Biomedical subjects

Frank Quinn

Publications and source records attributed to Frank Quinn.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

'We're having trouble conceiving...'.

BACKGROUND: The growing trend for Australian women to delay childbearing has a significant impact on their individual fertility and the consequent need for assisted reproductive technology. OBJECTIVE: This article defines infertility and highlights typical male, female, and unexplained combined causes of infertility. Initial fertility investigations best undertaken in general practice are outlined, and suggestions on when to refer a couple to a fertility specialist is clarified. DISCUSSION: Initial assessment of the subfertile couple is best managed by the general practitioner whose relationship can facilitate quick understanding of how long the couple has been trying to conceive, age, and medical history. The woman can then undergo simple global blood and hormone tests while a semen analysis is appropriate for the man. On review, any abnormal tests can indicate referral to a fertility specialist for review and management.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A pilot study comparing the effectiveness of conventional training and virtual reality simulation in the skills acquisition of junior dental students.

The use of virtual reality (VR) in the training of operative dentistry is a recent innovation and little research has been published on its efficacy compared to conventional training methods. To evaluate possible benefits, junior undergraduate dental students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1 as taught by conventional means only; group 2 as trained by conventional means combined with VR repetition and reinforcement (with access to a human instructor for operative advice); and group 3 as trained by conventional means combined with VR repetition and reinforcement, but without instructor evaluation/advice, which was only supplied via the VR-associated software. At the end of the research period, all groups executed two class 1 preparations that were evaluated blindly by 'expert' trainers, under traditional criteria (outline, retention, smoothness, depth, wall angulation and cavity margin index). Analyses of resulting scores indicated a lack of significant differences between the three groups except for scores for the category of 'outline form', for group 2, which produced significantly lower (i.e. better) scores than the conventionally trained group. A statistical comparison between scores from two 'expert' examiners indicated lack of agreement, despite identical written and visual criteria being used for evaluation by both. Both examiners, however, generally showed similar trends in evaluation. An anonymous questionnaire suggested that students recognized the benefits of VR training (e.g. ready access to assessment, error identification and how they can be corrected), but the majority felt that it would not replace conventional training methods (95%), although participants recognized the potential for development of VR systems in dentistry. The most common reasons cited for the preference of conventional training were excessive critical feedback (55%), lack of personal contact (50%) and technical hardware difficulties (20%) associated with VR-based training.

Competency-Based Education↗

PubMed2003

A study comparing the effectiveness of conventional training and virtual reality simulation in the skills acquisition of junior dental students.

The use of virtual reality (VR) in the training of operative dentistry is a recent innovation and little research has been published on its efficacy compared to conventional training methods. Two groups of dental students, with no experience in operative dentistry, were trained solely by either VR or conventional training in the preparation of conventional class 1 cavities. The subjects all used the same operative armamentarium and phantom heads, and were allocated the same duration of practice periods. At the completion of these training periods, both groups produced two class 1 cavities on the lower left first molar, which were subsequently coded and blindly scored for the traditional assessment criteria of outline form, retention form, smoothness, cavity depth and cavity margin angulation. An ordinal score of 0-3 or 0-4 was assigned for each assessment criterion: the higher the score, the worse the evaluation. After initial independent scoring, the two examiners discussed any notable differences until an agreed score was reached. Once the codes were broken, non-parametric analyses were performed on the data. Wilcoxon Tests for the semiquantitative scores indicated significant differences between the VR and conventional training groups for outline form, depth and smoothness but not for retention or cavity margin angulation at P < 0.05 level, with the VR group receiving the higher, i.e. worse, scores. Cavity margin angulation approached significance with a P-value of 0.0536. The results indicated that VR-based skills acquisition is unsuitable for use as the sole method of feedback and evaluation for novice students.

Clinical Competence↗