Can Google Glass Transform Medical Education?

Google Glass looks exciting for the medical world, and presents a particularly powerful opportunity for medical education(for examples, see Forbes article here or Phys.org here). A white paper by the Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital says, “simulation-based training has opened up a new educational application in medicine. It can develop health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes, whilst protecting patients from unnecessary risks”. Google Glass is taking simulation to the next level and making it more real, as the patients treated are real.

Yet the underlying concept of simulation-based-learning in medicine isn’t new. Neither are the individual components of Google Glass (such as the video recording feature and the possibility of sharing procedures online with any number of students). The biggest innovation might be having all this in one device. As Aristotle said, the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Medical education is often a two stage process. In stage one, doctors in training need to study voluminous tomes and pass exams; stage one is the collection and storing of knowledge – perhaps too much knowledge. Richard Barker says in his book 2030, the future of medicine, that “as our bio-medical insights continue to fragment traditional diseases into multiple molecular disorders, keeping pace with advances gets tougher and tougher; … ‘head knowledge’ needs to be complemented by online decision support, distilling the wisdom and experience of the best specialist and putting it at the fingertips of the practitioner”. In other words, clinicians are starting to need real-time knowledge on tap.

Stage two focuses on learning through direct patient contact under the guidance of seniors, and Barker’s position suggests that stage two may never really end. Google Glass would support this stage of the curriculum, helping to simulate the practice of medicine, teach decision making, and then allow collaboration long after qualification. With a teacher demonstrating on patients (or that earlier revolution: a mannequin) with a headset camera, the learner is brought straight into the operating theater.

Google Glass is similar to a standard pair of glasses. It has an optical head-mounted display, sitting just above the right eye. Features include a built-in GPS, microphone and Bluetooth, and a camera which can record and live-stream videos to a Google hangout. Particularly useful is voice activation which would allow surgeons to, for example, do a web search for latest research or access EMRs or even real-time patient metrics without “breaking scrub” (compromising operating room sterility). As well as improving the provision of care, this ought to give students a more holistic understanding of each case.

Dr. Rafael J. Grossmann, Surgeon, mHealth Innovator and Google Glass Explorer was the first to perform a Google Glass-aided surgery, including remote teaching contexts and offering clinical advice remotely via Google hang-out. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Selene Parekh followed with a demo of foot and ankle surgery, and then plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Shah used the device while carrying out a rhinoplasty. Recently, Medical News Today wrote about a surgeon who live-streamed a procedure using Google Glass and a tablet device.

Grossman says that exposing students to the real life of a surgeon and their problems is critical for training and students should learn and mimic best practices early on. Furthermore, he adds that Google Glass education goes beyond the operating room, “Google Glass is a great start with practically limitless opportunities. “For example, how to connect with patients, how to teach bedside manner, how to prepare patients for surgery can all be best taught from real life examples. Google Glass records it and demonstrates best practice, from A to Z through the responsibilities of a practitioner,” he says.

Plus, of course, these Google Glass recorded procedures can be shared across the globe. Innovator Armando Iandolo, co-founder of Surgery Academy and his team have created an application for Google Glass that lets surgeons stream a heads-up view of procedures to students anywhere in the world. The big, bold innovation is to connect these streams in MOOCs (massive open online courses), says Iandolo. He and his co-founder are currently crowd-funding the idea on Indigogo. “Students will access an operating theatre online and watch a surgical intervention, live, for the procedure of their choice”, says Iandolo. “As we enter Universities, we want to become an integral part of the medical student’s study curriculum”.

MOOCs aren’t new either, but with the Surgery Academy everything seems to fall in place. By bringing the learner straight into theatre, simulation via Google Glass makes courses operate more like apprenticeships.

The patient would need to give their approval, but this is surely quite reassuring for the patient: which practitioner – and one good enough to teach – wants to screw up while being live-streamed to hundreds of students and fellow physicians?

The speed at which Google Glass eventually becomes a standard educational support tool is less certain, and we can learn from previous waves of innovation. In 2010, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine introduced a new mobile device program (medical students received laptops, iPhones and iPads). To assess its value, educators there how medical learners use mobile technologies. Their white paper concluded, “Students would adapt their use of mobile devices to the learning cultures and contexts they find themselves in.” Device value needs to be taught. It depends on how welcome new tech is perceived to be in classrooms, by students, teachers, and the wider ecosystem.

A typical fear is that, especially early in the curriculum (stage one above), medical students will miss out on basic knowledge. Search and find functions make it easier to zero in on an answer, but perhaps without the rich context and basic knowledge provided by reading cover to cover. Students – and teachers – could work just ‘for the test’.

Well, books have always had indices. It’s the process of search which has been accelerated, and there is no evidence that students would treat a digital medical textbook differently than its paperback version. In fact digital isn’t a replacement for the traditional textbook; it’s an opportunity to augment it. There is a generational shift in the learning styles of medical students, Mihir Gupta writes in a KevinMD article. Digital allows the stodgy textbook to be augmented with visual and multimedia, which will suit certain learning styles. “Innovative digital resources are vital for helping students retain knowledge and simplify difficult concepts”, says Gupta. These new resources are great for quick access to updated medical knowledge, but “it will not replace textbook learning, nor should it”.

Lucien Engelen, Director of the Radboud Reshape Center at Radboud University Medical Center, is currently working on various applications for Google Glass in medicine. He says that the only way to get Google Glass into education is “to make it part of education innovation”. He says, “Take some high profile doctors, professors and nurses and some patients and have them run some tests. All of a sudden the advantages (of Google Glass) seem to fall in place seamlessly”.

Frances Dare is Managing Director of Accenture Connected Health Services, which has partnered with Philips on a Google Glass proof of concept. She agrees with Engelen, cautioning that it is important to create an environment in which experimentation can take place and to understand the type of training needed to prepare clinicians to use Google Glass effectively and safely in practice.

But don’t bet against Google Glass. After all, educators have argued for decades over calculators in math class. Engelen says that he really doesn’t think of Google Glass as something special: it’s just another computer form-factor facing the same barriers of acceptance. It will take some time and discussion over privacy to achieve it, but the new wave is coming.

Source: HIT


Admissions Going On for School of Nursing (RN-MSN): TAU

Nursing_website_page

Texila American University (TAU) offers exclusive Nursing courses for Nursing Professionals to fulfill ongoing educational job requirements of the health care sector. TAU equips Nurses with effective theoretical and clinical practice through Distance learning education under the guidance of well versed faculties to meet the essential demands in Hospitals.

Salient Features of the program

  • Flexible program to earn MSN to persons who have completed RN and couldn’t proceed their education further due to various reasons
  • Through this RN to MSN programs students have a Great Choice of directly getting into the master level nursing program with so many specializations
  • The main thrust of the program is to gain knowledge and competencies through blended learning which is acquired through an appropriate interplay of course work, clinical work and research
  • Students study the program through an innovative Online Teaching Learning Process [OTLP] in which one term is covered in a period of 4 months
  • Students get the access to the course content with Info graphics, Videos, Podcast, and Reading materials which makes the process much more effective
  • Each Module has Links to Reference materials in the TAU – E Library
  • Assessments are done through Assignments, Test (MCQ’s) & Field/Clinical/Mini/Capstone Project works.

Duration & Eligibility:

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Duration : 2 Years
Eligibility : Registered Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, General Nursing and Midwifery Should be registered with the respective nursing council

Registered Nurse to Master of science in Nursing (RN-MSN )
Duration : 3 years
Eligibility : Registered Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, General Nursing and Midwifery Should be registered with the respective nursing council.

Bachelor of science in Nursing to Master of science in Nursing (BSN-MSN )
Duration : 1.6 yrs
Eligibility : Registered nursing / General Nursing / BSN

TAU – UCN Partnership

TAU and UNESCO-IAU (International Association of University) listed Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN), have signed an agreement to collaborate academically and also in scientific research. Students will receive degree/certification from UCN.

Apply Online


Too many Canadians studying medicine overseas

The number of Canadians studying medicine outside of Canada has more than doubled in the last five years and a number of them may never get the opportunity to continue their training and to practice at home.

In its first survey since 2006, the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) identified approximately 80 schools in almost 30 countries as having Canadian students enrolled in medicine. CaRMS is the not-for-profit organization that matches medical graduates with a post-graduate training position or residency in Canada. Without such training the candidates cannot practice as doctors in the Canadian healthcare system.

According to this latest CaRMS survey, 90 per cent of the students who go abroad would like to return to Canada. But it won’t be easy for them.

It’s a question of basic math. Sandra Banner, the executive director and CEO of CaRMS, says, “This year I have 628 Canadians studying abroad in this match. The number of positions available for entry-level training is going to be around 400 positions. In addition we have 1,800 immigrant medical students who want to come to Canada. There definitely will be Canadian students who will not get back into Canada.”

There are now about 3,500 Canadians studying medicine overseas, which compares to about 10,500 in Canada.

The survey found that every year additional schools are offering international students the opportunity to study medicine. The majority of these programs target North American students. Banner says that foreign medical schools have become more aggressive about recruiting Canadian students.

CaRMS noted that Canadians mostly go to the Caribbean to study; Ireland comes in second as a place to get a medical degree. But there are also a growing number of schools in Poland, Australia and the Middle East.

Recently, St. Andrews University in Scotland launched a program that allows students to complete a medical undergraduate degree and then be automatically admitted into medical school at the University of Edinburgh, one of the most prestigious in the world. The program outline says Canadian and American students will get “dedicated assistance with preparation for” exams and residency matches at home. The program costs well over $250K in tuition alone.

Most international students say their fees are paid for by a combination of family support and bank loans.

Some students go to medical school abroad directly out of high school and that number is on the rise. But most go after finishing an undergraduate degree in Canada and have not applied to Canadian medical schools as many times as a successful applicant in Canada.

The survey suggested these students opt to study overseas because they have decided they would not be accepted into medical school in Canada, or would rather not wait several years through repeated attempts. It is not uncommon in Canada to apply to medical school two or three times before being admitted. The acceptance rate for first-time applicants in Canada is under 30 per cent. In the U.S. the success rate is 44 per cent.

The majority of Canadians studying medicine abroad are male, slightly older, single and with more post-secondary education than their medical student counterparts in Canada. And, more of them have a medical doctor as a parent. They mostly are residents of British Columbia and Ontario which have the lowest acceptance rates for medical school applicants.

The number of residency positions is decided by each province. More than half of residency positions for international students are in Ontario. International medical graduates are a combination of Canadians studying abroad and immigrants wanting to practice in Canada.

HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency helps doctors from outside Canada understand the Ontario medical system. Executive director, Bradley Sinclair, says Ontario has been increasing the number of residency positions for international medical graduates since 2002 and is very proud of having more than 200 positions available.

Sinclair says there are other avenues open to the graduates who do not get a residency placement in Canada. “They can stay where they are and do post-graduate work or they can go to the U.S. where there are more opportunities and then come back to Canada as fully qualified doctors.”

Sandra Banner did point out however that many countries do not offer residency programs for international students. St. Andrews, for example, says very clearly in its brochure that students “are not eligible for inclusion in the clinical postgraduate training program in the UK.” The survey noted the schools that recruit Canadian students in Ireland, Poland, other European countries and Australia have little or no postgraduate opportunities available for international students.

The increase in international students comes at a time when a number of communities in Canada report they are under-serviced. Some of these communities have offered cash incentives to try to attract doctors.

Source: cbc news


Admissions closing down:Apply for online clinical research degree

Texila American University‘s distance and online education program is one of the flexible ways for students to get educated being in their own town. Students can be benefited by this flexible Online Learning from Web Campus i.e., TAU Online Learning Management System and earn a online Clinical Research degree

Programs Offered:

1. MSc in clinical Research (Research Based)

Duration : 2 years

2. PhD in Clinical Research (Doctoral Program)

60 credits:
Duration:3 years

75 credits:
Duration:3.5 years

Salient Features of the program

  • International curriculum with all the latest updates in the field included
  • Students from over 50 Countries
  • Better carrier prospects especially in developing counties
  • Knowledge and skill development content included in the curriculum
  • Globally Valid , IAU Listed university offering the Degree
  • Well trained and expert faculty members
  • The unique scope to do article reviews and journal reviews where the selected cases will be published in international journal
  • Get employed in Clinical Research Organizations & Pharmaceutical companies that are in Clinical trials

TAU – UCN Partnership

TAU and UNESCO-IAU (International Association of University) listed Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN), have signed an agreement to collaborate academically and also in scientific research. Students will receive degree/certification from UCN.

Apply Online


Admissions closing soon: apply for online Psychology Programs in TAU

Texila American University (TAU) distance and online education program is one of the Flexible ways for students get educated from their own Town. Students can be benefited by the Flexibility of Online Learning from Web Campus (Our Online Learning Management System).

Programs Offered:

Masters in

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Counseling Psychology
  • Medical Social work

PhD in

  • Guidance & Counseling Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Salient Features of the online Psychology program

  • Study behavioral science programs in online without leaving your current job or family commitments
  • Students from over 30 Countries
  • We offer one of the best learning management platform in which the students learn anytime and at anywhere with internet connectivity i.e. 24/7
  • We challenge we are the one to provide affordable fee in the Caribbean region
  • Students receive internationally recognized degree from UCN
  • Programs offered through observational and experimental methods
  • Integrates knowledge from many fields in a new synthesis of universal social science

TAU – UCN Partnership

TAU and UNESCO-IAU (International Association of University) listed Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN), have signed an agreement to collaborate academically and also scientific research. Students will receive degree/certification from UCN.

Apply Online

 


Admissions open for PhD ( Research Based) programs in Texila American University

Texila American University (TAU) one of the best Caribbean Medical school is located in Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America. TAU offers Health Science programs with a high level of professionalism, exactness and problem solving skills, upon which the foundations of specialist training and an independent medical practice can be built, which facilitates further education and development of their knowledge throughout their life.

PhD ( Research Based) program is designed for medical students who are interested in academic or research careers by enabling them to integrate a three-year period of research with their clinical education.

Program Overview:

PhD is a unique degree in that it is not focused on acquiring more knowledge.  The Masters essentially provides more knowledge or more in-depth knowledge in a subject. But doing a PhD is oriented around research

Due to the focus and importance of research in PhD, it is often believed that creating new knowledge is the main goal of PhD. Though creating new knowledge is part of the PhD training, the main objective of doing PhD degree is to become a competent researcher who can conduct independent research in his or her chosen area

Eligibillity:

Students with a Master’s level (MD/MS) in the same specialization or an equivalent degree can apply for PhD.

Specializations offered:

  • Diabetology
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • General Medicine
  • HIV Medicine
  • Anesthesia
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Orthopedics

Salient Features:

  • Students take the research work forward with the guidance from the Guide.
  • Academic requirements like the submission of 2 Article review during the 1st and 2nd year and publishing his/her original Article in Journals.

Apply Online


Admissions for PG upgradation programs in TAU will be closed shortly: Apply Soon

Upgrade your medical degree now

A unique program conceptualized to meet the growing demands of Specialty Physicians and to upgrade their knowledge and skills

Texila American University has developed knowledge; competency and research based programs in various specialties to augment the dearth of specialty in various fields.

Many developing countries often have physician shortages due to limited numbers and capacity of medical schools and want more for specialty doctors. Keeping the growing demands in mind, Texila American University, located in Guyana, S. America visualized and conceptualized this unique program.

PG Advanced Standing programs are a unique program offered in association with the University of Central Nicaragua where TAU is their Academic Partners. Medical professionals with PG Diploma’s or DNB candidates can pursue his/her MD/MS program under TAU.

Specializations Offered:

TAU offers various MD/MS programs catering to the needs of the Medical professionals. It includes

  • Internal Medicine/General Medicine
  • Anesthesiology
  • Chest Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • ENT
  • Family Medicine
  • OBG
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Radiology
  • General Surgery

Eligibility

Pg dilploma holders with or with out experience. DNB pass/fail students and also students with MRCOG/MRCP/FRCP/FCPS (Part 1/Part2) completed doctors

Duration

  • 6 months – for MD/MS program MD/MS program
  • 1year – for DNB appeared doctors
  • 1 year – for doctors with 5 + years experience post PG diploma
  • 1.5 years – for doctors who have 3+ years experience post diploma
  • 2 years – for doctors with less than 3 years experience

Advantages of the program

  • Student can pursue from his own place without re-locating as it is an External program.
  • Study while you earn – Need not leave the present profession.
  • Can acquire wider knowledge and exposure.
  • Duration of the program would be minimal which depends on the qualification and experience obtained.
  • Advantages of upgrading from DNB or a Diploma course to MS/MD degree.
  • Apostilled MD/MS degree from WHO recognized University.

Salient features of PG Advanced Standing program

  • Knowledge, competency and research based customized program developed by TAU.
  • Unique program, whereby the PG Diploma holders, DNB candidates can pursue their MD/MS program under TAU.
  • DNB passed / failed candidates are eligible for this program.
  • Students acquire clinical skills through training in Hospitals and Clinics.
  • Students review contemporary articles and publish in international journals.
  • Students have the option of selecting the 6 months / 1 year / 1.5 years / 2 years programs according to their qualification.

Apply online for upgradation programs


Admissions going on for MCh programs in Texila American University

Texila American University has developed this”Knowledge Based Assessment” program leading to M. Ch Certification (Magister Chirurgie). The aim and objectives of the M. Ch Certification course is to provide research based Masters Degree, designed to gain super specialty experience in the respective specialization.

Programs Offered:
Mch Trauma and Orthopedics

Eligibility:

MB ChB / MBBS or an equivalent qualification and must possess either. MS orthopedics/DNB/Dip. Orthopedics/FRCS/ MRCS or an equivalent specialist qualification

Age: No age bar, Candidates with experience in the field will be given preference

Advantages Of The Program:

  • Course Ware is done online.
  • Clinical Component can be done from Current location of work.
  • Supported by Program Chair- who is subject matter expert.
  • Duration; 1 year program for the MBBS doctors and those who have relevant diplomas.
  • Similar to programs offered by University of Edinburg UK.

Salient Features Of The Program:

  • The aim and objectives of the “Magister Chirurgie” M.Ch course are to provide a Research based Masters Degree, designed to gain super specialty experience in the particular subject.
  • This course is designed for the upcoming surgeons and as well for the senior surgeons wanting to update their knowledge and gain an additional qualification.
  • M.Ch candidates are exposed for the publication of at least two research articles in refereed journals / international journals.
  • There is no age bar. Candidates with experience in the field will be given preference.
  • Students have the opportunity of pursuing a Research based program and submit a thesis at the end of the program.

Apply Online: 


Master of Medical Science Program : Admissions Open : Texila American Univesity

Texila American University (TAU) gives you the flexibility, resources and expertise to reach your educational goals. Unlike traditional classroom experiences the TAU focuses on high technology learning

Texila American University has developed knowledge; competency and research based customized Master of Medical Science (MMSc) programs in various medical specialties to augment the dearth of specialty doctors in various medical fields. Similar programs are very much in vogue in countries like United Kingdom, Australia and Malaysia. Final Degree will be offered by UCN.

Program Offered:

Duration : 1 year

Eligibility : Completion of Bachelors in Medicine with medical council registration to practise

Salient features of MMSc Program

  • Texila American University has developed knowledge, competency and research based customized Master of Medical Science programs in various medical specialties to augment the dearth of specialty doctors in various medical fields.
  • The MMSc programs are also offered in the form of diplomas for the students to get benefited in various aspects.
  • Students will be able to procure a world class Master’s degree in a span of one year.
  • The MMSc programs are also offered in the form of diplomas for the students to get benefitted in various aspects.
  • The main thrust of the program is to gain knowledge and competencies through blended learning which is acquired through an appropriate interplay of course work, clinical work and research
  • Work in hospitals or attend hospitals/clinics to acquire necessary clinical skills.
  • Students have the opportunity to attend CME programs to gain more credits.Students are exposed to Article Reviews and Publications to understand the contemporary innovation and research in the concerned specialty.

Apply online for MMSc programs:


Admissions Open: MD / MS program in Texila American University

Texila American University (TAU) has developed knowledge and skill based program; Masters in Medicine ( M.Med ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by medical schools to medical doctors following a period of instruction and examination. The degree is awarded in both surgical and medical subspecialties and includes a dissertation component involving original research.

Programs Offered:

This is a unique program offered by TAU, whereby students who have completed their under Graduation in MBBS can pursue the MD/MS program through Texila.

Duration: 3 years

Eligibility: Completion of Bachelors in Medicine with medical council registration to practice

Royal College Examinations training provided by expert faculties along with the MD/MS program

The various specializations offered are:

  • Internal Medicine
  • OBG
  • Dermatology
  • Anesthesia
  • Pediatrics
  • Radiology
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Pathology
  • ENT
  • Psychiatry

Salient features of PG Regular (MD/MS) program:

  • PG Regular program is a unique program offered by TAU, whereby students who have completed their under graduation in MBBS can pursue the MD/MS program through Texila.
  • Students are selected based on their educational qualification.
  • Students who have completed their MBBS are enrolled in the program in university approved Hospitals for training.
  • Enrollment of students takes place twice a year – March and September.
  • Since the PG programs are affiliated to 3 major Universities abroad and 5 major hospitals in India, wide recognition is achieved worldwide for the students.
  • Teaching the skills necessary to sustain a lifetime of learning.
  • The main highlight of this program is that the curriculum is designed in lines with MRCP/MRCS/FRCR pattern.
  • Students are given training for taking up the MRCP/MRCS/FRCR exams which facilitates the students to get recognition worldwide and obtain a degree on par with the global standards.
  • Royal College Examinations training provided by expert faculties along with the MD/MS program.

Affiliated Training Hospitals:

  1. Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital | Bengaluru | India
  2. KG Hospital | Coimbatore | India
  3. Ruby Hall Clinic | Pune | India
  4. Mata Chanan Devi Hospital | New Delhi | India

  Apply online: