Cross-cultural peer-mentoring: Mentor outcomes and perspectives

Limited relationships with peers and faculty create barriers for retaining racial or ethnic minority students through the academic path to SPHS professions. As such, university programs must pay particular attention to formalized avenues of social support to decrease attrition and increase retention (Cokley, 2000). Mentoring is one such avenue (Wright-Harp & Cole, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to describe mentor outcomes and perspectives of a cross-cultural peer-mentoring program entitled LEAD: Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Diversity. Graduate students from SLP and AUD graduate programs were recruited to serve as peer mentors to potential undergraduate candidates representing diverse ethnicities who might be interested in a career in SLP or AUD. Using a qualitative-dominant concurrent mixed method design, goals, values, and barriers as well as differences in cultural constructs perceived by graduate students as a result of participating in LEAD are examined. Outcomes and future direction of the peer-mentoring program are discussed

Transformation and Renewal: A Sharing Circle of Co-Researchers

*Abstract not required as this is for the special issue of AEGSC conference proceedings

Portrayal of hearing loss in YouTube videos: An exploratory cross-sectional analysis

Objective: The objective of the current study was to examine the source, content, understandability and actionability of hearing loss information on YouTube videos. Method: The study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred of the most frequently viewed YouTube videos were identified and various data were manually coded (i.e., video source, video content, popularity measures such as number of views, likes, and dislikes). In addition, the understandability and actionability of each video were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Martials (PEMAT-AV) rating scale. Results: Of the 100 most viewed videos, 16 were created by consumers, 62 were professional-created, and 22 were media-based. Symptoms, causes and treatment or management of hearing loss were the most frequently discussed content categories with over 60% of all videos commenting on these areas. The overall understandability and actionability scores for the 100 videos included were 77% and 31% respectively indicating adequate understandability and poor actionability. Conclusions: The YouTube videos on hearing loss focus on a range of issues. The poor actionability of these videos was a concern as these videos may not lead to appropriate consumer actions in addressing their hearing loss. Efforts are needed to improve the quality and content of these videos to promote appropriate behavior change

Non-conventional digital signatures and their implementations – A review

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19713-5_36The current technological scenario determines a profileration of trust domains, which are usually defined by validating the digital identity linked to each user. This validation entails critical assumptions about the way users’ privacy is handled, and this calls for new methods to construct and treat digital identities. Considering cryptography, identity management has been constructed and managed through conventional digital signatures. Nowadays, new types of digital signatures are required, and this transition should be guided by rigorous evaluation of the theoretical basis, but also by the selection of properly verified software means. This latter point is the core of this paper. We analyse the main non-conventional digital signatures that could endorse an adequate tradeoff betweeen security and privacy. This discussion is focused on practical software solutions that are already implemented and available online. The goal is to help security system designers to discern identity management functionalities through standard cryptographic software libraries.This work was supported by Comunidad de Madrid (Spain) under the project S2013/ICE-3095-CM (CIBERDINE) and the Spanish Government project TIN2010-19607

Optimization-based design of control systems for flexible structures

The purpose of this presentation is to show that it is possible to use nonsmooth optimization algorithms to design both closed-loop finite dimensional compensators and open-loop optimal controls for flexible structures modeled by partial differential equations. An important feature of our approach is that it does not require modal decomposition and hence is immune to instabilities caused by spillover effects. Furthermore, it can be used to design control systems for structures that are modeled by mixed systems of coupled ordinary and partial differential equations

A Kidney Biopsy Simulation Training Program for Renal Fellows: Two Years of Results

Renal interventions could re-foster interest in Nephrology and attract more medical graduates. Percutaneous kidney biopsy (PKB) is an important diagnostic tool and should be taught through simulation. We initiated a PKB simulation training program and designed a 2-year study to examine its effect on the confidence level, the procedural competence and the satisfaction with this training of Nephrology fellows compared to historical controls. All fellows were consented and trained at UNM’s simulation center (BATCAVE) with a simulation training model (CAE Healthcare Blue PhantomTM). Trainees’ demographics and previous PKB experience were collected. We utilized pre-assigned readings, online videos and hands-on simulation practice. Performance of each trainee during each session was graded with a procedural competence evaluation form. Drs. JO and MER were present in all sessions and completed these forms. Each session lasted 1 to 1-1 1/2 h. Pre-and post-simulation surveys evaluated the participants’ confidence level quantitatively on a 5-point Likert scale. All participants completed the satisfaction with PKB simulation experience scale (PKB-SSE). All three 1st and 2nd year renal fellows completed the simulation training in 2018 and two first year fellows completed the training in 2019. Independent of their previous experience on PKBs all renal fellows expressed a high level of satisfaction from their participation (4 to 5) and increased their confidence level. This year’s trainees increased their performance level from 2 to 5 and from 1 to 5, respectively. PKB simulation may improve trainees’ confidence level and their satisfaction with the training. The procedural competence of the trainees on PKBs will be evaluated during the 2nd year of their fellowship and will be compared to the procedural competence of historical controls. We expect that the simulation training will reduce the discomfort and minimize the adverse PKB outcomes in patients undergoing PKB in UNMH

Media use by older adults with hearing loss: An exploratory survey

Objectives: There has been a substantial increase in people with health conditions seeking health-related information online. The aim of this study was to examine the media usage by older adults with hearing loss. Method: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 556 older adults with hearing loss (Hearing Tracker website users) completed the survey that was focused on (a) demographic information, (b) general electronic media usage, (c) sources of hearing health information, and (d) social media use for hearing health information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: When seeking hearing health care information, the majority of the participants turned to the Internet (54%) followed by health professionals (34%) as the first response to their symptoms. Both sources were also rated as the easiest means of obtaining hearing health information. The information from health care providers was rated as more reliable and important for decision making than that from the Internet. Facebook and YouTube were the most frequently used social media platforms with over 40% of the respondents using them “most of the time” or “sometimes.” All the social media platforms were rated less favorably than other sources for ease of finding information, reliability, and importance in decision making. Conclusion: Older adults with hearing loss use various forms of electronic media for seeking hearing health information. They place the most trust on the information obtained from hearing health care professionals. These professionals need to be aware of the quality of information available on the Internet and social media sources in order to direct patients to credible sources

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss:What can we learn from examining Reddit posts?

Background Many patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss may seek hearing health information and social support online, although little is known about the online information seeking behaviour. Objective The present study aimed to examine the discussions around sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Reddit posts. Method A total of 526 Reddit posts about sudden sensorineural hearing loss were extracted and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results The content analysis identified eight main categories. Most of the posts were on topics of: sharing personal experiences (34 per cent), describing symptoms (31 per cent), discussing treatment options (36 per cent) and discussing possible causes (19 per cent) of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The sudden sensorineural hearing loss Reddit posts varied significantly in terms of linguistic variables when compared to baseline Reddit posts. Reddit posts by individuals with sudden sensorineural hearing loss had significantly higher engagement, higher authenticity and made more references to their body when compared to other users. Conclusion The study results provide insights that can be helpful for professionals during clinical interactions