Assessing the Application of Large Language Models in Generating Dermatologic Patient Education Materials According to Reading Level: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologic patient education materials (PEMs) are often written above the national average seventh- to eighth-grade reading level. ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, DermGPT, and DocsGPT are large language models (LLMs) that are responsive to user prompts. Our project assesses their use in generating dermatologic PEMs at specified reading levels. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the ability of select LLMs to generate PEMs for common and rare dermatologic conditions at unspecified and specified reading levels. Further, the study aims to assess the preservation of meaning across such LLM-generated PEMs, as assessed by dermatology resident trainees. METHODS: The Flesch-Kincaid reading level (FKRL) of current American Academy of Dermatology PEMs was evaluated for 4 common (atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and herpes zoster) and 4 rare (epidermolysis bullosa, bullous pemphigoid, lamellar ichthyosis, and lichen planus) dermatologic conditions. We prompted ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, DermGPT, and DocsGPT to "Create a patient education handout about [condition] at a [FKRL]" to iteratively generate 10 PEMs per condition at unspecified fifth- and seventh-grade FKRLs, evaluated with Microsoft Word readability statistics. The preservation of meaning across LLMs was assessed by 2 dermatology resident trainees. RESULTS: The current American Academy of Dermatology PEMs had an average (SD) FKRL of 9.35 (1.26) and 9.50 (2.3) for common and rare diseases, respectively. For common diseases, the FKRLs of LLM-produced PEMs ranged between 9.8 and 11.21 (unspecified prompt), between 4.22 and 7.43 (fifth-grade prompt), and between 5.98 and 7.28 (seventh-grade prompt). For rare diseases, the FKRLs of LLM-produced PEMs ranged between 9.85 and 11.45 (unspecified prompt), between 4.22 and 7.43 (fifth-grade prompt), and between 5.98 and 7.28 (seventh-grade prompt). At the fifth-grade reading level, GPT-4 was better at producing PEMs for both common and rare conditions than ChatGPT-3.5 (P=.001 and P=.01, respectively), DermGPT (P<.001 and P=.03, respectively), and DocsGPT (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively). At the seventh-grade reading level, no significant difference was found between ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, DocsGPT, or DermGPT in producing PEMs for common conditions (all P>.05); however, for rare conditions, ChatGPT-3.5 and DocsGPT outperformed GPT-4 (P=.003 and P<.001, respectively). The preservation of meaning analysis revealed that for common conditions, DermGPT ranked the highest for overall ease of reading, patient understandability, and accuracy (14.75/15, 98%); for rare conditions, handouts generated by GPT-4 ranked the highest (14.5/15, 97%). CONCLUSIONS: GPT-4 appeared to outperform ChatGPT-3.5, DocsGPT, and DermGPT at the fifth-grade FKRL for both common and rare conditions, although both ChatGPT-3.5 and DocsGPT performed better than GPT-4 at the seventh-grade FKRL for rare conditions. LLM-produced PEMs may reliably meet seventh-grade FKRLs for select common and rare dermatologic conditions and are easy to read, understandable for patients, and mostly accurate. LLMs may play a role in enhancing health literacy and disseminating accessible, understandable PEMs in dermatology.

[Application and advancement of digital teaching materials in teaching epidemiology].

This study aims at examining the application and development of digital teaching materials in the field of epidemiology, encompassing both China and international contexts. The research involved conducting search on websites and literature databases to assess the status of digital teaching materials in epidemiology, nationally and internationally. At present, in China, digital teaching materials used in epidemiology are primarily presented in the form of printed books with added QR codes, providing teaching resources such as videos and exercises. However, issues with the level of interactivity have been identified. In foreign countries, with stronger emphasis placed on personalization, interactivity, and the use of rich media technologies in the digital teaching materials, epidemiologically. Enhanced digitization regarding materials and learning outcomes is achieved through features such as real-time notes, interactive animations, and quizzes. These approaches are considered worth considering for adoption. This study provides valuable insights for the digital transformation of epidemiology education.

[Open educational resources for otorhinolaryngology : A pilot study on needs assessment and implementation]. / Open Educational Resources für die HNO-Heilkunde : Ein Pilotprojekt zur Bedarfsanalyse und Implementierung.

BACKGROUND: Open educational resources (OER) are educational materials licensed openly by authors, permitting usage, redistribution, and in some instances, modification. OER platforms thereby serve as a medium for distributing and advancing teaching materials and innovative educational methodologies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the present state of OER in otorhinolaryngology and to examine the prerequisites for seamlessly integrating OER into the curricular teaching of medical schools, specifically through the design of two OER blended learning modules. METHODS: OER content in the field of otorhinolaryngology was analyzed on OER platforms, ensuring its relevance to the German medical curriculum. Data protection concerns were addressed with legal counsel. The blended learning modules were developed in collaboration with medical students and subsequently published as OER. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This project yielded the first OER from a German ENT department, tailored to the German medical curriculum. One significant barrier to OER use in medicine, more than in other fields, is data protection. This challenge can be navigated by obtaining consent to publish patient data as OER. OER hold the promise to play a pivotal role in fostering cooperation and collaboration among educators, aiding educators in lesson preparation, and simultaneously enhancing didactic quality.

Insights into designing educational materials for persons living with dementia: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with dementia (PLWD) may experience communication difficulties that impact their ability to process written and pictorial information. Patient-facing education may help promote discontinuation of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults without dementia, but it is unclear how to adapt this approach for PLWD. Our objective was to solicit feedback from PLWD and their care partners to gain insights into the design of PLWD-facing deprescribing intervention materials and PLWD-facing education material more broadly. METHODS: We conducted 3 successive focus groups with PLWD aged ≥ 50 (n = 12) and their care partners (n = 10) between December 2022 and February 2023. Focus groups were recorded and transcripts were analyzed for overarching themes. RESULTS: We identified 5 key themes: [1] Use images and language consistent with how PLWD perceive themselves; [2] Avoid content that might heighten fear or anxiety; [3] Use straightforward delivery with simple language and images; [4] Direct recipients to additional information; make the next step easy; and [5] Deliver material directly to the PLWD. CONCLUSION: PLWD-facing educational material should be addressed directly to PLWD, using plain, non-threatening and accessible language with clean, straightforward formatting.

[ChatGPT is an above-average student at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zaragoza and an excellent collaborator in the development of teaching materials]. / ChatGPT es un estudiante por encima de la media en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Zaragoza y un colaborador excelente en la elaboración de material docente.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Artificial intelligence is fully present in our lives. In education, the possibilities of its use are endless, both for students and teachers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The capacity of ChatGPT has been explored when solving multiple choice questions based on the exam of the subject «Anatomopathological Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures¼ of the first call of the 2022-23 academic year. In addition, to comparing their results with those of the rest of the students presented the probable causes of incorrect answers have been evaluated. Finally, its ability to formulate new test questions based on specific instructions has been evaluated. RESULTS: ChatGPT correctly answered 47 out of 68 questions, achieving a grade higher than the course average and median. Most failed questions present negative statements, using the words «no¼, «false¼ or «incorrect¼ in their statement. After interacting with it, the program can realize its mistake and change its initial response to the correct answer. Finally, ChatGPT can develop new questions based on a theoretical assumption or a specific clinical simulation. CONCLUSIONS: As teachers we are obliged to explore the uses of artificial intelligence and try to use it to our benefit. Carrying out tasks that involve significant consumption, such as preparing multiple-choice questions for content evaluation, is a good example.

Computer-Assisted or Instructor-Led Reading Instructions of Portuguese Words with Orthography Difficulties

This article presents the findings of a study comparing a computer-assisted teaching program to traditional instructor-led teaching for elementary school children. The study evaluated reading and writing skills and employed a group design. Results showed that both teaching approaches were effective in improving reading performance, with slightly better gains in the instructor-led version. Both conditions facilitated learning transfer to new words with spelling difficulties, although the computer-assisted condition demonstrated higher generalization in final tests. Motivational and attentional factors, easily addressed by instructors but challenging in computer programs, were highlighted. The instructor-led condition's personalized feedback and differential consequences potentially contributed to the observed differences in learning gains. Individual differences in learners' input and performance were emphasized, suggesting the need for program adaptations. The advantages of computer-assisted teaching, such as scalability and individualized pacing, were discussed, along with the need for further refinements and automation. Strategies for enhancing teaching sequence flexibility and reducing the instructor's decision-making burden were proposed. The study contributes valuable insights into computer-assisted reading instructions for children with spelling difficulties, emphasizing their benefits and areas for improvement. The research underscores the importance of designing effective technology-mediated interventions and provides guidance for future developments in this field. (AU)

The first full body diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography dataset and teaching materials for a member of the Testudines.

Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (diceCT) is now a widely used technique for imaging metazoan soft anatomy. Turtles present a particular challenge for anatomists; gross dissection is inherently destructive and irreversible, whereas their near complete shell of bony plates, covered with keratinous scutes, presents a barrier for iodine diffusion and significantly increases contrast-enhanced CT preparation time. Consequently, a complete dataset visualizing the internal soft anatomy of turtles at high resolution and in three dimensions has not yet been successfully achieved. Here we outline a novel method that augments traditional diceCT preparation with an iodine injection technique to acquire the first full body contrast-enhanced dataset for the Testudines. We show this approach to be an effective method of staining the soft tissues inside the shell. The resulting datasets were processed to produce anatomical 3D models that can be used in teaching and research. As diceCT becomes a widely employed method for nondestructively documenting the internal soft anatomy of alcohol preserved museum specimens, we hope that methods applicable to the more challenging of these, such as turtles, will contribute toward the growing stock of digital anatomy in online repositories.

Prostate cancer and podcasts: an analysis and assessment of the quality of information about prostate cancer available on podcasts.

Podcasts represent a new source of information for patients and families dealing with prostate cancer, but no studies have been conducted evaluating the quality of information in them. Evaluating for: (1) quality based on the validated DISCERN criteria, (2) understandability and actionability based on the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), (3) misinformation, and (4) commercial bias, we concluded that podcasts are currently not good sources of information for lay health consumers.

Evaluating the understandability and actionability of online CKD educational materials.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have not fully determined whether online education materials on chronic kidney disease (CKD) for Japanese patients are easy to understand and help change their behavior. Therefore, this study quantitatively assessed the understandability and actionability of online CKD education materials. METHODS: In September 2021, we searched Google and Yahoo Japan using the keywords "kidney," "kidney disease," "CKD," "chronic kidney disease," and "renal failure" to identify 538 webpages. We used the Japanese version of the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), ranging from 0 to 100%, to evaluate the understandability and actionability of webpages. We set the cutoff point to 70%. RESULTS: Of the 186 materials included, the overall understandability and actionability were 61.5% (± 16.3%) and 38.7% (± 30.6%), respectively. The materials were highly technical in their terminology and lacked clear and concise charts and illustrations to encourage action. Compared to lifestyle modification materials on CKD overview, symptoms/signs, examination, and treatment scored significantly lower on the PEMAT. In addition, the materials produced by medical institutions and academic organizations scored significantly lower than those produced by for-profit companies. CONCLUSION: Medical institutions and academic organizations are encouraged to use plain language and to attach explanations of medical terms when preparing materials for patients. They are also expected to improve visual aids to promote healthy behaviors.

Don't Throw Away the Handout: Efficacy of Patient Education in Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Printed educational materials (PEMs) have been used for patient education in various settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the readability, understandability, and actionability of trauma-related educational material from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA, Orthokids), as well as determine its efficacy in educating pediatric orthopaedic trauma patients and caregivers. METHODS: The readability, understandability and actionability of PEMs was assessed using the Patient Education materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Five reviewers ranging in experience independently evaluated the educational materials. The efficacy of PEMs was assessed prospectively by randomizing patients into 2 groups. The first group (Education) received the OrthoKids educational material related to the patient's fracture. The second group (No Education) did not receive the educational material. At the first follow-up visit, parents/guardians in both groups completed surveys. Statistical analyses included descriptive and univariate statistics. RESULTS: The understandability of PEMs was similar (68% to 74%); however, the educational materials had varying actionability scores ranging from 20% for femoral shaft fractures to 60% for elbow fractures. In total, 101 patients were randomized to assess the efficacy of educational materials (Education=51, No Education=50). There were no significant differences in sex, age, race/ethnicity, and level of education between caregivers in both groups ( P > 0.05). Only 61% (31/51) participants in the Education group reported using the educational material; however, 67% to 68% of participants in either group reported wanting PEMs. Participants in the group that did not receive PEMs were significantly more likely to use the internet to find more information (74% vs. 51%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that participants that did not receive PEMs were significantly more likely to search the internet for more information. Improving the quality and actionability of educational resources on electronic platforms is needed to improve patient education. A multi-modal approach using PEMs that includes a list of high-quality online sources would likely be most effective in educating pediatric trauma patients and caregivers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Validação do conteúdo de um recurso audiovisual para pessoas vivendo com HIV / Validación del contenido de un recurso audiovisual para personas que viven con el VIH / Content validation of an audiovisual resource for people living with HIV

Resumo Objetivo Validar o conteúdo do roteiro de um recurso audiovisual para pessoas vivendo com HIV. Métodos Estudo metodológico com abordagem quantitativa, norteado pelo referencial teórico metodológico da psicometria. A validação de conteúdo foi realizada por juízes especialistas na área temática usando a técnica Delphi. A amostra foi composta por 22 juízes na primeira análise de validação e sete juízes na segunda análise. Resultados Todos domínios analisados apresentaram coeficiente de validade de conteúdo (CVC) >0,80, com CVC total (CVCt) de 0,96, consistência interna quase perfeita, Alfa de Cronbach de 0,988, ICC de 0,982 [IC95% 0,969-0,991] e p<0,005 significativo na primeira rodada de avaliação dos especialistas. Na segunda análise, os critérios usados para validação de conteúdo apresentaram CVCt de 0,97, com os critérios de objetividade, simplicidade, clareza, relevância, precisão, variedade, credibilidade e equilíbrio, atingindo 100% de aprovação. Conclusão O roteiro foi validado quanto ao conteúdo, mostrando ser um instrumento representativo e pertinente para construção do recurso audiovisual. Ele contribui para o avanço do conhecimento científico pois apresenta resultados com rigor metodológico, com inovações no campo da educação em saúde para pessoas vivendo com HIV.

Resumen Objetivo Validar el contenido del guion de un recurso audiovisual para personas que viven con el VIH Métodos Estudio metodológico con enfoque cuantitativo, norteado por el marco referencial teórico metodológico de la psicometría. La validación de contenido fue realizada por jueces especialistas en el área temática mediante el uso del método Delphi. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 22 jueces en el primer análisis de validación y siete jueces en el segundo análisis. Resultados Todos los dominios analizados presentaron coeficiente de validez de contenido (CVC) >0,80, con un CVC total (CVCt) de 0,96, consistencia interna casi perfecta, Alfa de Cronbach de 0,988, ICC de 0,982 [IC95 % 0,969-0,991] y p<0,005 significativo en la primera ronda de evaluación de los especialistas. En el segundo análisis, los criterios usados para la validación de contenido presentaron un CVCt de 0,97, con los criterios de objetividad, simplicidad, claridad, relevancia, precisión, variedad, credibilidad y equilibrio, con un 100 % de aprobación. Conclusión Se validó el guion en cuanto al contenido, lo que demuestra que es un instrumento representativo y pertinente para la elaboración del recurso audiovisual. Contribuye al avance del conocimiento científico ya que presenta resultados con rigor metodológico, con innovaciones en el campo de la educación para la salud para personas que viven con el VIH.

Abstract Objective The study aimed to validate the script content of an audiovisual resource for people living with HIV. Methods This methodological study had a quantitative approach and was guided by the methodological theoretical framework of psychometrics. Content validation was performed by expert judges in the thematic area using the Delphi technique. The sample consisted of 22 judges in the first validation analysis and seven judges in the second analysis. Results All domains analyzed had a content validity coefficient (CVC) >0.80, with a total CVC (CVCt) of 0.96, almost perfect internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha of 0.988, ICC of 0.982 [95%CI 0.969-0.991], and p<0.005 which was significant in the first round of expert evaluation. In the second analysis, the criteria used for content validation showed a CVCt of 0.97, with the criteria of objectivity, simplicity, clarity, relevance, accuracy, variety, credibility, and balance achieving 100% approval. Conclusion The script was validated in terms of content, showing to be a representative and relevant instrument for building the audiovisual resource. It contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge as it presents results with methodological accuracy and innovations in the field of health education for people living with HIV.

Redacción de artículos científicos en el contexto universal de plataformas en acceso abierto / Writing scientific articles in the universal context of open access platforms

Es necesario profundizar en la investigación pedagógica en las ciencias médicas, a fin de que las publicaciones compilen evidencias científicas y experiencias derivadas del ejercicio docente para crear una didáctica particular que perfeccione el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje y siente las bases para el posterior desarrollo de los métodos de trabajo en las profesiones en salud. Es propósito de estos autores comunicar sobre la conformación de un manual de redacción, en cuyas páginas encontrarán los interesados en incursionar en el cambiante mundo de las publicaciones, una guía metodológica detallada que les permitirá mejorar su desempeño durante el proceso de construcción y envío de sus artículos a través de las plataformas de revistas en acceso abierto; además, alerta sobre la ética en la publicación científica y el riesgo de publicar en revistas depredadoras y secuestradoras.

It is necessary to deepen pedagogical research in the medical sciences, so that publications compile scientific evidence and experiences derived from teaching to create a particular didactics that perfects the teaching-learning process and lays the foundations for the subsequent development of teaching methods. work in the health professions. It is the purpose of these authors to communicate about the creation of a writing manual, in whose pages those interested in entering the changing world of publications will find a detailed methodological guide that will allow them to improve their performance during the process of construction and submission of their articles through open access journal platforms; Furthermore, it warns about ethics in scientific publication and the risk of publishing in predatory and kidnapping journals.

Uso de videos como material complementario en la enseñanza de la Otorrinolaringología / Otorhynolaryngology image as supplementary teaching material

Introducción y objetivo: Los videos, como material didáctico complementario, pueden reemplazar parte de las horas de docencia y ayudar en la adquisición de conocimientos en Otorrinolaringología. Para ello se pretende analizar el impacto de la visualización de 4 videos en el resultado de 6 preguntas específicas del examen teórico de la asignatura y evaluar la percepción de estos videos. Método: Estudio analítico cuasi experimental transversal realizado en 213 estudiantes de Otorrinolaringología de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid divididos en 2 grupos: grupo intervención y grupo control. Las diferencias en el rendimiento en las 6 preguntas entre ambos grupos se determinaron mediante la prueba χ2 o el test exacto de Fisher, con un valor de significación p<0.05. Además, para evaluar la percepción de los estudiantes se revisaron las opiniones registradas en los cuadernos de rotación hospitalaria. Resultados: Los videos tuvieron 883 visualizaciones al momento del análisis de los datos y la mayoría de las opiniones fueron positivas (94.87%). Se observaron diferencias significativas (p<0.01) en el resultado de los estudiantes en dos preguntas: “oído 1” (27.78% de aciertos en el grupo intervención vs. 7.50% en el grupo control) y “cuello 2” (38.89% vs. 81.80%). La mayoría de los comentarios sobre los videos (94.87%) fueron positivos. Discusión y conclusiones: no se pudo demostrar un impacto directo en los resultados académicos pero el fácil acceso a los videos y los comentarios positivos sobre estos evidenciaron su utilidad como una herramienta complementaria para la enseñanza de la asignatura. (AU)

Introduction and objective: Using videos as complementary teaching material can replace part of the teaching hours and be helpful in acquisition of knowledge in Otorhinolaryngology. To evaluate this alternative the impact of visualizations of 4 videos on performance in specific questions of the Otorhinolaryngology exam will be analyzed and students’ perception of these videos will be evaluated. Method: Quasi-experimental analytical study, conducted in 213 students of Otolaryngology of Autonomous University of Madrid divided in two groups (intervention and control). Differences between intervention and control group were analyzed using the chi-square test or the exact Fisher test (p value<0.05 statistically significant). Feedback from students on the videos was collected. Results: The total number of video visualizations was 883. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.01) on performance in question "ear 1" with 27.78% of success rate of the experimental group versus 7.50% of the control group, and in question "neck 2" with 38.89% of success rate of the experimental group compared to 81.80% of the control group. Most opinions about the videos (94.87%) were positive. Discussion and conclusions: No significant impact on performance was found, easy access to videos and positive feedback from students highlight its usefulness as a complementary teaching material to classes in Otorhinolaryngology. (AU)

Instructional illustrations in children's learning between normative and realism: An evaluation study.

Many studies indicate the importance of including the instructional illustrations (pictures, drawings, concrete objects …etc.) in childhood education learning materials and employing them in a way that suits the psychological and cognitive levels of young children. In this context, the current study aimed to develop a list of standards to be considered and adopted in designing instructional illustrations, and to reveal the perceptions of childhood teachers about the extent to which these standards are considered in instructional illustrations used in children's learning materials. The participants were childhood education teachers in the Jordanian region of Irbid, who were randomly selected. Two hundred thirty-four teachers completed the questionnaire online. The scale consisted of a total of 34 items distributed over four dimensions. The results showed that the scores of teachers' estimation about employing design standards in the instructional illustrations used in childhood education came at low levels, ranging from average to low, and did not reach high ratings. The study also revealed that there is an impact attributed to teaching experience on teachers' perceptions about the extent to which these standards are employed in instructional illustrations, while there is no impact of gender, academic qualification, or the classes taught by the teachers.

Requerimientos para la producción e implementación de un Material Educativo Digital / Requirements for Producing and Implementing Digital Educational Materials

Introducción: La revolución digital ha llegado al campo educativo y exige que los entornos educativos digitales generen experiencias educativas contundentes. Para realizar este proceso, es fundamental diseñar y construir un material educativo digital (MED) ajustado a los lineamientos tecnológicos, técnicos y pedagógicos enmarcados en la neurobiología del aprendizaje (NA) del estudiante. Objetivo: Evaluar los elementos necesarios para la producción de un material educativo digital (MED) inédito, mediante su implementación en estudiantes. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis cuantitativo a través del Test de Wilcoxon SR con el software SPSS de IBM, y un análisis cualitativo con el software QDA Miner. Posteriormente, se triangularon los datos. Resultados: En el análisis cuantitativo se obtuvo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el pretest y el postest (p < 0,001) y la mediana entre dicha diferencia de 22,6 por ciento. En el análisis cualitativo se definieron tres categorías: los comentarios positivos de la experiencia, las sugerencias de los estudiantes al proceso y las dificultades técnicas surgidas durante la implementación. Conclusiones: Son evidentes el interés, la motivación, el enganche y el disfrute de los estudiantes de una forma activa en el proceso de aprendizaje, que proporcionan un punto de partida para transformar las prácticas educativas con resultados significativos(AU)

Introduction: The digital revolution has reached the educational field and demands that digital educational environments generate powerful educational experiences. To carry out this process, it is essential to design and build a digital educational material adjusted to the technological, technical and pedagogical guidelines framed in the student's neurobiology of learning. Objective: To evaluate the necessary elements for the production of an unpublished digital educational material, through its implementation in students. Methods: A quantitative analysis was performed through the Wilcoxon SR test using the IBM SPSS software, together with a qualitative analysis using the QDA Miner software. Subsequently, the data were triangulated. Results: The quantitative analysis yielded a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest (p < 0.001), as well as a median difference of 22.6 percent. The qualitative analysis permitted to define three categories: positive comments on the experience, the students' suggestions to the process, and technical difficulties encountered during the implementation. Conclusions: The students' active interest in, motivation for, engagement towards and enjoyment of the learning process are evident, facts that provide a starting point for transforming educational practices with significant outcomes(AU)

The Right to Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials for U.S. Students Does Not Consistently Translate into Predictable Access and Effective Use.

Students in the United States have federally-established rights regarding access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services, yet those rights are not consistently upheld for a variety of reasons acknowledged in the literature. We conducted a interview-based study with 48 education professionals, family members and students to analyze the facilitators and barriers that influence AT access for students in the State of Delaware. Study results were consistent with the extant literature, and revealed numerous violations of student rights guaranteed under U.S. special education law. Some barriers were attitudinal, yet most arose from the inadequacy of infrastructures: professionals lacked training, funding was inadequate or difficult to access and, in most areas, there was no definitive guidance relative to the processes that should be followed and how decisions regarding AT-related decisions regarding devices and services should be documented. Elements revealed to facilitate AT access and use were the availability of resources - highly-qualified personnel, time, training, funds, and access to devices - and persistence among educators and family members in pursuing AT solutions for students.

Content validity of the Post-Stroke Guidance and Follow-up Booklet.

OBJECTIVES: to provide sources of content validity evidence for the Post-Stroke Guidance and Follow-up Booklet. METHODS: a quantitative-qualitative approach, using two Delphi method and content analysis rounds. The Educational Content Validation Instrument in Health was sent to 53 independent judges. A Content Validity Index above 0.90 was considered. RESULTS: of the 14 nurses who participated, 64.3% have experience with stroke care, 35.7% with primary care and 64.3% with educational material production. In content analysis, judges' suggestions were stratified into four categories: material conformation, objectivity, accuracy and perception. Spelling changes were made to the images, addition of functionality scale, adequacy of technical terms and language. The Content Validity Index in the second round showed a concordance of 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: the booklet presented satisfactory content validity sources of evidence.

Visual Misrepresentations: The Lack of Skin Tone and Sex Equity in General Surgical Textbooks.

OBJECTIVE: Lack of racial and ethnic diversity in educational material contributes to health disparities. This study sought to determine if images of skin color and sex in general surgery textbooks were reflective of the U.S. DESIGN: All human figures with discernable sex characteristics and/or skin tone were evaluated independently by 4 coders. Each image was categorized as male or female. Skin tone in each image was categorized using the Massey- Martin skin color scale. This data was compared to 2020 U.S. Census Data. SETTING: U.S. Medical School. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. RESULTS: A total of 1179 images were evaluated for skin tone alone; 293 images for sex alone. 650 images depicted characteristics of both sex and skin tone. Interrater reliability was 0.78 for skin tone and 0.91 for sex. While the U.S. population is 59.3% white, 29.5% non-black persons of color and 13.6% black, in surgical textbooks, 90.7% of images were white, 6.5% were non-black persons of color, and 2.8% were black. Distribution of skin tone for all textbooks were significantly different. (p < 0.001) compared to the U.S. POPULATION: The U.S. population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female. When images of sex specific genitalia and breasts are excluded, surgical textbook images are 62.9% male and 37.1% female. Only 1 textbook had a distribution of sex that was similar to the U.S. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increasing diversity in the U.S. population there is a lack of skin tone and sex diversity in traditional surgical textbooks.