Yoxas/statistical_literacy huggingface dataset:
The use of simulation in medical education has been widely accepted. There are different types of medical simulators that vary in both accuracy to emulate the real world (fidelity) and cost of development or acquisition. There is significant evidence that supports the use of high-fidelity simulators (i.e. mannequins or dummies) to prepare students for clinical environments, less attention has been given to low-fidelity simulators. This article aims to present evidence regarding the effectiveness of a low-fidelity simulator: Virtual Patient (VP), which develops several interactive computer-based clinical scenarios, seeking to promote an alternative learning environment and the development of necessary medical skills such as clinical reasoning in students of medicine. A quasi-experimental study was designed to investigate the results on the development of history taking and clinical reasoning skills in a group of undergraduate medical students, in a course devised under the concepts of constructivism in education, which used the Virtual Patient as the fundamental teaching tool. Results were measured through a mixed, quantitative and qualitative study, triangulating the results of the students' skills evaluation when facing a clinical case represented by an actor patient before and after the course. Additionally, the description of the students' and tool's performance was measured by way of a qualitative study. The comparison of the students' skills on the evaluation matrix before-and-after the course evidenced a statistically significant advance (p < 0.01) in all aspects (interview, physical exam, clinical judgment, relevance of medical exams, and presentation of case). Students described the VP as an easy-to-use and motivating tool for learning without stress, especially at the beginning of their career. VP allowed them to create logical and structured processes, to be wrong without consequences, and to review and reassess information available. From the professor perspective, it allowed a better follow-up of the students' learning process and favored reflections on the teaching-learning process. VP proved to be a valuable and useful tool for the development of clinical reasoning and history taking skills in medical students, as part of a constructivist learning course.
The use of social media in healthcare continues to evolve. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize existing research on the impact of social media interventions and tools among informal caregivers of critically ill patients after patient admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). This review followed established scoping review methods, including an extensive a priori-defined search strategy implemented in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials databases to July 10, 2020. Primary research studies reporting on the use of social media by informal caregivers for critically ill patients were included. We identified 400 unique citations and thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine were interventional trials-four randomized controlled trials (RCTs)-and a majority (n = 14) were conducted (i.e., data collected) between 2013 to 2015. Communication platforms (e.g., Text Messaging, Web Camera) were the most commonly used social media tool (n = 17), followed by social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) (n = 6), and content communities (e.g., YouTube, SlideShare) (n = 5). Nine studies' primary objective was caregiver satisfaction, followed by self-care (n = 6), and health literacy (n = 5). Nearly every study reported an outcome on usage feasibility (e.g., user attitudes, preferences, demographics) (n = 30), and twenty-three studies reported an outcome related to patient and caregiver satisfaction. Among the studies that assessed statistical significance (n = 18), 12 reported statistically significant positive effects of social media use. Overall, 16 of the 31 studies reported positive conclusions (e.g., increased knowledge, satisfaction, involvement) regarding the use of social media among informal caregivers for critically ill patients. Social media has potential benefits for caregivers of the critically ill. More robust and clinically relevant studies are required to identify effective social media strategies used among caregivers for the critically ill.
The use of technology in teaching and learning process for children is gaining importance. Children with specific learning disabilities have shown positive results with assistive technology tools. Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability in which an individual faces problem in mathematical skills. Around 3-7% of the world population is affected with it. The aim of the current research study is to determine the effectiveness of an assistive technology tool, Mathlete on children with dyscalculia's early numeracy skills. Such assistive technology tools can serve as a boon for these children. A total of 40 children with dyscalculia (Mage = 6.8 years) were a part of the study. The group of 40 children were randomly divided into two groups: experiment group using mathlete for improving their learning (30 children) and a control group using only traditional teaching for learning (10 children). The children were screened for dyscalculia using the screening module of mathlete. The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of their socio-economic status, gender and parents education level. Children in the experiment group showed improvement from pre-test to post-test after using mathlete. Also, there was significant difference in learning of both the groups, children in experiment group could understand the concepts better than the ones in control group. Mathlete helped improve the mathematical learning of children with dyscalculia from pre-test to post-test.
The use of the p-value in quantitative research, particularly its threshold of "P < 0.05" for determining "statistical significance," has long been a cornerstone of statistical analysis in research. However, this standard has been increasingly scrutinized for its potential to mislead findings, especially when the practical significance, the number of comparisons, or the suitability of statistical tests are not properly considered. In response to controversy around use of p-values, the American Statistical Association published a statement in 2016 that challenged the research community to abandon the term "statistically significant". This stance has been echoed by leading scientific journals to urge a significant reduction or complete elimination in the reliance on p-values when reporting results. To provide guidance to researchers in health professions education, this paper provides a succinct overview of the ongoing debate regarding the use of p-values and the definition of p-values. It reflects on the controversy by highlighting the common pitfalls associated with p-value interpretation and usage, such as misinterpretation, overemphasis, and false dichotomization between "significant" and "non-significant" results. This paper also outlines specific recommendations for the effective use of p-values in statistical reporting including the importance of reporting effect sizes, confidence intervals, the null hypothesis, and conducting sensitivity analyses for appropriate interpretation. These considerations aim to guide researchers toward a more nuanced and informative use of p-values.
The use of two types of speech-in-noise (SPIN) assessment, namely digits-in-noise self-tests and open-set, monosyllabic word tests, to assess the SPIN understanding performance of children with cochlear implants (CI) in mainstream and special education, was investigated. The tests' feasibility and reliability and the influence of specific cognitive abilities on their results were studied. The results of 30 children with CIs in mainstream and special education were compared to those of 60 normal-hearing children in elementary school. Results indicate that the digit triplet test (DTT) was feasible for all children tested in this study, as seen by the familiarity of all the digits, the high stability of the test results (<3 dB SNR), and a small measurement error (≤2 dB SNR). Remembering full triplets did not form a problem and results did not show systematic attention loss. For children with CIs, the performance on the DTT was strongly related to the performance on the open-set monosyllabic word-in-noise task. However, small but significant differences were observed in the performance of children with CIs in mainstream and special education on the monosyllabic word test. Both tests showed little influence of cognitive abilities, making them both useful in situations where the bottom-up auditory aspect of SPIN performance needs to be investigated or in situations where sentence-in-noise tests are too challenging.
The use of web-based health information (WBHI) is on the rise, serving as a valuable tool for educating the public about health concerns and enhancing treatment adherence. Consequently, evaluating the availability and quality of context-specific WBHI is crucial to tackle disparities in health literacy and advance population health outcomes. This study aims to explore and assess the quality of the WBHI available and accessible to the public on oral lichen planus (OLP) in Arabic. The Arabic translation of the term OLP and its derivatives were searched in three general search platforms, and each platform's first few hundred results were reviewed for inclusion. We excluded content related to cutaneous LP, content not readily accessible to the public (eg, requiring subscription fees or directed to health care providers), and content not created by health care providers or organizations (ie, community forums, blogs, and social media). We assessed the quality of the Arabic WBHI with three standardized and validated tools: DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and Health On the Net (HON). Of the 911 resources of WBHI reviewed for eligibility, 49 were included in this study. Most WBHI resources were provided by commercial affiliations (n=28, 57.1%), with the remainder from academic or not-for-profit affiliations. WBHI were often presented with visual aids (ie, images; n=33, 67.4%). DISCERN scores were highest for WBHI resources that explicitly stated their aim, while the lowest scores were for providing the effect of OLP (or OLP treatment) on the quality of life. One-quarter of the resources (n=11, 22.4%) met all 4 JAMA benchmarks, indicating the high quality of the WBHI, while the remainder of the WBHI failed to meet one or more of the JAMA benchmarks. HON scores showed that one-third of WBHI sources had scores above 75%, indicating higher reliability and credibility of the WBHI source, while one-fifth of the sources scored below 50%. Only 1 in 7 WBHI resources scored simultaneously high on all three quality instruments. Generally, WBHI from academic affiliations had higher quality scores than content provided by commercial affiliations. There are considerable variations in the quality of WBHI on OLP in Arabic. Most WBHI resources were deemed to be of moderate quality at best. Providers of WBHI could benefit from increasing collaboration between commercial and academic institutions in creating WBHI and integrating guidance from international quality assessment tools to improve the quality and, hopefully, the utility of these valuable WBHI resources.
The uses of on-demand, interactive tablet-based surgical training environments are of interest as potential resources for both the acquisition and maintenance of rarely performed, critical procedures for expeditionary surgical care. This study examined the effectiveness of a tablet-based augmented reality (AR) procedural training environment for lower leg fasciotomy with a cohort of novice surgical trainees in (1) procedural knowledge, (2) tablet-based procedural skills, (3) tablet-based procedural time, and (4) procedural performance on a cadaver. We hypothesized that engaging with the AR procedural training would increase procedural knowledge and tablet-based skills and procedural time. We hypothesized that the tablet-based AR training environment would be insufficient to acquire the ability to perform lower leg fasciotomy on a cadaver. This study was approved as exempt by the Institutional Review Board at USU. Surgical interns, sub-interns, and independent duty corpsman (n = 30) with no prior lower leg fasciotomy experience voluntarily participated. Tablet-based training activities included pre-training assessment, engagement with instruction, interactive procedural practice, and post-training assessment. Tablet-based knowledge assessment included 17 multiple choice questions covering concepts, reasoning, and judgment associated with the procedure. Tablet-based procedural completion and time were assessed within the training environment. Within 1 week of completing the tablet activities, participants were assessed by fellowship-trained trauma surgeons while performing cadaver-based lower leg fasciotomy. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and effect size (Cohen's d). Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Tablet-based AR procedural training significantly improved procedural knowledge (P < .001), tablet-based procedural skills (P < .001), and reduced tablet-based procedural time (P < .002). Effect sizes were very large for tablet-based procedural knowledge (d = 1.75) and skills (d = 3.2) and small (d = 0.42) for procedural time. There were no significant effects of procedural knowledge, tablet-based procedural skills, or time on cadaver-based performance. No participant was able to accurately and independently complete lower leg fasciotomy procedure on a cadaver. Tablet-based AR procedural training improved procedural knowledge and tablet-based skills; however, those gains did not transfer to the ability to perform the procedure on a cadaver. The tablet's limited AR interface did not support the acquisition of requisite surgical technique, tissue handling, and decision-making in novice surgical trainees. Experienced surgeons may have different outcomes because their mature understanding of surgical constructs would allow extrapolation of abilities to other procedural contexts. Further investigation of the tablet-based training environments for surgical care is necessary before distributing such resources to support clinical readiness.
The utilisation of tele-mental health services has the potential to address challenges in mental health services within the Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, the adoption of tele-mental health in Oman remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of psychiatrists with telephone consultations, offering valuable insights to advance the field of telepsychiatry. This is a qualitative exploratory study. The analysis of the data involved the application of manifest content analysis. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with the psychiatrists at Al Masarra Hospital. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The study reveals that psychiatrists encounter communication challenges in telephone consultations, such as the absence of visual cues, confirming patient identity, conducting comprehensive assessments and effectively communicating with younger patients who may lack developed social skills or patients with specific health conditions. Infrastructure limitations, such as outdated medical records, lack of electronic prescriptions and limited availability of child/adolescent psychiatric medications, further restrict the effectiveness of telepsychiatry consultations. In contrast, telephone appointments offer convenience and flexibility for psychiatrists, allowing them to manage non-clinical responsibilities and provide focused consultations tailored to individual needs. In addition, it benefits patients by improving appointment adherence, diminishing stigma and financial savings compared with in-person consultations. Tele-mental health has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing mental healthcare services in Oman. Addressing psychiatrists' challenges is crucial to further developing and strengthening these services.
The utility of the pictorial Epworth sleepiness scale (pESS) has been assessed by only a few studies in a clinical population. Some of its questions may be inappropriate in certain patient groups. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the pESS in the adult Down syndrome (DS) population in the United Kingdom (UK). A modified sleep questionnaire including the pESS was administered to 5430 adults with DS living in the UK. Standard statistical analysis was undertaken. Of 1105 valid responses (20.35%), the pESS was incomplete in 129 (11.67%) cases. Of the incomplete responses, "Q1. Likelihood of dozing/falling sleep while sitting and reading?" was most frequently missed (63.6% of 129 responses). The pESS may not be entirely appropriate in certain populations such as those with intellectual disability where literacy levels may be low. Question modification may be necessary. ISRCTN55685305.
The utilization of herbal remedies for wound healing is a notable aspect of traditional medicine practices. Understanding herbal use among patients yields insights for nursing care enhancement. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of herbal remedies for wound healing among diabetic patients. A total of 453 participants were enrolled, with demographic data, including age, sex, occupation, education level, residence, ethnic group, distance from health service, herbal use duration, and wound duration presented. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, including means, standard deviations, ranges, and percentages. The average participant age was 55.39 years, with most being non-civil servant workers (60.3%) and having a low education level (67.1%). Indian almond wood (9.7%) and green betel (6.8%) were the most commonly used herbs for wound healing. Family members were the primary source of information (29.1%), and 43.7% obtained herbs from personal gardens. Although 94.2% of participants did not disclose herbal use to health liaisons, 53.4% used herbs specifically for wound healing. Users reported both positive and negative effects on wounds from various herbs, indicating variability in experiences. However, the consistency of herb usage by individual patients was uncertain. The study identified diverse herbal remedies used for wound healing among patients, driven by familial recommendations. Usage pattern diversity and effects signal necessity for researching herb safety and efficacy. Clarifying the impact of consistent herb usage on wound healing is essential for understanding patients' preferences and practices. These findings emphasize the importance of open communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding herbal remedy use. Nurses should acknowledge patients' preferences for traditional healing practices while ensuring they receive evidence-based care. Patient-centered herbal strategies enhance nursing practice, fostering holistic wound care. Further research can guide nursing interventions, facilitate informed decision-making, and improve patient outcomes.
The vaccination status of post-stroke patients, who are at high risk of severe outcomes from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a significant concern, yet it remains unclear. We aimed to explore the vaccination status, factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, and adverse effects after vaccination among post-stroke patients. This multi-center observational study enrolled hospitalized post-stroke patients from six Chinese hospitals (Oct 1, 2020 - Mar 31, 2021), examining vaccine uptake and self-reported reasons for vaccine hesitancy, utilizing logistic regression to investigate risk factors for vaccine hesitancy, and recording any adverse reactions post-vaccination. Of the total 710 post-stroke patients included in the study, 430 (60.6%) had completed the recommended full-3 dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, with 176 (24.8%) remaining unvaccinated. The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns about vaccine side effects (41.5%) and impaired mobility (33.9%). Logistic regression identified advanced age (aOR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.36-2.85, P = 0.001), lower Barthel Index score (aOR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.82-0.93, P = 0.018), higher Modified Rankin Scale score (aOR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.32-2.56, P = 0.004), and poorer usual activity level of EuroQol 5-Dimension (aOR = 2.82, 95%CI: 1.51-5.28, P = 0.001) as independent risk factors for vaccine hesitancy. Approximately 14.8% reported minor adverse reactions, mainly pain at the injection site. We found that post-stroke patients have insufficient SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rates, with key risk factors for vaccine hesitancy including concerns about side effects, advanced age, and functional impairments. No severe adverse reactions were observed among the vaccinated population.
The various pedagogical methods applied for teaching dental anatomy to dental students includes lectures, analysis of extracted natural teeth and carving of wax blocks to accurately replicate the morphology of teeth. The thorough knowledge of dental morphology is indispensable for a successful dental practice. This study was thus aimed to assess the perceived relevance of tooth carving using wax block among the dental practitioners. A cross-sectional study was designed with the objective of involving dental practitioners working in Kathmandu. Self-administered questionnaires were used for the data collection. The results were later analyzed for descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16 software. About 232 (98.3%) participants practiced tooth carving using wax block to study dental anatomy. More than 96% of the participants agreed that tooth carving exercises have helped them better understand tooth morphology and more than 85% feel that their manual dexterity was developed by these exercises. A total of 223 (94.5%) were of the opinion that tooth carving should be continued in the BDS preclinical curriculum. The dental wax carving is an effective pedagogical strategy to develop manual dexterity of dental students by recreating tooth morphological features using a wax block, thereby achieving the mandatory psychomotor skills.
The Veteran Health Administration prioritizes the distribution of naloxone to veterans diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) to prevent deaths due to opioid-related overdose. The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program was created with tools to supplement efforts in identifying veterans at risk of opioid-related adverse events secondary to OUD or other comorbidities and increase access, education, and distribution of naloxone. Utilizing the OEND tool, Veteran Health Indiana (VHI) employed two different distribution initiatives to increase access to naloxone. The purpose of this study is to assess naloxone distribution efforts at a VA medical center and evaluate outcomes in patients who experienced opioid overdose events before and after the OEND initiatives were implemented. The primary outcome is to assess the distribution of naloxone within the year prior to the documented overdose event before and after the OEND initiatives. Secondary outcomes include assessment of the number of naloxone doses administered during the overdose event, substances involved in the overdose, and distribution of outpatient naloxone prescriptions after the overdose event. This study was a retrospective electronic chart review of all patients who experienced an opioid-related overdose event at VHI from March 1, 2019, to March 1, 2022. Of the 59 opioid-overdose events analyzed, the percentage of patients with a naloxone prescription within 12 months prior to an opioid-overdose event was similar between the pre- and post-OEND initiatives. Within 12 months following the overdose event, naloxone was dispensed to nearly 10% more patients in the post-OEND group compared to the pre-OEND group. The OEND initiatives increased naloxone distribution amongst patients who ultimately experienced an opioid-related overdose. Additional research is needed to assess if these efforts prevented further overdoses.