A comparison of students' satisfaction, performance, and preferences regarding PowerPoint and PechaKucha presentations: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

A deep understanding of pathophysiology is required to provide high-quality nursing care; however, many undergraduate nursing students have difficulty understanding concepts in this field. New pedagogical approaches are required to engage undergraduate nursing students in better methods to understanding pathophysiological concepts. Therefore, we incorporated oral presentation assignments into a bioscience course in which students were instructed to create PechaKucha and PowerPoint presentations to promote learning of diseases.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the satisfaction, academic performance, and preference of nursing students regarding the use of PechaKucha and PowerPoint in a pathophysiology course.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental design was used. The setting was a College of Nursing at a public university in Oman.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 109 second-year undergraduate nursing students in a convenience sample participated in this study.

METHODS

As part of a graded individual assignment, students had to create two presentations about sickle cell disease and thalassemia, with one using PechaKucha and the other PowerPoint presentation formats. Students' satisfaction level with both methods was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale, and their academic performance was evaluated using post-quizzes. A self-reported questionnaire was utilized to investigate students' preference for PowerPoint versus PechaKucha.

RESULTS

The satisfaction level of the students was higher for PowerPoint than for PechaKucha (t(108) = 2.076, p = 0.040). However, students' performance was similar regardless of whether they had used PowerPoint or PechaKucha to prepare their presentations (t(108) = -0.323, p = 0.748). Finally, students who preferred PechaKucha indicated that it helps them to organize content and present concise information, while those who preferred PowerPoint expressed that it helps them apply their creativity.

CONCLUSIONS

The PechaKucha presentation format might be engaging and pleasurable for the audience. However, nursing students were more satisfied with the traditional PowerPoint format when preparing their presentations. Therefore, nursing educators should be cautious when using PechaKucha for students' assignments.

Literature Review of COVID-19, Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Disease

In December 2019 novel coronavirus-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus2 (SARS-CoV2)-originated from Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly around the world. This literature review highlights the dynamic nature of COVID-19 transmission and presentation. Analyzing 59 relevant articles up to May 1st, 2020 reflects that the main reported clinical manifestation of COVID-19 pandemic is fever and respiratory involvement. Also, current literature demonstrates a wide spectrum of different and atypical presentation(s) of COVID-19. The definite route of SARS-CoV2 transmission is respiratory droplets, however, virus nucleic acid has been detected in the stool and urine specimens as well. The severity of symptoms and outcomes of COVID-19 vary based on the patient's medical background, age, sex, and concurrent medical conditions (e.g. pregnancy). This is the first review that classifies all essential points regarding COVID-19 manifestations at a glance to improve the outcome of the patients by a better insight into diagnosis and management.

Characteristics of sleep spindles in school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, characterized by different presentations with distinct cognitive and neurobiological characterizations. Here we aimed to investigate whether sleep spindle activity, which has been associated with brain maturation, may be a potential biomarker able to differentiate ADHD presentations in school-aged children (7-11 years).

METHOD

Spindle characteristics were extracted from overnight polysomnography in 74 children (27 ADHD-Inattentive [IQ = 96.04], 25 ADHD-hyperactive/impulsive [IQ = 98.9], and 22 ADHD-combined [IQ = 96.1]). We obtained data of the frontal (Fz) and parietal (Pz) derivations using a validated spindle detection algorithm.

RESULTS

Children with ADHD showed a higher number and density of slow compared to fast spindles which were more frequent in frontal area. No differences were observed among ADHD presentations for any spindle characteristics. Spindle frequency and density increased with age, indicating an age-dependent maturation of different sleep spindles. However, no associations between IQ and spindle characteristics were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with ADHD the spindle characteristics evolve with age but sleep spindle activity does not seem to be a valid biomarker of ADHD phenotypes or general cognitive ability.

Galenic Pial Arteriovenous Fistulas in Adults

BACKGROUND

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VOGMs) are pial arteriovenous fistulas possessing Galenic venous drainage most commonly presenting during the neonatal period and infancy, with initial discovery during adulthood quite rare.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

We conducted a literature survey of the PubMed database in order to identify Galenic pial arteriovenous fistulas (GPAVFs) with major manifestation or initial presentation during adulthood. Inclusionary criteria included pial AVFs with Galenic drainage with major manifestation or initial presentation at, or older than, 18 years. Exclusionary criteria included exclusive pediatric onset of symptomatology attributable to GPAVFs without a new onset major presentation during adulthood, exclusive or major dural arterial supply, arteriovenous malformations with Galenic drainage, developmental venous anomalies with Galenic drainage, isolated varices or anomalies of the vein of Galen, and any lesions with uncertainty regarding true GPAVF nature.

RESULTS

Our search generated 1589 articles. Excluding duplicates, 26 cases met criteria for evaluation. Mean age was 34.1 +/- 2.53 years. Clinical presentations of GPAVFs among adults included headache, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. Management strategies included observation (n = 5), emergent ventriculostomy or Torkildsen shunt (n = 3), cerebrospinal fluid diversion via ventriculoperitoneal shunting (n = 4), microsurgical obliteration or thrombectomy (n = 4), transarterial and/or transvenous embolotherapeutic obliteration (n = 7), and concurrent embolotherapy and radiosurgical irradiation (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

GPAVFs in adults often present with symptomatology of mild severity and may be effectively managed conservatively, though occasionally present catastrophically or may be treated via cerebrospinal fluid diversion, microsurgical obliteration, or endovascular embolization. Severity sufficient to require emergent intervention portended a poor outcome.

Waking up your lecture

A core method of educating radiology trainees and practicing radiologists is through digital lectures, using Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, Sliderocket or any number of software versions. Careful consideration of both the material to be presented as well as the visual format by which it is presented is critical for a successful lecture. Adult learners benefit substantially in comprehension and retention of material when allowed to interact with the teacher and the content. This article provides the educator with recommendations for constructing and presenting an effective and worthwhile lecture.

Presentations, Signs of Activity, and Differential Diagnosis of Vitiligo

Vitiligo has a variety of presentations, including focal, acrofacial, segmental, and generalized forms. Thorough knowledge of these presentations is important to make the correct diagnosis. Signs of activity are important to recognize so that treatment is optimized. Clinical findings of confettilike depigmentation, trichrome and inflammatory vitiligo, and the Koebner phenomenon should alert the clinician that a patient's disease is likely to worsen. These patients may require systemic treatment to stabilize their disease. Many other skin disorders present with hypopigmentation or depigmentation and must be distinguished to determine the right diagnosis, advise the patient on prognosis, and prescribe the correct treatment.

Ano-Genital Warts and HIV Status- A Clinical Study

INTRODUCTION

Ano-Genital Warts (AGW) like other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) is associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. This study of AGW was done in HIV positive and HIV negative patients.

AIM

To study the risk factors and clinical presentations of ano-genital warts in HIV positive and negative patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comparative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of 25 HIV positive and 25 HIV negative (n=50) AGW patients between 15-60 years of both sex was conducted in Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Centre from July 2014 to July 2016.

RESULTS

Significant association of HIV positivity (p<0.05) was observed between age group of 15-30 years and HIV negative status (p<0.05) in age group of 31-45 years. HIV positive status significantly higher in patients with self-admitted multiple sexual partners (p<0.01), homosexuality (p<0.05) and presentation with anal warts (p<0.01). HIV negative status correlated significantly with single sexual partner admission (p<0.01) and hetero-sexuality (p<0.05). Gender did not show significant association with number of sexual partners or HIV positivity. Extra-genital or only genital warts had no association with HIV status. Co-STDs though more in number in ser-positive group, did not show any significant association with HIV positivity (p>0.05). No patient presented with changes of malignancy. Four were adolescents below 19 years. Two patients had atypical presentations of giant condylomata i.e., Buschke-Lowenstein Tumour (BLT).

CONCLUSION

HIV positivity was significantly associated with the risk factors of age below 30 years, homo sexuality and multiple sexual partners. Anal warts were significantly common in HIV positive patients. Four adolescents with AGW underline the need for high risk behaviour counselling. No patient had malignant ano-genital warts. Follow up of these patients with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) sub-typing is necessary.

Historical patterns in presentations at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO): using a searchable database of the ASPO Program to show the trends of an otolaryngology subspecialty

OBJECTIVES

To describe the development of American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO). To utilize a searchable database of meeting programs to demonstrate content presented at a major meeting since its inception. To utilize a searchable database of meeting programs to show trends of pediatric otolaryngology.

METHODS

Programs of ASPO meetings from 1986 to 2011 were reviewed using a searchable database. Number of podium presentations and length of podium presentations per meeting were collected. Podium presentations were placed into broad categories from reviewing presentation title. Broad categories included tonsils and adenoid, otology, airway, head and neck masses, and sinus disease. First author, location of first author, length of presentation, and publication status were collected for each podium presentation.

RESULTS

An average of 49 (range 31-76) podium presentations were presented at each meeting. The average length of podium presentation was 8.3 min (range of 5-20 min). Tonsil and adenoids made up 9% (range 0-22%) of the program, otology made up 26% (range 15-44%) of the program, airway made up 34% (18-48%) the program, head and neck masses made up 8.7% (0-18.5%) of the program, sinus disease made up 6.2% (0-23%) of the program. Fifty-four percent (54%) of podium presentations were published.

CONCLUSION

This is a unique example of utilizing searchable databases constructed from published programs of a major otolaryngology meeting to assess topics presented and areas of emphasis. The areas of emphasis at ASPO over its 26 years are airway, otology, tonsil and adenoid issues, head and neck masses, and sinus disease in the pediatric population. Percent of time given to each topic has changed from ASPO's beginning to today.