Teaching psychomotor skills in a virtual environment: An educational case study

In March 2020, most physical therapy schools across the globe transitioned to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This change posed unique challenges not only because it required adapting to new technology in a short period but, more importantly, it involved developing ways to teach hands-on psychomotor and clinical skills virtually while maintaining the quality of instruction. In response to the rapid transition, the physical therapy program at MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP)designed and implemented a novel and effective coaching model to address the challenges. The model was developed based on experiential learning theory, constructivism, a coaching framework, and andragogical principles of feedback and reflection. Not only did the model meet its objectives of effectively teaching basic psychomotor skills in the virtual environment, but it may also have andragogical benefits that can be applied to traditional face-to-face methods. This case study describes the theoretical underpinning of the model, its development and implementation, the perceived effectiveness for learning psychomotor skills in a virtual environment, and the potential for broader relevance to future models of physical therapy education. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Diagnosing myeloma in general practice: how might earlier diagnosis be achieved?

Smith et al describe the issues with the current diagnostic process for myeloma in general practice, explore the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify alternative strategies that may improve the early diagnosis. Around half of myeloma patients have three or more pre-referral consultations and around one-third are diagnosed through emergency presentation. Improving the timeliness of myeloma diagnosis is vital to improving patient outcomes, but is difficult to achieve because of complex, non-specific, and varied presentations. Improving GP education on the salient features of multiple myeloma presentation and the investigations required for diagnosis, alongside ensuring adequate safety netting for patients with persistent, unexplained symptoms, should be urgent priorities. Changes to general practice consultations following the COVID-19 pandemic have made myeloma diagnosis more difficult, and, over the longer term, research is required to develop intelligent and technological strategies that support physician decision making and reduce diagnostic delay.

Teaching Psychomotor Skills in a Virtual Environment: An Educational Case Study

In March 2020, most physical therapy schools across the globe transitioned to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This change posed unique challenges not only because it required adapting to new technology in a short period but, more importantly, it involved developing ways to teach hands-on psychomotor and clinical skills virtually while maintaining the quality of instruction. In response to the rapid transition, the physical therapy program at MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP)designed and implemented a novel and effective coaching model to address the challenges. The model was developed based on experiential learning theory, constructivism, a coaching framework, and andragogical principles of feedback and reflection. Not only did the model meet its objectives of effectively teaching basic psychomotor skills in the virtual environment, but it may also have andragogical benefits that can be applied to traditional face-to-face methods. This case study describes the theoretical underpinning of the model, its development and implementation, the perceived effectiveness for learning psychomotor skills in a virtual environment, and the potential for broader relevance to future models of physical therapy education.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Space Activities: Force Majeure and Further Legal Implications

The inability to fulfill a contract, if not fault-related, is not unknown in the law of contracts. Various rules are available to alleviate liability for default, such as impossibility, force majeure, as well as the law of frustration. COVID19 has sparked interest in these provisions again. The following analysis investigates how COVID19 impacts on various legal issues relating to the space sector, including force majeure. Just as COVID19 is marked by divergent responses of countries towards health-related restrictions on participation in public life, divergent patterns are detectable in the reliance on force majeure. Continuing space activities - although to differing degrees - has been a clear driver around the world where the resilience of space technology and space-based solutions has been looked to in managing the pandemic. Force majeure is therefore not necessarily an instrument on which the space community would seek to rely. This overview also identifies an area where industry and agencies could look to develop cross-compatibility in standards to foster greater interaction between space and health-related technology.