Acquisition Of Management Skills Research Articles

Virtual Preparations Versus Classic Preparations on Resin Models in Prosthodontics

Virtual reality technologies are important auxiliary tools in the process of learning and acquiring the manual skills necessary for clinical maneuvers in dental prosthodontics. This study shows the particularities in the use of the virtual simulation system designed for dental prosthodontics, compared to the classically preparations performed on resin models. The interactively simulation systems reproduce real clinical situations in which students practice specific dental prosthetics maneuvers. Resin models do not reproduce the accuracy of the dental structures at the time of the preparation. The advantages of using virtual technology are efficient clinical training, allowing for repeatability, self-assessment of procedures and the acquisition of manual skills. In this way, the advantages conferred by virtual simulators are superior to those resulting from the use of resin models in the acquirement of manual skills.

Influence of background music on stress reduction and impact on performances during students' simulation exercises.

The acquisition of manual skills is essential in preclinical dental training. Background music improves the learning of many manual skills, though we found no data on the consequences of background music on preclinical manual skills training of dental students. The first aim of this project was to explore whether listening to slow background music could reduce the stress of students when learning how to perform cavity preparations and restorations in a simulation laboratory. The second aim of this study was to determine the impact of slow background music on the quality and time used during cavity preparation. We invited all of the 40 third-year dental students to participate in the study, of whom 88% chose to anonymously fill in questionnaires on their subjective evaluations of the effects of slow background music on the stress or anxiety levels experienced during the course. Twenty-four students further volunteered to participate in a cross-over study on the impact of slow background music on the quality of and time used during cavity preparation. The overall satisfaction with the slow background music was high. In particular, the music reduced stress but also increased motivation to learn and practice. Communication in the classroom went well despite the music. Time use and quality of cavity preparation were enhanced. This study lends support to the use of slow background music in preclinical cariology training, as it appeared to have helpful effects on dental skills education and practice.

A laboratory experiment for science courses: Sedimentary microbial fuel cells.

Nowadays there is a concern to improve the quality of education by including an interdisciplinary approach of concepts and their integration in the curriculum of scientific disciplines. The development of microbial fuel cells as a potential alternative for production of renewable energies gives undergraduate students the challenge of integrating interdisciplinary concepts in a hot topic of global interest as alternative energies. We present a laboratory experiment that has been part of a third-year undergraduate course in biology where students gained experience in assembling microbial fuel cells and the understanding of how they work. In this process, the students could integrate biological, biochemical, and electric concepts. In addition, the acquisition of manual skills and experimental design decisions are important for the development of future professionals.

Meeskäsitööliste vestlusring Heimtali laadal 25. septembril 2021 / The current state of artisanal woodwork in Estonia: a roundtable

Why do we expect handicraft to occupy any place at all in our brave digital world? This was the first question asked at the woodcraftsmen’s roundtable held at the Heimtali Fair in Viljandi county on the 25th September, 2021. The purpose of the discussion was to investigate the wider background to men’s handicraft in the framework of the current year dedicated to male artisanship. Three artisan woodworkers joined the roundtable initiated by University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in order to gain an overview of the field and to supply important background aspects. The participants were: Martin Bristol, Priit-Kalev Parts, and Meelis Kihulane. Martin Bristol has been active in starting the Puupank initiative which deals with the procurement of rare and specific wood material. He is also a founder of several platform-craft shops that have been functioning successfully in the old town of Tallinn. Priit-Kalev Parts was the initiator of the native construction study programme at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy and is also known as a maker of dugout canoes. Meelis Kihulane is renowned for reviving native woodwork and he is an experimental instructor of artisanry. The questions were posed by a long-term associate to the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in the field of traditional technologies, Madis Rennu.
 The discussion focused on the local entrepreneurial environment and the influence of wider economic space with its crises and limits to growth such as peak oil, green transition and EU structural funds, the gender of artisans, and computer addiction. Additionally, they discussed such evergreen topics as clock reading skills and the objectives of a national university. The wish was expressed to move towards a wider recognition of manual skills as indispensable part of personal development, as was the desire to add more substance to attempts to improve the image of low-tech skills. The acquisition of manual skills, including working with both hands and standing on two feet, should be a recognised part of mental development at school ages of between 15 and 25 years.
 The participants unanimously agreed that manual skills, as opposed to economic activity, consumerism, wealth, peak oil etc. have gradually declined over recent decades, and that we have probably now reached the bottom of the curve. Hopefully after the decline of the economic peak, the importance given to the possession of manual skills will start to rise again.
 Terminology is also a problem. The word ‘handicraft’ may sound old-fashioned or even obsolete; it is often loaded with political or ideological ballast. Answers to the question whether it is possible to earn a livelihood with handicraft were diverse: a convinced ’no’, a hyperbolically conditional ’yes’ (if one could win the olympics of handicraft), and a convinced ’yes’, albeit one which admitted that handicraft is part of lifestyle.
 The participants were rather sceptical as to the long-term positive impact of EU structural funds on handicraft, but the current situation, which is characterised by an increase of raw material and energy prices, seems hopeful because there are signs that top brands are interested in bringing their production back to Europe from China and so are seeking contacts, something which may lead to new opportunities for manually skilled artisans here.
 Martin Bristol summarised matters as follows: “A shop does not have to be in Viru Street. It can be in the forest, if the narrative is powerful enough – and of course it has to be top-level. If there is a grove and people who are dedicated – I really mean that we would be able to produce more out of one hectare of forest without cutting it than is produced with the help of clear cut. And if we add full production-chain logic, in the sense that forest is not only wood for building, and fleece is not only a dull by-product, we could develop quite a contemporary form of production. But all this presupposes knowledge of the specificities of native raw materials and regions, clock reading, and a bit of entrepreneurship as well.“

Influence of Strategic Formulation on Performance of Matatu Savings and Credit Co-Operatives in Kenya

Strategy formulation in Matatu SACCOs in Kenya is important in setting short term, long term objectives and cost leadership and differentiation. In terms of absolute figures, the sector contributed to the country's GDP about 3% in 2008, 3.5% in 2009 and 5.9% in 2010. The SACCO movement within the Matatu sector was introduced in 2010 and since then, the sector has witnessed decrease in growth. In 2011, the sector generated a GDP of 5.0%, 4.7% in 2012, 4.5% in 2013 and 4.2 % in 2014. The study focused on 635 registered Matatu SACCOs. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of strategic formulation on performance of Matatu SACCOs in Kenya. This study adopted mixed research design . The target population for this study was all Matatu SACCOs in Kenya. The questionnaires were pilot tested to determine its validity and reliability. The study used primary data gathered from Matatu savings and credit co-operatives. Primary data was obtained through use of structured and semi structured questionnaires drawn from 245 Matatu SACCOs selected for the study. The results of the analysis indicated that strategic formulation had a positive relationship with performance of Matatu SACCOs. The study found that strategic formulation had significant influence on the performance of Matatu SACCOs which had coefficient of determination of 0.17.On the strategic formulation the study recommended that management of Matatu SACCOs to recruit qualified managers and provide adequate resources in formulation of strategy. Internal promotions of employees for succession planning and acquisition of management skills.

Survey of alongside midwifery-led care in North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany.

Background Alongside midwifery-led care (AMC) was introduced in Germany in 2003. The aim of our study was to collect data about the utilization of AMC within North Rhine-Westfalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, and to collect information regarding the approach used for implementation of AMC and providers' experiences in day-to-day work. Methods Quantitative data were collected by questionnaire, telephone interview and comparative analysis of documents created for use in AMC. Qualitative data were compiled by questionnaire and workshop. Results Seven obstetric departments offer AMC in NRW. On average, 3.4% of women gave birth in these AMC units, corresponding to 0.3% of all births in NRW. For the establishment of AMC, institutional, organizational, professional and formal arrangements were undertaken. An eligibility and transfer checklist was agreed upon between midwives and obstetricians. Both professions were faced with skepticism. Daily work in AMC resulted in improved teamwork between the two professions and increased job satisfaction for midwives. Acquisition of manual skills and time constraints were the major challenges. Conclusion The low utilization of AMC is not due to the concept of care itself or difficulties with its implementation, nor to a lack of eligible women. Reasons may be insufficient awareness about AMC or a lack of interest in this type of care.

An interventional study for improving the manual dexterity of dentistry students.

ObjectivesTraditionally, the acquisition of manual skills in most dental schools worldwide is based on exercises on plastic teeth placed in a "phantom head simulator". No manual trainings are done at home. Studies revealed that preliminary training of one motoric task leads to significant improvement in performance of the required motoric task that has similar components. Performing tasks indirectly via a dental mirror are complicated for the young dental students. We hypothesized that instructed training of basic skills required in dentistry at home on a tool simulating the phantom laboratory will improve the capabilities of the students and will be reflected by their clinical grades.MethodsWe developed a portable tool PhantHome which is composed of jaws, gingival tissue, rubber cover and a compatible stand. Specific teeth produced by a 3D printer with drills in different directions were placed in both jaws. Students were requested to insert pins by using tweezers and dental mirror according to instructions initiating with easy tasks and continue to ones that are more complicated. 106 first clinical year dental students participated in the study; 65 trained only in the traditional phantom lab (control). 41 trained at home by the PhantHome tool two weeks before and 2 months during the initial stage of phantom lab. The students grades routinely provided in the phantom laboratory at different stages were compared.ResultsStudents who trained with the portable tool performed better than the control group in the first direct and second indirect preparations (p<0.05). These exams were taken when the PhantHome was available to the students. Then, the tool was returned and the phantom course continued regularly. We believe that this is why no differences between the grades of the groups were observed further on.ConclusionsTraining by the PhantHome improves motor skills and consequently the clinical performances.

Skills, Knowledge, and Status: The Career of an Early Modern Italian Surgeon.

This article analyzes the career of Giovanni Battista Cortesi (1552-1643)-the son of a poor tailor who started his career as barber and steam bath attendant and became university professor at Bologna and Messina-and places it in the context of the profession of surgery in early modern Italy. The article investigates how a surgeon had to establish close relationships with universities, civic authorities, wealthy upper-class patients, hospitals as sites of clinical education and acquisition of manual skills, the printing industry and the book market, and students. Moreover, the article explores the fluidity of professional and cultural boundaries between learned and empirical knowledge from the perspective of a graduate surgeon who was not supposed to be. Finally, the article aims at describing the figure of the "graduate surgeon," typical of the Italian medical landscape.

Becoming a midwife: A survey study of midwifery alumni

BackgroundBecoming a competent midwife is a complex process. The aim of midwifery education is to support the development of competence in midwifery skills, knowledge and to prepare graduates to meet the responsibilities inherent in the midwifery role. AimTo explore the experiences of our alumni midwives, ask how well they perceived their midwifery programme had prepared them for beginning midwifery practice and to identify any curriculum changes, or postgraduate study topics, that would support the transition to midwifery practice. MethodsAn online survey was conducted with alumni of a Bachelor of Midwifery programme (New Zealand) who graduated between 2011 and 2014. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and a general inductive approach was used to develop themes from the qualitative data in the comment boxes. FindingsForty-two alumni viewed becoming a midwife as a blend/combination of: (1) gaining the knowledge and practical skills required for the profession; (2) management skills in areas of running a business, working with other people, navigating local procedures and processes effectively, and balancing work with personal life; (3) gaining confidence in one’s competence, and (4) having support along the way. DiscussionCompetence in current evidence-based midwifery knowledge and practice is important in educating midwifery students. However, to transition to practice, a supportive environment is needed to assist midwives to develop self-management, business skills, and the confidence to negotiate and collaborate with colleagues and other health professionals. ConclusionsNot only did midwifery knowledge and practice skills matter for alumni, but also the acquisition of management skills, strategies for building confidence, and ongoing support. Content that facilitates these requirements should be included in midwifery programmes to support the transition from student to practitioner.

Teaching concepts in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is a challenging, complex skill and requires competence in teaching. The aim of this study was to review current literature on identification of education and learning of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and to summarize recent findings on teaching concepts. Several teaching programs have been described and implemented into daily routine. Factors relevant to current practice are the knowledge of sonoanatomy, the acquisition of manual skills, the teaching ability, and the feedback given to the trainee. Simulation is a rapidly growing field and is supported by the development of phantoms. Needle visualization is one of the core competencies that is necessary for successful ultrasound-guided procedures and could be supported by technical developments in the future to improve teaching concepts. Although a lot of key questions cannot be answered by the latest study results, some interesting findings were able to improve existing education programs. These results should be tailored to the individual need of a trainee, and the effects of improved training programs on patient safety and quality of care have to be investigated. The see one, do one, teach one approach is obsolete and should be abandoned.

Factors influencing motivation and job satisfaction among supervisors of community health workers in marginalized communities in South Africa.

BackgroundManagement and supervision of community health workers are factors that are critical to the success of community health worker programmes. Yet few studies have explored the perspectives of supervisors in these programmes. This study explored factors influencing motivations of supervisors in community health worker programmes.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with 26 programme staff providing supervision to community health workers in eight community-based organizations in marginalized communities in the greater Durban area of South Africa from July 2010 to September 2011.ResultsFindings show that all the supervisors had previous experience working in the health or social services sectors and most started out as unpaid community health workers. Most of the participants were poor women from marginalized communities. Supervisors’ activities include the management and supply of material resources, mentoring and training of community health workers, record keeping and report writing. Supervisors were motivated by intrinsic factors like making a difference and community appreciation and non-monetary incentives such as promotion to supervisory positions; acquisition of management skills; participation in capacity building and the development of programmes; and support for educational advancement like salary, bonuses and medical benefits. Hygiene factors that serve to prevent dissatisfaction are salaries and financial, medical and educational benefits attached to the supervisory position. Demotivating factors identified are patients’ non-adherence to health advice and alienation from decision-making. Dissatisfiers include working in crime-prevalent communities, remuneration for community health workers (CHWs), problems with material and logistical resources, job insecurity, work-related stressors and navigating the interface between CHWs and management. While participants were dissatisfied with their low remuneration, they were not demotivated but continued to be motivated by intrinsic factors. Our findings suggest that CHWs’ quest for remuneration and a career path continues even after they assume supervisory positions. Supervisors continue to be motivated to work in mid-level positions within the health and social services sectors.ConclusionsGlobal efforts to develop and increase the sustainability of CHW programmes will benefit immensely from insights gained from an exploration of supervisors’ perspectives. Further, national CHW programmes should be conceptualized with the dual purpose of building the capacity of CHWs to strengthen health systems and reducing unemployment especially in marginalized communities with high unemployment and low-skilled labour force.

Can Human Mannequin-Based Simulation Provide a Feasible and Clinically Acceptable Method for Training Tracheostomy Management Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists?

Workplace training for tracheostomy management is currently recognized to be inconsistent and insufficient. A novel approach, using technology-enhanced simulation, may provide a solution to training tracheostomy management skills by providing a consistent, time-efficient, and risk-free learning environment. The current research evaluated clinicians' tracheostomy skills acquisition after training in a simulated learning environment and explored changes in clinicians' confidence and perceptions after the experience. Forty-two clinicians with no or low levels of tracheostomy skill attended one of six, 1-day simulation courses. The training involved both part-task skill learning and immersive simulated scenarios. To evaluate clinicians' acquisition of manual skills, performance of core tasks during the scenarios was assessed by independent observers. Questionnaires were used to examine perceived outcomes, benefits, and perceptions of the learning environment at pre-, post-, and 4 months post-training. Only 1 clinician failed to successfully execute all core practical tasks. Clinicians' confidence increased significantly ( p < .05) from pre- to post-workshop and was maintained to 4 months post-workshop across most parameters. All clinicians reported positive perceptions regarding their learning outcomes and learning in a simulated environment. These findings validate the use of simulation as a clinical training medium and support its future use in tracheostomy competency-training pathways.

Deregulation of Broadcast Media in Nigeria : An Appraisal

The study examined the turbulent journey of the media practice in Nigeria for the past two decades before and after deregulation . It reflects the media as an agent of development that cannot be dissipated because of their pervasiveness but rather be seen as an impeccable tool of social order which made commendable impacts in the nation’s social-economic development. The paper employs both the primary and secondary data sources in its methodology. The primary source utilized interpersonal interview of media experts, scholars, seasoned Journalists, public analysts and policy makers while the secondary is sourced from Libraries, Archives, Newspapers, Magazines and other Desk studies. The theoretical perspective is on the Agenda Setting Theory which established the media as an inevitable vehicle of policy formulation and dissemination. The study found that lackadaisical attitude of the Regulatory and professional bodies particularly on the issues of ethical conducts and practitioners’ welfare poses a serious concern for the media industry in Nigeria. The paper concludes by advocating for a more robust media practice and effective monitoring by media regulatory agencies as well as the professional groups towards sustaining the fourth Estate role of the media in Nigeria. It equally recommends media training, acquisition of management skills and sound ethical practices for a virile future for media practice in Nigeria.

Antecedents and Consequence of Student Engagement in an Indian Management Education Setting

Student engagement has emerged as a reliable proxy for student learning and development. It is an interactional process between an educational institution and the student to achieve learning outcomes. It has three elements: sense of belonging, individual engagement and collaborative engagement. The present study examines the antecedents of student engagement. These are: faculty, learning mechanisms, library and computer services, administrative services and campus facilities. It also explores the impact of the three dimensions of student engagement on the acquisition of management skills. Data were collected from 166 respondents, hailing from a mid-size B-School in the National Capital Region. Results show that all antecedents were positively and significantly associated with student engagement. Regression results demonstrate that faculty was the most important predictor of student engagement. Further, individual engagement and collaborative engagement were the significant predictors of management skills. The findings are discussed in light of what institutions can do to enhance student engagement. Implications of the findings are discussed and future research directions are outlined.

Social capital and human resource management in international joint ventures in Vietnam: a perspective from a transitional economy

This study highlights the importance of social capital in international joint ventures (IJVs), and examines human resource practices as a factor shaping such social capital. Comprehensive measures of social capital are developed and tested, which extend prior work on ‘bonding’ and ‘bridging’ social capital. We also link social capital with its anticipated antecedents and consequences. The study's findings are based on data collected from 164 IJVs located in Vietnam. IJV performance was predicted by training and by the level of trust and cooperation between foreign and local personnel. Training (including acquisition of management skills, technology, and cross-cultural understanding) also was predictive of the measures of social capital. A key practical implication arising from this study is that the return on investment from training of joint venture personnel can stem not only from the transfer of technical and management skills needed for developing competitive advantage, but also from the positive impact on social capital, which further contributes to venture success. The establishment of written objectives and plans for the venture, as well as the IJV's level of control regarding its own HR functions also was found to be related to some components of social capital. The findings of this study reinforce the call to build on the contributions of local personnel in joint ventures, and in Vietnam in particular.

The training experience of primary care pharmacists

Abstract Objectives To map the tasks, activities and training provision for primary care pharmacists (PCPs) and to identify perceived future training needs. Methods Survey undertaken in 1998/1999 using a pre-piloted, postal, self-completion questionnaire to two samples of PCPs. Setting PCPs in (a) the West Midlands and (b) England (outside West Midlands). Key findings The response rate was 66 per cent. A majority (68 per cent) had worked in the role for less than two years. Eighty per cent had some form of continuing education or training for the role although only 50 per cent had a formal qualification. Over two-thirds had contributed to the funding of their training, with one-third providing all funding. Seventy-four per cent of PCPs agreed that pharmacists should go through a procedure to ensure competence (accreditation) before being allowed to work for a general medical practice or primary care group. Views on the need for formal education/training prior to work differed: 82 per cent of those with formal qualifications, but only 46 per cent of those without, considered that this should be a requirement. There was general agreement that training/education had met training needs. Views on future training closely reflected previous training experiences, with a focus upon pharmaceutical roles rather than upon generic skill development and the acquisition of management skills. Conclusions The study provides a snapshot in time of the experience of pioneer PCPs and the training available to them. PCPs will need further training or updating if they are to provide the wider roles required by the developing needs of the National Health Service. Consideration should be given to formal recognition of the training of PCPs in order to assure competence. The expectation that pharmacists should fund their own training is likely to be a barrier to uptake of training and uncertainties over funding will militate against consistency of training.

Analysis of the perception of institutional function for health sector reform in Nigeria

Institutional function reflects the institution's understanding of the world around it, its ability to locate itself within that world and to make decisions in relation to it. Three dimensions of institutional function were identified as management, environmental mastery and service delivery. This study analysed the perception of institutional function of four hospitals in Nigeria by 507 healthcare professionals and managers and its influence on the implementation of the health sector reform programme in the country. The respondents were doctors and dentists (30%), nurses (27.2%), pharmacists (8.9%), managers (15.5%) and other allied healthcare workers (18.4%). The overall perception of institutional function was 56.3%. The perceptions of the three dimensions of institutional function were management 52.7%, environmental mastery 50.8% and service delivery 62.6%. Three out of 12 statements on institutional function had levels of perception that were lower than 50%. These were adequacy of management skills (49.7%), functioning management information systems that are used in management decision-making (47.9%) and degree of autonomy for the hospitals (42.4%). There is the need to strengthen the institutional function of Nigerian hospitals, especially the acquisition of management skills by the healthcare professionals and managers, management information systems and autonomy for the hospitals.

The preparation of legal reports: their rediscovery in the light of the acquisition and development of competences

The study justify that this technique is of particular interest for its suitability for the acquisition and development of instrumental, interpersonal and systemic competences, including the capacity for analysis and synthesis, the ability to organize and plan, the acquisition of management skills. of information, teamwork skills and research skills.

Divergent Development of Manual Skills in Children who are Blind or Sighted

This empirical study compared the average ages at which four children with congenital blindness acquired 32 fine motor skills with age norms for sighted children. The results indicated that the children experienced extreme developmental delays in the acquisition of manual skills and a high degree of variability in developmental delays within and across six categories of fine-motor skills.

Latency jump of “relaxed” versus “contracted” motor evoked potentials as a marker of cortico-spinal maturation

Magnetic brain stimulation was carried out in 17 children, agen from 2 to 12 years, in order to investigate the latency difference between relaxed and contracted motor evoked potentials (MEPs) as a function of age. While the latency of contracted MEPs increased in a linear fashion with age and body size, the relaxed MEP latency had a much slower “maturation,” which gained the adult value at about 10–12 years of age in parallel with the acquisition of manual skills. The age-related variation of this “latency jump” appears to be a specific indicator of maturative phenomena relating to motor systems.