Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Anesthesia residents' preference for learning interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB): traditional Winnie's technique vs. ultrasound-guided technique.
There is a recent shift from traditional nerve stimulation (NS) to ultrasound-guided (UG) techniques in regional anesthesia (RA). This shift prompted educators to readdress the best way to teach these two modalities. Development of a more structured curriculum requires an understanding of student preferences and perceptions. ⋯ The residents completed a questionnaire regarding their impression of each technique and the learning experience. UG technique was perceived to be safer and to have more educational value than NS. However, residents felt both techniques should be mandatory in the teaching curriculum.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
A student-centred electronic health record system for clinical education.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are an increasingly important feature of the national healthcare system [1]. However, little research has investigated the impact this will have on medical students' learning. As part of an innovative technology platform for a new masters level program in medicine, we are developing a student-centred EHR system for clinical education. A prototype was trialed with medical students over several weeks during 2010. This paper reports on the findings of the trial, which had the overall aim of assisting our understanding of how trainee doctors might use an EHR system for learning and communication in a clinical setting. ⋯ Medical students in this pilot study identified a number of educational, practical and administrative advantages that the student-centred EHR system offered over their existing ad-hoc procedures for recording patient encounters. Findings from this preliminary study point to the need to introduce and instruct students' on the use of EHR systems from their earliest clinical encounters, and to closely integrate learning activities based on the EHR system with established learning objectives. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of student-centred EHR systems on learning outcomes.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Information and communication needs of healthcare workers in the perioperative domain.
Perioperative work requires the collaborative efforts of a multitude of actors. Coordinating such collaboration is challenging, and coordination breakdowns may be very expensive and jeopardize patient safety. ⋯ While just-in-time notifications sufficed for some, others were dependent on projections to provide high quality and efficient care. Finally, information on current status and support in projecting the future unfolding of events could improve actors situated coordination capabilities.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Toward a comprehensive hybrid physical-virtual reality simulator of peripheral anesthesia with ultrasound and neurostimulator guidance.
We are developing a simulator of peripheral nerve block utilizing a mixed-reality approach: the combination of a physical model, an MRI-derived virtual model, mechatronics and spatial tracking. Our design uses tangible (physical) interfaces to simulate surface anatomy, haptic feedback during needle insertion, mechatronic display of muscle twitch corresponding to the specific nerve stimulated, and visual and haptic feedback for the injection syringe. ⋯ This model provides the subsurface anatomy and, combined with electromagnetic tracking of a sham ultrasound probe and a standard nerve block needle, supports simulated ultrasound display and measurement of needle location and proximity to nerves and vessels. The needle tracking and virtual model also support objective performance metrics of needle targeting technique.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
The combined use of Skype and the STORZ CMAC video laryngoscope in field intubation training with the Nebraska National Air Guard.
This study examined the feasibility of using Skype technology in basic manikin intubation instruction of Nebraska National Air Guard personnel at a Casualty Training Exercise. Results show that the Skype monitor provided clear sound and visualization of the airway view to the trainees and the combination of VoIP technology and videolaryngoscopy for intubation training was highly valued by study participants.