I decided to focus my final presentation on an introduction to an amazing website created by a physician in Hungary, Dr. Bertalan Mesko, that provides useful and reliable online medical information for patients and providers. It is still a work in progress, but stay tuned...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Name of the Tool: Second Life
URL of the Tool: http://secondlife.com/
Primary category of the tool: It is difficult to place Second Life in one primary category. Most individuals use Second Life as a Networking/Social Tool, but it can also be used for communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, reflection, feedback, and presentations.
Description of the tool: Second Life is a virtual world created by Linden Research, Incorporated and launched in June 2003. Individuals can join for free or pay for a premium membership (72 US dollars per year) that extends access to an advanced degree of technical support and provides a weekly automatic stipend in the virtual world currency of Linden dollars. In January 2010, 18 million accounts in Second Life had been registered. Residents of Second Life create avatars to represent themselves, and avatars can take on any number of forms, including human, animal, vegetable, mineral, etc. Residents can explore a range of destinations, interact with other residents, join groups, purchase and trade virtual property, and participate in different activities (i.e. attend a lecture for class). I was intrigued with the number of educational opportunities available in Second Life. In the medical arena of Second Life, one can tour the male reproductive system (and swim with the sperm); learn about living with diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis; experience what it is like to have a neurologic disorder or a mental illness, like schizophrenia (and hear "the voices"); listen to educational lectures about autopsy procedures at the Medical Examiner's Office; visit the Center for Disease Control Island or the Mayo Clinic to hear talks and attend events on a number of diseases and illnesses; attend education and awareness programs at the American Cancer Center; tour a futuristic hospital at the Postgraduate Medical School; and much more. At the Ann Meyers Medical Center and Imperial College of London, medical professionals must use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess virtual patients (you can even listen to breath sounds), order and interpret diagnostic tests (read electrocardiograms and chest x-rays), and manage disease processes. At the Imperial College of London, the program even prompts the learners to wash their hands before evaluating the patient. These sites would be particularly helpful for medical students before they start their clinical rotations.
FYI - The department of health and human performance at the University of Houston is active in Second Life!
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A Few of the Destination Categories in Second Life Respiratory Ward at Imperial College London  Patient at Imperial College London  Diagnostic Tests for Patient at Imperial College London  Radiology Department at Imperial College London |
Skills needed before using the tool: Ability to understand and follow directions
Resources needed before using the tool:
· Broadband Internet access
· 512 MB RAM· 50 MB HD space
· 800 MHz x86 CPU
· 1 GHz G4/Intel Core Processor
· Second Life Viewer (free download 3D Browsing Software)
Basic steps to use the tool:
· Go to http://secondlife.com/
· Click Join Now
· Create a free account
· Download Second Life Viewer
· Start exploring
Example Using the Tool: Introduction to the Avatar
http://www.screencast.com/users/jamievarughese/folders/Jing/media/01f92a79-cee6-47d8-94c0-42e0f17fdea2
Scenario of use of tool in the teaching environment: I would love to create a destination in Teen Second Life (for those between the ages of 13 and 17) where adolescents can challenge themselves and others to learn about their chronic illnesses. I think it is important to target adolescents with chronic illnesses in order to address issues of compliance and adherence to prescribed lifestyles and medications. For instance, I can envision a site where diabetic adolescents encourage each other to learn how to manage their diabetes. The adolescents could create avatars that have to answer questions about diabetes correctly in order to advance through different levels and win the “fight against diabetes.” They would have to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the answers to the questions (i.e. If your blood sugar was 350, how much insulin would you have to give yourself? / What are the complications of diabetes?)
Advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: I think adolescents would be more likely to retain information about diabetes if it is presented in an interesting and engaging format. They will also find motivation for managing their diabetes by meeting other adolescents undergoing the same challenges in the virtual setting.
Disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: I found it challenging to maneuver my avatar through the different destinations in Second Life. Adolescents may not be as patient in learning the basic information needed to engage productively in Second Life.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Name of the Tool: My Family Health Portrait
URL of the Tool: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov
Primary category of the tool: Creativity and Presentation Tool
Description of the tool: My Family Health Portrait is a web-based tool from the surgeon general that allows consumers to create an electronic record of their family medical history. Once information is entered into the database, it is assembled and organized into a diagram or pedigree. The record can be saved and updated over time. Individuals can choose to keep the data private or electronically (or physically) share the information with their family members and/or their health care providers. Once family members have access to the record, they can edit and personalize it to make themselves the center of the family tree. The tool can be embedded into an electronic medical record, and organizations can adopt and customize it for their own use. The tool is also available in Spanish.
Skills needed before using the tool: Ability to understand and follow directions
Resources needed before using the tool: Access to Internet and family history
Basic steps to use the tool:
· Go to https://familyhistory.hhs.gov
· Click on Create a Family Health History
· Input information and medical history about self and family members
Example using the tool:
Scenario of use of tool in the teaching environment: I would have my adolescent patients create their own family history with the assistance of their parents to prepare them for the transition to independence as a medical consumer. The record would not only be incredibly helpful to me as their healthcare provider but also equip patients with the knowledge they need to make appropriate health care decisions. For instance, I can counsel my patient about the need to adhere to healthy eating habits. My words would be so much more powerful if the patient is aware of the extensive history of obesity and type II diabetes in his family after creating a family medical tree.
Advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: This tool provides a good visual representation of family medical history that would be easier for the adolescent patient to grasp and understand.
Disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: I do not think this tool has any disadvantages.
URL of the Tool: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov
Primary category of the tool: Creativity and Presentation Tool
Description of the tool: My Family Health Portrait is a web-based tool from the surgeon general that allows consumers to create an electronic record of their family medical history. Once information is entered into the database, it is assembled and organized into a diagram or pedigree. The record can be saved and updated over time. Individuals can choose to keep the data private or electronically (or physically) share the information with their family members and/or their health care providers. Once family members have access to the record, they can edit and personalize it to make themselves the center of the family tree. The tool can be embedded into an electronic medical record, and organizations can adopt and customize it for their own use. The tool is also available in Spanish.
Skills needed before using the tool: Ability to understand and follow directions
Resources needed before using the tool: Access to Internet and family history
Basic steps to use the tool:
· Go to https://familyhistory.hhs.gov
· Click on Create a Family Health History
· Input information and medical history about self and family members
Example using the tool:
Scenario of use of tool in the teaching environment: I would have my adolescent patients create their own family history with the assistance of their parents to prepare them for the transition to independence as a medical consumer. The record would not only be incredibly helpful to me as their healthcare provider but also equip patients with the knowledge they need to make appropriate health care decisions. For instance, I can counsel my patient about the need to adhere to healthy eating habits. My words would be so much more powerful if the patient is aware of the extensive history of obesity and type II diabetes in his family after creating a family medical tree.
Advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: This tool provides a good visual representation of family medical history that would be easier for the adolescent patient to grasp and understand.
Disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment: I do not think this tool has any disadvantages.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Name of the tool: Penzu
URL of the tool: penzu.com
Primary category of the tool: Communication tool
Description of the tool: The name penzu is derived from the Latin word pensare which means to think or be full of thought. This web 2.0 tool is utilized by people in over 170 different countries worldwide. It was created by a small Canadian company in 2008. Penzu serves as a free and secure online personal journal. Entries are private by default. However, individuals may share their thoughts via email or a public link if they choose to do so. Entries are autosaved as one types and can be accessed anywhere. Photos can be inserted into journal entries using flickr. Individuals with Penzu accounts can also comment on shared and public entries. For approximately $19 US dollars, journal entries can be protected with military grade 256-bit AES encryption. Individuals who pay for the Penzu Pro Plan can also customize journal backgrounds and text as well as export entries to multiple formats. There is also an option to have email reminders sent to users to remind them to journal. Penzu Mobile (which is currently under construction) will allow Pro Plan users to access entries from smartphones and/or iPads.
Skills needed before using the tool: Ability to understand and follow directions
Resources needed before using the tool: Access to the Internet
Basic steps to use the tool:
· Go to www.penzu.com
· Click free sign-up
· Start typing!
Example using the tool:
Screenshot of food diary using penzu.com
Scenario of use of tool in the teaching environment: I plan to utilize these tools in patient education. Adolescent patients struggling with obesity will be instructed to keep daily food and exercise diaries on penzu.com. Studies have shown that individuals who keep track of what they eat tend to decrease their intake and subsequently lose weight.
Advantages of tool in teaching environment: Learners will have a reliable place to record their daily caloric intake and have the opportunity to review how their weight loss over the course of time is reflected through changes they made to their diets and/or exercise regimens. Physicians and dietitians can review their diaries and make appropriate recommendations while providing encouragement to patients. Patients can access their penzu account from any computer with internet connection.
Disadvantages of tool in teaching environment: Learners have the choice not to disclose food and exercise diaries with clinicians.
URL of the tool: penzu.com
Primary category of the tool: Communication tool
Description of the tool: The name penzu is derived from the Latin word pensare which means to think or be full of thought. This web 2.0 tool is utilized by people in over 170 different countries worldwide. It was created by a small Canadian company in 2008. Penzu serves as a free and secure online personal journal. Entries are private by default. However, individuals may share their thoughts via email or a public link if they choose to do so. Entries are autosaved as one types and can be accessed anywhere. Photos can be inserted into journal entries using flickr. Individuals with Penzu accounts can also comment on shared and public entries. For approximately $19 US dollars, journal entries can be protected with military grade 256-bit AES encryption. Individuals who pay for the Penzu Pro Plan can also customize journal backgrounds and text as well as export entries to multiple formats. There is also an option to have email reminders sent to users to remind them to journal. Penzu Mobile (which is currently under construction) will allow Pro Plan users to access entries from smartphones and/or iPads.
Skills needed before using the tool: Ability to understand and follow directions
Resources needed before using the tool: Access to the Internet
Basic steps to use the tool:
· Go to www.penzu.com
· Click free sign-up
· Start typing!
Example using the tool:
Screenshot of food diary using penzu.com
Scenario of use of tool in the teaching environment: I plan to utilize these tools in patient education. Adolescent patients struggling with obesity will be instructed to keep daily food and exercise diaries on penzu.com. Studies have shown that individuals who keep track of what they eat tend to decrease their intake and subsequently lose weight.
Advantages of tool in teaching environment: Learners will have a reliable place to record their daily caloric intake and have the opportunity to review how their weight loss over the course of time is reflected through changes they made to their diets and/or exercise regimens. Physicians and dietitians can review their diaries and make appropriate recommendations while providing encouragement to patients. Patients can access their penzu account from any computer with internet connection.
Disadvantages of tool in teaching environment: Learners have the choice not to disclose food and exercise diaries with clinicians.
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