Application of microcomputers to anaesthesia and intensive care

Kenny, Gavin N. C (1982) Application of microcomputers to anaesthesia and intensive care. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The application of microcomputers to anaesthesia and intensive care has been examined. Three different areas of experience are presented to illustrate the potential use of such systems. 1. COMPUTER-ASSISTED LEARNING/COMPUTER-ASSISTED SELF-ASSESSMENT The use of computers for teaching has been evaluated and found to be successful compared with the more traditional form of teaching by tutorial. The reason would appear to be that the provision of immediate feedback as the students progress through the CAL session, reinforces the learning process. Computer-assisted self-assessment was also evaluated as a possible aspect of medical audit. The method proved to be well accepted by those who used it and appears to provide an estimate of theoretical knowledge. The programs used in these evaluations were simple in structure but have been sent by request to several hospitals in the UK and other parts of the world for teaching and self-assessment in anaesthesia. 2. MICROCOMPUTERS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND OPERATING THEATRE On-line cardiorespiratory data collection has been undertaken from seriously ill patients in the intensive care unit and operating theatres. This has provided the nursing staff with more time for direct patient care and the medical staff with the derived information which is required to deal with complex clinical problems. Data analysis is described and the different forms of data display are illustrated by the presentation of three case reports. 3. MICROCOMPUTERS IN EXPERIMENTATION The final example of the use of microcomputers describes the control and automatic data collection system designed to measure respiratory response to increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide. The experimental procedure requires such precise timing that it could not be undertaken using manual methods. All the examples presented use the same inexpensive microcomputer with only alterations in the software and Interfaces required to completely change its function. Other examples of the applications of microcomputers are briefly described. The implication of the use of this new form of technology is that medical and nursing staff must become more aware of the potentials and limitations of microcomputers to direct the use of these powerful tools for the maximum benefit of their patients.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: Carol Schmulian
• Keywords: Medicine, Information technology
• Date of Award: 1982
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1982-72764
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• Last Modified: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/72764