A conceptual model for clinical psychomotor skill development in an era of simulated and virtual reality.

Psychomotor skill development is central to a beginner practitioner's learning pathway. Curriculum constraints around time, access to facilities and resources in health professions education have prompted the growth in alternative approaches to clinical skill development in both simulation and direct patient care. Among these is the increased incorporation of virtual reality (VR) systems with haptic feedback alongside traditional, solid simulations.

Associations of Mail Survey Length and Layout With Response Rates.

We assess the association between survey layout and response rates (RRs) in the 2017 Medicare Advantage Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems mail survey. Among 438 Medicare Advantage plans surveyed by six vendors, there was latitude in survey layout, and plans could add up to 12 supplemental items. Regression models predicted survey response from survey characteristics (page count, number of supplemental items, and survey attractiveness), and beneficiary sociodemographics.

Potent Human α-Amylase Inhibition by the β-Defensin-like Protein Helianthamide.

Selective inhibitors of human pancreatic α-amylase (HPA) are an effective means of controlling blood sugar levels in the management of diabetes. A high-throughput screen of marine natural product extracts led to the identification of a potent ( = 10 pM) peptidic HPA inhibitor, helianthamide, from the Caribbean sea anemone Active helianthamide was produced in via secretion as a barnase fusion protein. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the complex of helianthamide with porcine pancreatic α-amylase revealed that helianthamide adopts a β-defensin fold and binds into and across the amylase active site, utilizing a contiguous YIYH inhibitory motif.

A review of the use of simulation in dental education.

In line with the advances in technology and communication, medical simulations are being developed to support the acquisition of requisite psychomotor skills before real-life clinical applications. This review article aimed to give a general overview of simulation in a cognate field, clinical dental education. Simulations in dentistry are not a new phenomenon; however, recent developments in virtual-reality technology using computer-generated medical simulations of 3-dimensional images or environments are providing more optimal practice conditions to smooth the transition from the traditional model-based simulation laboratory to the clinic.

The relationship between the cranial base and jaw base in a Chinese population.

Introduction: The cranial base plays an important role in determining how the mandible and maxilla relate to each other. This study assessed the relationship between the cranial base and jaw base in a Chinese population.

Methods: This study involved 83 subjects (male: 27; female: 56; age: 18.

Treating depression and substance use: a randomized controlled trial.

Few integrated substance use and depression treatments have been developed for delivery in outpatient substance abuse treatment settings. To meet the call for more "transportable" interventions, we conducted a pilot study to test a group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression and substance use that was designed for delivery by outpatient substance abuse treatment counselors. Seventy-three outpatient clients were randomized to usual care enhanced with group CBT or usual care alone and assessed at three time points (baseline and 3 and 6 months postbaseline).

Recruiting drug-using men who have sex with men into behavioral interventions: a two-stage approach.

Drug-using men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV infection. Efforts to change behaviors in this population have been hampered by difficulties in recruiting drug-using MSM into behavioral interventions. This study sought to develop an effective strategy for recruiting drug-using MSM into behavioral interventions that consist of motivational interviewing alone or motivational interviewing plus contingency management.