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Biomedical subjects

G A Nowacek

Publications and source records attributed to G A Nowacek.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Influence of the interview on the evaluation of applicants to medical school.

PURPOSE: To determine whether medical school admission interviewers change their evaluations and impressions of applicants as a direct result of the interview. METHOD: In 1991-92, 419 applicants to the University of Virginia School of Medicine were interviewed by members of the admission committee in two separate half-hour sessions. After reviewing each applicant's folder, interviewers rated the applicant before the interview on six objective scales. After the interview, ratings were again made on the same six scales, on the same form, below the ratings made before the interview. Data were examined using paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple-regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the six scales, only the ratings of Commitment to Serve Others were not significantly changed by the interview; the ratings of Familiarity with Issues in Medicine changed the most (p < .01 by paired t-test). The ratings of Overall Impression increased for accepted applicants and decreased for rejected applicants. CONCLUSION: The interview did influence interviewers' ratings made before the interview, and in the direction consistent with admission decisions, which supports the continued use of the interview. Although the magnitude of the changes was not large, the changes validate the conviction that the interview aids in the selection of individuals for medical school.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Attitudes toward prevention of cardiovascular diseases among first-year students at eight American medical schools, 1983-1985.

First-year medical students at eight U.S. medical schools were surveyed by written questionnaire in 1983-1985 to determine their attitudes toward cardiovascular diseases prevention at medical school entry. An overall response rate of 92% was achieved (2,654 questionnaires), and 97% of responders provided complete and analyzable survey data. Response rates at five of eight medical schools were 98-100%, and one school each had rates of 67, 84, or 90%. Differences in mean attitude responses from school to school were small, as were differences between men and women or between blacks and whites. This survey found that entering medical students have generally positive attitudes toward the effectiveness of preventive cardiology practice as well as toward the importance of research efforts in cardiovascular disease prevention. Students frequently indicated, however, that it is "extremely difficult" to change patients' unhealthful habits and that "physician encouragement" may not be sufficient to help patients achieve more healthful behaviors. These findings could be helpful in directing educational efforts for medical students. The data suggest that major emphasis should be placed on conveying facts regarding the physicians' efficacy in clinical preventive cardiology and on teaching the skills of preventive cardiology practice. Less emphasis appears to be necessary on encouraging positive attitudes about the importance of prevention since current students' attitudes appear to be already positive in this dimension.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1987

Providing free samples of baby items to newly delivered parents. An unintentional endorsement?

Recent studies have suggested that providing free sample packs of baby items to newly delivered parents may adversely influence parental health behavior. To determine the extent of this practice in Virginia, the head nurses of all 68 newborn nurseries and a random sample of 200 pediatricians were surveyed. Formula samples were being distributed at all hospitals. Formula packs were given to breast-feeding mothers at 65 (95%) hospitals although only 66 percent of the surveyed pediatricians approved of this practice. Samples of baby items other than formula (e.g., baby powder) were being distributed at 66 (97%) hospitals. Some physicians (18%) objected to the distribution of these nonformula samples, and others were not familiar with the content of these packs. In most instances, the hospital medical staff had not voted to approve the distribution of these packs. Parents were being informed only rarely about the source and intent of the packs. The provision of sample packs to newly delivered parents affects approximately 3,000,000 babies each year in the United States. The short- and long-term effects of providing these packs have been inadequately explored. Physicians should make an active decision whether to distribute sample packs. Those physicians choosing to dispense these samples may wish to review and edit the content of the packs and to enclose in the pack a brief note explaining that the provision of the products does not constitute a medical endorsement.

Advertising↗
PubMed1985

Medical examination of children referred for special education.

The results of medical examinations of 184 children referred for special educational services were reviewed, with particular attention paid to the value of the examination in the detection of abnormalities that would have an adverse educational impact and of previously undiagnosed abnormalities. Seventeen students (9%) were found to have educationally important abnormalities previously unknown to the school. Fifteen students had abnormalities detected through screening tests. The two remaining students had abnormalities apparent on physical examination that conceivably could interfere with physical education but should not hinder academic achievement. Thus, a separate physical examination, apart from those recommended for all children by the American Academy of Pediatrics, may not be productive for children referred for special educational services, but screening tests currently available in many schools are more likely to be beneficial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Measures of knowledge and attitude toward preventive cardiology.

In this paper, the authors describe the development and validation of an inventory of preventive cardiology at the University of Virginia. The inventory contains two instruments designed to measure medical students' preinstructional and postinstructional knowledge of and attitude toward preventive cardiology. The knowledge test subscales provide unique and significant information about knowledge in preventive cardiology and can discriminate among groups differing in level of instruction and expertise in preventive cardiology. The attitude survey provides information about two attitude factors: cardiovascular disease prevention and cardiovascular disease research priorities. In the study reported here, attitudes appeared not to differ among groups of students with different preventive cardiology instructional levels and expertise. Both instruments were demonstrated to be useful measures of medical students' knowledge and attitudes concerning preventive cardiology educational programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Perinatal outreach education. A continuation strategy for a basic program.

The Perinatal Continuing Education Program consists of a nine-month intervention with community hospital nurses, physicians, and support personnel. Components include a hospital self-inventory of resources, coordination by community hospital staff, a skills workshop, and self-instructional books. This article outlines a follow-up strategy to the basic program and describes changes in community hospital knowledge and care practices that occur between programs. The follow-up program presented includes a modified coordinators' workshop, identification of updated self-instructional materials for careful study by past participants, and a self-survey of "recommended routines" intended to facilitate change in hospital policies. Otherwise, except for the deletion of the resources inventory, the follow-up program is similar to the basic program. Testing of participants and detailed review of 1435 hospital charts at sequential time periods revealed a decline in mean knowledge scores between programs, higher scores by new participants before follow-up when compared to pre-basic program, a plateau of patient care quality between programs, and a further improvement in patient care quality after the follow-up program. We conclude that a follow-up program is best accepted after three years but that timing is not critical. Evaluation measures suggest that new knowledge and care practices become institutionalized as a result of this program and that altered care practices are not simply a result of improved performance by individuals.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗
PubMed1983

Assessment of transportability of a perinatal education program.

We evaluated a perinatal outreach education program to determine its "transportability" (usefulness to other regional centers). Three kinds of data were available from seven regional centers: (1) participation in the program by health care providers, (2) changes in cognitive knowledge, and (3) changes in neonatal care practices. Data were obtained from 2,735 program participants and from retrospective chart review of 2,781 at-risk babies born in participating hospitals. Analysis showed that results were comparable when the program was used by six regional centers from two states and when it was used by the regional center that originally developed the program. We therefore concluded that the Perinatal Continuing Education Program is transportable.

Education, Continuing↗