ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Se aplicó un foro de discusión virtual como recurso didáctico para el desarrollo de la capacidad argumentativa en estudiantes de Odontología del curso de Oclusión. El foro se aplicó en reemplazo de las evaluaciones semanales que tenían como finalidad evaluar si los estudiantes conocían los conceptos impartidos en cada clase magistral. Participaron 48 estudiantes y se analizaron las variables foro de discusión virtual y la capacidad argumentativa. Se obtuvo como resultado que el foro virtual utilizado como recurso didáctico influyó en la capacidad argumentativa de los estudiantes. Este hallazgo está en concordancia con diversos estudios realizados tanto en educación básica como en educación universitaria. Se concluye que el foro de discusión aplicado contribuye al desarrollo de capacidades cognitivas, específicamente las relacionadas con la argumentación.
ABSTRACT A virtual discussion forum was used as a didactic resource for developing argumentative skills in dental students in the occlusion course. The forum was applied as a replacement for the weekly evaluations intended to assess whether the students knew the concepts taught in each master class. Forty-eight students participated, and the variables of the virtual discussion forum and argumentative capacity were analyzed. The result was that the virtual forum used as a didactic resource influenced the argumentative capacity of the students. This finding agrees with several studies carried out in basic education as well as in university education. It is concluded that the discussion forum applied contributes to the development of cognitive abilities, specifically those related to argumentation.
RESUMO Um fórum de discussão virtual foi utilizado como recurso didático para o desenvolvimento de habilidades argumentativas nos alunos de odontologia do curso de oclusão. O fórum foi aplicado em substituição às avaliações semanais que tinham como objetivo avaliar se os alunos conheciam os conceitos leccionados em cada aula magna. Participaram 48 alunos e foram analisadas as variáveis fórum de discussão virtual e capacidade de argumentação. O resultado foi que o fórum virtual utilizado como recurso didático influenciou a capacidade de argumentação dos alunos. Esse achado está de acordo com diversos estudos realizados tanto na educação básica quanto no ensino universitário. Conclui-se que o fórum de discussão aplicado contribui para o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas, especificamente as relacionadas à argumentação.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to provide results and costs of catheter ablation in children and adolescents in a low-income country. Reports from first-world countries have demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) compared to medical treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The study included 28 patients younger than 18 years of age with SVT in a pediatric cardiology unit in Guatemala. All patients underwent RFCA. Clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of RFCA compared to continued medical treatment were the end points. Twenty-four patients had successful ablation (85.7%). Mean age at RFCA was 11.42 +/- 3.49 years. Three patients underwent a second ablation, increasing the success rate to 96.4%. One remaining patient is awaiting a second procedure. At a mean follow-up of 13.69 +/- 7.16 months, all 27 patients who had a successful ablation remained in sinus rhythm. Mean cost per procedure was 4.9 times higher than that of medical treatment. However, the estimated cost of catheter ablation equal that of medical therapy after 5.1 years and is 3.4 times less after 20 years. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of SVT in children and adolescents is safe and cost-effective compared to medical therapy. Resources must be judiciously allocated, especially in low-income countries, to treat the largest number of pediatric patients.