Interpretation Skills Research Articles

Enhancing ECG interpretation skills amongst cardiology medical students at a tertiary cardiac centre

Enhancing ECG interpretation skills amongst cardiology medical students at a tertiary cardiac centre

Improving ECG interpretation skills of junior doctors: Embracing the rhythm of the heart

Improving ECG interpretation skills of junior doctors: Embracing the rhythm of the heart

EMBRACE (Empowering Medical students' skills in BReaking bAd news with Compassion and Empathy)module improves the skills of undergraduate medical students in effectively breaking the bad news: a case-control study.

Effective communication skills are pivotal in health care, particularly when conveying distressing information to patients and their families. However, medical education still lacks the adoption of a universal model that can be incorporated into the curricula to train and assess students in effectively communicating with patients. This study aims to assess the impact of training undergraduate medical students to deliver bad news effectively using theEmpowering Medical students' skills in BReaking bAd news with Compassion and Empathy (EMBRACE) module. This randomized case-control study involved medical students from the first, second, and third professional years (study group, n = 75; control group, n = 75). For the study group, the EMBRACE modules were distributed. Then, a 1-hour training session on effectively delivering bad news was followed by a multiple-choice question test and objective structured clinical examination with response, interpretation, and communication skills stations. Participants' feedback was obtained on a five-point Likert scale. There was a highly significant improvement in knowledge and skills among the study group compared to controls with a P value less than 0.0001. Of the participants, 98.76% perceived that the training equipped them with practical skills, and 98.77% felt that the facilitator had demonstrated the steps of delivering bad news clearly and effectively. Only 4.44% of participants were confident in effectively interacting with patients before the session, and an overwhelming 81.11% gained confidence in their communication skills after the training. With demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge and skills, this study supports the adoption of EMBRACE modules in undergraduate medical education, ultimately improving patient experiences, doctor-patient relationships, and health outcomes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY TheEmpowering Medical students' skills in BReaking bAd news with Compassion and Empathy (EMBRACE) module is noteworthy for its holistic approach to training medical students in the delicate art of delivering distressing news to patients. It not only incorporates the evidence-based setting, perception, invitation, knowledge, emotions, and strategy (SPIKES) method but also distinguishes itself by providing real-life conversation examples and self-assessment cases, which make the training highly relatable and practical for students to actively engage in their learning and personal development.

Exploration and Application of Three-stage Strengthening Mode based on Massive Open Online Course to Improve Students’ Competence in Electrocardiogram Interpretation Skills

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely common diagnostic test in clinical practice. However, research has shown that residents and medical students cannot analyze ECG skillfully. In this study, we explore a three-stage strengthening mode based on massive open online course (MOOC) to improve students’ competence in ECG interpretation skills. We carry out the first stage in a diagnostics course, in which instructors adopted online and offline blended mode for the teaching method of ECG with clinical medicine students in grade 2018 based on MOOC. We compare scores of ECG interpretation skills for 91 students in grade 2018 with 81 students in grade 2016 to evaluate the effect. The second stage concerns studying internal medicine, in which we divide students in grade 2018 into two groups with 49 students in group A and 42 students in group B. Group A strengthened their ECG interpretation skills when learning about heart diseases. The third stage pertains to rotation in the internal medicine department in the internship period. Some students in group A continued to receive intensive training. Students in group B had no reinforcement arrangement in the second and the third stage. Students in grade 2018 took graduation tests at the end of their internship. We use the scores on ECG interpretation skills in the graduation examination to evaluate the strengthening effect between group A and group B. The result of the first stage shows that scores on ECG interpretation skills in the final exam in grade 2018 were 19.32 ± 4.62 points, which is higher than those of grade 2016, whose points were 16.89 ± 5.30 (total scores in both grades were 30 points). Difference is statistically significant. Scores on the graduation examination in group A were 38.89 ± 16.81 points, and those of group B were 26.86 ± 15.43 points (total score was 60 points), with statistical difference between these two groups. The three-stage strengthening mode based on ECG MOOC is an effective method to improve students’ ECG interpretation skills. Results show that an online and offline blended teaching strategy is superior to the traditional lecture method. Repeated practice is necessary for improving ECG interpretation competence. Students in the strengthening program group had better grades in the graduation examination.

Artificial Intelligence for the Interventional Cardiologist: Powering and Enabling OCT Image Interpretation.

Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is a form of intra-coronary imaging that uses near-infrared light to generate high-resolution, cross-sectional, and 3D volumetric images of the vessel. Given its high spatial resolution, IVOCT is well-placed to characterise coronary plaques and aid with decision-making during percutaneous coronary intervention. IVOCT requires significant interpretation skills, which themselves require extensive education and training for effective utilisation, and this would appear to be the biggest barrier to its widespread adoption. Various artificial intelligence-based tools have been utilised in the most contemporary clinical IVOCT systems to facilitate better human interaction, interpretation and decision-making. The purpose of this article is to review the existing and future technological developments in IVOCT and demonstrate how they could aid the operator.

Cultural Texts, a Key to Communicative Competence in Third and Fourth Forms Secondary School in Goma

Purpose: The work at hand examines the effects of cultural texts, integrated in the language teaching and learning, on students’ communicative competence in third and fourth forms secondary school. It has been noticed that some teachers of English do not yet distinguish a literary (cultural) text from a scientific or technical one precisely while determining pedagogic purposes.
 Methodology: To gather data in this research, an experimental study was conducted in third and fourth forms secondary school in Goma.
 Findings: The overall findings have revealed that cultural texts influence both reading comprehension, retelling and interpretation skills, a real gateway to communicative competence enhancement. In other words, this study brings a new vision to the practice of communicative activities as currently carried out in Goma secondary schools. 
 Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: It arises English teachers’ concern not only for the message expressed by the text, but also for the exploitation of students’ cultural values and schemata to heighten their communicative competence.

Prediction of image interpretation cognitive ability under different mental workloads: a task-state fMRI study.

Visual imaging experts play an important role in multiple fields, and studies have shown that the combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and machine learning techniques can predict cognitive abilities, which provides a possible method for selecting individuals with excellent image interpretation skills. We recorded behavioral data and neural activity of 64 participants during image interpretation tasks under different workloads. Based on the comprehensive image interpretation ability, participants were divided into two groups. general linear model analysis showed that during image interpretation tasks, the high-ability group exhibited higher activation in middle frontal gyrus (MFG), fusiform gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, inferior parietal gyrus, and insula compared to the low-ability group. The radial basis function Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm shows the most excellent performance in predicting participants' image interpretation abilities (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.54, R2 = 0.31, MSE = 0.039, RMSE = 0.002). Variable importance analysis indicated that the activation features of the fusiform gyrus and MFG played an important role in predicting this ability. Our study revealed the neural basis related to image interpretation ability when exposed to different mental workloads. Additionally, our results demonstrated the efficacy of machine learning algorithms in extracting neural activation features to predict such ability.

Bridging the Gap: Evaluation of an Electrocardiogram Curriculum for Advanced Practice Clinicians.

Training programs for advanced practice providers (APP) often have significant variability in their curriculum, including electrocardiogram (ECG) education. Despite limitations in formal ECG training, APPs in the emergency department (ED) may be the first practitioner to interpret an ECG. Foundations of Emergency Medicine (FoEM) offers free, open-access curricula that are widely used for resident education. We sought to improve APP ECG interpretation skills by implementing the FoEM ECG I course. This was a single-site, pre- and post-intervention study of 23 APPs at our high-acuity, urban ED. In the fall of 2020, APP learners enrolled in a FoEM ECG I course led by faculty and senior resident instructors. The course consisted of six virtual, small-group, active-learning ECG workshops. Participants completed a 15-question multiple-choice test before, immediately after, and six months post-intervention to quantify knowledge acquisition. Additionally, a pre- and post-intervention knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey was administered on ECG interpretation skills and to evaluate the course. We evaluated change in ECG knowledge scores using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Changes in self-assessed knowledge were evaluated using an ordinal logistic mixed-effects regression. A total of 23 APPs enrolled in the course. Knowledge assessments showed APPs improved from the pre-test (median 9/15, interquartile range [IQR] 7-11) to the post-test (median 12/15, IQR 10-13; P = 0.001). Test scores did not significantly change from the post-test to the delayed post-test (median 12/15, IQR 12-13; P = 0.30). Respondents' subjective rating of their skill did not significantly change (P = 0.06). Respondents reported no change in their likelihood of approaching an attending when uncertain of the correct interpretation of an ECG (P = 0.16). Overall, 91% were satisfied with the course and 96% agreed that the course difficulty was appropriate. The FoEM ECG course provided a standardized curriculum that improved APP knowledge for interpreting ECGs. Despite this, the course did not alter APPs' willingness to approach physicians for guidance with interpretation of abnormal ECGs. These findings may inform expansion of this concept for other programs who desire formalized APP ECG education.

Thematic Analysis through Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Thematic analysis, a well-enforced qualitative analytic method, is likely to continue evolving with the adoption of AI technologies. This how-to report does not delve into the details of thematic analysis itself, as there are ample existing studies on the topic. Instead, it acknowledges the potential impacts, dynamics, and pitfalls of AI in thematic analysis while offering valuable advice, particularly for novice analysts, on how to incorporate and document AI tools in each phase of a thematic analysis. The author underscores the importance of not allowing AI to overshadow the analyst's critical evaluative and interpretive skills but instead supporting the use of AI as an aid in thematic analysis, enhancing the depth and breadth of analysis, provided certain criteria are adhered to. This approach ensures that AI serves as a complementary tool, augmenting rather than replacing human analytical inquiry.

School Heads’ Research Knowledge, Competence, and Challenges Encountered: Basis for Research Revitalization Program

Research is vital in addressing the pressing and emerging issues in school; thus, it should be cultivated and nurtured for the improvement of teaching competence, upgrading of school policies, and advancing school management towards educational development and progress. This study assessed the research knowledge, competence, and challenges encountered by the school heads in conducting research. Utilizing the quantitative-qualitative research design, the results revealed that the school heads had a high level of knowledge in creating research titles, creating context and rationale/introduction of the research, providing appropriate interventions, and collecting/gathering data. However, the school heads showed a very low competence in presenting research results and findings, formulating research instruments, evaluating research proposal/manuscript, interpreting research results and findings, and editing research proposal/manuscript. School heads’ research knowledge and competence were significantly influenced by educational attainment and school category. Sex significantly affected the school heads’ research competence but not their research knowledge. Challenges encountered were summarized in four key themes: (1) insufficiency of time, (2) difficulty in writing research technicalities, (3) paucity of knowledge in data collection processes, and (4) inadequacy of skills in data analysis and interpretation. The findings ensued in the creation of research revitalization programs and activities to rekindle the driving forces of school heads in providing research-based interventions while addressing properly, appropriately, and effectively the research challenges, which may lead to advanced management practices, upgraded school policy implementation, and improved quality of education.

Development Model of Basic ECG Algorithm Interpretation based on Android Application to Increase Ability of Nurses

Introduction: ECG interpretation ability by nurses is still not appropriate, thus affecting the accuracy and speed of the next action that will be given to patients to reduce mortality. This study aimed to develop the use of an Android system based ECG interpretation algorithm application to improve the ability of nurse. Methods: Research development design to develop the Android system based ECG interpretation algorithm application. The sampling method used purposive sampling as many as 90 nurses in Universitas Airlangga Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. The independent variables were interpretation skills (rhythm, frequency, pacemaker, axis, extrasistole, block, enlargement of heart muscle, coronary heart disease, conclusion). The instruments that are used are ECG recording, ECG interpretation sheet, and focus group disscusion. The analysis used an independent t-test with a significance level of α ≤ 0.05. Results: The results of developing an ECG interpretation algorithm application based on the Android system have received recommendations from experts and feasibility tests have been carried out. There was a relationship between basic ECG interpretation capabilities with the use of an android system based ECG interpretation algorithm application. Increasing the ability of nurses had p value of 0,000. Conclusion: The application of an ECG interpretation algorithm based on an android system can improve nurses' abilities in interpreting basic ECG. For future researchers, it is necessary to develop and refine the Android system-based ECG interpretation algorithm application and this can be applied on a case-by-case basis.

The Pedagogic Value of Children’s Literature

The texts of children’s literature have unique features and the language teachers still have limited ideas on how these texts support language learning. At this juncture, this article aims at exploring the value of children’s literature in language learning. Simple, interesting and linguistically rich texts of children’s literature make classroom environment conducive to learn. These texts engage students in different communicative and cooperative tasks: pair and group discussions, jigsaw, simulation and role play. These texts contribute to students’ language enrichment, development of communicative competence, inferential, and interpretive skills and ultimately lead them to creative writing. Children’s literature is pedagogically crucial for students and teachers.

Use of eye tracking in medical education

Eye tracking has become increasingly applied in medical education research for studying the cognitive processes that occur during the performance of a task, such as image interpretation and surgical skills development. However, analysis and interpretation of the large amount of data obtained by eye tracking can be confusing. In this article, our intention is to clarify the analysis and interpretation of the data obtained from eye tracking. Understanding the relationship between eye tracking metrics (such as gaze, pupil and blink rate) and cognitive processes (such as visual attention, perception, memory and cognitive workload) is essential. The importance of calibration and how the limitations of eye tracking can be overcome is also highlighted.

Oral fluorescein angiography in the diagnosis of paediatric optic nerve abnormalities.

FFA is a well-established investigation for the diagnosis of optic nerve abnormalities, requiring an intravenous cannula and extended imaging acquisition time. Cannulation can present a challenge in paediatric patients and whilst oral FFA has been used for decades, it has been limited by imaging technology and unconfirmed image acquisition timings. For years, we have used a modern ultra-widefield retinal camera, and established imaging time-points to demonstrate dynamic optic nerve head changes upon ingestion of fluorescein and collected a database of oFFA images for various presentations. Using an established protocol, optic nerve colour images were obtained, followed by oral administration of fluorescein dye. The optic nerves are then imaged at established intervals. An interpretation of oFFA tutorial was delivered to consultant ophthalmologists and trainees. Subsequently, these groups were assessed using a series of fifteen cases with the sensitivity and specificity of the test determined. Our study presents a series of images and descriptions for common optic nerve abnormalities in paediatric populations. In the interpretation part of the study, overall sensitivity of 76.8% in the consultant group vs 63.3% in the combined consultant + trainees and specificity of 87.5% vs 68.4% in the combined group. This is the first study that describes characteristic features of several common, and serious, optic nerve abnormalities specifically for oFFA interpretation in a paediatric population. It also highlights the rapid accumulation of oFFA interpretation skills in non-specialist consultant and trainee ophthalmologists such as to obtain a high diagnostic accuracy with high sensitivity and specificity.

Evaluation of a short training course of chest X-ray interpretation for the diagnosis of paediatric TB.

Chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation is challenging for the diagnosis of paediatric TB. We assessed the performance of a three half-day CXR training module for healthcare workers (HCWs) at low healthcare levels in six high TB incidence countries. Within the TB-Speed Decentralization Study, we developed a three half-day training course to identify normal CXR, CXR of good quality and identify six TB-suggestive features. We performed a pre-post training assessment on a pre-defined set of 20 CXR readings. We compared the proportion of correctly interpreted CXRs and the median reading score before and after the training using the McNemar test and a linear mixed model. Of 191 HCWs, 43 (23%) were physicians, 103 (54%) nurses, 18 (9.4%) radiology technicians and 12 (6.3%) other professionals. Of 2,840 CXRs with both assessment, respectively 1,843 (64.9%) and 2,277 (80.2%) were correctly interpreted during pre-training and post-training (P < 0.001). The median reading score improved significantly from 13/20 to 16/20 after the training, after adjusting by country, facility and profession (adjusted β = 3.31, 95% CI 2.44-4.47). Despite some limitations of the course assessment that did not include abnormal non-TB suggestive CXR, study findings suggest that a short CXR training course could improve HCWs' interpretation skills in diagnosing paediatric TB.

What’s in the Shadows? Formal Analysis: Art History Method to Improve Interpretation Skills for Mammography and Chest Radiographs in Resident Education

To assess the feasibility of using an art history tool of formal analysis in resident education for interpretations of mammography and chest radiographs METHODS: In a pre-post study design, residents were shown pre-selected 10 mammograms and 10 chest radiographs for a total of 20 unique anonymized patient cases. After the pretest, residents attended fourformal analysis art history lessons. The formal elements included line, light, dark, shade, proportion and balance. The post-tests were administered utilizing the same set of images given during the pre-test. After the completion of the pre- and post-tests, the participants filled out a written survey. On average, participants improved their image descriptions for a mean of 30% of the total number of mammographic images they evaluated, and similarly they improved their image diagnoses for a mean of 31% of the mammographic images. On average, participants improved their image descriptions for a mean of 37% of the total number of chest radiographs they evaluated, while improving their image diagnoses for a mean of 52% of the chest X-rays. Of the 20 participants, 14 (70%) completed the post study survey. Almost all of the respondents endorsed agreement in understanding the application of formal analysis to radiologic interpretation. Eight out of 14 (57%) participants self-reported improvement in identifying abnormalities and contriving descriptors. This pilot study shows that formal art analysis used by art historians may improve radiologic learners' ability to perceive and describe relevant radiologic abnormalities which in turn would lead to a more accurate radiologic differential diagnosis. The formal analysis process trains the eye to detect and categorize the underlying structure of images. This method provides an alternative arts intervention specifically designed to improve fundamental visual skills in radiology education.

Surrounded by text: the meaning of health represented through the texts of life. An interpretative process

Our omnipresent reflective worlds invite interpretation through the incalculability and types of text that surrounds us during our daily lives. We as human beings have no choice but to acknowledge this bombardment of texts as our obligatory and oblivious day-to-day engagements or be in denial of them because, as their meaning has not become relevant and interpreted within our lives.&#x0D; These texts of life will continue to appear regardless of whether through an interpersonal encounter within our taken-for-granted lives, as researcher through the recounting of a research a research participant’s lived experience of something, or of a form of “art” that uniquely somehow “speaks to us”. Patients, clinicians, and researchers are offered windows, images, narratives, metaphors, or other creative expression into the complex experiences that can be explored and interpreted to help understanding complex health conditions. Chronic pain and cancer an example of these but the text associated with these transcend their medicalization to include the ontological pain associated with the day-to-day distress these can create.&#x0D; This presentation offers the personal and academic reflections as a researcher and a person who lives with chronic pain and is currently undergoing a second round of chemotherapy for cancer. By finding a common ground of understanding the clinical and life experiences of living with chronic health conditions becomes mutually more accessible and may enhance the treatment of the person. The first step it to help create awareness that text and interpretation skills can benefit the clinician, the patient, and researchers.

Effectiveness of blended pedagogy for radiographic interpretation skills in operative dentistry - a comparison of test scores and student experiences at an undergraduate dental school in Pakistan

BackgroundUtilizing Blended pedagogy (BP) in radiographic skills may prove to be an effective teaching strategy. However, studies on the use of BP in dentistry are quite limited in Pakistan, where teaching has mostly been via traditional Didactic Lectures (DL); and radiographic interpretation skills of undergraduate dental students are suboptimal. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether utilizing BP to teach radiographic interpretation skills is an effective teaching methodology in Pakistan.MethodsThis mixed-method study was conducted on final year dental students at Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC). Two groups of students were utilized for this study, one taught by traditional DL and the other taught by BP for the same module. BP was conducted over six weeks. A post-module test was conducted in both groups. Additionally, the BP group completed a modified Community of Inquiry (CoI) survey tool and volunteered to discuss their experiences through a focused group discussion (FGD). Descriptive statistics were computed and independent sample t-test was used to analyse the difference between the scores of the two groups. Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data.ResultsThe mean post-test scores were found to be significantly higher in the BP group (61.0 ± 10.2) compared to the DL group (44.4 ± 12.3) (p = < 0.001, CI = 95%, Cronbach Alpha > 0.8). The mean scores for the modified CoI instrument were 4.0 ± 0.29 for the whole instrument; 4.25 ± 0.22 for Teaching Presence, 3.71 ± 0.23 for Social Presence and 3.97 ± 0.16 Cognitive Presence, with all three having a Cronbach’s alpha > 0.75. Thematic analysis revealed that BP students mutually agreed that BP method was beneficial with the appreciation of strong support from the facilitator. However, challenges like interrupted power supply and increased effort requirement from students were pointed out.ConclusionStudents taught radiographic interpretation skills with BP in comparison to DL had higher test scores and expressed a positive experience demonstrated via a modified CoI survey and FGD. Considering the encouraging results found, dental schools should incorporate BP in their teaching methodology and follow-up studies are needed to further support the use of BP as an effective teaching methodology in Dentistry.

Investigating the roles of Short - Term Memory in The Process of Learning Interpretation for English Linguistics Students at HUIT

This study examines the intricate relationship between Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade's (HUIT) English linguistics final-year students' short-term memory and interpretive skills. Interpretation, a key skill in linguistics, is essential to language understanding and translation; hence, linguistic education must include it. This study analyses how HUIT English linguistics students employ short-term memories to influence their interpretation learning and the relevance of such influences. Quantitative methods examined this complex relationship between short-term memory and interpretive learning. Memory, language proficiency, and simulated interpretation exams were given to many HUIT English linguistics seniors. Correlation studies and regression models were used to determine how short-term memory affects interpretation performance. Current research emphasises short-term memory for comprehension. Students understood more with better short-term memory. This group processed language faster, recalled better, and grasped verbal intricacies. The study also found classroom methods adopted by students with good recall. These findings can help us focus and improve our interpretation skills in sessions. Understanding how important short-term memory is helps teachers help pupils remember and evaluate what they hear. This study enhances interpretation education, which may help meet the global language professional need.

Assessing the clinical reasoning of ChatGPT for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with stroke

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) has become a promising tool in medicine. ChatGPT, a large language model AI Chatbot, shows promise in supporting clinical practice. We assess the potential of ChatGPT as...