4th Year Research Articles

Professional development is the key to securing a future rheumatology workforce. Long term evaluation of a summer school for medical students-a national scientific society's educational initiative.

A cumulative imbalance between rheumatologic need and an inadequate number of young colleagues entering the field leads to a dearth of rheumatologists in the near future. The Austrian Society for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (ÖGR) has been organizing an annual Rheumatology Summer School (RSS) for medical students since 2017. The aim of this study was to analyze the annual RSS evaluations, the RSS' overall effects on attracting new talent into the field and the lasting promotion of rheumatology. A questionnaire was distributed immediately after each RSS meeting. Additionally, we conducted an electronic survey among RSS participants (2017-2022) to assess their career development trajectories. From 2017-2023, a total of 220 students attended the RSS. They all completed the annual evaluation. Accordingly, students' expectations were met in 80% (2017) to 97% (2023) of cases. The electronic survey was completed by 64/133 (48%) students; 49 (77%) indicated that the RSS had markedly increased their desire to specialize in rheumatology. Among the 36 graduates, 10 (28%) had already been working in the field of rheumatology and 6 (17%) were considering this specialty but had not decided yet. RSS attendees in their 6th study year were influenced to a greater extent by the RSS to choose rheumatology as their primary specialty than 4th or 5th year students. The participants indicated that they benefited most from the RSS in terms of knowledge gain, personal awareness of rheumatology, networking among fellow students as well as gaining access to RSS faculty. The RSS enhanced students' intention to choose rheumatology, particularly in those close to graduation, and led to increased awareness and deeper knowledge about rheumatology.

Effectiveness of a minecraft education intervention for improving spatial thinking in primary school children: A mixed methods two-level cluster randomised trial

BackgroundSpatial thinking plays a crucial role in STEM success. Minecraft Education, a digital game-based learning platform, provides opportunities for developing students’ spatial thinking while supporting curricular content. AimThis study evaluated the effectiveness of a Minecraft Education intervention, integrated into the curriculum, in improving spatial thinking and creativity. SampleFifth and sixth year primary school students (Mage = 11.53, SDage = 0.58) and their teachers. MethodsThe study used a mixed-methods, two-level cluster randomised-controlled trial design. Thirty-two classes (N = 885 students) were randomly assigned to the intervention or education-as-usual control group. Assessments of spatial thinking and creativity were completed at pre-test, post-test and 6-week follow up. Teacher interviews were conducted to understand their experiences of the intervention. ResultsWhile no overall intervention-related improvements in spatial thinking were found, subgroup analyses revealed that 5th year demonstrated improved spatial thinking compared to 6th year at post-test. This may be attributable to 5th year students’ higher levels of engagement in the intervention. Unexpectedly, creativity scores were higher in the control group at post-test. Qualitative interviews identified four themes: 1) Improving spatial thinking, 2) Improving creativity, 3) Engagement, and 4) Difficulties implementing the programme. ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of increasing student engagement in spatial interventions to improve their spatial skills. Finally, the study suggests that sustained practice is required to maintain the benefits of spatial instruction/training.

Peculiarities of tolerance to uncertainty in students at different stages of education: the contribution of dispositional hope and optimism

Introduction. The rapidly changing conditions of modern society are characterized by a certain degree of unpredictability. A person's success and well-being depend on his ability to accept challenges and adapt to a transforming world. Modern research focuses on the study of various factors influencing an individual’s tolerance to uncertainty. However, not enough attention is paid to the consideration of dispositional hope and optimism as predictors of this phenomenon. The purpose of the study is to study the characteristics of dispositional hope and optimism as predictors of tolerance to uncertainty in students and to establish the direction of connections between the studied characteristics, taking into account age and gender. Materials and methods. The study involved 191 1st and 5th year students of the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Russian Federation). Methods: «Uncertainty Tolerance Scale, MSTAT-I» by D. McLane, adapted by E. G. Lukovitskaya, E. N. Osina, «Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS)» adapted by K. Muzdybaev, «Optimism and Activity» questionnaire (Arousability and Optimism Scale, AOS) Schuller, A. Comunian adapted by N. E. Vodopyanova. Results. It was found that 1st year students show a higher level of tolerance to uncertainty (46,2±11,4) than 5th year students (42,3±11,0). 1st and 5th year boys have a higher tolerance for uncertainty than 1st and 5th year girls. Among 1st and 5th year boys, «activity» (B=1,55; p ≤ 0,001, respectively B=1,24; p≤0,01) and «optimism» (В=1,81; р≤0,03, respectively B=1,62; p≤0,001). The greatest predictors of tolerance to uncertainty among first-year girls are the «integral index of hope» (B=0,84; p≤0,01), «ability to find ways» (B=0,59; p≤0,01) and «activity» (B=2,16; p≤0,001) By the 5th year, girls’ tolerance to situations of uncertainty decreases and hope for a better future disappears. Conclusion. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of the influence of hope and optimism on the development of tolerance to uncertainty. Integration into the educational process of programs aimed at developing tolerance to uncertainty using positive thinking methods can have a positive impact on the future professional activities of future specialists.

Integrating a Personal Finance Workshop to Enhance Financial Literacy Among Senior Medical Students: A Single Institution's Experience.

Graduating medical students frequently start their training burdened with substantial financial debt and minimal savings, especially in comparison to their peers in other professional fields. A lack of financial literacy can result in increased debt, decreased job satisfaction and contribute to physician burnout. Enhancing financial education could improve both the financial stability and emotional well-being of future medical professionals. In this study, a basic personal finance workshop was conducted for 4th year medical students at a single institution. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the personal finance workshop on improving financial literacy. An introduction to basic personal finance workshop was open to enrollment for all 4th year medical students at The Alpert Medical School at Brown University. A 40-question survey to evaluate financial literacy was administered to all participants before and 6-months after the workshop. The topics covered included student loan management, basics of retirement accounts, investing, budgeting, saving and consensus surrounding financial topics. The results were analyzed using student paired t-test and Chi-square test of independence. Overall, an improvement in financial literacy was reported 6 months after the personal finance workshop (62% vs 54%, p = 0.004). Students subjectively reported an increase in confidence in their personal finance knowledge (16% vs 44%) and general knowledge regarding retirement savings (7% vs 55%). More than 92% of students agreed or strongly agreed that a basic personal finance education should be included as part of the medical school curriculum. A personal finance workshop for medical students nearing graduation increases awareness and confidence in financial knowledge. The incorporation of basic financial education in the medical school curriculum may help young physicians establish better financial habits that will improve their financial wellbeing.

유아의 놀이 상호작용이 언어 및 문해력과 수리적 사고에 미치는 영향 -사회적 유능감의 매개효과-

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of social competence in the structural relationship between child's play interactions and social competence, language and literacy, and mathematical thinking. For this purpose, data from the 7th year of the Korean Child Panel(2014) provided by the Korea Institute for Childcare Policy(KICE) were used, and a total of 667 young children and their classroom teachers were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, structural model analysis, and path analysis were conducted using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 22.0. The results of this study are as follows. First, children's play interactions had an effect on language and literacy, but not on mathematical thinking. Second, children's play interactions had a statistically positive effect on social competence. Third, children's social competence had a statistically positive effect on language, literacy, and mathematical thinking. Fourth, social competence was found to partially mediate the relationship between children's play interactions and language and literacy skills, and social competence was found to fully mediate the relationship between children's play interactions and mathematical thinking.

고려말 새로운 정무 처결 모델의 등장: 공민왕의 報平廳 聽政

This paper traces the meaning of “handling matters of state(聽政)” discussions in Goryeo(高麗). From the reign of King Wu(禑王) onwards, the officials(官人) continuously petitioned the king for the implementation of 'handling matters of state'. Rather than being a generic term for the resolution of political affairs, the term came to refer to a specific form of political decision-making process: the king would receive a council of officials, report on their affairs, and make decisions regarding them. Where, then, did the officials' idea of a specific form of “handling matters of state” come from? How did the practice of this idea begin? Why did officials continue to petition for the implementation of handling matters of state? This paper attempts to answer these questions. First, where did the idea of “handling matters of state” come from and how was it implemented? I turned my attention to the Ming Emperor Taizu(太祖)'s letter sealed with an imperial seal(璽書), received in the 19th year of King Gongmin(恭愍王). In this letter, the emperor insisted that the King should have a fixed place to show dignity to his subjects. A few months later, the first “handling matters of state” was carried out at Bopyeongcheong(報平廳). The process of preparing for the “handling matters of state”, including the erection of the “no-frills” folding screen, is interpreted as a demonstration of the king's dignity. However, King Gongmin reduced the number of “handling matters of state” from the original plan, and even then, they seem to have been seldom executed. Subsequent kings also practiced “handling matters of state”, but only intermittently and sporadically. The reason why kings did not enforce “handling matters of state” is because, since the Yuan(元) Dynasty, they were able to handle most of their affairs through a small circle of entourage. King Chungryul(忠烈王)’s bītīkchī(必闍赤) and King Gongmin's inner cabinet(內宰樞) were symbolic institutions that represented aspects of such entourage politics. Under these circumstances, the officials were critical of the dominance of a small circle of officials and sought to change the political decision-making model of the time by expanding the contact between the king and the officials. They mobilized the “handling matters of state”, which they had done several times before, and petitioned for its implementation. The officials chose the “handling matters of state” model because it allowed them to report directly to the king and receive decisions from him, creating more contact between the king and officials.

Effect of mindfulness on exam anxiety among undergraduate dental students: A quasi-experimental study

Background: Exam anxiety is the primary factor preventing students from achieving their academic goals and is an unpleasant worry-based experience. Where in, Mindfulness helps to uphold consciousness, release oneself from a deeply held connection to ideas, emotions, or sensations, and cultivate a stronger sense of emotional equilibrium and wellbeing. Research indicates, mindfulness education intervention leads to significant reduction in anxiety levels. Hence, the present study aims to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness education intervention on anxiety among undergraduate students. Methods: A total of 130 Undergraduate students (3rd and 4th year) from the Vokkalighara Sangha Dental College was included in the study. A spielberger anxiety Test Scale (SATS) was used to assess the anxiety level. Mindfulness attention awareness scale (MAAS) was used to assess the stress among the participants Results: Descriptive statistics was performed to assess the frequencies of responses to the questionnaire items. Statistical analysis to find out the association between the effectiveness of mindfulness education intervention on anxiety. Comparison of change in mindfulness (MAAS) scores among study participants at baseline were 29.30±4.89 and after the intervention was 79.76±2.68 and self-evaluated anxiety (SATS) scores at baseline was 66.03±2.17 and after the intervention was 29.11±2.94, the mean difference in Anxiety scores and Mindfulness scores was statistically significant (p≤0.001) Conclusions: Findings prove that meditation has a positive result in reducing anxiety level among study participants and helps students to improve their concentration and memory power, but students fail to practice at regular intervals due to time constraints.

The effect of age on the relationship between negative life events and current and new depressive episodes: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

BackgroundThere is scarce data concerning the relationship between negative life events (NLEs)* and current and new depressive episodes by age. MethodsCross-sectional (baseline) and prospective analyses (4-year/8-year follow-ups) were performed in 15,105 civil servants in 6 cities in Brazil classified according to age strata at baseline: 1st(35–44), 2nd(45–54), 3rd(55–64), and 4th(65–74) years. The independent variable was NLEs in the last year (robbery, hospitalization, death of a relative, financial hardship, and rupture of a love relationship) collected at baseline. The dependent variable was depressive episodes assessed at baseline (current), and 4-year/8-year follow-ups (new). We built logistic (Odds Ratio[OR];95 % Confidence Interval[CI]) in the cross-sectional analysis and Poisson regression models (Relative Risk[RR], [CI]) in the prospective analysis. ResultsRobbery, hospitalization, financial hardship, rupture of a relationship were associated with current depressive episodes concentrated in the 35–44 age range, while for new depressive episodes, the association of hospitalization, death of a relative, and financial hardship were concentrated in the 45–54 age stratum. Financial hardship was associated with current depressive episodes in all age-strata: 1st: OR, 2.77(CI, 1.83–4.19); 2nd: OR, 1.71(CI, 1.26–2.34); 3rd: OR, 1.68(CI,1.15–2.46); 4th, OR, 4.07(CI, 1.24–13.34), and new depressive episodes: 1st: RR, 1.45(CI, 1.09–1.93); 2nd RR, 1.46(CI: 1.15–1.84); 3rd: RR, 1.97(CI, 1.38–2.82). Rupture of a relationship was associated only with current depressive episode, while death of a relative only with new depressive episode. LimitationWe cannot rule out the possibility of recall bias, since NLEs` information was self-reported. ConclusionThe association between NLEs with depressive episodes was concentrated in youngers.

Natural restoration of arsenic-contaminated environment with Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Mill.: 5-Year longitudinal study of dendroremediation dynamics

Investigating natural processes in arsenic (As) polluted areas and plants that have naturally chosen to grow there pose practical restoration recommendations. This study aimed to assess long-term changes in natural As dendroremediation dynamics for Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Mill., tree species capable of growing in areas polluted by mining activities. We examined total As and its forms, as well as B, Ca, K, Mg, Na and P, in soil and trees over 5 years. We also characterized pH and EC of soil, examined proline content in tree organs, and calculated Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) for As.Initial As concentrations in soil were 37.0 mg kg⁻1 under Q. robur and 34.7 mg kg⁻1 under T. cordata, significantly decreasing after 5 years to 10.5 mg kg⁻1 and 9.51 mg kg⁻1, respectively. This corresponds to pollution reduction of up to 71.8%. A notable decrease in As(III) and dimethylarsinic acid, along with increase in other organic As forms in soil, was observed. Additionally, concentrations of essential elements in soil, as well as its pH and EC, decreased over time.Both tree species accumulated substantial amounts of As in their organs, but the dynamics of this process were species-specific. During first 4 years, T. cordata accumulated more As and exhibited higher BCF, but in the 5th year, it was clearly surpassed by Q. robur. The highest TF was calculated for Q. robur in year 3, and for T. cordata in years 2 and 3. Generally, limited aboveground movement of As was indicated: BCF >1 were calculated for years 2 and 3, while TF were consistently <1. Proline content increased significantly in all organs, correlating with As, especially in Q. robur. In contrast, Q. robur leaves mapping revealed stable macroelement distributions, but clear variations were observed for T. cordata., which may suggest specific reaction to stress.These findings suggest that both species can effectively restore As-polluted areas, though with different dynamics. The selection of species for dendrorestoration should be based on whether the goal is faster remediation with lesser overall reduction (e.g. T. cordata) or slower remediation with ultimately greater pollution reduction (e.g. Q. robur).

Jordanian nursing students’ experience of harassment in clinical care settings

IntroductionNursing students experienced various types of bullying and abuse in their practice areas. This study aims to assess the incidence, nature, and types of bullying and harassment experienced by Jordanian nursing students in clinical areas.MethodologyA cross-sectional, descriptive design was used, utilizing a self-report questionnaire. A convenient sampling technique was used to approach nursing students who are in their 3rd or 4th year in governmental and private universities.ResultsOf 162 (70%) students who reported harassment, more than 80% of them were females and single. Almost 40% of them reported that males were the gender of the perpetrator. Almost 26.5% of them reported that patient’s relatives or friends were the sources of harassment. Psychological/verbal harassment was the most reported type of harassment (79%). Findings showed that there was a statistically significant difference in psychological/verbal harassment based on gender and type of the university. Also, there were significant negative correlations between psychological/verbal harassment, professional achievement, and personal life.ConclusionHarassment in the clinical area is affecting the professional and personal lives of students, who lack the knowledge of policy to report this harassment.

The effects of geriatric oral dental health training to dental students on their elderly attitudes.

To measure the effect of geriatric oral health education on the attitude of dentistry students towards the elderly. The interventional study was conducted in December 2022 at Sivas, and comprised students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Turkiye in their 4th and 5th academic year. A 20-hour training course was delivered over 3 days by faculty members. Baseline and post-intervention difference was assessed using the Kogan's Attitudes Towards Old People Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Of the 30 students, 18(60%) were females and 12(40%) were males. The overall mean age was 22.93±1.63 years. Besides, 18(60%) students belonged to 5th year and 12(40%) to the 4th year. The mean Kogan Elderly Attitude Scale score at baseline was 184.13±25.55, while post-intervention it was 195.36±22.36. (p<0.05). Relevant training was found to have a significant impact on the attitude of dentistry students towards the elderly.

Horta sustentável no âmbito escolar: Uma abordagem CTS junto ao ensino fundamental

We will present here the results of a research that aimed to ascertain the pedagogical potential of an educational product linked to the construction of a sustainable vegetable garden with students of the 5th year of Elementary School. This educational product was structured from a STS (Science, Technology and Society) approach in order to develop learning and skills capable of expanding the students' repertoires about Science, Technology and, mainly, about its implications in our society and environment. Our study is qualitative and as a data collection instrument we used a field diary. The data revealed that pedagogical actions – such as those of school gardens – supported by a STS approach contribute to the formation of students who are more critical about food and healthy processes related to human health.

Students’ views on Amazonian ethno-herpetofauna

Ethnoherpetology is the ethnoscience that studies the interactions of humans from different cultures with amphibians and reptiles. The present work aims to describe students' conception of ethnoherpetofauna. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to students (n= 25) in the 7th year of Elementary School. In order to expand and improve the retention of the content covered in classes, a Didactic Sequence (SD) was carried out. The majority of research participants are unaware of or have never heard of the concept of Herpetology (96.0%), not being able to distinguish animals belonging to herpetofauna, such as amphibians. The majority demonstrated an aversion to these animals and considered them to be venomous and poisonous (23.0% frogs and 50.0% snakes). Despite this, the majority recognized the ecological importance of these individuals in the environment, mainly for the balance of the food chain (60.0%). The students pointed out that the main cause of the decrease in reptiles and amphibians in nature is the destruction of habitats (44.0%). It was observed that students' knowledge regarding Herpetology is based on myths and popular beliefs. Such erroneous information contributes to aggressive reactions (19.2%) of students to animals. The teaching methods and resources used were well accepted (80%), especially the exhibition of animals (reptiles and amphibians) preserved in formaldehyde (64%), thus facilitating the retention of the content. In view of this, we reinforce the need for more interventions in the area of ​​environmental education, which address the ecological importance of these animals and which help to conserve the environment.

Simulated medication administration for vulnerable populations using scanning technology: a quasi-experimental pilot study

BackgroundMedication errors may occur due to shortcuts and pressures on time and resources on nurses. Nursing students are enculturated into these environments where their perceptions of norms around reporting and responding to medication errors are formative, yet simulated medication administration experiences are rarely reflective of the real-world environment. such as the standard use of medication scanning technology. The purpose of the present study is to test a pilot intervention, Medication Quick Response (QR) code scanning, and evaluate its effect on medication errors during simulation when compared to traditional simulation medication administration practices and to assess the students’ perceptions of the intervention.MethodsWe conducted a quasi-experimental, observational study involving Junior and Senior (3rd and 4th year) undergraduate, pre-licensure nursing students from Spring 2022 until Fall 2023. Seven simulations were conducted in pediatric and obstetric courses. The intervention group used non-patented, low cost QR scanning during medication administration. The control group used standard manual administration. Medication errors were measured based on the quantity, type of error, and degree of patient risk. A Qualtrics survey was used to assess the students’ perceptions of the intervention following simulation participation.ResultsA total of 166 students participated in the study. In each course, 7 groups were assigned to the intervention and 8 were assigned to the control. More than half of the groups made at least one medication error (n = 17), one-third of groups (n = 10) made a high-risk medication error. There was no statistically meaningful difference in the rate, type, or potential patient risk of medication errors between the intervention and control groups. The majority of participants (n = 53) felt that QR scanning more closely mimicked medication administration in clinical settings. Half of the participants responded that it improved their safety practices (n = 37).ConclusionsThe results of this pilot study indicate that while there is a high risk for error among pre-licensure nursing students, the use of QR scanning did not increase the risk of medication errors. The next study iteration will build upon these pilot findings to integrate the use of embedded medication errors, time management tasks, and a multi-site implementation.

The problem of vaping among the young population

Objective: to study the prevalence of vaping and its negative impact on the health of young people.Materials and methods: a sociological study was conducted using a voluntary anonymous survey of 430 1st–6th year students of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Kaluga State University n. a. K.E. Tsiolkovsky” aged 17 to 54 years.Results: there were 102 smoking respondents (23.7%) and 328 (76.3%) non-smokers. The average age of smoking initiation was 18.2±0.4 years. The distribution by type of smoking was as follows: vaping with nicotine liquids 46%, regular nicotine cigarettes 28.5%, heated tobacco systems (sticks) 9.8%, vaping with nicotine-free liquids 6.9% and other types of smoking 8.8%. The majority of vapers surveyed, 64.8% (35 people), develop complaints (signs of lung injury associated with vaping) during or after vaping. It was found that significantly more often women noted signs of injury associated with vaping (77.2% versus 22.8% in men, p=0.0036).Conclusions: the results of the study showed that vaping is the most popular form of smoking among young people, which poses a serious threat to the health of young people.

The mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between past professional training and burnout resilience in medical education: a multicentre cross-sectional study

BackgroundMeta-analyses indicate a high prevalence of burnout among medical students. Although studies have investigated different coping strategies and health interventions to prevent burnout, professional experience’s influence on burnout resilience as seldom been explored. Therefore, in our study we aimed to examine the self-efficacy’s mediating role in the relationship between past vocational training and burnout resilience. In the process, we also analysed the associations between study-related variables and burnout resilience.MethodsIn our cross-sectional study, we analysed the data of 2217 medical students at different stages of their university education (i.e. 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th semester, and final year) at five medical faculties in Germany. The questionnaire included items addressing variables related to medical school, previous professional and academic qualifications, and validated instruments for measuring burnout and self-efficacy.ResultsThe overall prevalence of burnout was 19.7%, as defined by high scores for emotional exhaustion and notable values in at least one of the other two dimensions (cynicism or academic efficacy). Higher levels for self-efficacy (p < .001), having children (p = .004), and financing education with personal earnings (p = .03) were positively associated with burnout resilience, whereas having education financed by a partner or spouse (p = .04) had a negative association. In a mediation analysis, self-efficacy exerted a suppressor effect on the relationship between vocational training and burnout resilience (indirect effect = 0.11, 95% CI [0.04, 0.19]).ConclusionsSelf-efficacy’s suppressor effect suggests that the positive association between vocational training and burnout resilience identified in the mediation analysis disappears for students who have completed vocational training but do not feel efficacious. Those and other findings provide important insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying the development of burnout resilience in medical students and suggest the promotion of self-efficacy in medical education.

Мотивы абитуриентов при поступлении на факультет физической культуры

The article discusses the issues of determining the motives of applicants for admission to the Faculty of Physical Education and identifying the reasons. The survey was conducted on groups of students of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports of the State University of Education. 90 students of different sports specializations took part in the survey: 31 1st year students, 20 2nd year students, 23 3rd year students and 16 4th year students. As a result of the survey, the leading motives for admission were identified, the types and ratios of internal and external motives for admission were established, differences in admission motives depending on the applicant's gender were revealed. The results obtained can serve as a basis for the development of a questionnaire with a dichotomous interval rating scale, in which the weight of each answer will be evaluated by the respondent in points, and the final score will be calculated as the average weight of all answers.

Longitudinal variation of correlations between different components of assessment within a medical school

BackgroundAn assessment program should be inclusive and ensure that the various components of medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professionalism are assessed. The level and the variation over time in the strength of the correlation between these components of assessment is still a matter of study. Based on the meaningful learning theory and the integrated learning theory, we hypothesize that these components increase their connections during the medical school course.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed data collected for a 10-year period in one medical school. We included students from the 3rd to 6th year of medical school from 2011 to 2021. Three assessment components were addressed: Knowledge, Clinical Skills, and Professionalism. For data analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients (R) and R2 were calculated to study the correlation between variables and a z-test on Fisher's r-to-z was used to determine the differences between correlation coefficients.Results949 medical students were included in the study. The correlation between Clinical Skills and Professionalism showed a medium to strong association (Pearson's R ranging from 0.485 to 0.734), while the correlation between Knowledge and Professionalism was weaker but exhibited a steady evolution with Pearson's R fluctuating between 0.075 and 0.218. The Knowledge and Clinical Skills correlation became statistically significant from 2013 onwards and peaking at Pearson's R of 0.440 for the cohort spanning 2016–2019. We also revealed a strengthening of correlations between Professionalism and Clinical Skills from the beginning to the end of clinical training, but not with the knowledge component.ConclusionsThis analysis contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of correlations of different assessment components within an institution and provides a framework for how they interact and influence each other.Trial registrationThis study was not a clinical trial, but a retrospective observational study, without health care interventions. Nevertheless, we provide herein the number of the study as submitted to the Ethics committee – CEICVS 146/2021.

Achieving carbon neutrality in an emerging oil-producing country: Renewable energy transition and international trade flows in Ghana

Over the past decade, climate variabilities have emerged as shaping the dynamics of international trade. The adverse externalities posed by climate change require a corresponding improvement in the production of food, trade and the adoption of abundant renewable energy resources. Our study focused on evaluating the impact of renewable energy transition on international trade flows in Ghana. We employed the dynamics ARDL simulation model to analyse our results using data from various institutions. We found that energy transition using both low carbon energy and renewable energy in electricity generation by 1% and 5% significantly increases the balance of trade to the 4th year after which energy transition decreases the balance of trade to the 9th year. After the 9th year, energy transition by both percentages increases the trade balance of Ghana. We observe that the energy transition by 5% has a higher impact than the energy transition by 1%. Additionally, it is observed that using the share of renewable energy in electricity generation has a decreasing rate relative to the first four years. Drafting renewable energy plans such as allocation of funds, supportive policy frameworks and incentives such as green financing, subsidies, and tax incentives can enhance and develop renewable energy infrastructure to increase renewable energy efficiency and reliability for international trade.

Cross-sectional Study on the Awareness of Hiv among University of Cyberjaya Students

Background: Malaysia is currently confronting a significant Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the transgender community despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness about HIV. Objective: This study aims to assess knowledge and awareness level about HIV among University of Cyberjaya (UOC) students. Methods: A cross-sectional study done among students of University of Cyberjaya who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion requirement. Data collected via online questionnaires distributed to various faculty and were analyzed by using JASP. This study used a mean scoring system to check the awareness level and Pearsons’s correlation to find the relationship between their awareness level and socio-demographic status. Results: In this study, out of 200 respondent, majority of the participants were Female (64.0%), aged between 20-29 years old (88.0%), Malay (46.0%), Single (96.0%), MBBS students (79.5%) from Faculty of Medicine (79.5%), currently in their 4th year of studies (39.0%). Conclusion: Overall, our findings show most of the participants have a high level of awareness and knowledge on HIV as more than 90% of them are able to identify the correct mode of transmission for HIV. However, there was no significant correlation between their level of awareness and socio-demographic status. In this study, participants show a lack of knowledge on PrEP as 56.5% of them have heard of PrEP. Although the number reached more than half percent, they had never discussed PrEP with family, friends or healthcare workers.