The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Program was initiated in 1999 to conduct population-based surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease in select regions of the Arctic. The program expanded to include surveillance of invasive diseases caused by N. meningitidis and H. influenzae. An interlaboratory quality control (QC) program to monitor laboratory proficiencies ...

Background. From the beginning of the influenza pandemic until the time the outbreak described here was detected, 77,201 cases of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) with 332 deaths had been reported worldwide, mostly in the United States and Mexico. All of the cases reported in Spain until then had a recent history ...

Vector surveillance is a cornerstone of dengue management yet there is a diversity of surveillance programs evident internationally. Such diversity is described in this review to enable a broader assessment of dengue vector surveillance methods. This review describes the diversity of surveillance programs for dengue vectors in several endemic and ...

The International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research conducted a study on very rare defects (VRDs) to test methodologies in their population surveillance and to increase the knowledge of their epidemiology. Eight VRDs: acardia (AC), amelia (AM), bladder exstrophy (BE), cloaca exstrophy (CE), conjoined twins (CT), cyclopia (CY), "true" ...

We report an outbreak of Manchineel dermatitis and ophthalmitis in four students from North America who visited the island of Bequia, West Indies. The exposure resulted from taking shelter during a rain storm under a Manchineel tree. Manchineel exposure and ingestion can lead to severe and even fatal disease.

African swine fever remains the greatest limitation to the development of the pig industry in Africa, and parts of Asia and Europe. It is especially important in West and Central African countries where the disease has become endemic. Biosecurity is the implementation of a set of measures that reduce the ...

This study employs a benefit-cost analysis framework to estimate market and non-market benefits and costs of controlling future spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreaks on Crown forest lands in New Brunswick, Canada. We used: (i) an advanced timber supply model to project potential timber volume saved, timber value benefits, and costs ...

Objective  To assess the economic cost of routine Aedes aegypti control in an at-risk environment without dengue endemicity and the incremental costs incurred during a sporadic outbreak. Methods  The study was conducted in 2006 in the city of Guantanamo, Cuba. We took a societal perspective to calculate costs in months ...

BACKGROUND: Although duplex ultrasonography (DU) can readily identify progression of carotid stenosis, controversy regarding the natural history of asymptomatic carotid stenosis as well as the need and appropriate interval for carotid DU surveillance still exists. Furthermore, consensus has not yet been made in the surgical literature regarding the usefulness, cost-effectiveness, ...

The HIV-1 BED incidence assay was developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and since 2005 is available as a commercial kit for use in HIV-1 incidence surveillance. A BED-specific proficiency testing (PT) program was initiated in 2006 which included a panel of 8 coded specimens (6 ...

Background: The university environment poses a high risk of spreading infectious diseases, particularly the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1, as it is a mass gathering place for youth. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of stress symptoms among Chinese university students during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.<br /> Material/Methods: We ...

We describe the activities of persons who were formally employed as industry liaison officers (ILOs) in the infected states of Australia during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak. The knowledge and communication skills of ILOs allowed them to function very effectively, despite most of them having received no prior training. It ...

We estimate and describe the financial costs of the equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia, including the costs of emergency response measures and lost income/assets to businesses, associations and private horse owners. Costs to associations, governments and industry are discussed. We identify a lack of reliable data about the financial ...

BACKGROUND: There are few published studies on microtia-anotia frequency. METHODS: Using data from birth defects surveillance programs around the world, we conducted a systematic review on the frequency of microtia-anotia to further explore the differences in prevalence across countries. Ninety-two birth defects surveillance programs were evaluated with a total of ...

To assess the knowledge of fourth-year medical students in ionizing radiation, and to study the effect of a 3-hour lecture in correcting their misconceptions. A cohort study was conducted on fourth-year medical students at King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2009-2010. A 7-question multiple ...

Despite increasing numbers of UK medical students, the number of trainees selecting paediatrics as their specialty choice has decreased. Previous studies show that most students will choose their ultimate career during undergraduate training. We therefore explored the views of students in the final year at Birmingham University about a career ...

BACKGROUND: In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global influenza pandemic (1). During the throes of the epidemic, the Caribbean region recorded 22 deaths and 350 hospitalizations. Jamaica reported most of the deaths in the region--7, followed by Trinidad and Tobago--5 and Barbados--3; the remaining 7 deaths ...

We investigated whether personality moderates group influence of classmates on academic achievement and whether these so-called context effects can be attributed to peer pressure. The sample consisted of 2498 students in their first year of Dutch secondary education. The data were analyzed by a two-level (students within classes) analysis, separately ...

in Sweden, acupuncture education is required before midwives can use the method in clinical practice. Courses in acupuncture are usually organised by private individuals or companies, and each health facility decides on the adequacy of the educational package. Therefore, there is no overall standard or quality control for free-standing courses ...

University students are prone to stressors due to the transitional nature of university life. High levels of stress are believed to affect students' health as well as their academic performance. The aims of this study were to identify stressors and reactions to stressors among university students, and to examine the ...

Despite curricular shifts toward a clinically oriented first two years of medical school, students continue to struggle with the transition to clerkships. Transition courses are a curricular intervention to mitigate the challenges of entering clinical workplaces. The authors examine the objectives, content, educational strategies, and resources associated with transition courses. ...

Students have learning style preferences that are often classified according to their visual (V), aural (A), read-write (R), and/or kinesthetic (K) sensory modality preferences (SMP). The purposes of this investigation were to compare student perceived and assessed SMPs and examine the associations between those SMPs and status (i.e., undergraduates vs. ...

We surveyed speech language pathology (SLP) programs for head and neck cancer (HNC) training. Program directors of 242 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accredited masters programs for SLP were contacted regarding curricular HNC material. Directors (n = 120) responded online: six included a required course in HNC, and all but two programs ...

To identify expert recommendations and examples of programs that could be incorporated into curricular renewal of the fourth year of medical school. In 2009, the authors searched the relevant literature published from 1974 to 2009 using PubMed; they then searched bibliographies and related articles. They consulted clerkship and residency program ...

Self-evaluation is an essential skill for dental professionals for lifelong learning and improvement through the course of their careers. Students taking a preclinical fixed prosthodontics course were studied. The students were asked to assign themselves a grade upon completion of their timed preparation examination (teeth preparations and provisional restorations), and ...

Students juggle multiple roles and expect faculty to accommodate their hectic schedules. By increasing our flexibility and offering graduate nursing students the option, within a single course, of completing course activities either fully online or blended, we increased student enrollment into courses that prepare faculty. Our approach also identified a ...

Recently, the Medical University of South Carolina adopted a lecture recording system (LRS). A retrospective study of LRS was implemented to document the students' perceptions, pattern of usage, and impact on the students' grades in three basic sciences courses (Cell Biology/Histology, Physiology, and Neurosciences). The number of accesses and length ...

A model for incorporating an entrepreneurship module has been developed in an upper-division and graduate-level engineering elective on Polymeric Biomaterials (27-311/42-311/27-711/42-711) at Carnegie Mellon University. A combination of lectures, assignments, and a team-based project were used to provide students with a framework for applying their technical skills in the development ...

This study describes the acquisition and retention of resuscitation skills by medical students during and following a vertically integrated training program incorporating an Immediate Life Support course (ILS): and the skills demonstrated by interns on entry to clinical practice. Yearly resuscitation workshops were held in the final 3 years of ...

BACKGROUND: Medical students use several strategies for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 preparation. At Ohio State University College of Medicine, a yearlong, peer-designed and -led Step 1 review course is a new option for our second-year students. This study aims to ascertain the value of the peer-designed ...

Abstract Objective. There is a gap in the education of dental undergraduate students between theoretical knowledge and the practical procedure of tooth extraction. It was the aim of this study to implement and validate an undergraduate course for oral extraction using mannequin models, in order to enhance practical competence in ...

Promoting self-assessment accuracy among student drivers could help improve the road safety for young novice drivers (Minimum Requirement for Driving Instructor Training, 2005). However, it is essential to first examine the time course of student drivers' assessments of their own driving skills. As a result, the present study examined the ...

To evaluate the efficacy of a new intensive "hands-on" course designed to train small teams of radiographers in computed tomography colonography (CTC) technique and initial interpretation for patient triage. The course comprised small-group lectures, active participation in the daily CTC service with practical technique and image interpretation training by experienced ...

To examine the correlation between students accessing recorded lecture files (audio and slides) online and course grades and class attendance. Second professional year (of 6-year program) students in a therapeutics course had access to recorded online lectures for 72 hours following live lectures. The number and duration of lecture accessions ...

To design, implement, and evaluate a strategy to actively engage doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at local and distant sites in a pharmacokinetics course. A Web-based system was designed that allowed second-year pharmacy students to choose whether to participate in a instructor-led class discussion session by registering prior to or ...

To evaluate the acceptability and relevance of the Maximizing your Patient Education Skills (MPES) course and to determine whether it significantly improved knowledge regarding patient education (PE) theory, self-assessed PE competencies, and PE skills using case based vignettes. 1-Group, multi-site, pre-post-intervention. Participants completed a pre-assessment (T1), participated in the 4-h ...

To assess the performance of the training course on the disclosure of a diagnosis of cancer intended for fifth year medical students of the University of Nantes. The course comprised three sessions: (1) a group discussion that taught a six-point protocol (SPIKES) for delivering a diagnosis, (2) a videotaped simulated ...

This study aims to estimate the number of hours dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender content in one medical school's undergraduate curriculum, compare it to the national average, and identify barriers to addressing this content. Course and clerkship directors were asked to estimate how many hours they spent on ...

Process-oriented guided-inquiry learning (POGIL), a pedagogical technique initially developed for college chemistry courses, has been implemented for 2 yr in a freshman-level anatomy and physiology course at a small private college. The course is populated with students with backgrounds ranging from no previous college-level science to junior and senior biology, ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of HeartCode BLS, a self-directed, computer-based course for obtaining basic life support (BLS) certification. For part 2 of the course, students learned and practiced their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) psychomotor skills on a voice assisted manikin (VAM). Students from 10 schools ...

Recognizing the importance of interprofessional education, we developed a pilot interprofessional education course at our institution that included a total of 10 nursing, BS health psychology, premedical, and pharmacy students. Course goals were for students to: 1) learn about, practice, and enhance their skills as members of an interprofessional team, ...

Graduate nursing students beginning their graduate education often lack technological preparedness when beginning the journey in a virtual e-learning environment. These gaps in preparedness include lack of understanding course delivery, accessing resources remotely, participating in asynchronous course activities, and use of emerging health care technologies. This article describes an educational ...

Echocardiography performed in an ALS-compliant manner provides a tool whereby some of the potentially reversible causes of cardiac arrest can be diagnosed in real time by minimally trained practitioners. One of the major concerns this raises is how to deliver effective training to the required standard. The objective of this ...

To add an objective standardized clinical examination (OSCE) to a nonprescription medication elective and assess the impact on students' knowledge, skills, and satisfaction. A nonprescription medicine elective was altered to incorporate more active learning and skill-assessment measures. Small group recitation sessions were added to review didactic material from a prior ...

Ultrasound, a versatile diagnostic modality that permits real-time visualization at the patient's bedside, can be used as an adjunct in teaching physical diagnosis (PD). Aims: (1) to study the feasibility of incorporating ultrasound into PD courses and (2) determine whether learners can demonstrate image recognition and acquisition skills. Three hundred ...

For a number of reasons, engaging the interest of medical students in the discipline of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) can be challenging. To renew a curriculum in OEM within a graduate medical programme with an emphasis on student involvement to maximize their interest in the topic. A second year ...

We conducted a process evaluation to (a) assess the effectiveness of a new problem-based learning curriculum designed to teach professionalism and scientific integrity to biomedical graduate students and (b) modify the course to enhance its relevance and effectiveness. The content presented realistic cases and issues in the practice of science, ...

Web-based instruction of biomedical sciences courses has increased dramatically during the last decade, and this increase has been driven by the need to increase student access to educational programs and by the increasing demand for courses that are compatible with distance learning. Here, a blended learning curriculum in neuroimmune pharmacology ...

The use of blended learning to develop the clinical knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals is increasing. This paper reports the qualitative findings from an evaluation of a blended learning course designed to equip registered nurses with the knowledge and skills required to practice competently in cardiac nursing. The aims ...

Preclinical and clinical topics are often separated in medical education. For example, surgery and radiology are often taught much later than anatomy. The aim of this study was to establish and to evaluate an interdisciplinary course combining these closely related subjects to enhance medical comprehension. Two tutorials each lasting one ...