Biomedical subjects

Anne M Turner

Publications and source records attributed to Anne M Turner.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Using problem-based learning as a strategy for cross-discipline emergency preparedness training.

The rapid and effective response to a bioterrorist event requires the coordinated efforts of trained personnel from different agencies. This article describes the design and implementation of a 1-week cross-disciplinary course employing problem-based learning (PBL) for professionals with backgrounds in public health, fire/emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, emergency management, and hospital administration. The curriculum provided opportunities for professionals from different disciplines to meet and learn the priorities and resources of partner agencies. In course evaluations, participants rated the training highly and found it applicable to their work and a good use of time and training resources. PBL techniques were successful in fostering cross-agency communication, thereby showing promise as an effective training method for meeting local and national emergency preparedness objectives.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2005

Modeling public health interventions for improved access to the gray literature.

OBJECTIVE: Much of the useful information in public health (PH) is considered gray literature, literature that is not available through traditional, commercial pathways. The diversity and nontraditional format of this information makes it difficult to locate. The aim of this Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded project is to improve access to PH gray literature reports through established natural language processing (NLP) techniques. This paper summarizes the development of a model for representing gray literature documents concerning PH interventions. METHODS: The authors established a model-based approach for automatically analyzing and representing the PH gray literature through the evaluation of a corpus of PH gray literature from seven PH Websites. Input from fifteen PH professionals assisted in the development of the model and prioritization of elements for NLP extraction. RESULTS: Of 365 documents collected, 320 documents were used for analysis to develop a model of key text elements of gray literature documents relating to PH interventions. Survey input from a group of potential users directed the selection of key elements to include in the document summaries. CONCLUSIONS: A model of key elements relating to PH interventions in the gray literature can be developed from the ground up through document analysis and input from members of the PH workforce. The model provides a framework for developing a method to identify and store key elements from documents (metadata) as document surrogates that can be used for indexing, abstracting, and determining the shape of the PH gray literature.

Access to Information↗

PubMed2004

Transient pattern visual evoked potentials in children with Down's syndrome.

Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity are lower in children with Down's syndrome than in those developing normally. In many cases, this difference might be accounted for by the relatively high incidence of ocular abnormalities (including refractive error and strabismus) in Down's syndrome. However, abnormal spatial vision persists in children with Down's syndrome in the absence of ocular abnormality, suggesting that abnormal retino-cortical visual processing explains reduced visual function in this group. The aim of the present study was to assess retino-cortical function in children with Down's syndrome by recording transient visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in response to pattern stimuli. Responses from children with Down's syndrome were compared with those recorded from children developing normally. Response latency is similar in the two groups, but morphology differs, with the N75 component being clearly present in the normal responses, but diminished or undetectable in responses from children with Down's syndrome. Our findings may suggest a cortical abnormality specific to the source of the N75 component of pattern-reversal achromatic VEPs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Modeling interventions to improve access to public health information.

In a Robert Wood Johnson funded project, we established a model-based means for automatically analyzing and representing grey literature that reports on public health (PH) interventions. We summarize the development of an intervention model for public health documents and provide a project update on the implementation of natural language technology to improve access to difficult to find public health information.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Scheduling software in public health practice: from book to bytes and back.

Although greater emphasis is being placed on public health information transfer, little is known about its implementation in the field. To better understand the information needs of the public health workforce, semi-structured interviews were conducted at a country public health department. Preliminary investigation revealed the underutilization of available scheduling software in this setting. Privacy concerns and idiosyncratic scheduling patterns may have interfered with the adoption of commercially available scheduling software.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗