Novel educational approach for medical students: improved retention rates using interactive medical software compared with traditional lecture-based format.

Background: Mannequin and computer-based simulators are useful for the practice of patient management, physical procedures, and competency. However, they are ineffective in teaching clinical medicine. StepStone Interactive Medical Software (SS) is a web-based medical learning modality that provides the user with a highly focused set of evaluative and interventional tasks to treat memorable virtual patients in a visual case-based format.

Novel educational approach for medical students: improved retention rates using interactive medical software compared with traditional lecture-based format.

Background: Mannequin and computer-based simulators are useful for the practice of patient management, physical procedures, and competency. However, they are ineffective in teaching clinical medicine. StepStone Interactive Medical Software (SS) is a web-based medical learning modality that provides the user with a highly focused set of evaluative and interventional tasks to treat memorable virtual patients in a visual case-based format.

Length of stay and impact on readmission rates after laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Background: A decreased length of stay (LOS) is one of the many advantages of laparoscopic over open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity. However, the mean LOS after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) ranges from 1.8 to 4.

Travel distance, age, and sex as factors in follow-up visit compliance in the post-gastric bypass population.

Background: There is no consensus regarding the optimal rate of follow-up in the post-bariatric surgery patient population.

Methods: The records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 2001 to 2003 were reviewed. Using patient zip codes, travel distances were calculated between the patients' places of residence and our clinic.

Surgical management of obesity: a review of the evidence relating to the health benefits and risks.

Obesity continues to plague our society in epidemic proportions. Surgery for morbid obesity is considered by many as the most effective therapy for this complex disorder. Today, multiple surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity are available.