Medical Education Commons^™

Sepsis Education And Training In Medical School, Shayan Ghiaee, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Md, David F. Gaieski, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: According to the National Institutes of Health, severe sepsis strikes more than one million Americans every year. Despite the extensive research that has gone into creating the different risk stratification tools for sepsis, there is still a fifteen to thirty percent mortality rate among patients diagnosed with sepsis. We believe this is due to a lack of robust education and training of medical students in sepsis identification, and thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of training and education of medical students in the identification and treatment of sepsis.

Methods: This study is aimed at …

Examining The Impact Of Personality On Teamwork-Based Simulations In Medical Student Emergency Medicine Clerkships, Allison Doermann, Kathleen Finn, Chaiya Laoteppitaks, Md, Shruti Chandra, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: As Medical Education evolves with team-based problem-solving and medical simulations, the importance of training teams is imperative to assure that students will be prepared to treat patients in multidisciplinary services. This concern necessitates the question of whether individual characteristics such as personality factors into the success and optimization of teams in team-based educational programs. Our project aims to determine whether individual personality traits can impact the success of teams in simulation-based education.

Methods: Myers Briggs Typology Indicator (MBTI) personality data was collected from Third and Fourth-Year medical students during their Jefferson Emergency Medicine Clerkship. These students were observed during …

Patient Interview Simulator: An Innovative Tool To Learn And Practice Clinical Medicine, Daniel Habbal, Khaled Noueihed, Gretchen Diemer

Phase 1

Purpose: There is a lack of materials for simulating and testing the medical diagnostic procedure. Studies show that this is a trend nationwide, where not enough emphasis is put on clinical skills acquisition and assessments. We have designed a simulator to supplement the integration of medical knowledge in clinical scenarios. We designed this tool to be used as an add-on to medical school curricula.

Methods: Twenty second-year medical students participated in this innovative project, as they had the necessary foundations of medical knowledge, and have not had many patient interactions yet. During the pilot study, participants played four cases regarding …

Patient Interview Simulator: Designed To Increase Confidence And Knowledge In Clinical Medicine, Khaled Noueihed, Daniel Habbal, Gretchen Demer

Phase 1

Purpose: Studies have shown a nationwide trend in which medical students seldom get one-on-one interactions with a standardized patient conducting a full medical visit before their clerkship years. We have designed a simulator that allows students to practice their clinical skills with each other, using a variety of cases that emulate case-based learning as well as clinical skills exams.

Methods: Twenty second-year medical students participated in the game’s pilot study. The measured variables in the study included game and confidence scores. We randomized participants into pairs, and each person completed two cases with their scores compared using a paired t-test. …

The Effect Of Display Size On Ultrasound Interpretation, Jamie L. Huot, Mark Magee, Arthur Au, Lillian Flashner, Kelly Goodsell, Resa E. Lewiss, Zachary Risler

Phase 1

Purpose: To assess how display size affects providers’ abilities to accurately interpret ultrasound (U/S) videos. U/S has become essential for patient evaluation in the emergency setting. Although newer devices that are smaller in size and affordable place the technology within the pockets of practitioners, it is necessary to assess how smaller size may impact image quality.

Methods: The target learner population for this study includes all practitioners who perform point of care U/S. A prospective convenience sample of emergency providers were randomized to begin on either a phone-sized screen or a laptop-sized screen. Participants answered "Yes" or "No" in response …

The Effect Of Reflection Rounds On Medical Students’ Empathy, Erica Westlake, Jennifer Desantis, Med, Fred Markham, Md

Phase 1

Background: A decline in empathy has been noted in medical students in medical education and training. This decline raises concerns because empathic physician-patient interactions positively impact health outcomes and patient satisfaction. We tested the hypothesis that Reflection Rounds would increase empathy scores of third-year medical students.

Methods: Third-year students entering their Family and Community Medicine (FCM) clerkship completed the Jefferson Physician Scale of Empathy – Student Version (JPSE-S) at the onset of their clerkship; students at the Jefferson Campus site were assigned to the experimental group and students at Affiliate Sites were assigned to the control group. The experimental group …

An Investigation Of Anki Flashcards As A Study Tool Among First Year Medical Students Learning Anatomy, Tanvi Rana, Chaiya Laoteppitaks, Md, Guiyan Zhang, Md, Phd, Gregory Troutman, Shruti Chandra, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: Anatomy is a challenging course in medical school, in part because of the vast number of facts that must be memorized. Current literature suggests the value of spaced repetition in the learning of factual information, and online tools such as Anki flashcards have been developed to facilitate it. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of curriculum-specific Anki flashcards as a study tool for first year medical students learning anatomy.

Methods: A set of Anki flashcards was created for the anatomy thread of the first block (i.e. back, pectoral, shoulder, vertebral regions) of the JeffMD curriculum …

Developing An Online Critical Care Electroencephalography Curriculum For Epilepsy And Neurophysiology Fellows, Brooke Hancock, Anne Woehling, Nathanael Lee, Md, Connie Tang, Md, Allyson Pickard, Md, Andres Fernandez, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: This project aims to create an Electroencephalography (EEG) curriculum that synthesizes the teachings of current publications and faculty expertise within a single digital platform. The goal is to remedy the unmet need for a centralized resource for learners to use when learning EEG interpretation.

Methods: The target learner population is epilepsy and neurophysiology fellows. The platform will be accessible from any computer, tablet, or phone, allowing for mobile, self-paced learning to take place. To date, the curriculum outline has been designed with extensive literature review and collaboration from other institutions, and two pilot modules have been completed using the …

Narrative Medicine: A Reflective Writing Workshop Series For Interprofessional Healthcare Students At Thomas Jefferson University, Carly S. Slater, Ma, Ms, Brooke Salzman, Md, Rosemary Frasso, Phd, Cph

Phase 1

Introduction: Narrative medicine (NM) teaches reflective writing and close reading to help healthcare professionals think critically about themselves and others in order to offer more effective, empathic care. Few reports of NM methods document its value to facilitating collaboration and communication across students of different professional backgrounds. This study examines the effects of NM workshops on Thomas Jefferson University interprofessional healthcare students, and their utility to achieving these aims: 1) supporting thoughtfulness, mindfulness, and curiosity; 2) supporting the development and use of narrative in understanding the lives/contexts for self and others; 3) improving interactions and communication with others in professional …

A Module-Based Novel Approach To Electrocardiogram Interpretation For Emergency Medicine Residents, Alexandra Koutsoubis, Emily Fishbein, Jennifer White, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: In the Emergency Department, accurate ECG interpretation is essential as many conduction abnormalities are treatable and can lead to death if inaccurately diagnosed. Learning how to read a 12-lead ECG is part of medical education, taught through the following approach: rate, rhythm, axis. In the ED, this tedious approach doesn’t relay important information that should be garnered from the ECG with accuracy. Currently, resources for residents to improve ECG interpretation skills are limited. The purpose of the study was to design a module that teaches an accurate way of interpreting an ECG, that allows for pragmatic, pattern recognition of …

The Effect Of The Surgery Rotation Sequence On Surgery And Emergency Medicine Nbme Scores, Anna Lin, Gerald Isenberg, Md, Chaiya Laoteppitaks, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: Within a school, the formerly fourth year emergency medicine clerkship was added to the third year curriculum in a sequence with general surgery and surgical subspecialty clerkships. Together, a student can be placed in any permutation of the three clerkships, but a student will take the Surgery and EM NBME exam after the completion of the respective clerkship regardless of the order of clerkships. The purpose of this project was to look to see if there was a significance difference in NBME scores between four different sequences of clerkships and to see if sequence of a third year student’s …

An Educational Workshop To Improve Neurology Resident Knowledge And Understanding Of Burnout, Substance Abuse, And Mood Disorders, Shiori Tomatsu, Ryan Donaghy, Patrick Kerns, Md, Phd, Courtney White, Md

Phase 1

Problem: Many medical residents are at risk for burnout, mood disorders, and substance abuse. We created an educational activity composed of an online module (OM), an interactive role-playing session (AL), and a video practicum (VP) to inform neurology residents on the aforementioned risks and available support resources. This project evaluates the efficacy of these tools.

Methods: PGY2 and PGY3 neurology residents were given OM. In addition, the PGY2 residents participated in AL. Three surveys were given to assess their knowledge about burnout before completing the module (Sur1), after AL session (Sur2), and after watching VP(Sur3).

Outcomes: More PGY2 residents scored …

Motivational Interviewing For Cpap Adherence, Caitlin Green, Grayton Downing, Cindy Cheng, Md, Phd

Phase 1

Background: Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP), is the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. If left untreated, patients with OSA can experience serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. However, patient CPAP adherence is an ongoing problem, as compliance rates are historically low (typically 30-60%). Engaging patients in motivational interviewing (MI) by trained providers could promote increased CPAP adherence.

Question/Purpose: Assess CPAP compliance in patients who receive motivational interviewing compared to a control attention intervention.

Methods: A team of medical students were trained in MI interviewing techniques through a novel training protocol. The training protocol includes reading articles and watching …

Assessing Student Opinion On Autopsy As A Supplement To Medical Education, Wing Fei Wong, Joanna Chan, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: Medical schools in the United States have decreased use of autopsy as a teaching tool in undergraduate medical education (UME). However, there are no recent data to understand how undergraduate medical students (UMS) value autopsies in their education, thus limiting suggestions for improving UME. This study aims to assess UMS opinion regarding autopsies as a supplement to their medical curriculum: is autopsy important and how?

Methods: This was a questionnaire study targeted to UMS at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. The questionnaire contained 51 closed- and open-ended questions (e.g. multiple choice, Likert scale, free response), and was distributed electronically. Data …

Building Connections: Skmc – Ces Medellín International Exchange Program Development, Elias Borne, Kaitlin Demarest, Rosemary Frasso, Phd, Andres Fernandez, Md, Msed

Phase 1

Introduction: To date, there has been no formal evaluation of the exchange program that sends medical students from Sydney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) to CES University, Colombia. While many medical schools have international exchange partnerships, little is known about what makes a successful global training experience. This project aims to evaluate the SKMC-CES student exchange program with the goal of improving collaboration between the two universities and creating a logic model backbone for the program going forward.

Methods: Surveys and interviews were done with program participants from the 2018 and 2019 academic years (6 students interviewed and 4 surveyed) exploring …

What It’S Like To Study The Brain: A Creative Exploration, T. J. Cahanap, Katherine Hubbard, Ma

Phase 1

Introduction: In recent years, medicine and the humanities have evolved to be adopted synergistically in dual practice. Employing principles of narrative medicine, this multimodal piece explores the experience of hunger to draw parallels between creativity in art and creativity in medicine. By stimulating reading, writing, listening, and seeing, this account aims to represent these faculties as necessary to both art and medicine and to exemplify synergy between the two.

Methods: As codified by the field of narrative medicine, methods consisted of a repetitive practice of close reading, writing, and reflecting. In viewing medicine as interconnected provider-patient narrative, scholars of narrative …

The Clicker Study, Alex Brady, Daniel Mirsch, Do, Xiao C. Zhang, Md, Ms, Rishi Kalwani, Md, Phd, Zachary Risler, Md, Mph, Mark Magee, Md, Kelly Goodsell, Md, Resa E. Lewiss, Md, Arthur Au, Md, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: A recent study in orthopedics showed that clicker-based learning was more effective than traditional feedback when teaching procedures. We sought to determine whether this principle is applicable to ultrasound skills.

Methods: Our prospective randomized control trial used a population of new ultrasound learners. Exclusion criteria included previous ultrasound experience of more than one hour. Students were shown an instructional video on the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam and randomized to receive clicker or scripted feedback. Each student performed the FAST exam once without feedback, then with either scripted or clicker-based feedback. They were timed and scored …

“Trauma To The Eye” – A Low Fidelity Module For Identifying Retrobulbar Hematoma And Practicing Lateral Canthotomy & Cantholysis, Jared Raikin, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Md, Ronald Hall, Md

Phase 1

Purpose: A retrobulbar hematoma (RH) can cause preventable blindness due to damage of the optic nerve. Due to its relative infrequency in the emergency department, Emergency Medecine (EM) residents have limited experience in recognizing and treating a RH. This paper outlines a simulated scenario that was developed to improve EM residents knowledge in diagnosing a RH and performing an emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC).

Methods: This module used a low fidelity task trainer and case vignette created for EM residents to practice recognizing a RH and perfroming a LCC. Participants took an assessment questionnaire before and after the teaching …

A Comparison Of Homemade Phantoms For Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion, Saami Zakaria, Liam Hughes, Lauren Selame, Kelly Kehm, Resa E. Lewiss, Arthur Au, Zachary Risler

Phase 1

Purpose: U/S guided peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) placement is implemented in many clinical settings. Commercially available U/S phantoms are expensive and difficult to alter from stock. Non-commercial phantoms have been described in published literature without data showing which type is more efficacious. The primary objective of this study was to determine efficacy of various non-commercial phantoms for U/S guided PIV placement, while secondary objectives were to characterize the cost and ease of production.

Methods: This prospective observational study trialed six unique phantom models: 1) Amini ballistics gel model, 2) Morrow ballistics gel model, 3) University of California San Diego (UCSD) …

Technology Use And Wellness Maintenance In A Medical Student Population, Lillian Flashner

Phase 1

Introduction: Burnout now affects more than half of U.S. medical students, causing decreased resilience and coping ability. When these students become physicians, they are more likely to commit medical error and have decreased patient satisfaction. Studies in college students have shown that technology use may improve wellness and deter burnout; however, heretofore no studies have been conducted to understand if medical students use the same practices.

Objective: Our specific aims were to survey medical students to identify whether they use technology to maintain their wellness, and to identify which technologies are the most effective for this purpose.

Methods: We distributed …

Assessing The Operative Log Data Of Traditional (5+2) Vs. Integrated (0+5) Vascular Training Programs, Ernest Gillan, Bs, Anthony Feghali, Md, Tuong Nguyen, Md, Dawn Salvatore, Md, Paul Dimuzio, Md, Babak Abai, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: In 2006, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved an integrated 5 year vascular surgery residency program. Operative experience can be used as a surrogate marker for success in the evolving field of vascular surgery training.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the operative experience of those graduating from the traditional (5+2) vascular training program with the integrated (0+5) program.

Methods: National operative case log data supplied by the ACGME was gathered and organized for vascular surgery residents graduating between 2013 and 2018. Mean case numbers were compared between integrated vascular residents and traditional …

De-Stigmatizing Mental Illness Through Graphic Medicine, Megumi Tsuda

Phase 1

Graphic medicine - or the communication of health-related narratives through images and texts, such as comics - has been increasingly recognized as a powerful educational tool. My project investigates the value of integrating graphic medicine to medical education, specifically to improve mental health literacy and de-stigmatize mental illness. As a medical student, I have encountered several instances where fellow medical students and even doctors casually throw around diagnostic terminology, especially those used to describe mental health disorders, in a colloquial and insensitive manner that seem to indicate that they do not take mental illness seriously, or even ignorant of what …

“Who Am I Now?”: A Musical And Creative Case Study/Time Capsule, Alexander M. Olson

Phase 1

Background

Medical school is an immense undertaking, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. I heard it said that “medicine is the frontline seat to human condition, without the tools to process that...it becomes traumatic”. I entered this phase of my life with interests and passion outside of my professional aspirations, and I have found it a struggle to devote to them the energy and time that they deserve. I have chosen a project in the humanities track, focused on creating a musical time capsule of creative work.

Objective

To create a chronological record of my evolving musical tastes and influences that I …

The Sentiment, Alexander Thomas

Phase 1

The Sentiment is a work of prose poetry that crystallizes my understanding of fluid identity and the interrelation of all existences. It synthesizes my personal experiences with the words and actions of the many teachers who came before me, and serves as an existential reminder of the unique and universal nature of all things. This is a perception that has only grown through the writing of the work, and one which deeply affects my relationships with others. It is, in large part, my motivation for becoming a doctor. I see each suffering as my suffering, and each joy as my …

Medice, Cura Te Ipsum (Physician, Heal Thyself): A Documentary Film Exploring How The Passions Of Medical Students Will Make Them Better And Healthier Physicians, Ryan Emhoff

Phase 1

It is a well documented, yet largely ignored fact that physicians, residents and medical students are experiencing a pandemic of depression, burnout, dissatisfaction, and suicide. The principal cause may be the institution of medicine, which is slow to change, abusive, and dismissive of these complaints. While interventions are necessary at all levels of training, medical students may be the most in need as their mental health is the poorest of these groups.

Emotion-focused coping activities focus on alleviating stress. The humanities can function as emotion-focused coping activities, and exposure to them in medical education has been correlated with higher empathy …

Useless Med School Notes; Medical Education Through Mnemonics, Aaron B. Miller

Phase 1

BACKGROUND: The volume of content required for synthesis by medical students is immense and continues to grow as more insight and information is added to the existing compendium of medical knowledge. Mnemonics, memory palaces, and other visual memory aids have been used throughout history for assisting students and scholars in recalling information; offering an alternative to the practice of rote memorization. While technology has advanced and a shift towards paid-subscription services that offer pre-made mnemonics has gained great popularity among medical students, studies have shown that the act of creating the mnemonic in of itself serves as a powerful memory …

A Mixed-Methods Refugee Community Health Needs And Assets Assessment, Eleni Florakis, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Mches, Abby Cabrera, Kaushal Desai, Saya Bery

Phase 1

Introduction:

Many factors may negatively affect the experience of refugees navigating the healthcare system in Philadelphia. These factors include, but are not limited to, lack of familiarity with the healthcare system, language and cultural barriers, limited health literacy, physical and transportation barriers, and fear and/or distrust of the healthcare system. In addition, there are a large proportion of United States refugees in Pennsylvania. According to usnews.com, Pennsylvania was ranked the top 6th state for taking in the most refugees in the year 2017.

Objective:

The primary objective is to assess the experiences of refugees within the healthcare system since resettlement …

Mental Health And Resilience In Adolescent Refugees Resettled In Philadelphia, Saya Bery, Pia Ghosh, Mph, Ellen Plumb, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Mental health in adolescents has a large impact on physical health, academic achievement, and overall well-being; moreover, refugee youth are at an increased risk for mental health disorders. While growing evidence shows that positive youth development interventions can prevent health risk behaviors, there is need for further evaluation that shows how to tailor interventions to meet population-specific needs.

Objective: The aim is to assess how targeted interventions can enhance protective factors and reduce negative adult outcomes in vulnerable refugee adolescents. The goals are to understand the current status of mental health and access to resources among resettled adolescents in …

Gene Therapy Reimbursement Models – A Stakeholder Assessment, Aaron Bholé, Matthew Luminais, Msc, B. A. Sillah, Md, Mba

Phase 1

Introduction: The first one-time curative gene therapy was approved in December 2017 with a list price of $850,000, and there is a historic increase in gene therapy clinical trials with 89 having reached phase III as of May 2018. Gene therapy’s high upfront cost will challenge the traditional reimbursement models which are well suited for common, chronic conditions.

Objective: This stakeholder assessment surveys groups to identify existing opinions and generate insights regarding gene therapies and their reimbursement models.

Methods: A 12 question survey was sent to 200 stakeholders with the list generated from author’s contacts. Stakeholder groups targeted were providers, …

Normalized Healthcare Utilization Among Refugees Resettled In Philadelphia, 2007-2016, Kaushal Desai, Mph, Colleen Payton, Phd, Mph, Ches, Kevin Scott, Md, Brandon George, Phd, Ms, Marc Altshuler, Md

Phase 1

Background/Purpose: About 70,000 new refugees are resettled in the United States each year, of which approximately 600 are resettled in Philadelphia. This project seeks to better understand the patterns of healthcare utilization, including primary care, emergency, and hospitalization, among refugees resettled in Philadelphia, PA, between 2007 and 2016.

Methods: Demographic and healthcare utilization data for 1,144 refugees seen at Jefferson Family Medical Associates were compiled from the Jefferson Longitudinal Refugee Health Registry. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic characteristics of the refugee population. Negative binomial count regressions were used to test for significant correlations between major demographic variables …