Document Detail


System dynamics in medical education: a tool for life.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20652401     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A course in system dynamics has been included in the first year of our university's six-year medical curriculum. System Dynamics is a discipline that facilitates the modelling, simulation and analysis of a wide range of problems in terms of two fundamental concepts viz. rates and levels. Many topics encountered in the medical school curriculum, from biochemistry to sociology, can be understood in this way. The course was introduced following a curriculum review process in which it was concluded that knowledge of systems would serve to enhance problem-solving skills and clinical reasoning. The specific characteristics of system dynamics, the widespread use of digital computers, and the availability of suitable software made it possible to introduce the course at this level. The syllabus comprises a brief review of relevant mathematics followed by system dynamics topics taught in the context of examples, which are primarily but not exclusively medical. It is anticipated that this will introduce new thought processes to medical students, including holistic thinking and improved graphical visualisation skills.
Authors:
David M Rubin; Christopher L Richards; Penelope A C Keene; Janice E Paiker; A Rosemary T Gray; Robyn F R Herron; Megan J Russell; Brian Wigdorowitz
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-07-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  Advances in health sciences education : theory and practice     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1573-1677     ISO Abbreviation:  Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract     Publication Date:  2012 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-04-05     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9612021     Medline TA:  Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  203-10     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Biomedical Engineering Research Group, School of Electrical & Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, WITS 2050, South Africa, d.rubin@ieee.org.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  International distribution and age estimation of the Portuguese BRCA2 c.156_157insAlu founder mutati...
Next Document:  A novel method for assessing risks to pollinators from plant protection products using honeybees as ...