Faculty Bibliography

Multiple intradermal injections can markedly diminish sweating for 6 months or longer

This paper introduces a novel method for ultrasound (US) probe calibration based on closed-form formulation and using minimal US imaging allowing for an immediate result. Prior to calibration, a position sensor is used to track each image in 3D space while the US image is used to determine target location within the image. The calibration procedure uses these two pieces of information to determine the transformation (translation, rotation, and scaling) of the scan plane with respect to the position sensor. We utilize a closed form solution from two motions of the US probe relying on optical digitization with a calibrated pointer to replace with a great extent the traditional segmentation of points/planes in US images. The tracked pointer appeared to introduce significantly less error than the resolution of the US image caused in earlier approaches. Our method also uses significantly fewer US images and requires only minimal image segmentation, or none with a special probe attachment.

BACKGROUND: Residency programs must prepare physicians to practice in the current health care environment. This mandate is reflected in 3 of the 6 competency domains now required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education: systems-based practice, interpersonal skills and communication, and practice-based learning and improvement. SUMMARY: An invitational conference was convened, with experts in clinical practice, managed care administration, and education to identify and recommend optimal and promising assessment methods for 4 target areas: physician-patient communication, ethics, teamwork and collaboration, and practice management. Working in small groups, participants considered a range of resident assessment methods and identified current or future methods for each area, based on reliability, validity, use of behaviorally oriented outcomes, feasibility, and cost. Preferred methods of assessment varied by domain and include written examinations, computer-based patient management problems, standardized patients, objective structured clinical examinations, portfolios, 360-degree evaluations, and patient satisfaction surveys. CONCLUSIONS: The use of several practical, scientifically sound, and specific methods for assessing residents' competency in care management are recommended. Assessment instruments will need to be flexible enough to adapt to the rapid changes in the health care delivery system and terminology