Collaborative learning:Elements encouraging and hindering deep approach to learning and use of elaboration strategies

Aim The purpose of this research was to investigate students' approaches to learning and use of cognitive strategies in a collaborative learning environment with team-based learning. Method In a mixed-methods study, 263 medical students from 6 different semesters answered the R-SPQ-2F Questionnaire and MSLQ's items that measure elaboration and rehearsal strategies. ANOVA was used to compare differences between semesters, and Pearson's correlation to investigate how approaches to learning, cognitive strategies, and academic achievement correlate. Focus groups elucidated which elements in the collaborative learning environment enhanced or hindered deep approach to learning or elaboration strategies and why. Results Students took a deep approach to learning and sometimes a surface approach. They used elaboration and rehearsal strategies. First semester's students had significantly higher deep approach than fifth and sixth semesters' students. Elaboration strategies significantly correlated with final grade. Commitment to the group, case discussions, feeling challenged by teachers, and patients' visits were perceived to enhance deep approach to learning and use of elaboration strategies, while overload in course activities hindered deep approach to learning. Conclusions Particular elements of the learning environment triggered students to take deep approach to learning and use elaboration strategies, and this positively correlated to academic achievement

Collaborative learning: Elements encouraging and hindering deep approach to learning and use of elaboration strategies

Aim The purpose of this research was to investigate students' approaches to learning and use of cognitive strategies in a collaborative learning environment with team-based learning. Method In a mixed-methods study, 263 medical students from 6 different semesters answered the R-SPQ-2F Questionnaire and MSLQ's items that measure elaboration and rehearsal strategies. ANOVA was used to compare differences between semesters, and Pearson's correlation to investigate how approaches to learning, cognitive strategies, and academic achievement correlate. Focus groups elucidated which elements in the collaborative learning environment enhanced or hindered deep approach to learning or elaboration strategies and why. Results Students took a deep approach to learning and sometimes a surface approach. They used elaboration and rehearsal strategies. First semester's students had significantly higher deep approach than fifth and sixth semesters' students. Elaboration strategies significantly correlated with final grade. Commitment to the group, case discussions, feeling challenged by teachers, and patients' visits were perceived to enhance deep approach to learning and use of elaboration strategies, while overload in course activities hindered deep approach to learning. Conclusions Particular elements of the learning environment triggered students to take deep approach to learning and use elaboration strategies, and this positively correlated to academic achievement

Acidúria glutárica tipo 1: variabilidade fenotípica. Estudo de seis pacientes

Estudamos seis pacientes com acidúria glutárica tipo I, em quatro famílias. Observamos variações intensas na apresentação clínica, mesmo entre elementos da mesma família. Três pacientes evoluiram sem alterações até o início das anomalias neurológicas, que se manifestaram como encefalite-símile, no primeiro ano de vida. Uma criança apresentou atraso precoce do desenvolvimento, sem episódios agudos de descompensação. Dois pacientes não têm alteração cognitiva; um deles apresenta leve tremor associado a quadro coreoatetóide desde o primeiro ano de vida, enquanto o outro teve apenas duas crises convulsivas afebris quando lactente. Três crianças apresentam distonia como sequela, não sendo capazes de sentar ou firmar a cabeça. Os seis pacientes apresentam macrocrania e a neles tomografia computatorizada de crânio demonstra aumento dos espaços liquóricos em regiões fronto-temporais. O estudo dos ácidos orgânicos urinários dos pacientes demonstra elevação dos níveis do ácido glutárico

Tratamento do canal arterial persistente em neonatos prematuros: análise de 18 casos Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in neonate premature: analysis of 18 cases

A presente investigação tem o propósito de analisar, retrospectivamente, os resultados obtidos em 18 pacientes neonatos prematuros, submetidos a operação para oclusão da PCA, no período entre julho de 1990 e dezembro de 1993 (42 meses), sendo 12 (66,6%) pacientes do sexo feminino, com idade que variou entre 10 e 44 (20,8±8,3) dias, idade gestacional entre 26 e 28 (27,2±0,9) semanas. No dia da operação o peso dos pacientes esteve compreendido entre 700 e 1380 (985,8±181,6) gramas. A insuficiência respiratória aguda ocorreu em todos os pacientes sendo a principal indicação cirúrgica, estando em 6 (33,3%) pacientes associada à insuficiência cardíaca congestiva. A indometacina endovenosa foi utilizada no período pré-operatório em 9 (50%) pacientes na tentativa de se obter o fechamento farmacológico, sem sucesso, do canal arterial e apesar de não influenciar nos resultados pós-operatórios, apresentou como principal efeito secundário a redução significativa da diurese (p 40% 60% (p=0,033). O período de internação hospitalar variou de 43 a 157 (96,0±24,8) dias. Não houve mortalidade operatória, observando-se ainda baixa morbidade com este método. As causas de óbito, no período pós-operatório, não estiveram relacionadas com o tratamento cirúrgico. Pode-se concluir que a ligadura cirúrgica da PCA, nos pacientes neonatos e prematuros, é método eficaz e seguro podendo ser praticado com baixa morbidade e mortalidade.The purpose of our study was to analyse the results obtained in 18 neonate premature patients who underwent surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, between July 1990 and December 1993 (42 months). Twelve (66.6%) patients were female, with age between 10 and 44 (20.8±8.3) days, gestacional age ranged from 26 to 28 (27.2±0.9) weeks. In the surgery day the birth weight was between 700 and 1380 (985.8 ±181.6) grams. Acute respiratory insufficiency was present in all patients, as the principal surgical indication. In six (33.3%) patients congestive cardiac insufficiency was present. The pharmacological treatment with indometacin, before the operation, was used in nine (50%) patients without success, and although have had no influence in the postoperative results, was associated with a significant reduction of the urine debit (p 40% 60% (p=0.033). The period of hospitalization was comprehended between 43 and 157 (96.0±24.8) days. The causes of the mortality in the postoperative period have not been related to the surgical treatment. We conclude that the surgical ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus in neonate premature patients is an effective and safe method that can be performed with low morbidity and mortality