Adverse learning strategy: the Adelaide Diagnostic Learning Inventory and its subscale replicability in a medical student population

The Adelaide Diagnostic Learning Inventory (ADLIMS) is a measure of learning styles and learning pathologies that was designed to investigate the impact of traditional approaches to learning versus problem-based learning and to identify students whose approach to learning tasks predicted poor academic performance. In this study, some important psychometric properties of the ADLIMS were examined, including its factor structure. In this study, factor replicability across samples was argued to provide a more robust and psychologically meaningful factor solution than that which can be obtained using traditional mathematical criteria. The results of the factor analysis did not confirm the presence of the four factor solution earlier reported for the ADLIMS, but did identify three clear factors that had very high replicability. An inspection of the items comprising these three factors showed that factor 1 tapped subjective distress related to poor study habits, lack of motivation to study, and distraction from social activities. Factor 2 tapped distress arising from high achievement expectations that were hampered by superficial or disorganized study habits that did not enable the student to grasp the relationships between concepts and ideas. Factor 3 tapped positive feelings and a sense of satisfaction associated with a problem-based approach to the learning of new study material. Although the internal reliability of the ADLIMS subscales met the requirements of a measure to be used in general research such as in the investigation of correlates among groups of medical students, they did not meet the higher requirements of a measure to be used to identify or predict individuals with pathological learning styles.     

Self-directed learning in anatomy: incorporation of case-based studies into a conventional medical curriculum

This paper reports an attempt to develop self-directed learning skills in second-year medical students by introducing case-based projects into the gross anatomy course at a long-established medical school. The programme and students' responses to a questionnaire completed at the end of the year are presented. Information on the various resources used by students to find information is given. The performance of students in the case-based components of the course has been evaluated and also in the more traditional end-of-year written examination. The data confirm that students have recognized that the projects were about obtaining a deeper understanding of the anatomy, and the programme appears to have promoted the use and study of library texts.     

Students teaching students: a medical school peer tutorial programme

A peer tutorial programme which is available to all first- and second-year medical students has been in operation at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine since 1972. A retrospective study of the classes of 1982, 1983 and 1984 was undertaken to assess the participation levels in the tutorial programme and to compare the participation level to available performance parameters. The analysis revealed that 54% of the first-year classes and 22% of the second-year classes participated in the peer tutorial programme. X2 analysis of the data demonstrated that the relationship between participation in the tutorial programme and performance on examinations reached statistical significance. The results suggested that an open peer tutorial programme responded to the needs, both cognitive and affective, of medical students.     

Changing the College AOD Environment for Primary Prevention

Identifying environmental factors reflected to alcohol use is important for program planning and evaluation in college alcohol and drug prevention programs. Little has been written concerning uses of data in environmental prevention efforts. This paper presents four brief interrelated case studies of how environmental modifications were used by a college alcohol prevention project to 1) change the marketing practices and service policies of a student-oriented bar, 2) alter the sales practices of a campus bookstore concerning alcohol paraphernalia, 3) to develop a campaign with the goal of reducing risk factors related to heavy drinking at private student parties, and 4) stop an unsafe bus from transporting students to bars in Mexico. Creative use of such environmental prevention approaches has potential benefit to colleges and universities concerned with the primary prevention of alcohol-related problems experienced by students.     

Effects of cadaver dissection on the attitudes of medical students

Summary: Summary. A study was conducted to determine whether the attitudes of medical students to death and caring changed during the 3 months following exposure to cadaver dissection. All first-year students were invited to complete a questionnaire immediately before their initial cadaver dissection experience, after 6 weeks, and after a further 3 months. The questionnaire reflected attitudes to death, violent death, death of someone known to the respondent and caring when someone known to the respondent is seriously injured. Ethnicity and previous exposure to dying has no effect on responses, but overall men students' reactions were significantly less than for women ( P < 0.001). The responses given on the final part of the questionnaire after 3 months were significantly lower than those to most questions in the first part of the questionnaire. The exceptions were those questions where the subject in the given scenario was known to the respondent, where reactions were rated significantly greater ( P < 0.001) in the follow-up questionnaire and can be explained on the basis that they were a personal referent.
Students rapidly develop a coping mechanism which enables them to view cadaver dissection as an occupation quite divorced from living human beings. During these early months of training solicitude decreases for those who die who are unknown to them, but concern for personal referents increases. Educators should be aware of the dramatic change of attitudes among students and the process of professionalization which might influence their caring of future patients.     

Independent learning among general practice trainees: an initial survey

Self-directed learning is a natural way for adults to learn. Vocational training for general practice is a preparation for unsupervised clinical work that will be supported, in the main, by continuing medical education. This study uses the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale to investigate factors influencing readiness for such learning among a sample of general practice trainees. Three principal factors emerged from analysis: enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning; a positive self-concept as a learner and a factor suggesting the possibility of a 'reproducing' orientation to learning. These factors may reflect approaches to learning in general rather than these adopted for professional learning, but offer helpful pointers for the development of both vocational training and of continuing medical education.     

涉外护理专业学生社区毕业实习效果评价

目的 探讨涉外护理专业学生社区毕业实习模式。方法 随机设定实验组(36人),参加慢性疾病调查、建立健康档案和进行相应的健康教育,结束时与不参加社区毕业实习的对照Ⅰ组(31人)、对照Ⅱ组(38人)的实习生同时接受基础知识和能力闭卷测试。然后统计调查问卷和健康档案的正确率,并将三组测试成绩进行比较。结果 实验组调查问卷和健康档案的正确率≥95％。实习生基础知识得分实验组(43.14±2.78)、对照Ⅱ组(42.53±1.96)与对照Ⅰ组(40.65±2.47)比较;能力得分实验组(47.00±2.34)与对照Ⅰ组(41.61±3.41)、对照Ⅱ组(41.42±3.52)比较;总分实验组(90.14±4.30)与对照Ⅰ组(82.26±5.33)、对照Ⅱ组(83.95±4.13)比较,均P<0.01,差异有极显著性意义。结论 社区毕业实习强化了实习生社区护理的基本知识,培养了实习生社区护理的相关能力。但有待于规范化。     

临床医学院教学管理工作的思考

临床医学院教学管理工作直接影响到临床教学质量。非直属临床医学院没有专职教师,教研室管理比较松散。做好非直属临床医学院的教学管理工作,进一步增强教学意识,改进教学方法,规范教学要求,对于保证临床教学任务的落实、确保教学质量显得十分重要。     

2002～2006年广西大专新生乙肝病毒携带率观察

[目的]观察2002～2006年广西大专新生乙肝病毒携带率分布,为进一步防治乙型肝炎提供理论依据。[方法]收集2002～2006年大专新生入学体检资料,采用SPSS13.0软件进行整理、统计分析。[结果]2002～2006年5年中广西大专新生HBV携带率呈明显下降的趋势,平均每年以10%的速度下降,2006年乙肝病毒携带率比2002年下降了44%,尤其以2005年桂东南汉、壮民族下降最为显著。[结论]80年代中期广西普遍接种乙肝疫苗以后,乙肝疫苗阻断乙型病毒性肝炎在广西青少年母婴传播及水平传播效果已经显现。建议在广西各地区,尤其是在桂西北少数民族地区进一步加强乙型肝炎基因工程疫苗的接种工作力度,使乙型病毒性肝炎感染率控制到更低的水平。