Evaluation of Entertainment Education Strategies to Promote Cervical Cancer Screening and Knowledge in Colombian Women.

Cervical cancer is considered to be a major health problem for women in developing countries, but it is also problematic for more developed countries as global migration increases and health behaviors move from the countries of origin to new places of residence. We designed and produced a testimonial video and a fotonovela (printed short story) to educate women about cervical cancer and screening. The development of the materials included formative research, production, pretesting, dissemination, and evaluation. The evaluation included 100 women that completed a pretest and a posttest at eight health clinics in Medellin. The pretest and posttest were analyzed using McNemar's test for categorical variables and paired t test for continuous variables. Women in the study had a high initial Stage of Change as defined by the Transtheoretical Model and a high baseline knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, with the caveat of specific knowledge deficiencies especially for HPV. While not statistically significant, postintervention Transtheoretical Model status in both interventions changed towards higher stages, specifically, from Precontemplation to Contemplation and Preparation. Women who participated in the study liked the educational materials and their knowledge increased, especially for HPV. However, the perception of risk did not change.

Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein performed in the office: tips for better patient convenience and comfort and how to perform it in less than an hour.

Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein has become increasingly popular for its decreased morbidity and greater patient satisfaction as compared with conventional saphenous vein stripping. Because of the relative simplicity and safety of this procedure and fueled by changes in reimbursement, endovenous radiofrequency ablation is now most often performed as an office-based procedure. This sets the stage for developing new technology that can achieve better results in a shorter time without compromise to patient safety and satisfaction. The balance between patient satisfaction and increased productivity is tenuous, and the former should never be sacrificed for the latter. The recipe for such a seemingly formidable task begins the moment the patient sets foot in the waiting area. Recognizing the steps that cause patient anxiety and strategically turning them into comfort zones takes a concerted effort between the surgeon and office staff. Here, we demonstrate how simple changes can transform an office-based endovenous practice into one in which patient and physician alike are maximally satisfied.

Smart tutor: a pilot study of a novel adaptive simulation environment.

Computer-based learning environments create the possibility of dynamic adaptation to address learner capabilities and user performance. Software algorithms, code-named Smart Tutor, for motor skill learning were developed and applied to an abstract environment for laparoscopic surgery (RapidFire). Smart Tutor dynamically adjusts the environment to minimize frustration and optimize learning conditions for all learners. This study compared the first generation RapidFire / Smart Tutor (RF / ST) to the Minimal Invasive Surgery Trainer Virtual Reality (MIST VR) system for laparoscopic performance improvement and level of frustration. Two groups of novice laparoscopic learners were assessed by pre- and post- training paper cutting exercise and subjective surveys. Users of both systems showed improvement of laparoscopic skills as measured by the paper cutting exercises. No differences were shown between groups for level of improvement. However, a significant difference was seen in the subjective ratings on the post-training survey with less frustration for the RF / ST training group. Important information was acquired for refinements of the Smart Tutor algorithms.