Biomedical subjects

K Premkumar

Publications and source records attributed to K Premkumar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Development and validation of an evaluation tool for multimedia resources in health education.

The last decade saw a rapid increase in the use of multimedia in health education. Easy availability, accessibility, low cost of technological resources and the expanding body of research on the role of multimedia in student learning, among others, have all contributed to this increase in usage. Since one of the roles of educators is to assess and select learning resources based on curriculum goals and student needs, the development of standardized methods for multimedia evaluation becomes vital. To the learner, it is important for reviews of the quality of the resource to be readily available. An evaluation too was developed based on the recognition of this need. The validity of the tool was tested using experts in technology and education. Reliability was determined using faculty and students who reviewed the same software, using the tool. In addition, graduate students reviewed two versions of a nursing program, of varying quality. The results indicate that the tool is reliable and valid. It is envisaged that this tool can be utilized by health educators for evaluating multimedia resources and setting up a much needed clearinghouse for health education resources.

CD-ROM↗

PubMed1996

A learning resources centre: its utilization by medical students.

Innovations in medical education have led to the increasing use of problem-based learning techniques, a committee system organization, and more time for independent study in many undergraduate programmes. There has been an increase in availability of alternative methods for presentation of information. To encourage self-directed learning, resources such as computers, videos and models, among others, should be readily available to students. The University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine has provided various resources contained in one area, called the Bacs Learning Resource Centre (BLRC). Since the maintenance and further development of such a centre requires significant resources, it is important to determine student utilization of the various components used in their learning. For those who are about to set up such a learning resource centre this information gives guidance on which materials are most useful. The utilization of the centre by 69 first year medical students was studied using questionnaires. The utilization during a specific course was determined by analysing the entries in the individual log books given to the students at the beginning of the Integrative Course. With the exception of one student, all those who responded to the questionnaire used the Centre, with 20% or less of their total study time being spent there. The BLRC was most used for the Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular and Reticulo-Endothelial courses. All categories of resources were found to be useful, with the tape/slides least utilized. Utilization was most influenced by the quality of resources available and recommendations by peers. The development of a centre such as the BLRC, with a variety of resources concentrated in one area, suitable for individual or group study and accessible 24 hours a day, should be considered by all medical schools to enhance self-directed learning in medical students.

Alberta↗

PubMed1996

Telemedicine and security. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability: a Canadian perspective.

The health care system is undergoing major reform, characterized by organized delivery systems (regionalization, decentralization, devolution, etc); shifts in care delivery sites; changing health provider roles; increasing consumer responsibilities; and accountability. Rapid advances in information technology and telecommunications have led to a new type of information infrastructure which can play a major role in this reform. Compatible health information systems are now being integrated and connected across institutional, regional, and sectorial boundaries. In the near future, these information systems will readily be accessed and shared by health providers, researchers, policy makers, health consumers, and the public. SECURITY is a critical characteristic of any health information system. This paper will address three fields associated with SECURITY: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These will be defined and examined as they relate to specific aspects of Telemedicine, such as electronic integrated records and clinical databases; electronic transfer of documents; as well as data storage and disposal. The guiding principles, standards, and safeguards being considered and put in place to ensure that telemedicine information intrastructures can protect and benefit all stakeholders' rights and needs in both primary and secondary uses of information will be reviewed. Implemented, proposed, and tested institutional, System, and Network solutions will be discussed; for example, encryption-decryption methods; data transfer standards; individual and terminal access and entry I.D. and password levels; smart card access and PIN number control; data loss prevention strategies; interference alerts; information access keys; algorithm safeguards; and active marketing to users of standards and principles. Issues such as policy, implementation, and ownership will be addressed.

Canada↗

PubMed1994

Effects of short-term isotonic & isometric training on cardiovascular & pulmonary function.

A randomised control trial of short-term exercises on specific cardiovascular and respiratory parameters was undertaken in normal male college students. The effects of isotonic training (5BX programme) and isometric training (a programme of isometric exercises working all major groups of muscles) were compared with a control group with no specific workout. Both isotonic and isometric training resulted in significant cardiovascular improvement but seemed inadequate to improve vital capacity and flow rates. Isotonic training in addition, improved ventilatory efficiency. It is concluded that such isotonic or isometric training of thrice a week for ten weeks, requiring no equipment, less time and space can be promoted to improve physical fitness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Exercise induced bronchial lability in normal men and women--a comparison.

Normal male (n = 29) and female (n = 39) medical students with a mean age of 19.2 years who were nonsmokers, with no personal history of allergy were studied. The bronchial lability was assessed from peak expiratory flows and forced expiratory spirograms taken before, during and upto 45 minutes after a standard exercise using the Harvard steps. Women had a significantly lower (P < .001) resting FVC, FEV1, FEF 25-75% and PEF as compared to men. Although the exercise lability index was not significantly different in men and women, the latter showed a greater percent increase (P < .02) and a lesser percent decrease (P < .02) of PEF during and after the exercise respectively. They also showed a significantly (P < .005) faster recovery to normal. These results suggest that airway dynamics may be better in women than in men. This could account for the lower incidence and morbidity from respiratory allergic disease seen in women as compared to men.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Technology-based dissemination.

Health care reform and restructuring, changes in the scope and definitions of 'health', 'health care' and 'health research', along with a continued emphasis on multidisciplinary health promotion and prevention, all indicate the need for information dissemination, exchange and management. Technology can be a tool to help meet this need, as it can help us disseminate, as well as understand the process of dissemination. Rapid advances in, and reduced costs of technology, permit the integration of this tool. This paper provides a definition for dissemination, along with a background and rationale as to why now is the time and place to harness technology to assist with the dissemination process. In addition, it presents well-designed studies on the effective use of technology as an aid to dissemination. Concrete examples of innovative technology that are being tested are also examined. Finally, the challenge and strategies for technology integration are addressed.

Computers↗