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.     

Teaching school health to undergraduate medical students

This paper describes a teaching programme for final- (sixth-) year undergraduate medical students during their 10-week term in child health. Students attend schools on two occasions and are actively involved in the physical, educational and emotional assessment of children. The advantages of the programme include active participation by the students, contact with children in a less threatening environment, learning new skills in the assessment of children, and knowledge of common screening procedures. Student evaluation of the programme has been positive.     

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.     

Internet tools in the medical classroom

Summary: The Internet contains a vast amount of medically relevant information. In order to access this information, however, many networks require one to master applications written in UNIX, an operating system considered by many not to be user friendly. Although these tools may be available on the campus, it is difficult to teach their use unless there is some immediate benefit to the already busy user. From that standpoint, it is important for instructors to realize that common UNIX applications can be utilized as classroom tools to significantly enhance the learning experience by facilitating teacher/student communication. Also, whilst the student enjoys greater communication with the instructor (and with other students) he/she is also becoming adept at using information management tools.     

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。     

东南大学医学影像学专业(本科五年制)教学计划的构思

修订东南大学医学影像学专业本科五年制教学计划：坚持遵循教育教学的基本规律，坚持知识、能力、素质协调发展和综合提高的原则和方法。打通公共基础，建立通识教育基础平台：拓宽学科基础课，增加基础学科选修课；凝炼专业主干课程，加强临床实践环节；前期趋同，宽口径专业培养，后期分流灵活专业方向，实现专才向通才、教学向教育和传授向学习的转变。培养和造就高层次医学影像学专业人才，以适应影像设备迅猛发展的需要，适应影像学科建设的需要，适应培养新世纪医学影像学专业人才的需要。