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I recently reviewed an Internet-based waveform course from the Michener Institute in Toronto, Canada, and was quite impressed. The authors are Yvon G. Dupuis, MEd, RRT, and Paul A. Williams, RRT, EMCA. This program allows you to log on from home.
This is about the only way I can find the time to continue my education and stay current in our field. With education budgets and departments both getting smaller, it is getting harder for most of us to find the time and resources to attend conventional programs. The waveform course is well written and filled with occasional bits of humor. The cost of the program is $175 in Canadian dollars (roughly $125 in U.S. dollars). CEUs from the AARC have been applied for. Hopefully this course will qualify. The program assumes nothing and starts with the basics. With waveform capability becoming more and more commonplace, it is essential to be competent in this area. The first module of the on-line Ventilator Waveform Analysis series starts with basic concepts of vectors and graphing in Section One. Section Two covers the components of ventilator waveform graphics; Section Three deals with other aspects of the ventilator modes, such as sensitivity and PEEP. Sectional quizzes and the final exam are randomly generated. The final exam is available only after successful completion of three sectional quizzes. Participants must score a minimum of 70 percent on all quizzes and the final exam to pass. If you are unsuccessful on your first try, you can review the course material or retry another randomly generated test at any time. The main features of this program include:
* Creative use of color and graphics with 3D effects and audio in the background for Microsoft Explorer. The program will be fully operational on Netscape shortly. Certificates are awarded by the Michener Institute. This program serves well as an introduction to waveforms or as a refresher tool. If you enjoy Module One, Module Two will be available soon. It will focus on ventilation modes, graphic loops and strategies to reduce the work of breathing. Participants are limited to 20 log-in accesses during this course. This is more than adequate. Your password expires seven days after successful completion of the course. Recommended viewing is full-screen 800 x 600 resolution with a minimum of 256 colors. Remember to check out the sound, which will hopefully work on both Microsoft Explorer and Netscape Navigator soon. To register for this course or if you have questions, e-mail the Michener Institute at mcvent@saminc.com. Their Internet address is http://www.saminc.com/mcvent/index. Phone number is 1-416-596-3117. If anyone has information on other CEU programs available on the Internet, please let me know so I can review them in the future. |
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Larry McGrath Advance Columnist Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners
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