ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3644-727X
Current Organisation
UNSW Sydney
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-11-2018
DOI: 10.1111/MEDU.13759
Abstract: Repetition of a cognitive ability test is known to increase scores, but almost no research has examined whether similar improvement occurs with repetition of interviews. Retest effects can change the rank order of candidates and reduce the test's criterion validity. Because interviews are widely used to select medical students and postgraduate trainees, and because applicants apply to multiple programmes and often reapply if unsuccessful, the potential for retest effects needs to be understood. This study was designed to identify if retest improvements occur when candidates undertake multiple interviews and, if so, whether the effect is attributable to general interview experience or specific experience and whether repeat testing affects criterion validity. We compared interview scores of applicants who were interviewed for one or more of three independent undergraduate medical programmes in two consecutive years and those who were interviewed in both years for the same programme. Correlations between initial and repeat interview scores and a written test of social understanding were compared. General experience (being interviewed by multiple programmes) did not produce improvement in subsequent interview performance. There was no evidence of method effect (having prior experience of the multiple mini-interview process). Specific experience (being interviewed by the same programme across 2 years) resulted in a significant improvement in scores for which regression to the mean did not fully account. Criterion validity did not appear to be affected. Unsuccessful candidates for medical school who reapply and are re-interviewed on a subsequent occasion at the same institution are likely to increase their scores. The results of this study suggest the increase is probably not attributable to improved ability.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2009
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-01-2011
DOI: 10.1136/BMJQS.2010.041913
Abstract: Teamwork failures contribute to adverse events causing harm to patients. Establishing and maintaining a team and managing the tasks are active processes. Medical education largely ignores teamwork skills. However, lack of robust instruments to measure teamwork limits evaluation of interventions to improve it. The authors aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure teamwork behaviours. From existing literature, the authors developed an instrument, gaining rater consensus that the final 23 items were comprehensive, comprehensible and observable. Data on the instrument were obtained from three expert raters who scored videotaped simulations of 40 critical care teams (one doctor, three nurses) participating in four simulated emergencies. Exploratory Factor Analysis, Generalisability Analysis and rater interviews on assessor performance provided information on the properties of the instrument. Exploratory Factor Analysis found items clustered into three factors: Leadership and Team Coordination Mutual Performance Monitoring and Verbalising Situational Information. Internal consistencies (Cronbach's α) for these factors were 0.917, 0.915 and 0.893, respectively. The Generalisability coefficient for overall team behaviour was 0.78 and the G coefficients for the three factors were 0.85, 0.4 and 0.37, respectively. Variance Components and interview data provided insight into in idual item performance. Significantly improved performance with time and seniority supported construct validity. The instrument performed well as an overall measure of team behaviour and reflected three dimensions of teamwork. Triangulation of information on the instrument, the factors and in idual items will allow a methodical and informed approach to further development of the instrument. The ultimate goal is an instrument that can robustly evaluate interventions to improve team function in healthcare.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-07-2007
Abstract: A new measurement tool for in idualism and collectivism has been developed to address critical methodological issues in this field of social psychology. This new measure, the Auckland In idualism and Collectivism Scale (AICS), defines three dimensions of in idualism: (a) responsibility (acknowledging one's responsibility for one's actions), (b) uniqueness (distinction of the self from the other), and (c) competitiveness (striving for personal goals is one's prime interest). The scale also defines two dimensions of collectivism: (a) advice (seeking advice from people close to one, before taking decisions) and (b) harmony (seeking to avoid conflict). The AICS avoids the need for measuring horizontal and vertical dimensions of collectivism and in idualism and the confounding effect of familialism on the collectivism—in idualism constructs.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-09-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S10459-011-9324-1
Abstract: The choice of tools with which to select medical students is complex and controversial. This study aimed to identify the extent to which scores on each of three admission tools (Admission GPA, UMAT and structured interview) predicted the outcomes of the first major clinical year (Y4) of a 6 year medical programme. Data from three student cohorts (n = 324) were analysed using regression analyses. The Admission GPA was the best predictor of academic achievement in years 2 and 3 with regression coefficients (B) of 1.31 and 0.9 respectively (each P < 0.001). Furthermore, Admission GPA predicted whether or not a student was likely to earn 'Distinction' rather than 'Pass' in year 4. In comparison, UMAT and interview showed low predictive ability for any outcomes. Interview scores correlated negatively with those on the other tools. None of the tools predicted failure to complete year 4 on time, but only 3% of students fell into this category. Prior academic achievement remains the best measure of subsequent student achievement within a medical programme. Interview scores have little predictive value. Future directions include longer term studies of what UMAT predicts, and of novel ways to combine selection tools to achieve the optimum student cohort.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-06-2018
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 16-06-2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1177/00221856093539447
Abstract: The main objectives of this study were to identify facilitators and barriers to unionization among employees as well as to identify the effect of unionization and collective bargaining on employers’ and employees’ perceptions of workplace relations. To address these objectives survey data from just under 4000 employees and employers in over 150 New Zealand organizations was collected. The findings of this study suggest that union membership is related to employees’ perceptions of job security, ideology and job satisfaction. Employees’ perceptions of workplace relations were associated with union membership status. Employers’ perceptions of the contribution that unions make to their businesses were associated with the type of interaction employers had with trade unions. Implications for employees, employers, legislators and policy makers are discussed.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2008
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EDT.12541
Abstract: It is important for medical doctors to be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to manage dental trauma cases when patients present to them in an emergency. The aim of this paper is to identify facilitators (factors that enhance learning) that may impact on the ability and competency of medical doctors, who are expected to treat traumatic dental injuries (TDI), to appropriately treat and manage such cases. A change in medical curricula that is more inclusive of dental education and TDI management is imperative to promote effective teaching and learning of the treatment and management of dental trauma cases.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EDT.12542
Abstract: This proposal aims to tackle the common poor management of traumatic dental injury (TDI) by medical doctors and subsequent poor healthcare outcomes for patients. The literature reports that most medical doctors, in either private practice or hospital emergency departments, lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to adequately assess and manage victims of TDI. This is due to little or no clinical dentistry and dental trauma education being included in their medical studies. From a review of the literature, there is a clear lack of learning provision for medical students on the topic of dental anatomy and trauma. In addition, there appears to be no formal university theoretical and clinical training during medical school. The introduction of dental trauma into the medical curriculum will provide students with a better understanding of the importance of early management for better patient outcomes. Medical doctors competent in managing emergency dental trauma procedures will be able to provide a higher standard of care that could prevent potentially lifelong negative repercussions for the patient.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2009
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-11-2008
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-01-2018
Publisher: Psychologia Society
Date: 2011
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-11-2008
Publisher: Scientific Journal Publishers Ltd
Date: 03-2011
DOI: 10.2224/SBP.2011.39.2.173
Abstract: The aim in this study was to validate the Auckland In idualism-Collectivism Scale (AICS) across populations from 5 different countries and identify better ways to interpret the scores. Data were collected from New Zealand, Portugal, China, Italy, and Romania. The results indicate that the AICS is not only valid but also highly reliable (α .70). Cluster analysis identified 4 clusters: low collectivism – high in idualism high collectivism – midlevel in idualism high collectivism – high in idualism and low collectivism – low in idualism. Each group included in iduals from all 4 clusters. The advantages of the AICS, the use of cluster analysis in cross-cultural measures, and the importance of these measures within the psychoeducational context are discussed.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2010
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-02-2013
DOI: 10.1111/ELE.12081
Abstract: How many dimensions (trait-axes) are required to predict whether two species interact? This unanswered question originated with the idea of ecological niches, and yet bears relevance today for understanding what determines network structure. Here, we analyse a set of 200 ecological networks, including food webs, antagonistic and mutualistic networks, and find that the number of dimensions needed to completely explain all interactions is small ( < 10), with model selection favouring less than five. Using 18 high-quality webs including several species traits, we identify which traits contribute the most to explaining network structure. We show that accounting for a few traits dramatically improves our understanding of the structure of ecological networks. Matching traits for resources and consumers, for ex le, fruit size and bill gape, are the most successful combinations. These results link ecologically important species attributes to large-scale community structure.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AEJ.12601
Abstract: With dental trauma education not commonly offered in medicine programmes, offering an online learning course may fill the knowledge deficiency for medical students. The aim of this study is to evaluate medical students’ perceptions of an online dental trauma course. This was a cross‐sectional questionnaire study conducted among medical students at an Australian University. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factor structure within the items. Cronbach’s alpha was employed to estimate the factors’ reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess construct validity SPSS v22 and AMOIS v22 were used for data analyses. Exploratory factor analysis identified two distinct factors: 'visual' and 'content', with excellent reliability for visual (Cronbach's alpha = 0.911) and good reliability for content (Cronbach's alpha = 0.755). This research supports the findings that medical students perceived the online dental trauma course to be easily understood for self‐learning this topic.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-12-2019
DOI: 10.1111/EDT.12530
Abstract: The literature identifies that medical students receive little or no formal dental trauma assessment and management teaching during medical school. The result of this is that many medical doctors are unaware of the urgency of emergency dental trauma care for patients. To bridge this important gap in medical education, medical educators should look to introduce basic dental trauma teaching into undergraduates’ final year of medical school. This initiative would benefit medical doctors in either general medical practice or specialties that assess and manage trauma. This opinion article aims to present the authors’ reasons for strongly supporting dental trauma teaching being included and suggests an e‐learning approach for its integration into the medical education curriculum.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2009
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-01-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1754.2010.01937.X
Abstract: Clinical experience in paediatrics is essential for medical undergraduates. This is the first study, of which we are aware, to examine why children of different ages admitted acutely to hospital and their parents agree to become involved in medical student teaching. We wanted to establish whether they considered that they needed to give consent before seeing medical students, whether this was routinely sought and what influenced their decisions. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews of parents and children. Questionnaires were completed by 105 parents of children less than 6 years old, and 34 children between 10 years and 15 years old and their parents. Interviews were conducted with 32 children between the ages of 6 and 10 years and their parents. Most parents and children consider that they have a responsibility to teaching but must always be asked for consent. They were motivated by altruism, but fear of emotional distress or pain can lead them to refuse. Younger children may not be able to give reasons for not wanting to see a medical student but sometimes have firm views, which must be respected. Having seen a medical student previously did influence children's or parents' opinions. Most children who have seen a medical student were prepared to see students again. Medical students can be reassured that parents and children admitted acutely to a children's hospital have a positive attitude to student involvement and are prepared to help them learn clinical skills, but consent must always be obtained and the child's perspective must always be considered.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-11-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.AAP.2009.10.007
Abstract: All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have been used in agriculture for a few decades now. Yet despite their invaluable contribution to the productivity of the agricultural industry they are associated with a large number of accidents, many of which result in a severe or fatal outcome. The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for ATV-related fatal injuries in order to support the design of effective interventions. Using data held by the Department of Labour, the current study analysed 355 cases of serious harm accidents associated with ATVs including 45 fatalities. The findings suggest that injuries are more likely to occur when accidents involve any of the following: children under the age of 10 four-wheel drive ATVs driving downhill driving on a sealed road driving backwards or if the ATV rolls sideways. A fatal outcome is more likely to occur when ATV accidents end up with the vehicle rolling over and pinning the driver underneath. Fatalities were also associated with injuries to the head, neck and chest. Being employed and/or having formal training and/or having brakes and tyres well maintained on the ATV and/or having no fluid load on the ATV reduced the risk for fatality. Since the likelihood of a fatal outcome was found to be related to human behaviour and ATV rollover, it is suggested that interventions should mainly address these two issues.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-05-2011
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2009
Abstract: Since the late 1980s there has been a growing concern among employers in New Zealand that employees take advantage of personal grievance provisions to make more claims and gain higher compensation when problems arise in employment relationships. The current study used data from a national s le of employers within the private sector and found that the cost of resolving employment problems for employers was relatively low, particularly when disputes were resolved in-house. Further it was found that employers' satisfaction with the dispute resolution was mostly affected by the method by which the resolution was achieved, rather than by the cost or benefits resulting from the disputes. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-2007
Abstract: This review identifies key issues associated with the design of future longitudinal studies of human development. Sixteen international studies were compared for initial response and retention rate, s le size, type of data collected, and s ling frames. The studies had little information about the influences of fathers, extended family members, childcare, and educational institutions the effects of peers children's use of time the needs of disabled children urban versus rural environments or the influence of genetic factors. A contemporary longitudinal study should include measures of physical and mental health, cognitive capacity, educational attainment, social adjustment, conduct and behavior, resiliency, and risk-taking behaviors. It needs to address genetic and intergenerational factors, cultural identity, and the influences of neighborhood, community, and wider social and political environments and to encompass outcomes at all life stages to systematically determine the role each factor plays in in iduals' lives, including interactions within and across variables.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 02-2011
Abstract: The goal of this study is to identify learners who are most likely to benefit from a small group cooperative learning strategy, which includes tasks involving movement activities. The study comprised 158 learners from five second and third grade classes learning about angles. The research tools included structured observation of each learner and pre- and post-tests. The analysis identified three behavioural clusters: ‘active’, ‘social’ and ‘passive’. The results suggest that students who are physically active while seeking knowledge and/or solutions are more successful than their peers who are more socially active, even if initially they were lower achievers. Passive students demonstrated the lowest academic achievements. This study points to a possible solution for the problems that cooperative group learning, based mainly on verbal interaction, often encounter at the primary education level.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-10-2012
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-01-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2923.2011.04078.X
Abstract: Medical schools continue to seek robust ways to select students with the greatest aptitude for medical education, training and practice. Tests of general cognition are used in combination with markers of prior academic achievement and other tools, although their predictive validity is unknown. This study compared the predictive validity of the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), the admission grade point average (GPA), and a combination of both, on outcomes in all years of two medical programmes. Subjects were students (n = 1346) selected since 2003 using UMAT scores and attending either of New Zealand's two medical schools. Regression models incorporated demographic data, UMAT scores, admission GPA and performance on routine assessments. Despite the different weightings of UMAT used in selection at the two institutions and minor variations in student demographics and programmes, results across institutions were similar. The net predictive power of admission GPA was highest for outcomes in Years 2 and 5 of the 6-year programme, accounting for 17-35% of the variance UMAT score accounted for < 10%. The highest predictive power of the UMAT score was 9.9% for a Year 5 written examination. Combining UMAT score with admission GPA improved predictive power slightly across all outcomes. Neither UMAT score nor admission GPA predicted outcomes in the final trainee intern year well, although grading bands for this year were broad and numbers smaller. The ability of the general cognitive test UMAT to predict outcomes in major assessments within medical programmes is relatively minor in comparison with that of the admission GPA, but the UMAT score adds a small amount of predictive power when it is used in combination with the GPA. However, UMAT scores may predict outcomes not studied here, which underscores the need for further validation studies in a range of settings.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 26-09-2022
Abstract: esearch on problematic internet use has largely adhered to addiction paradigms, possibly impeding the identification of specific internet behaviors related to psychopathology. This study presents a novel approach to screening for specific problematic internet behaviors by using a new measure, the emergency department media use screener (EDMUS). he purpose of this study was to identify patterns of internet use in young people presenting with mental health concerns to the emergency department (ED), ascertain associations with their mental health, and evaluate whether the EDMUS can be used to predict subsequent ED presentations within 3 months. his cross-sectional retrospective study of Australian young people (N=149, aged 11-25 years female: n=92, 61.7%) sought to use the EDMUS, a 24-item questionnaire, to identify problematic internet behaviors, including accessing or posting prosuicidal or proeating disorder content, cyberbullying, and inappropriate digital content. Data on each person’s mental health were extracted from electronic medical records to look for associations with EDMUS responses and ED re-presentation over 3 months. EDMUS items were grouped into clusters for analysis using chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and path analyses. haring suicidal digital content was the most common problematic internet use pattern identified by the EDMUS. However, this did not correlate with having a prior mental health diagnosis or predict readmission. Most participants had families with a concern for their internet use however, this was less likely in participants with a diagnosis of personality disorder. Diagnoses of personality disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder were independent predictors of readmission ( i P= /i .003 i P= /i .048). lthough a history of complex psychopathology increases the likelihood of subsequent ED presentations, its links to internet use–related behaviors are still unclear. The EDMUS has potential for identifying young people who are most vulnerable to problematic internet behaviors and offers the opportunity for early intervention and potential prevention of more entrenched difficulties.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-11-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12909-019-1860-Z
Abstract: Struggling medical students is an under-researched in medical education. It is known, however, that early identification is important for effective remediation. The aim of the study was to determine the predictive effect of medical school admission tools regarding whether a student will struggle academically. Data comprise 700 students from the University of New South Wales undergraduate medical program. The main outcome of interest was whether these students struggled during this 6-year program they were classified to be struggling they failed any end-of-phase examination but still graduated from the program. Discriminate Function Analysis (DFA) assessed whether their pre-admission academic achievement, Undergraduate Medicine Admission Test (UMAT) and interview scores had predictive effect regarding likelihood to struggle. A lower pre-admission academic achievement in the form of Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or Grade Point Average (GPA) were found to be the best positive predictors of whether a student was likely to struggle. Lower UMAT and poorer interview scores were found to have a comparatively much smaller predictive effect. Although medical admission tests are widely used, medical school rarely use these data for educational purposes. The results of this study suggest admission test data can predict who among the admitted students is likely to struggle in the program. Educationally, this information is invaluable. These results indicate that pre-admission academic achievement can be used to predict which students are likely to struggle in an Australian undergraduate medicine program. Further research into predicting other types of struggling students as well as remediation methods are necessary.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-10-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12909-019-1828-Z
Abstract: There is an ongoing debate about the impact of studying medicine in rural vs. metropolitan c uses on student assessment outcomes. The UNSW Medicine Rural Clinical School has five main c uses Albury-Wodonga, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga. Historical data of student assessment outcomes at these c uses raised concerns regarding potential biases in assessment undertaken, as well as the availability and quality of learning resources. The current study aims to identify the extent to which the location of examination (rural versus metropolitan) has an impact on student marks in OSCEs. Assessment data was employed for this study from 275 medical students who sat their final examinations in Years 3 and 6 of the undergraduate Medicine program at UNSW in 2018. The data consists of matched student assessment results from the Year 3 (Y3) MCQ examination and OSCE, and from the Year 6 (Y6) MCQ, OSCE and management viva examinations. The analysis used Univariate Analysis of Variance and linear regression models to identify the impact of site of learning and site of examination on assessment outcomes. The results demonstrate that neither site of learning nor site of examination had any significant impact on OSCE or Management Viva assessment outcomes while potential confounders are controlled. It is suggested that some of the supposed disadvantages inherent at rural c uses are effectively mitigated by perceived advantages more intensive interaction with patients, the general and medical communities at those sites, as well as effective e-learning resources and moderation of assessment grades.
Publisher: Korean Society of Medical Education
Date: 12-2022
Abstract: Purpose: Workforce shortage is a contributing cause of health inequality in rural Australia. There is inconclusive evidence demonstrating which factors cause doctors to choose rural practice. This study’s objective is to determine predictive factors for medical students’ intent to work rurally and for graduates’ current rural employment location choice.Methods: This prospective cohort study, utilized data gathered from the University of New South Wales about students and graduates who had spent one or more years in a Rural Clinical School. Participants were final year students and graduates already working in Australia. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine predictive factors for the two outcomes.Results: Predictors for student intent to work rurally are rural background (odds ratio [OR], 7.16 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.59–19.53), choosing to study at the Rural Clinical School (OR, 8.72 95% CI, 1.32–57.63), and perceiving rural areas as opportunistic for career advancement (OR, 1.69 95% CI, 1.15–2.49). Predictors for graduates currently working in a rural location are Bonded Medical Program participation (OR, 6.40 95% CI, 1.15–35.59) and personal altruism (OR, 1.91 95% CI, 1.02–3.57).Conclusion: While intent is predicted by having a rural background, choosing to study at the Rural Clinical School and perception of rural areas as having positive career opportunities, a current rural workplace location among graduates is predicted by holding a bonded medical position and a desire to serve an under-resourced population. Maintaining the Bonded Medical Program and clear communication regarding training pathways may increase numbers of rural doctors.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-02-2008
Publisher: IATED
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute
Date: 28-11-2022
Abstract: Purpose: The study investigates the efficacy of new features introduced to the selection process for medical school at the University of New South Wales, Australia: (1) considering the relative ranks rather than scores of the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (2) structured interview focusing on interpersonal interaction and concerns should the applicants become students and (3) embracing interviewers’ erse perspectives.Methods: Data from 5 cohorts of students were analyzed, comparing outcomes of the second year in the medicine program of 4 cohorts of the old selection process and 1 of the new process. The main analysis comprised multiple linear regression models for predicting academic, clinical, and professional outcomes, by section tools and demographic variables.Results: Selection interview marks from the new interview (512 applicants, 2 interviewers each) were analyzed for inter-rater reliability, which identified a high level of agreement (kappa=0.639). No such analysis was possible for the old interview since it required interviewers to reach a consensus. Multivariate linear regression models utilizing outcomes for 5 cohorts (N=905) revealed that the new selection process was much more effective in predicting academic and clinical achievement in the program (R2=9.4%–17.8% vs. R2=1.5%–8.4%).Conclusion: The results suggest that the medical student selection process can be significantly enhanced by employing a non-compensatory selection algorithm and using a structured interview focusing on interpersonal interaction and concerns should the applicants become students as well as embracing interviewers’ erse perspectives.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-04-2012
DOI: 10.1007/S10459-012-9367-Y
Abstract: The decision to pass or fail a medical student is a 'high stakes' one. The aim of this study is to introduce and demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of a new objective standard-setting method for determining the pass/fail cut-off score from borderline grades. Three methods for setting up pass/fail cut-off scores were compared: the Regression Method, the Borderline Group Method, and the new Objective Borderline Method (OBM). Using Year 5 students' OSCE results from one medical school we established the pass/fail cut-off scores by the abovementioned three methods. The comparison indicated that the pass/fail cut-off scores generated by the OBM were similar to those generated by the more established methods (0.840 ≤ r ≤ 0.998 p < .0001). Based on theoretical and empirical analysis, we suggest that the OBM has advantages over existing methods in that it combines objectivity, realism, robust empirical basis and, no less importantly, is simple to use.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-03-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1754.2012.02434.X
Abstract: Supervision in postgraduate training is an under-researched area. We measured the amount, type and effect of supervision on patient care and perceived education value in a general paediatric service. We designed a structured observation form and questionnaire to document the type, duration and effect of supervision on patient management and perceived education value. Most supervision occurred without the paediatrician confirming the trainee's findings. Direct observation of the trainee was rare. Management was changed in 30% of patients seen on the inpatient ward round and in 42% of the patients discussed during the chart reviews but not seen by the paediatrician. Management was changed in 48% of the cases when the paediatrician saw the patient with the trainee in outpatients but in only 21% of patients when the patient was but not seen. Changes made to patient management, understanding and perceived education value, differed between inpatient and out patient settings. There was more impact when the paediatrician saw the patient with the trainee in outpatients while for inpatients, the opposite was true. Trainees rated the value of the supervision more highly than their supervisors did. Trainees' comments on what they learnt from their supervisor related almost exclusively to clinical knowledge rather than professional behaviours. We observed little evidence of supervisors directly observing trainees and trainees learning professional behaviours. A review of supervisory practices to promote more effective learning is needed. Communicating to paediatricians the value their trainees place on their input could have a positive effect on their engagement in supervision.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEDT.2010.11.024
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to identify the best predictors for student achievements (Undergraduate Grade Point Average (UGPA)) in their first year in an undergraduate nursing programme. Data were acquired from the Tracking Project database which is held by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland. The data (n=134) included information on student demographics, final year secondary school achievements (National Certificate of Educational Achievement Grade Point Average (NCEAGPA) & NCEA Credits), university admission ranking scores, and achievements in first year in the undergraduate nursing programme (UGPA). Linear regression models were used to identify the best predictors for first year students' UGPA in the nursing programme. The regression models suggest that the best predictor for the first year GPA is the NCEAGPA (beta=.488 R(2)(for the entire model)=.53), followed by the admission ranking scores (beta=.308 R(2)=.40). Based on these findings, it is suggested that a Dual Admission Model (DAM) be utilised whereby students could be admitted either by the current university admission criteria or by an alternative model, which is purely based on the predictability of achievement within the nursing programme. Application of the DAM to other institutions/countries was discussed.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-05-2008
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 15-05-2023
DOI: 10.2196/42986
Abstract: Research on problematic internet use has largely adhered to addiction paradigms, possibly impeding the identification of specific internet behaviors related to psychopathology. This study presents a novel approach to screening for specific problematic internet behaviors by using a new measure, the emergency department media use screener (EDMUS). The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of internet use in young people presenting with mental health concerns to the emergency department (ED), ascertain associations with their mental health, and evaluate whether the EDMUS can be used to predict subsequent ED presentations within 3 months. This cross-sectional retrospective study of Australian young people (N=149, aged 11-25 years female: n=92, 61.7%) sought to use the EDMUS, a 24-item questionnaire, to identify problematic internet behaviors, including accessing or posting prosuicidal or proeating disorder content, cyberbullying, and inappropriate digital content. Data on each person’s mental health were extracted from electronic medical records to look for associations with EDMUS responses and ED re-presentation over 3 months. EDMUS items were grouped into clusters for analysis using chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and path analyses. Sharing suicidal digital content was the most common problematic internet use pattern identified by the EDMUS. However, this did not correlate with having a prior mental health diagnosis or predict readmission. Most participants had families with a concern for their internet use however, this was less likely in participants with a diagnosis of personality disorder. Diagnoses of personality disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder were independent predictors of readmission (P=.003 P=.048). Although a history of complex psychopathology increases the likelihood of subsequent ED presentations, its links to internet use–related behaviors are still unclear. The EDMUS has potential for identifying young people who are most vulnerable to problematic internet behaviors and offers the opportunity for early intervention and potential prevention of more entrenched difficulties.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-05-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12909-020-02080-X
Abstract: This study aims to assess the feasibility, reliability and validity of the panel-based Equal Z-score (EZ) method applied to objective structural clinical examination (OSCE) of Chinese medical students and undertaking a comparison with the statistical techniques-based Borderline Regression Method (BRM). Data received from two cohorts of 6th and 7th year medical students in Taiwan who set the mock OSCE as a formative assessment. Traditionally this medical school uses BRM to set the pass/fail cut-score. For the current study, 31 OSCE panellists volunteered to participate in the EZ method in parallel to the BRM. In the conduct of this study, each panel completed this task for an OSCE exam comprising 12 stations within less than 60 min. Moreover, none of the 31 panellists, whose are busy clinicians, had indicated that the task was too difficult or too time-consuming. Although EZ method yielded higher cut-scores than the BRM it was found reliable. Intraclass correlation (ICC) measuring absolute agreement, across the three groups of panellists was .893 and .937 for the first and second rounds respectively, demonstrating high level of agreement across groups with the EZ method and the alignment between the BRM and the EZ method was visually observed. The paired t-test results identified smaller differences between the cut-scores within methods than across methods. Overall this study suggests that the EZ method is a feasible, reliable and valid standard setting method. The EZ method requires relatively little resources (takes about an hour to assess a 12 station OSCE) the calculation of the cut-score is simple and requires basic statistical skills it is highly reliable even when only 10 panellists participate in the process and its validity is supported by comparison to BRM. This study suggests that the EZ method is a feasible, reliable and valid standard setting method.
No related grants have been discovered for Boaz Shulruf.