Voluntary Project Research Articles

A small area profile system: Its use in primary care resource development

Abstract The use of secondary source data has been shown to be extremely valuable in site testing for development of rural primary care clinics. A computerized data system which produces small area demographic and primary care resource profiles in a fast, efficient manner has been effectively integrated into a voluntary planning and project review process. An expansion of the small area profile concept to larger health service regions provides a means to shift emphasis from a reactive mode in site testing to an active mode for area-wide plan development.

The Myth of a Radical Trend in British Community Work: A Comparison of Statutory and Voluntary Projects

The Myth of a Radical Trend in British Community Work: A Comparison of Statutory and Voluntary Projects

The Effects of Mandatory Quality Assurance

A study of 17 hospitals in the Greater Delaware Valley region was undertaken in order to determine if those hospitals which had participated in an early voluntary effort to initiate medical audit differed qualitatively or quantitatively from a matched group of hospitals which had not participated in the previous project. The study also provided the opportunity to analyze the current status of medical audit in a group of hospitals which varied significantly in size, location, and educational responsibilities. Data regarding audit administrative organization, number of audits performed, type of system used, quality of audit criteria, and utilization of audit findings were gathered and analyzed. For these variables, no discernible differences were found between hospitals which had participated in the early voluntary project and those which had not. Wide variations were found among the hospitals in the extent to which medical audit processes were formalized and implemented. There were also variations in the quality of criteria formulated by the hospitals, but they generally did not receive a high rating. The implications of audit findings were generally not followed up in an organized and appropriate manner. Many hospitals which had received PSRO delegated status were given a low rating by the reviewers. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Motivating Medical Students in the Ramathibodi Community Health Program

The faculty of Medicine of Mahidol University in Bangkok organized a community health program for medical students composed of 5 courses: health and demographic survey; analysis of community health programs; planning of community health care; clerkship in community health and internships in community health. These courses are organized to provide first hand experience for the student by enabling him to do field work. This consists of actually analyzing population problems, understanding the characteristics of the people whom the programs are designed to serve, and providing realistic solutions rather than theoretical ones. The effectiveness of this approach is best measured by the number of students who are engaged in voluntary projects designed to contribute to a solution of the population problem, and the interest they show in the community health program.

The Physics Workshop at Northeastern University in Boston

This paper describes a large-scale, voluntary, and informal project in which physics graduate students at Northeastern University help undergraduates who are taking physics courses. This approach has been of particular benefit to students in the large freshman and sophomore lecture classes. Its appeal is reflected by the high level of participation of both undergraduate and graduate students. On the basis of our experiences at Northeastern University, we also present specific suggestions that could help other departments who may wish to initiate similar programs.

Comparative Class Performances and Gains in Junior College Health Education

Abstract With endorsement of professional and official agencies, a study committee conducted a voluntary project to determine the health knowledge achievement of students in the two-unit health course required for graduation in the public junior colleges of California. A standardized test was given to over 5,000 students in 118 hygiene classes in 34 junior colleges at the beginning of the course, and again at its close. Although statistically significant gains were made in all institutions and in nearly all classes, the end-term mean achievement of 58.8 percent leaves much to be desired. The wide range of individual and class scores indicates the need for routine pretesting, with analysis and follow-up by remedial teaching to correct the disclosed deficiencies.

Home Work or Supervised Study?

There Seems to be an almost universal agreement among educators that there should be very little home work assignment of mathematics except in the case of special assignments for the removal of disabilities or in the case where the pupil undertakes voluntary projects.