The study focuses on the cognitive assessment of certification examination in medicine. The purpose was to investigate the relationship between the structure of the examination questions and the examinees' written responses. The responses from three groups of residents with undergraduate degrees from McGill (3), Toronto (2) and Manitoba (2) medical schools were used. A sample of one basic science and two clinical question in Endocrinology were selected. The responses were analyzed using cognitive methods which provided a qualitative assessment of subjects' knowledge structures relative to task. / The results showed that the responses did not always correspond to task requirements. There was a general tendency to focus on specific details that the subjects understood at the expense of the global aspect of the question. There was a greater variation in performance within groups than between groups. The results also suggest that undergraduate education may have less influence on the performance in certification examination than residency training. The importance of developing examination questions with high construct and criterion validity is discussed.

No description available.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008. xix, 122 leaves / Discussion among homoeopaths in South Africa provides the impression that there is a degree of misunderstanding and ignorance about homoeopathy, and opinions are varied on its application and efficacy amongst the South African public. An over the counter (OTC) medicine, is a medicine which is sold without a prescription directly to the public, which includes homoeopathic medicines. OTC medicines may be sold at any retail outlet, i.e. a pharmacy or general store. There is much evidence pointed towards the growth and rise in over the counter sales in complementary and alternative medicine, a growth of more than 17% in total, homoeopathy is a major part of the complementary and alternative medicine group, having its own growth of more than 16% over a four year period. Self-medication in the form of over the counter medicines forms the main part of this industry (Caldis, 2000). The market was previously examined by the Mintel Group for complementary medicines and its growth in sales, in April 2003. Since then, the market has continued to expand, growing by 45% in real terms from 1999 to 2004. Greater consumer awareness of alternative medicines, an interest in healthy lifestyles, and the willingness to self-medicate certain conditions have all contributed to the increased value of sales (Mintel, 2005). Whenever the economic and public health benefits of self-medication are discussed, it is important to address inequalities in health. This means that not every citizen may feel sufficiently confident to practice responsible self-medication. It is also evident that not everybody has the financial means to do iii so. The whole notion of responsible self-medication both in a traditional sense and in the future is based on the concept of choice. Allowing individuals certain options when they suffer minor, self-limiting or chronic diseases is the fundamental consideration behind responsible self-medication (AESGP, 2004). Methodology A non-experimental descriptive survey was conducted to determine the perceptions of registered South African Homoeopaths regarding the availability of over the counter homoeopathic remedies. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and 68 anonymous responses were obtained. Raw data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the relationships between variables tested for correlations. Results Respondents perceived homoeopathic OTC medicine sales and their availability in health shops and pharmacies, as contributing to the promotion of the profession as well as increasing its accessibility to the public. Other benefits perceived were the cost effectiveness of homoeopathic OTC medicines and convenience for home usage. The majority of respondents felt that there should be certain restrictions regarding the availability of OTC homoeopathic medicines, such as, the limitations regarding the availability of certain potencies. Participants also expressed concern over the degree of training held by retail outlet staff. Certain respondents felt that homoeopathic medicines should only be iv available with a prescription or used under the guidance of their practitioner. Other negative aspects of over the counter homoeopathic medicines were: incorrect use of medication, overdosing, and potential negative effects the patient may experience if the OTC medicine interacts with other medication, as well as the concern over the risks of self-medicating without the advice from a practitioner. Conclusions and recommendations The majority of respondents were in favour of the availability of homoeopathic OTC medicines to the public, provided that they are suitably regulated to ensure patient safety and quality control. Furthermore the regulation of the relevant retail outlets including education of staff in this regard was recommended. Respondents also were in favour of the awareness of the profession that homoeopathic OTC medicines created.

This thesis presents a methodology for, and a case study of, the transformation of a social representation. The basis of the thesis is derived from an understanding of representations as a complex, dynamic, pluralistic phenomena that both exist in time and draw their form and meaning from past and present knowledge(s). We are guided by an interest in understanding how one might study a social representation that is already an entrenched social phenomena and how one might go about studying such an entity in a systematic fashion over time. We devised a method through which data can be aggregated over a bound, measurable unit of time and analyzed systematically into core and peripheral systems, allowing for the study of transformation of representation of long duration. Our methodology thus embeds social representations in particular historical, temporal moments in order to assess the structural formation of the representation. To assess the applicability of our methodology, we undertook a study of the social representation of physicians in televised medical dramas. The case of the physician was selected because of their existence as a known social phenomenon of long-duration with a prominent, continuous social presence. In our exploration of this case, we sought to answer two questions. The first asks, ‘what is the social representation of the physician as presented in televised medical dramas’, while the second queries is ‘if and how this social representation has changed over time’. We present thus not only the identification and transformation of a representation, that of the physician, but we also offer a methodology with which to do so. Our methodology demonstrates that exploring representations in the past as a way to study the transformation of social representation has potential to generate new knowledge about old things. While the study of newly emerging phenomena presents an ideal time to study social representations, the study of older representations offers the opportunity to better understand how knowledge is created, changed, and re-created.

This research was designed to see whether the clinical method espoused by Moira Stewart et al in the book "Patient-Centered: Transforming The Clinical Method" is appropriate for Pakeha general practitioners to use in clinical consultations with Maori patients. This thesis uses qualitative methodology. One of my supervisors and I selected from the kuia (old women) and kaumatua (old men) of Hauraki those whom I would approach to be involved. Nearly all responded in the affirmative. The kuia and kaumatua talked about their tikanga, about the basis of tikanga, about the spirituality of their Maori worldview. They talked about the need to maintain their tikanga, about qualities that they respect. They described different roles within Maoridom, especially those of the kuia, whaea (mothers) and Tohunga (experts). They refer to a GP as a Tohunga because of the GP�s special expertise. The GP is able to use his or her special expertise to heal Maori patients, but needs to be able to get through barriers to do so. They are also clear that Maori and Pakeha live in two different worlds which can merge in some circumstances. I came to two conclusions. The first is that the elements of Patient-Centered Medicine are relevant to the consultation of a Pakeha GP and Maori patient, and provides a framework that is productive. The second conclusion is that there is a better framework for working with Maori patients, within which Patient-Centered Medicine can be practiced more effectively. Maori already have a framework (tikanga) in which they function, and if in their settings, especially the marae, he or she is welcomed and has a place in their world; tikanga accommodates the GP as a Tohunga and Maori respond to him or her as such. In summary, a Pakeha GP who has some knowledge of tikanga or Maori culture and who has a basic knowledge of the Maori language of tikanga of Maori culture and who has a basic knowledge of the Maori language can work very well for his or her Maori patients by working within the framework of Tikanga Maori and by being patient-centered in consultation.

Increasingly, it is being recognized that the fatigue associated with the irregular duty schedules of pilots and doctors can have a negative impact on safety-critical flight and clinical operations. The studies of this thesis were designed to examine the impact of irregular duty schedules on commercial pilots' and anaesthetic registrars' sleep/wake behaviiour and operational performance (i.e., complex decision-making). / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2007.

Diss. Linköping : Univ.

Diss. Uppsala : Univ., 2003.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Public Health, 1988. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 379-394).

Thesis (M.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychiatry, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 554-636.