Elliot Rapp – Cube Knowledge
Category: Resident
The Testing Effect and Spaced Repetition are recognized by current research in medical education as vital to efficient and effective learning, yet modern education has few tools to enable students to benefit from these proven methodologies. Succinctly
put, periodic testing is superior to periodic study because it involves more effortful and active retrieval. Furthermore, there is an ideal interval before further review to prevent time lost due to overly frequent review or knowledge lost due to
too infrequent review. Before computers, flashcards allowed self-testing of discrete knowledge, but it remained difficult and cumbersome to effectively implement a learning strategy using spaced repetition. Modern computer programs have helped,
but there is not an adequate software solution currently available for students wishing to employ these principles in their studies. In response to this need, the candidate surveyed the entire medical school class for solutions. Ideas and suggestions
prompted the creation of Cube Knowledge, a learning platform for self testing and Spaced Repetition ideally suited to the study of medical knowledge. The product today is a culmination of four years of continual iteration and improvement driven by
input from my fellow medical students.
Alexander Bick – RADGET
Category: Student
Interventional and diagnostic radiologists are presently limited by the computer mouse. We have developed software in conjunction with the Microsoft Xbox Kinect that enables radiologists to manipulate a PACS workstation using gestures.
We have observed that interventional radiologists infrequently review prior patient diagnostic radiology studies intraoperatively, as they are loath to extend the procedure by scrubbing out. We estimate that in 20-40% of cases, interventional radiologists
would have reviewed patient studies intraoperative if they could have done so while remaining sterile. RADGET may decrease procedure time and enhance patient safety. In an ongoing BIDMC IRB approved study; we have setup two IR suites to use RADGET.
We are quantifying the change in intraoperative PACS use. Preliminary qualitative feedback has been positive.
Diagnostic radiologists’ work habits make them particularly susceptible to repetitive stress injuries. We have observed that diagnostic radiologists spend 98% of the time interacting with a computer holding a mouse. (Normal computer users: 60% mouse/40%
keyboard) We are evaluating the potential of RADGET to (1) improve PACS workstation ergonomics quantified with EMG and (2) increase clinical throughput as quantified by number of chest x-rays.
