PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C A Cameron

Publications and source records attributed to C A Cameron.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A cognitive task analysis for dental hygiene.

To be an effective assessment tool, a simulation-based examination must be able to evoke and interpret observable evidence about targeted knowledge, strategies, and skills in a manner that is logical and defensible. Dental Interactive Simulations Corporation's first assessment effort is the development of a scoring algorithm for a simulation-based dental hygiene initial licensure examination. The first phase in developing a scoring system is the completion of a cognitive task analysis (CTA) of the dental hygiene domain. In the first step of the CTA, a specifications map was generated to provide a framework of the tasks and knowledge that are important to the practice of dental hygiene. Using this framework, broad classes of behaviors that would tend to distinguish along the dental hygiene expert-novice continuum were identified. Nine paper-based cases were then designed with the expectation that the solutions of expert, competent, and novice dental hygienists would differ. Interviews were conducted with thirty-one dental hygiene students/practitioners to capture solutions to the paper-based cases. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed to identify performance features that distinguish among the interviewees on the basis of their expertise. These features were more detailed and empirically grounded than the originating broad classes and better serve to ground the design of a scoring system. The resulting performance features were collapsed into nine major categories: 1) gathering and using information, 2) formulating problems and investigating hypotheses, 3) communication and language, 4) scripting behavior, 5) ethics, 6) patient assessment, 7) treatment planning, 8) treatment, and 9) evaluation. The results of the CTA provide critical information for defining the necessary elements of a simulation-based dental hygiene examination.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

Outcomes comparison of solo-practitioner and group practice models.

A solo-practitioner care delivery model is utilized in the predoctoral teaching clinics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. This model requires students to independently manage their practices using central resources. The model is perceived as cumbersome for patients and students and as failing to achieve optimum educational and productivity outcomes. During the 1995-96 academic year, a group practice model of patient care delivery was pilot tested to assess whether productivity, educational, and care delivery outcomes could be enhanced in comparison to the solo-practitioner model. This group practice model combined third- and fourth-year students for purposes of sharing resources and collaborating in patient care delivery. Resources dedicated to each group practice included a practice advisor, shared patient care coordinator, dental assistant, and shared clinic receptionist. Two group practices and twenty-five student solo practitioners participated in the study. Based upon an analysis of productivity, participant, and patient data, the group practice participants had greater billing volume, better attendance, enhanced satisfaction with the staff/faculty support and their ability to fill appointments, and generally comparable patient satisfaction ratings. These results suggest that the group practice model, through the dedication of resources and collaboration of providers, could enhance the outcomes of the clinical education program.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Informed consent in orthodontics.

Informed consent is a process of communication between a health care provider and patient that educates the patient as to the patient's needs and the potential solutions for those needs, and leads to the endorsement of a health care treatment plan. A claim of lack of informed consent may be brought by a patient when there is a perceived failure in the disclosure of adequate information to make a reasoned decision whether to consent to treatment. This article provides the foundation of the informed consent doctrine, delineates the essential elements of a lack of informed consent claim, and identifies the parties and their roles in the informed consent process.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

The 1990 Harry Bruce Legislative Fellowship.

The experiences described here recount my involvement in the various legislative processes and measure the tangible knowledge gained. It is most difficult to convey the impact of these experiences on my values and insights. This of course is not an uncommon phenomenon, it's encountered daily in dental education. However, probably one of the most significant outcomes of this experience is my expanded appreciation for the role of the AADS Division of Government Affairs in advocating for the concerns of dental education and the betterment of the oral health in our society. They serve and represent us well. However, their success is only as good as the support we, as dental educators, are willing to provide in the legislative process. A major step to the fulfillment of our obligation is simply understanding that we can play a most important role. The next step is informing the AADS of your interest and willingness to support their efforts and becoming a legislative advocate. And finally, when called upon to assist in a legislative effort you must be prepared to respond in a timely manner. I am satisfied that I have fulfilled my goals for the fellowship experience. It is my assessment that the goals of the Association were also met. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to immediately implement my new knowledge and skills. Since the completion of my fellowship experience I have stayed in touch with the issues and served as a contact person and resource at my institution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Patient debt management and student academic progress.

A survey of the patient debt management policies of all U.S.-accredited dental and dental hygiene educational programs was taken to assess institutional patient debt management procedures and their relationship to student academic progress. The policies were evaluated to determine the level of compliance with existing standards and to analyze them in light of their legal implications relative to student rights. The results illustrated a vast breadth of policies for both dental and dental hygiene programs, ranging from no relationship between debt management and student progress, to an unspecified relationship, to a formal relationship whereby academic progress is conditional on collection of patient fees. The question of the legal validity of conditioning academic progress on third party payments for services was then examined. It is the opinion of the authors that the translation of a student's successful performance in a clinic setting to an academic failure or incomplete based on a patient's failure to pay for services is likely not legally defendable. Thus, it is essential that policies on fee collection and patient debt management not be tied to issues of student academic progress.

Accounting↗
PubMed1987

Effect of force on anastomotic suture line disruption after carotid arteriotomy.

Static and dynamic forces exerted on 6-0 polypropylene suture material after carotid arteriotomy were measured in 22 adult mongrel dogs. Force was measured in 11 normotensive animals (Group I) before and 6 weeks after carotid artery repair. Force was measured in the remaining animals during normotension and induced hypertension before and 6 weeks after operation. The tensile strength of each suture used in the study was measured by the manufacturer. The mean force required to break a 6-0 polypropylene suture measured 436.9 +/- 2 g, whereas knotting of the suture decreased the tensile strength to 316.9 +/- 3.9 g (p less than 0.001). The static and dynamic axial forces exerted on the suture after carotid arteriotomy in Group I was in the range of 26 g and decreased to 18 g at 6 weeks, whereas the 45 degree force exerted during the static dynamic phase measured in the range of 23 g and decreased to 16 g at 6 weeks (not statistically significant). The axial and 45 degree forces exerted on 6-0 polypropylene suture material in Group II under normotensive conditions were in the range of 14 g after carotid arteriotomy and ranged between 12 to 14 g at 6 weeks. Systolic hypertension did not result in a significant increase in axial or 45 degree forces during static or dynamic measurements, both in the range of 15 g after carotid arteriotomy. Measurements were similar at 6 weeks and ranged between 14 and 16 g. Our data indicate that 6-0 polypropylene suture material is an appropriate choice for repair of the carotid artery and that the suture material has sufficient inherent tensile strength to withstand forces generated in the neck region. Furthermore, our data indicate that spontaneous carotid artery suture line disruption is most likely related to damage to the suture strand during carotid artery repair rather than an inherent weakness in the suture material.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Spectral analysis of small-amplitude electrical activity in the cold potassium-arrested heart.

Recent reports have suggested that small-amplitude electrical activity may persist following the administration of potassium cardioplegia. This report confirms the presence of small-amplitude electrical activity in the potassium-arrested heart and describes a canine model that may be used to measure microvolt plunge-electrode potentials during ischemic arrest. Thirty-one adult mongrel dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and underwent 90 minutes of ischemic arrest. The heart was arrested with 10 ml per kilogram of body weight of crystalloid cardioplegia (20 mEq of KCl/L) at 4 degrees C. Core temperature was maintained at 26 degrees C and myocardial temperature, within a range of 8 degrees to 10 degrees C with topical ice-slush saline solution. Cardioplegic solution, 10 ml/kg, was reinfused every 30 minutes during the 90 minutes of ischemia. Electrical activity and transmural temperature were continuously monitored over the anterior surface of the left ventricle with specially designed plunge electrodes. Visual electrical and mechanical activity ceased in each animal after the infusion of cardioplegic solution, and was associated with an isoelectric electrocardiogram. However, microvolt (10(-6)V) small-amplitude electrical activity was recorded at a myocardial temperature of 10 degrees C in each animal during ischemic arrest, and the activity from 6 animals was stored on magnetic tape. Spectral analysis of electrical activity during cardioplegic arrest indicated that the fundamental frequency of small-amplitude electrical activity was in the range of 3.25 Hz. These data confirm the presence of small-amplitude electrical activity in the cardioplegia-arrested heart at 10 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Reduction of intimal hyperplasia in canine autologous vein grafts with cod-liver oil and dipyridamole.

To determine the effects of cod-liver oil and a combination of cod-liver oil and dipyridamole on vein-graft intimal hyperplasia, 76 segments of undistended jugular vein were interposed between bilaterally divided femoral arteries in 38 mongrel dogs who received a 2% cholesterol diet. Ten control animals received the diet alone, 8 received cod-liver oil containing 1.8 g of eicosapentaenoic acid daily 1 week before and for 6 weeks after operation, and 20 dogs received 1.8 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 75 mg of dipyridamole daily 1 week before and for 6 weeks after operation. A similar and significant (p less than 0.01) increase in serum cholesterol was observed in all three groups. Prothrombin, partial thromboplastin and clotting times and the platelet count were unchanged in the controls and in those receiving cod-liver oil. Clotting time increased in the animals receiving a combination of cod-liver oil and dipyridamole (p less than 0.001). Measurements (406 +/- 27) of intimal thickness were made from each graft. Intimal thickness was 3.7 +/- 0.1 micron before implantation and increased to 78 +/- 8 micron after in the controls. Cod-liver oil limited the increase in intimal thickening, to 24 +/- 3 micron (p less than 0.001); cod-liver oil and dipyridamole further reduced the increase in intimal thickening, to 17 +/- 1.4 micron (p less than 0.001). The data indicate that a combination of cod-liver oil and dipyridamole is more effective than cod-liver oil alone in reducing canine vein-graft intimal hyperplasia (p less than 0.03).

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein grafts used for arterial bypass: a canine model.

Late vein graft occlusion following myocardial revascularisation is usually the result of progressive intimal hyperplasia which ultimately leads to vein graft thrombosis. Considerable attention has recently been directed towards the development of optimal platelet-inhibiting drug regimens designed to prevent intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein grafts. This report describes an animal model that reliably reproduces short-term intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein grafts, thus facilitating the study of platelet-inhibiting drug regimens for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia. 28 segments of undistended jugular vein were implanted end-to-end between bilaterally divided femoral arteries in 14 mongrel dogs. Seven control animals (CON) received a non-lipid diet one week before and for 6 weeks following vein implantation. A further seven animals received a 2% cholesterol diet throughout the study. Serum cholesterol was measured at 4.06 +/- 0.6 mmol X litre-1 in the CON and did not change significantly throughout the study. Serum cholesterol rose from 3.9 +/- 0.4 to 8.5 +/- 0.8 mmol X litre-1 in the lipid-supplemented animals (p less than 0.001). Vein grafts were harvested at 6 weeks and fixed in formaldehyde. Precise measurements of intimal thickness in microns were measured from multiple vein graft cross-sections with a Zeiss computerised interactive image analysing system. A mean of 102 +/- 15 measurements were made from each vein graft cross-section. Intimal thickness of autogenous vein grafts prior to implantation were similar in both groups and measured 4.15 +/- 0.4 micron. Intimal thickness increased in CON animals to 23.3 +/- 3 microns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗