RESUMEN
The Internet is likely to play a key role in future health care-related communication. The challenge for health care institutions is to determine how to use this technology most effectively without disturbing the delicate physician-patient relationship. As the first step to implementing the use of this technology, we explored the access, attitudes, and concerns both of physicians and patients regarding e-mail use for health care-related communication. At The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, we administered a questionnaire survey to faculty and residents in the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics departments and to the patients seen in the resident clinics. The results indicate that only a select group of physicians and patients might be ready to use e-mail for health care reasons. Most patients did not have access to the Internet and had no experience using e-mail. Though all physicians use e-mail, they were concerned about using it for health-related communication.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Actitud hacia los Computadores , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Correo Electrónico , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Adulto , Femenino , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , TexasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Computer-based learning has gained widespread acceptance in medical curricula, but can it replace faculty-led teaching. PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of independent computer-based learning of pulmonary auscultation alone and in combination with faculty-led teaching. METHODS: The first method involved independent computer-based instruction (CBI; Group 1) of 113 second-year medical students. The second method involved a combination of faculty-led instruction and independent CBI (Group 2) of 79 second-year medical students. A pretest-posttest method of assessment was used. RESULTS: The pretest showed recognition rates of 48% for Group 1 and 46% for Group 2, whereas the posttest showed recognition rates of 81% for Group 1 and 88% for Group 2. The posttest clinical correlation scores were identical with both groups scoring 93 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that student learning of pulmonary auscultation is similar whether a computer-based independent instructional approach is used alone or in combination with faculty-led sessions.
Asunto(s)
Auscultación , Instrucción por Computador , Educación Médica/métodos , Procesos de Grupo , Aprendizaje , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Competencia Clínica , Humanos , Examen Físico , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , TexasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The popularization of problem-based learning (PBL) has drawn attention to the motivational and cognitive skills necessary for medical students in group learning. This study identifies the effect of motivational and cognitive factors on group productivity of PBL tutorial groups. DESCRIPTION: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 115 students at the end of PBL tutorials for 4 themes. The questionnaire explored student perceptions about effect of motivation, cohesion, sponging, withdrawal, interaction, and elaboration on group productivity. We further analyzed (a) differences in perceptions between male and female students, (b) effect of "problems," and (c) effect of student progress over time on group productivity. EVALUATION: There were linear relations between a tutorial group's success and the factors studied. Significant differences were noted between male and female student groups. CONCLUSIONS: Students and tutors need to recognize symptoms of ineffective PBL groups. Our study emphasizes the need to take into account cultural issues in setting ground rules for PBL tutorials.