Improving Academic Performance in Medical Students Using Immersive Virtual Patient Simulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To determine whether immersive virtual patient simulation (IVPS) on the MedicActiv platform is influential in improving student academic performance in module validation tests.

Design: In this prospective randomized controlled study a comparison was made between IVPS training combined with regular faculty courses versus courses alone. The primary endpoint was module validation grades.

Learning Laparoscopic Skills: Observation or Practice?

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the respective roles of observation and direct practice in the retention of laparoscopic skills.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen fifth-year medical students were included in a two-session laparoscopic learning course. During the first session, each participant was given four tasks to complete from the "Basic skills" and "Essential tasks" modules of the Simbionix LAP Mentor™, and another four tasks for observation only.

[Simulation in health care, an overview and framework for development].

Following the example of Anglo-Saxon countries, which have been using it for some thirty years, simulation in health care is growing rapidly in France. The development of this challenging pedagogical method is guided by several documents published by the French National Health Authority.

Medical consultation simulations and the question of the actors - simulated or standardized patients.

The simulated or standardized patients play an increasingly role in the training of health professionals by simulation. Either professional or amateurs performers, and sometimes " real " patients, called expert patients, are acting. Actor training and preparation to achieve the simulation sessions should be rigorous.

[Simulation, an emerging learning tool].

Simulation in healthcare is part of an innovative pedagogical approach. Confronted with concrete work situations, "learners" are faced with dummies in typical working conditions. They are thereby able to practise technical procedures without any risk.

Planning safe anesthesia: the role of collective resources management.

Objective: Anticipation and planning are essential steps of risk management but the mechanisms of planning behavior are incompletely understood, especially the factors including collective work. The aim of this research is to understand how anesthetists plan safe solution to perform anesthesia.

Methods: A study based on interviews was conducted in two French hospitals.

Short-term neurological outcome of children after surgery for brain tumors: incidence and characteristics in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Purpose: The main treatment for majority of pediatric brain tumors relies on surgery. In postoperative period, patients require monitoring in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In this study, we analyzed the incidence of postoperative neurological complications and the outcome of neurological impairment in individual patients.

[Key points.].

FOODBORNE BOTULISM, PREVENT AND TREATMENT:

[Key points.].

BOTULISM, A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS:

[Foodborne botulism, prevent and treatment].

The United States and Europe agree that the treatment of botulism is based on symptomatical measures and, notably, on mechanical ventilation when the respiratory function is impaired. Opinions diverge regarding the specific treatment represented by anti-botulinum serum: used systematically in the United States and frequently in many European countries, France never uses it other than in a few cases. Identification of the contaminating foodstuff is a fundamental element in limiting extension of the disease.

[Foodborne botulism, epidemiologic aspects].

With a mean of 30 cases reported per year, following Italy, France ranks second in the European countries in terms of incidence of botulism. Food stuff of commercial origin, of artisanal or industrial manufacture fabrication, is increasingly implicated in the genesis of outbreaks of botulism. Moreover, the modern methods of conserving food (vacuum packed food, frozen food.

[Botulism, a clinical diagnosis].

Foodborne botulism results from the effect of a neurotoxin produced by a sporulated anaerobic bacillus called Clostridium botulinum. The mode of contamination occurs through the consumption of foodstuff, already contaminated by the neurotoxin. Following an incubation period that varies from 2 hours to 8 days, the symptoms start with intestinal problems.

Simulation of human gentamicin pharmacokinetics in an experimental Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis model.

Significant differences between animal and human pharmacokinetics may be responsible for the conflicting results of experimental studies. This study determined the impact of human pharmacokinetic simulation (HPS) on gentamicin activity in an Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis model. The decrease in bacterial counts was greater with HPS than with a dose-equivalent regimen without HPS.

The therapeutic use of magnesium in anesthesiology, intensive care and emergency medicine: a review.

Purpose: To review current knowledge concerning the use of magnesium in anesthesiology, intensive care and emergency medicine.

Methods: References were obtained from Medline(R) (1995 to 2002). All categories of articles (clinical trials, reviews, or meta-analyses) on this topic were selected.