’s 2012 doctorate of pharmacy class were initially surveyed to assess the perceived usefulness and design of RX500. Based on the findings of the initial data, course revisions were developed and implemented for the following semester’s RX500 course. In order to assess for potential changes in the perceived value …

Development And Validation Of The Ace Tool: Assessing Medical Trainees' Competency In Evidence Based Medicine, Dragan Ilic, Rusli Bin Nordin, Paul Glasziou, Julie Tilson, Elmer Villanueva

Paul Glasziou

Background: While a variety of instruments have been developed to assess knowledge and skills in evidence based medicine (EBM), few assess all aspects of EBM - including knowledge, skills attitudes and behaviour - or have been psychometrically evaluated. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument that evaluates medical trainees' competency in EBM across knowledge, skills and attitude. Methods. The 'Assessing Competency in EBM' (ACE) tool was developed by the authors, with content and face validity assessed by expert opinion. A cross-sectional sample of 342 medical trainees representing 'novice', 'intermediate' and 'advanced' EBM trainees were recruited …

Quantitative Ultrasound: Measurement Considerations For The Assessment Of Muscular Dystrophy And Sarcopenia, Michael O. Harris-Love, Reza Monfaredi, Catheeja Ismail, Marc R. Blackman, Kevin Cleary

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound has potential clinical utility in characterizing pathological muscle tissue. Sonography has been long proposed as method of assessing muscle damage due to neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and more recently, changes in body and tissue composition associated with muscle wasting disorders such as sarcopenia. The use of quantitative ultrasound as an adjunct diagnostic procedure has different technical challenges than the traditional use of ultrasound in clinical medicine. Operator-dependent technique and variation are critical considerations when obtaining measures of echointensity (i.e., tissue composition estimates) and tissue dimensions (i.e., muscle thickness) – key elements of the ultrasound assessment …

The Spanish Language Proficiency Of Sequential Bilingual Children And The Spanish-English Language Proficiency Scale, Jessica Maribel Tavizón

Theses and Dissertations

The challenge facing children learning language bilingually has led to efforts to improve the assessment and treatment of language learning difficulties. One of these efforts is the development and validation of the Spanish-English Language Proficiency Scale (SELPS). Previous research has been performed to validate the scale for English language proficiency but not for Spanish language proficiency. Twenty-four sequential bilingual children produced spontaneous narrative language samples that were rated using the SELPS and coded for language sample variables using the Systemic Analysis of Language Transcripts software. Several language sample variables, most notably the Subordination Index, the number of omitted bound morphemes, …

Characterization Of Waste Anesthetic Gas Exposures To Veterinary Workers In The Tampa Bay Area, Kyle Vogel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Veterinarians routinely conduct surgical operations on animals while veterinary technicians administer anesthetic gas to sedate the animal prior to an operation. One commonly used anesthetic agent in veterinary clinics is isoflurane. Veterinary workers have the potential to be exposed to this gas during surgical operations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a specific Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for isoflurane, however The National Institutes for Health (NIH) does advise that workers should not be exposed to isoflurane in concentrations exceeding 2 parts per million (ppm) for an 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA).

Animal clinics vary in …

University Campus Accessibility Measure, Lea E. Klinger

Lisa Klinger

No abstract provided.

Physical Accessibility Measure For Schools, Lea E. Klinger

Lisa Klinger

No abstract provided.

A Novel Method For Assessing Medication-Related Adverse Outcomes In A Community Hospital, Christopher M. Patty

Doctoral Projects

The use of medications for hospitalized patients is universal, and unfortunately medication-related adverse outcomes are common. The accurate assessment of medication-related harm in hospitalized patients is foundational to the development of an effective hospital medication safety program. Every hospital has its own unique "fingerprint" of harm, accurate determination of the nature of medication-related harm specific to each hospital is necessary to facilitate prevention of that harm with specific and effective interventions. This project has provided a community hospital with its first systematic methodology for assessing medication-related harm. The methodology is adapted from that used in a recent national-level study.

Several …

Development Of The Biostatistics And Clinical Epidemiology Skills Assessment For Medical Residents, Patrick Brian Barlow

Doctoral Dissertations

This study developed the Biostatics and Clinical Epidemiology Skills (BACES) assessment, and established its preliminary item characteristics and validity evidence. Unlike previous instruments, the BACES assessment was developed and tested using an item response theory (IRT) approach to measurement to create a new, adaptive biostatistics and clinical epidemiology knowledge assessment for graduate medical professionals. Thirty multiple-choice questions were written to focus on interpreting relevant examples of clinical epidemiology and statistical methods. A four person expert panel reviewed these items for content validity. After this review, the BACES assessment was administered to 147 medical residents across three academic medical centers. Results …

Establishing Normative Values For The Barnett Balance Assessment Tool: A Preliminary Study, Monica L. Cercone, Katherine M. Grulke-Kidd, Alora S. Haskin, Kyle M. Medearis, Clarissa J. Wegner, Ellen Herlache-Pretzer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for the Barnett Balance Assessment (BBA) for individuals ages 18-70+ years. The BBA is a newly developed assessment tool that may address limitations present in other assessments currently used to detect balance deficits. The BBA was administered to 141 participants who had no history of medical issues that could impact balance. A review of the normative data collected indicated little variation in total assessment scores in the age categories of 18-29, 30-39, and 40-49, due to the presence of a ceiling effect. Variations existed in scores among participants in the …

Practice Of Written Feedback In Nursing Degree Programmes In Karachi: The Students' Perspective, Amina Aijaz Khowaja, Raisa B. Gul, Arusa Lakhani, Nusrat Fatima Rizvi, Faiza Saleem

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: To identify students' perceptions about the practices of provision and utilization of written feedback in the nursing degree programmes in Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Nine Nursing Institutions in Karachi, Pakistan were selected for the study, from February to October 2011.

Methodology: The sample consisted of 379 second year nursing students from nine institutions in Karachi. The data was collected through a modified Assessment Experience Questionnaire (AEQ) developed by Gibbs and Simpson. The data obtained through AEQ was analyzed in the SPPS.

Results: Students reported wide variations in the practices related to written …

Pharmacy Student Self-Testing As A Predictor Of Examination Performance, David Stewart, Peter Panus, Nicholas E. Hagemeier, Jim Thigpen, Lauren Brooks

ETSU Faculty Works

Objectives. To determine if student self-testing improves performance during a doctor of pharmacy course.

Methods. Students were given access to online quizzes with a large pool of randomly selected questions specific to upcoming examination content. Quizzes were electronically scored immediately upon completion and students were provided corrective feedback.

Results. Examination scores following implementation of the practice quizzes were significantly higher in all but the last testing period. The upper fiftieth percentile of students scored higher on both the practice quizzes and subsequent examinations in all but the fourth testing period.

Conclusions. Providing pharmacy students with self-testing opportunities could increase their …

Integrated Guidance On The Care Of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia From The International Fh Foundation., Gerald F Watts, Samuel Gidding, Anthony S Wierzbicki, Peter P Toth, Rodrigo Alonso, W Virgil Brown, Eric Bruckert, Joep Defesche, Khoo Kah Lin, Michael Livingston, Pedro Mata, Klaus G Parhofer, Frederick J Raal, Raul D Santos, Eric J G Sijbrands, William G Simpson, David R Sullivan, Andrey V Susekov, Brian Tomlinson, Albert Wiegman, Shizuya Yamashita, John J P Kastelein

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that markedly elevates plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and causes premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 20million people with FH worldwide, but the majority remain undetected and current treatment is often suboptimal. To address this major gap in coronary prevention we present, from an international perspective, consensus-based guidance on the care of FH. The guidance was generated from seminars and workshops held at an international symposium. The recommendations focus on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of FH in adults and children, and set guidelines for clinical …

Palliative Care Nurses' Recognition And Assessment Of Delirium Symptoms: A Qualitative Study Using Critical Incident Technique, Annmarie Hosie, Meera Agar, Elizabeth Lobb, Patricia M. Davidson, Jane Phillips

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Delirium is prevalent in palliative care inpatient settings and management is often challenging. Despite nurses’ integral patient care role, little is known about palliative care nurses’ capacity to recognise, assess and respond to patients’ delirium symptoms. Objective: To explore the experiences, views and practices of inpatient palliative care nurses in delirium recognition and assessment. Settings and participants: 30 nurses from nine Australian specialist palliative care inpatient services. Design and methods: Critical incident technique (CIT) guided a series of semi-structured interviews. Prior to interviews participants were given a vignette of a palliative care inpatient with an unrecognised hypoactive delirium, to prompt …

Validating The Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile For Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Who Are Slow-To-Recover, Anne Cusick, Natasha Lannin, Robyn Hanssen, Jeanine Allaous

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Background/aim The Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP) is designed to measure disorders of consciousness in people with severe traumatic brain injury who are slow-to-recover. This study explores internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity of the WNSSP with function and two other consciousness measures. Method Retrospective chart audit of all severe traumatic brain injury patients admitted to a specialist neurological rehabilitation centre from January 2001 to December 2006 in a vegetative or minimally conscious state. Medical record of demographical, clinical and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) data were recorded. To be included in the study, patients needed admission and discharge WNSSP …

The Impact Of Interface Design During An Initial High-Technology Aac Experience: A Collective Case Study Of People With Aphasia, Aimee R. Dietz, Kristy S.E. Weissling, Julie Griffith, Miechelle L. Mckelvey, Devan Macke

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this collective case study was to describe the communication behaviors of five people with chronic aphasia when they retold personal narratives to an unfamiliar communication partner using four variants of a visual scene display (VSD) interface. The results revealed that spoken language comprised roughly 70% of expressive modality units; variable patterns of use for other modalities emerged. Although inconsistent across participants, several people with aphasia experienced no trouble sources during the retells using VSDs with personally relevant photographs and text boxes. Overall, participants perceived the personally relevant photographs and the text as helpful during the retells. These …

Identifying The Barriers And Enablers To Pallative Care Nurses' Recognition And Assessment Of Delirium Symptoms: A Qualitative Study, Annmarie Hosie, M Agar, Elizabeth A. Lobb, P M. Davidson, Jane Phillips

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Context: Delirium is under-recognised by nurses, including those working in palliative care settings where the syndrome occurs frequently. Identifying contextual factors that support and/or hinder palliative care nurses’ delirium recognition and assessment capabilities is crucial, to inform development of clinical practice and systems aimed at improving patients’ delirium outcomes.

Objective: To identify nurses’ perceptions of the barriers and enablers to recognising and assessing delirium symptoms in palliative care inpatient settings.

Methods: A series of semi-structured interviews, guided by critical incident technique, were conducted with nurses working in Australian palliative care inpatient settings. A hypoactive delirium vignette prompted participants’ recall of …

Evaluation Of Multiple Choice And Short Essay Question Items In Basic Medical Sciences, Mukhtiar Baig, Syeda Kauser Ali, Sobia Ali, Nighat Huda

Department of Continuing Professional Education

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate Multiple Choice and Short Essay Question items in Basic Medical Sciences by determining item writing flaws (IWFs) of MCQs along with cognitive level of each item in both methods.

METHODS:

This analytical study evaluated the quality of the assessment tools used for the first batch in a newly established medical college in Karachi, Pakistan. First and sixth module assessment tools in Biochemistry during 2009-2010 were analyzed. Cognitive level of MCQs and SEQs, were noted and MCQ item writing flaws were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

A total of 36 SEQs and 150 MCQs of four items were analyzed. The …