International journal of medical informatics
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Comparative Study
Application of a low-cost web-based simulation to improve students' practical skills in medical education.
Practical sessions in undergraduate medical education are often costly and have to face constraints in terms of available laboratory time and practice materials (e.g. blood samples from animals). This makes it difficult to increase the time each student spends at the laboratory. We consider that it would be possible to improve the effectiveness of the laboratory time by providing the students with computer-based simulations for prior rehearsal. However, this approach still presents issues in terms of development costs and distribution to the students. ⋯ The simulation was well received by students in the EG, who felt more comfortable during the laboratory session, and it helped them to perform the exercise better, obtaining more accurate results, which indicates more effective training. EG students perceived the procedure as easier to perform, but did not report an improvement in the perceived difficulty in using the equipment. The increased reliability demonstrates that low-cost simulations are a good complement to the laboratory sessions.
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Nurses are increasingly using computerised decision support systems (CDSS) to support their practice. Previous studies have highlighted the importance organisational factors have on the successful implementation of new technologies in healthcare. However, it is unclear how the organisations where nurses work either facilitate or inhibit the successful use of CDSS. The aim of this paper is to explore what nurses and NHS (National Health Service) managers working in NHS organisations in England perceive as the organisational features facilitating the introduction and successful use of CDSS. ⋯ For nurses to use CDSS successfully, engagement by clinicians in the procurement and implementation of systems is useful. However, the data collected in this study suggest this is not necessary for successful implementation; nurses may still successfully introduce and use a CDSS if they perceive it to have benefits to their practice.