Using Photovoice to Stimulate Reflection and Collaboration in Health Professions Students Through an Interprofessional Education Activity.

OBJECTIVE: Today's healthcare system requires interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) to improve health outcomes. IPCP often begins with interprofessional education (IPE), which should stimulate meaningful idea exchange. This study's purpose was to assess the impact of a photovoice-based IPE experience on the attitudes and beliefs of students in two health professions programs. METHODS: Forty-two Doctor of Physical Therapy students and 13 Radiation Therapy students created photovoice slides representing the most significant "thing" in their professional education. Students discussed their slides in small groups followed by a large-group discussion. A pretest-posttest survey containing researcher-generated questions and the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised (SPICE-R2) and a post-activity evaluation were administered. RESULTS: Forty-two students completed the pretest survey; 35 completed the posttest survey. A statistically significant difference was found between pretest (M=4.07, SD=0.91) and posttest (M=4.45, SD=0.70) SPICE-R2 total scores, t(928)=7.22, p<0.001. Statistically significant differences were found for all SPICE-R2 factor scores. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: 1) students learned about the other profession, 2) the IPE experience was meaningful, and 3) the IPE experience could be improved. CONCLUSIONS: The photovoice IPE experience stimulated student reflection, interprofessional collaboration, and new perceptions about the other health profession. Future studies should focus on similar activities offered earlier in the education program.

University Student Awareness of Skin Cancer: Behaviors, Recognition, and Prevention.

PURPOSE: Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and it often is preventable. The authors sought to evaluate behavior and knowledge regarding skin cancer among students at a Texas university. METHODS: The authors recruited a diverse group of students in terms of sex, age, and ethnicity to participate in a survey regarding knowledge of skin cancer signs, use of tanning beds, and performance of self-assessment for skin cancer. Participating students could complete surveys in classrooms, at health fairs, or online via Survey Monkey. The authors examined data for the 3 variables in relation to sex, ethnicity, and age. RESULTS: A total of 512 responses were completed. Female students completed 371 (72.46%) surveys, and male students completed 141 (27.54%). The ethnicity of student participants was nearly evenly split among whites, African Americans, and Hispanics. Ethnicity was the most significant factor influencing the knowledge of skin cancer and behaviors to prevent it. Specifically, Hispanic and African American students possessed a lower level of skin cancer awareness. DISCUSSION: More female students than male students used tanning beds, and although use was self-reported as infrequent, the results imply that 4500 of the university's students might use tanning beds, which is concerning if extrapolated to other university student populations in Texas. CONCLUSION: Behavioral intervention is critical in reducing students' risk of skin cancer in later years, and university students must acquire knowledge to increase their awareness of skin health and to minimize their risk of developing skin cancer. Radiation therapists are uniquely positioned to share knowledge of skin cancer.

Bullying among radiation therapists: effects on job performance and work environment.

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of workplace bullying in the radiation therapy department on job performance and explore the environment and morale of individuals who work with a bully. METHODS: A quantitative research study was designed to assess the prevalence and effects of bullying in the radiation therapy workplace. RESULTS: A total of 308 radiation therapists participated in the study for a return rate of 46%. Of those, 194 indicated that workplace bullying was present either in their current workplace or in a previous radiation therapy environment and that it negatively affected job performance and satisfaction. DISCUSSION: Findings of this study indicate a need for evaluation of the radiation therapy workplace, education on how to identify and prevent bullying behavior, and better communication among members of the radiation therapy environment. Participants indicated that working in a hostile environment led to forgetfulness, ineffective communication, and perceived discrepancies in promotion and treatment by management. CONCLUSION: Any bullying behavior contributes to an overall toxic work environment, which is unhealthy and unsafe for patients and therapists. Those who manage therapists should promote a culture of safety and embrace their staff's independence.

Reframing Views of Terminally Ill Patients and the Radiation Therapists' Role in Their Care through Engaged Scholarship.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to explore innovative teaching methodologies to reframe radiation therapy students' perceptions of who a terminally ill patient is. This will allow students to better meet their patients' needs in their future work with this unique demographic. METHODS: This qualitative case study explores the experiential and transformational learning that took place when a hospice-based engaged scholarship project was incorporated into a radiation therapy course. Data presented consists of students' individual guided reflection answers and individual student interviews reflecting on their experience working with hospice patients. RESULTS: Through this project, students recognized companionship as one of the greatest needs of their hospice patients and planned to use that information in their future clinical practice. Students also gained a better understanding of the difference between curative and palliative treatment and reframed their preconceived notions of the palliative patients they were seeing in the clinic.

Müllerian duct anomalies and a case study of unicornuate uterus.

Early in pregnancy, the female embryo's reproductive system begins developing from the müllerian ducts. When development fails to progress normally, various anomalies of the uterus, vagina, and urinary system can result. In some cases, these anomalies cause infertility and other reproductive problems. This literature review discusses the 6 classes of müllerian duct anomalies, the complications associated with each, and the imaging examinations used to diagnose them and further evaluate uterine anatomy. In addition, a case study of a class II anomaly, known as unicornuate uterus, is presented. As reproductive medicine advances and more women seek diagnosis of and treatment for fertility problems, radiologic technologists need to be aware of duct anomalies and their appearance with various imaging modalities, including ultrasonography, hysterosalpingography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, technologists must be sensitive to the emotional needs of patients with müllerian duct anomalies.

Understanding HPV and the future implications of contracting the virus.

PURPOSE: To determine the level of knowledge university freshmen have of the human papillomavirus (HPV), including awareness of the virus, the associated risks, and prevention. METHODS: A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent electronically to all freshman-level students registered at Texas State University. One-way ANOVA and Spearman correlation coefficients were run to identify significant differences in knowledge levels between sex, age, and ethnicity. RESULTS: Statistical analyses identified no strong differentiation of knowledge about HPV among students. This indicated that increased education on the subject of HPV was needed by all of the students without regard to sex, ethnicity, age, or self-identified history of HPV education. DISCUSSION: Knowledge level of HPV risks, prevention, transmission, and progression seemed high in some areas and low in others. Most students understand that cervical cancer is a risk associated with HPV; however, many students were unaware that head and neck, anal, and penile cancer also are associated with infection. Knowledge levels seem to be consistent among students of both genders and various ethnicities. CONCLUSION: Student knowledge of HPV has increased since the introduction of the HPV vaccine and related media coverage, although knowledge on the subject is still low and often inaccurate. Because college-aged students are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, educational measures must be taken to ensure all students are aware of the risks and are better prepared to protect themselves.

University student understanding of cancer: analysis of ethnic group variances.

Traditional university and college students ages 18-24 are traversing an important period in their lives in which behavioral intervention is critical in reducing their risk of cancer in later years. The study's purpose was to determine the perceptions and level of knowledge about cancer of white, Hispanic, and black university students (n=958). Sources of student information about cancer were also identified. The survey results showed all students know very little about cancer and their perceptions of cancer are bad with many students thinking that cancer and death are synonymous. We also discovered university students do not discuss cancer often in their classrooms nor with their family or friends. Moreover, university students are unlikely to perform monthly or even yearly self-examinations for breast or testicular cancers; black students have the lowest rate of self-examinations.