Dear President Obama: The Importance of the Liberal Arts in Our Changeable World

2009 Topic: Imagine that you had an hour to spend with President-elect Obama and your task was to make sure he understood the nature and value of a liberal arts education. What would you say to him

Master of Science

thesisCadaver dissection has been a fundamental part of the education of medical students for hundreds of years. Since the 16th century, dissection has been touted as the premier method for educating doctors in training on human anatomy. Research in the field of medical pedagogy has explored the multifaceted learning experience of dissection. The literature has focused on the emotional impact, utility, and academic merits of dissection. Yet conceptual literature in the field suggests that cadaver dissection offers an even greater learning experience than what is represented in the existing research. The purpose of the current study was to expand on the preexisting research with a more focused and in-depth examination of medical students' experiences in the anatomy lab. The questions guiding this research were: What is the impact of cadaver dissection on medical students, and what do medical students really learn during cadaver dissection? The research was qualitative in nature and based on an interpretivist paradigm. Data were collected from three distinct sources: field observation of a gross anatomy course, in-depth individual interviews with 15 first-year medical students who participated in the gross anatomy course, and a focus group of three students from the same course. The data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. From the analysis five distinct themes emerged, with one core concept, Balancing Respect as the central theme supported by the remaining four themes: Discovery, The Shock of Medicine, Utility as Motivation/Coping, and Humanity. The results of the research led to the development of a theoretical model of the process in which cadaver dissection aids medical students in developing a balanced sense of respect for the human body. The act of dissecting evoked two contrasting reactions; a sense of discovery and a sense of shock, and students use the notions of utility and humanity to filter these reactions into a congruent sense of respect. The results of this study have implications for research in the field of medical pedagogy as well as clinical implications for those instructing students through the use of cadaver dissection

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationCadaver dissection has been a central part of the education of medical professionals for centuries. Throughout that time, anatomists have claimed that dissection is a learning experience rich with life lessons encompassing more than simply gross anatomy. Yet, no published empirical data exist of the long-term impact that dissection has on medical professionals. The objective of the current study was to explore the aspects of cadaver dissection that remain salient following the transition from medical student to medical professional. This qualitative research utilized grounded theory methodology exploring the autobiographical narratives of physicians (n=38) 5 to 57 years postgraduation. Data were drawn from multiple sources: interviews, written reflections, focus group, and archival data. Four interconnected themes emerged from the data. They are (a) Working with Peers, (b) Future Learning, (c) Patient Care, and (d) Confidence. Foundational learning for the future was the overarching core concept that connected the multitude of experiences within the dissection laboratory, and each of the four themes played a specific role within that concept. Implications of these results add to the pedagogical value of dissection. The consolidation of the important aspects of healthcare reflected in the four themes arising from the data provide empirical evidence that dissection does in fact offer a multifaceted learning experience as noted in the conceptual literature. Although many of the experiences can be acquired in some form or another at various points through the process of medical education, the gross anatomy laboratory provides a situation where it is possible for all of these factors to occur in unison

The Arena Players, Inc.: The Oldest Continuously Operating African American Community Theatre in the United States

Hay (1994) gave the Arena Players the moniker, “the oldest continuously operating African American community theatre company” in the U.S. But, if Black Theatre is increasingly found in mainstream venues in regional theatre and Broadway while Black Drama is relegated to syllabi, where is the living practice of African American, or black, community theatre? And what guarantees its survival? Craig (1980) and Fraden (1994) give voice to black critics, like Locke (1925), in co-creating objectives for black theatre during the FTP which took stage as the Negro Little Theatre continued. Hill & Hatch (2003) solidify the geographical and ideological connections between the black community theatre movement and Educational theatre with its professors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Essays in Young (2013) widen the scope of black theatre history. But it is Du Bois’ (1926) Krigwa manifesto that declared black theatre must be about, by, for, and near African American audiences. Black community theatre expanded ideas of African American performative practice valuing the psychosocial well-being of black audiences while training novice practitioners. BCT fights against the U.S. mainstream practices that, sustained by a white folk culture, shut black people out from human and civil rights. In this Critical autoethnography, I establish a historical context for the self-determinative practices of black community theatre supplemented by oral histories from members of the Arena Players in Baltimore City, Maryland, founded in 1953. My Baltimore City roots provide me insider-outsider access to comment on the innerworkings of a company beset by loss and obsessed with survival. Refocusing on the culturally-specific practice of black community theatre also reassesses the U.S. theatre’s concentration on creating a hierarchy of theatre genres. Notably, for black theatre practitioners, this would mean claiming self-determination and community connectivity as their condition for creativity

Effectiveness of a community-directed ‘healthy lifestyle’ program in a remote Australian Aboriginal community

Objective: To assess the sustainability and effectiveness of a community-directed program for primary and secondary prevention of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in an Aboriginal community in north-west Western Australia. Method: Evaluation of health outcomes (body mass index, glucose tolerance, and plasma insulin and triglyceride concentrations) in a cohort of high-risk individuals (n=49, followed over two years) and cross-sectional community samples (n=200 at baseline, 185 at two-year and 132 at four-year follow-ups), process (interventions and their implementation) and impact (diet and exercise behaviour). Results: For the high-risk cohort, involvement in diet and/or exercise strategies was associated with protection from increases in plasma glucose and triglycerides seen in a comparison group; however, sustained weight loss was not achieved. At the community level, significant reductions were observed in fasting insulin concentration but no change in prevalence of diabetes, overweight or obesity. Weight gain remained a problem among younger people. Sustainable improvements were observed for dietary intake and level of physical activity. These changes were related to supportive policies implemented by the community council and store management. Conclusions: Community control and ownership enabled embedding and sustainability of program, in association with social environmental policy changes and long-term improvements in important risk factors for chronic disease. Implications: Developmental initiatives facilitating planning, implementation and ownership of interventions by community members and organisations can be a feasible and effective way to achieve sustainable improvements in health behaviours and selected health outcomes among Aboriginal people

Physical Activity in High School Classrooms: A Promising Avenue for Future Research

Adolescence represents a sensitive period whereby lifestyle factors such as physical activity can have profound, long-lasting effects on development and later life habits. However, adolescence constitutes a period of frequent sedentary behaviour. Among children, integrating physical activity into elementary school classrooms has been shown to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve academic achievement and overall physical and mental health. However, this promising area of research has not extended to adolescents and high school classrooms. In this paper, we describe the benefits of conducting research on the impact of physically active high school classrooms, and highlight the challenges and potential misconceptions associated with research in this field. Specifically, we review research on the role of physical activity in adolescent development, the benefits of classroom-based physical activity for children, and discuss the factors that may have led researchers to focus on classroom-based physical activity primarily for children, despite the potentially similar benefits for adolescents

Children with speech difficulties: An exploratory survey of clincial practice in the Western Cape

This paper is based on a study by Joffe and Pring (2008) which investigated assessment and therapy methods used by Speech Language Therapists (SLTs) in the United Kingdom for children with phonological difficulties. Joffe and Pring reported SLTs’ most favoured assessments and therapy approaches in that context. Children with speech difficulties are likely to form a considerable part of SLT caseloads in South Africa, but the choice of assessments may not be so clearcut given the linguistic diversity of the region and the fact that few assessments have been developed specifically for the SA population. Linked to difficulties with assessment, selection of intervention approaches may also pose challenges. This study aimed to investigate the methods of assessment and intervention used by SLTs in the Western Cape when working with children with speech difficulties. A questionnaire was sent to SLTs working with pre and/ or primary school- aged children. Twenty-nine clinicians of varying experience responded. The majority of SLTs (89%) use informal assessment tools in combination with formal assessment. When using formal assessments, more than 50% of SLTs make modifications to better suit the population. Participants use a variety of intervention approaches, often in combination, and based on a child’s individual profile of difficulties and available resources. Forty-six percent of SLTs felt unsure about the selection of assessments and intervention for bi/multilingual children with speech difficulties. SLTs suggested that guidelines about accepted / typical speech development in the region would be helpful for their clinical practice. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed together with some suggestions for developing knowledge of children’s speech difficulties in the South African context

Low housing quality, unmet social needs, stress and depression among low-income smokers

Smokers are at greater risk of multiple health conditions that are exacerbated by environmental hazards associated with low housing quality. However, little is known about the prevalence of low housing quality among low-income smokers. Using correlations and logistic regression, we examined associations among eight housing quality indicators - pests, water leaks, mold, lead paint, and working smoke detectors, appliances, heating, and air conditioning - and between housing quality and social needs, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, sleep problems, and self-rated health in a community-based sample of 786 low-income smokers from 6 states. Most participants were female (68%), and White (45%) or African-American (43%). One in four (27%) completed less than high school education, and 41% reported annual pre-tax household income of less than $10,000. Housing quality problems were common. Most participants (64%) reported at least one problem in their home, and 41% reported two or more problems, most commonly pest infestations (40%), water leaks (22%), lack of air conditioning (22%) and mold (18%). Lack of heat and air conditioning were correlated, as were water leaks and mold. Using logistic regression analyses controlling for participant demographic characteristics, we found that reporting more housing quality problems was associated with greater odds of worse mental and physical health outcomes. Multiple health threats, including housing quality, depressive symptoms, stress, poor sleep, and financial strain may be mutually reinforcing and compound the health consequence of smoking. Future research should seek to replicate these findings in other samples, and examine associations longitudinally to better understand causality