Medical Education Commons^™

Coordinating Connections: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Relational Coordination And Interprofessional Team Development With Health Professions Students And Survivors Of Stroke, Teresa Marie Cochran

Theses & Dissertations

The need for effective healthcare teams is widely recognized, yet strategies for team education and evaluation remain areas of ongoing investigation. This study presents a longitudinal, interprofessional tele-team learning initiative designed to enhance health professions students’ collaborative skills through Salas’ “Big Five” of Teamwork and Gittell’s Relational Coordination Theory. Additionally, the project aimed to mitigate social isolation among stroke survivors by forming nine interprofessional tele-teams composed of students from medical nutrition therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. Over six virtual meetings, these teams engaged with stroke survivors, assisting them in progressing toward self-selected goals.

Using an explanatory …

Evaluation Of The Usage And Effectiveness Of The Gross Anatomy Osteology E-Learning Module, Conor Young

Theses & Dissertations

Supplementary online learning modalities have reached near ubiquity in graduate health sciences education, yet evidence about their effectiveness remains mixed. The Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy at UNMC recently introduced their own bespoke electronic study platform called the Osteology e-Learning Module to aid gross anatomy students in the study of osteology. To assess its effectiveness, osteology and whole gross lab practical exam scores were compared in four different content units across three school year cohorts of graduate students in the same gross anatomy class. A survey was also distributed to one cohort to capture subjective information about the …

Reducing The Percentage Of Intubation Time On Continuous Infusion Midazolam, Arsemen Brown, Emily Highsmith, Michelle Horng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

This quality improvement study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer care center with the aim to decrease the percentage of on continuous infusion (CI) midazolam by 30% by May 5, 2023. The pre-intervention and post-intervention data collection phases occurred from January 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022, and March 7, 2023, to May 5, 2023, respectively. Sedation was assessed utilizing the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS), and delirium was assessed utilizing the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). A sedation pathway and associated educational materials were developed by a multidisciplinary team and frontline staff. Interventions in the sedation pathway …

Impact Of A Goal Of Care Communication Training Program For Oncology Clinical Staff, Gary Martinez

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Abstract

Goals of care (GoC) refers to medical care decisions made by patients and families that are consistent with their personal values and preference choices. However, the oncology health care system does not always align with the patient’s GoC values and preferences. Clinical experts suggest formalized GoC education to improve this practice gap. Accordingly, MD Anderson Cancer Center implemented GoC training for front-line clinical staff using the evidence-based COMFORT Model to enhance the participants’ ability to have connected GoC conversations and enhance their comfort levels in responding to patients’ emotions. Our institution’s GoC education team compared the pretest and posttest …

Persistent Improvement In Opioid Perceptions And Prescribing For Cancer Surgery: 5-Year Follow-Up, Brittany C. Fields, Timothy E. Newhook, Heather A. Lillemoe, Jessica E. Maxwell, Jose M. Soliz, Keyuri U. Popat, Christina L. Roland, Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, Matthew H. G. Katz, Ching-Wei D. Tzeng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background and Objectives

We previously reported that implementation of a department-wide opioid education program led to post-education improvements in opioid perceptions and prescription recommendations, with one-month and one-year retention. With ongoing programmatic and quality improvement efforts, we sought to re-evaluate the retention of these improvements five years after initial efforts.

Methods

Attending surgeons, clinical fellows, and advanced practice providers were surveyed five years after implementation of a comprehensive, departmental opioid reduction framework in August 2018. This framework initially consisted of dedicated opioid education sessions and retrospective assessment of prescribing practices, and subsequently expanded over time to include prospective quality improvement …

Sensitive Practice For Supporting Survivors Of Sexual Violence In Oncology, Kevin R. Clark

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Sexual violence is a pervasive problem that has profound implications for survivors' physical and mental health. In oncology care, routine medical procedures can inadvertently trigger distress and retraumatization in survivors. This brief report outlines the principles of sensitive practice and their application in oncology care to support survivors of sexual violence. By showing respect, taking time, building rapport, sharing information, sharing control, respecting boundaries, promoting mutual learning, understanding nonlinear healing, and demonstrating an understanding of sexual violence, health care providers can create a safe and supportive environment. Implementing these principles reduces the risk of retraumatization and improves patient outcomes. Health …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Improving Interactions During Medical Interpretation: Educational Module For Medical Students, Alyssa Reinschmidt, Denyelle Kenyon, Hilda Sanchez-Herrera

Scholarship Pathways Program

As the population of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) continues to grow in South Dakota and across the United States, healthcare systems face increasing challenges in providing equitable care. This study evaluates the implementation of an educational module designed to prepare first-year medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) to work effectively with medical interpreters and patients with LEP. The module included a didactic session, role-play, open discussion, and pre- and post-surveys assessing students’ knowledge, attitudes, preparedness, and perceptions of the educational environment. Results from 68 participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all …

Transitional Understanding Of Kindness In Medical Students, Madigan Moore, Jerome Freeman, Ann Cook, Jamie Messerli

Scholarship Pathways Program

This qualitative study explores how medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine understand and practice kindness throughout their medical education. Through individual interviews and focus groups conducted in two phases, before and after clinical immersion, the research identifies four central themes: definition of kindness, clinical environments, provider practices, and ethics. Findings reveal that students initially view kindness as an innate trait but increasingly recognize it as a deliberate decision influenced by clinical challenges. Contextual factors such as time constraints, emotional exhaustion, and negative work environments were found to hinder expressions of kindness. Students also noted …

Developing Program Infrastructure For Effective Intercultural Education At The Sanford School Of Medicine, Andrew Nerland, Denyelle Kenyon

Scholarship Pathways Program

This study evaluates the intercultural patient care education at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (USD-SSOM) through a mixed-methods survey of medical students. The research explores student perspectives on the importance, effectiveness, and preferred formats of intercultural education, with a focus on preparing future physicians to serve diverse and underserved populations. Findings reveal strong student endorsement of intercultural education but mixed satisfaction with current programming, particularly among female and non-white respondents. Students expressed a preference for longitudinal, required, and in-person education delivered in clinical and community settings. Topics such as Native American health disparities, LGBTQ+ care, and …

Utilizing Registered Dietitians To Improve Nutrition Education For Medical Students, Andee James, Pasquale Manzerra

Scholarship Pathways Program

Despite the well-established link between nutrition and chronic disease prevention, medical education continues to underemphasize nutrition training. This study explores the impact of integrating registered dietitians (RDs) into pre-clerkship medical education to enhance students’ knowledge, confidence, and perception of nutrition in clinical care. A series of optional, system-based nutrition lectures were delivered by RDs and supplemented by senior medical students who shared real-world clinical case studies. Pre- and post-session surveys assessed students’ confidence in providing dietary counseling, understanding of the physician’s and dietitian’s roles, and the perceived importance of nutrition in disease management. Results showed significant improvements across all metrics, …

Disability Lectures, Panel Discussion Improve Medical Student Attitudes, Knowledge In Sd, Keely Walker, Eric Kurtz

Scholarship Pathways Program

Despite growing recognition of persons with disabilities (PWDs) as an underserved population, healthcare disparities persist, often exacerbated by provider misconceptions and lack of training. This study evaluated the impact of a two-part educational module consisting of a didactic session and a panel discussion with individuals with disabilities focused on healthcare students’ knowledge and comfort in caring for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Conducted at the University of South Dakota, the sessions included pre- and post-surveys assessing attitudes, confidence, and perceived competencies. Results from 35 participants, primarily medical students, showed statistically significant improvements in 11 of 13 measured domains, …

Minimizing Grief And Loss Through Advance Care Planning, Hannah Paauw, Victoria Walker

Scholarship Pathways Program

Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a process used to identify or update a specific patient’s preferences of care and treatment in the event that they lack the capacity to do so. ACP is especially important for the aging population and those living with chronic conditions. Currently 11% of the world’s population is above the age of 60 and this number is projected to climb to 22% by 2050. The effects of aging are even greater in rural areas, such as South Dakota, where there is a disproportionate number of older and sicker people.

This study examined the effectiveness of a …

Recent Trends In Medical Education To Sustain An Effective Practice - A Systematic Review, Sharon Pricilla Jeevan Kumar Leela Ms., Amtuz Zehra Dr, Ayesha Siddiqhha Mukthar Ms

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Learning processes in medical practices in medicinal schools put more emphasis on the hard sciences than they do on developing soft skills like empathy and communication. For this reason, the medical humanities emerged to provide a "different" take on the creative process. Medical ethics, the doctor-patient relationship, clinical research, mental illness, and professionalism are just a few of the topics that have been utilized to discuss in medical school. A strong connection between classroom learning and clinical experience is crucial for medical school graduates. Students graduating from a medical program are expected to have experience with patient care, clinical procedures, …

Making Training Stick: Transferring Learning Back To The Job, Amanda Woods Herron, Phoebe Hessen, Katelyn J. Cavanaugh, Wykesha C. Hayes, Victor Hassid, Courtney L. Holladay

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Communication remains a central priority in healthcare, making it a key component of many training efforts. The positive impacts of communication training in healthcare settings have been well-established; however, the linkage of communication training to key organizational outcomes (e.g., engagement, performance, retention) remains underexplored. The present study investigated a training program targeting interpersonal communication within a large academic oncology center. We drew from Cognitive Load Theory and Social Cognitive Theory to evaluate the impact of the training on participant learning (retention and utilization), transfer (communication, decision-making, performance), and results-level outcomes (engagement and turnover). The program centered around a personality framework …

Use Of Objective Tools For Early Detection Of Parkinson’S Symptoms, Brett Weinstein, Alex Rothstein, Danny Chan, Andreana Zazzarino, Brianna Singh, Meredith Fagan, Dominique Torres, Charles Siguenza, Rosemary Gallagher

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by asymmetrical motor symptoms that are difficult to detect early, thus the need for more sensitive tools. People with early PD (PwPD) participate in high level physical activity, are susceptible to injury, and in need of exercise professionals (EP). However, assessment tools used by EPs for healthy populations may be underutilized in PD. We suggest these tools can quantify early lower extremity (LE) motor impairments otherwise not found during the Five Times Sit to Stand test (FTSTS), commonly used to assess LE strength and function in the rehabilitation setting. PURPOSE: Examine LE asymmetry, force and …

Validity And Reliability Of The Wattbike For The Wingate Anaerobic Test, Bernie F. Acevedo, Alex Rothstein, Michele Aquino, Christian Maia, Robert M. Otto, John Petrizzo, John Wygand, Amerigo Rossi, John Handrakis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is widely recognized for assessing anaerobic power and capacity. While the Lode cycle ergometer has been validated for the WAnT, the Wattbike's validity and reliability require further investigation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Wattbike for conducting the WAnT by comparing its performance metrics in the "30-second test" setting to the WAnT on the Lode cycle ergometer. METHODS: 11 participants (male = 7, female = 4; age: Mean = 23 yrs 2.9 yrs; height: Mean = 171.5 cm 8.7 cm; weight: Mean = 76.8 kg 13.9 kg) ± ± ± Familiarization trials …

Stethoscope Hygiene And Its Relationship To Healthcare Acquired Infections: A Research Proposal, Thomas P. Baker

Aurora

Problem: Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) are an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent HAIs, stethoscope hygiene may be an underutilized practice that can further prevent HAIs.

Purpose: The purpose of the research proposal is to determine if patients are more at risk of acquiring a HAI from improperly sanitized stethoscopes in comparison to stethoscopes that are cleaned in accordance with best practice methods while being treated in a hospital.

Methods: This proposal is a mixed-methods study. A 30-minute educational seminar on the importance of stethoscope hygiene and evidence-based …

Announcing The Inaugural Issue Of Advances In Cancer Education And Quality Improvement (Ace-Qi): A Foreword By Dr. Peter Pisters, Peter Pisters

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

No abstract provided.

Student And Professionalism And Ethics Association (Spea) Reorganizes After Dormancy Since 2020

New Orleans Dental Association News

The Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA) promotes ethical growth in dentistry through student engagement, mentorship, and national collaboration. The LSU chapter, reestablished in 2025, is supported by faculty and the American College of Dentists.