ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the way anatomy classes were carried out, depriving students of practical learning using real anatomical specimens. Once COVID restrictions were lifted and students returned to a normal class setting a randomized study was carried out to elevate effectiveness of practical anatomy didactics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an anatomy workshop based on demonstrating anatomical structures delivered in a face-to-face format, and to compare it with a standard course based on online learning. The randomization involved 350 students from whom 80 participants were drawn to form both a study and control group. The study consisted of three parts: exam 1, workshop, exam 2. The study group participated in all parts of the project, while the control group participated only in the exam. The workshop was held by near peer teachers (NPT). Statistical analysis showed that participation in the workshop had an effect on the passing score of exam 2 (p=0.039). It was also shown that the difference in scores was significantly higher (p=0.049) in the study group compared to the control group. The study proved that the workshops which were based on demonstrating anatomical structures by NPT significantly affected the scores obtained by trainees. In conclusion, the project confirmed the importance of student interaction with anatomical specimens and that online teaching is not a substitute for teaching in a dissecting room. Additionally, this study confirmed the high usefulness of NPT as a support for the didactic process conducted by experts. Copyright: © 2022 Jurand Domański, Marta Wanat, Jacek Ciach, Angelika Osuch, Bożena Kurc-Darak, Sławomir Woźniak, Zygmunt Domagała.
ABSTRACT
Background: At the outbreak of the pandemic in Chicago, there were disruptions in daily life, communication and delivery of healthcare services. Our objective was to investigate mental well-being, lifestyle behaviors, self-management capacity and healthcare utilization during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults with one or multiple chronic conditions. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted as part of the ongoing COVID-19 & Chronic Conditions (C3) study between March and May 2020. Participants were recruited from local academic and safety net clinics and participated in existing research studies prepandemic. Self-report items assessed perceived stress due to coronavirus, self-management capacity and healthcare utilization. Validated measures assessed well-being, alcohol consumption, physical activity and self-efficacy. Results: The average age of participants (N=565) was 62.4, most were female (61.4%), and over half (n=310) were non-White or Latinx. One in five (20.7%) participants were stressed about the coronavirus most or all the time. Almost a quarter (22.3%) engaged in hazardous drinking and 79.7% reported insufficient physical activity. Nearly one in four participants (23.7%) avoided seeking medical care due to worry about COVID-19. In multivariable analyses, women reported more stress than men. Greater COVID-19 related stress and low health activation were associated with less physical activity, lower self-efficacy, greater difficulty managing health/medications and more avoidance of medical care. Conclusion: Consequences of COVID-19 on the mental wellbeing, lifestyle and ability of adults with chronic conditions to manage health were apparent in the initial months of the pandemic. As the C3 study is ongoing, it will be possible to examine pre- and postpandemic factors over time to understand the influence of the pandemic on the overall health trajectories of older adults.