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Biomedical subjects

R D Muma

Publications and source records attributed to R D Muma.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Breaking down barriers: multidisciplinary education model.

A pilot project was implemented involving students from three disciplines: dental hygiene, physical therapy, and physician assistant. The purpose was to prepare students to work together in multidiscipline teams utilizing concepts of problem-based learning (PBL) on both simulated and real patients. The project was divided into three phases. Phase I introduced discipline specific information, team concepts, and PBL concepts. Phase II involved students working in multidisciplinary teams solving a simulated patient case in the PBL format. Phase III consisted of students working in small groups and on real patients, performing an extraoral/intraoral and periodontal examination, a problem oriented physical examination, and a neuromuscular assessment. Pre and posttest evaluation of Phase I revealed no difference in knowledge among the three disciplines. Of those students evaluating Phase II and III, 100% felt PBL was an effective means of presenting multidisciplinary material; 93% reported enhanced problem-solving; 98% indicated improvements in working in groups; and 98% felt they had learned more about each other's discipline. This model may provide a viable means to prepare interdisciplinary teams to work effectively together.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Zidovudine adherence among individuals with HIV infection.

The objective was to investigate the relationships among health beliefs, attitudes, and zidovudine compliance in individuals with HIV infection. A survey was administered to 52 individuals with HIV infection. The survey items, which reflected concerns expressed about zidovudine, were generated based on barriers to and benefits of zidovudine and the perceived susceptibility to and perceived severity of HIV as described by the health belief model (HBM). These items were expressed as attitudes and beliefs. Items were subjected to factor analysis, and survey results were correlated with laboratory data to predict adherence to their prescribed medication-taking regimen. Data indicated that 42.3% of the subjects were compliant with zidovudine. Factor analysis identified four dimensions: problems taking and scepticism about zidovudine; degree of concern about HIV; perceived severity of HIV; and physical barriers to taking zidovudine. Logistic regression analysis (forward conditional entry) identified those who were having problems taking zidovudine and who were sceptical about its effectiveness, and ethnicity as significant independent predictors of compliance, correctly classifying 75% of cases (p < 0.01). The fact that subjects who have problems taking zidovudine or are sceptical about the value of zidovudine are less compliant, and that this dimension is a significant predictor of compliance, suggests that non-compliance is related to attitudes and beliefs about zidovudine. This is consistent with the HBM, which holds that the balance between barriers and benefits of a health-related behaviour are significant determinants of outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Counseling patients with HIV infection.

With the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) still spreading rapidly throughout the nation, all health care professionals must be skilled not only in the technical aspects of management, but also in patient counseling. Patients are concerned about deteriorating health and the prospect of death, but also about treatment options and financial problems related to the disease. Clinicians who provide counseling must be familiar with these concerns as they explain the medical options to patients and help patients work through the stages of adjustment.

Counseling↗