Administrative Burden Research Articles

Accessing the right to vote among system-impacted people

Recent efforts to dismantle felon disenfranchisement regimes have the potential to substantially expand electoral eligibility among people with criminal records; however, even among those with criminal legal histories who are eligible to vote, voting rates are often extremely low. Analyzing interview, focus group, and text message conversations among a multi-state sample around the November 2022 election, we identify and describe how administrative barriers to voting—including a lack of understanding about the voting process, confusion about legal eligibility, and perceived risks of rearrest of voting while ineligible—pose an access to justice issue among system-impacted people. These barriers are amplified by government mistrust, specifically the perception that barriers are intentionally constructed to suppress voting, and they are potentially mitigated by outreach by community organizations that are viewed as credible. The findings emphasize that legislative reforms repealing disenfranchisement laws must be accompanied by on-the-ground efforts to address administrative burdens to broaden access to the franchise.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Large Language Models in CPT Coding for Craniofacial Surgery: A Comparative Analysis.

The advent of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has introduced significant advancements in various surgical disciplines. These developments have led to an increased interest in the utilization of LLMs for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding in surgery. With CPT coding being a complex and time-consuming process, often exacerbated by the scarcity of professional coders, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance coding efficiency and accuracy. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of 5 publicly available large language models-Perplexity.AI, Bard, BingAI, ChatGPT 3.5, and ChatGPT 4.0-in accurately identifying CPT codes for craniofacial procedures. A consistent query format was employed to test each model, ensuring the inclusion of detailed procedure components where necessary. The responses were classified as correct, partially correct, or incorrect based on their alignment with established CPT coding for the specified procedures. The results indicate that while there is no overall significant association between the type of AI model and the correctness of CPT code identification, there are notable differences in performance for simple and complex CPT codes among the models. Specifically, ChatGPT 4.0 showed higher accuracy for complex codes, whereas Perplexity.AI and Bard were more consistent with simple codes. The use of AI chatbots for CPT coding in craniofacial surgery presents a promising avenue for reducing the administrative burden and associated costs of manual coding. Despite the lower accuracy rates compared with specialized, trained algorithms, the accessibility and minimal training requirements of the AI chatbots make them attractive alternatives. The study also suggests that priming AI models with operative notes may enhance their accuracy, offering a resource-efficient strategy for improving CPT coding in clinical practice. This study highlights the feasibility and potential benefits of integrating LLMs into the CPT coding process for craniofacial surgery. The findings advocate for further refinement and training of AI models to improve their accuracy and practicality, suggesting a future where AI-assisted coding could become a standard component of surgical workflows, aligning with the ongoing digital transformation in health care.

A fire safety engineering approach to improving community resilience to the impacts of wildfire

AbstractEach year severe wildfires continue to cause significant destruction resulting in the loss of life, property, critical infrastructure, and the environment. In an effort to increase community preparedness and resilience to wildfire, international jurisdictions have adopted both guiding principles and prescriptive codes that apply to both urban planning and fire engineering design of buildings within the wildland–urban interface. These measures are intended to protect occupants, enhance the survivability of structures from different fire exposure mechanisms, and increase the chances of successful firefighting operations. However, research has identified (i) inconsistent approaches to regulation and governance; (ii) limited research on which urban design and building standards are based; and (iii) misaligned or contradictory urban design and building standards. This not only stifles the use of development proposing suitable performance‐based design that could achieve the required outcomes but can increase administrative burdens and development costs without increasing safety. The aim of this current study is to contribute to addressing identified shortfalls by identifying and distilling the last 23 years of research in the field related to (i) the development of evidence‐based performance requirements, and (ii) the application of effective governance arrangements in order to enhance urban design and wildfire engineering practices. These aims are achieved through a systematic literature review. Ultimately, however, of the 608 initial articles captured in the identification phase of the SLR, not a single article provided insight into the most effective regulatory or governance mechanism, and only three provided criteria suitable for adoption as a performance requirement. While the aims of this study were only partially achieved, it does provide a foundation for the field by way of identifying and distilling the current state of practice.

2024 HRS perspective on advancing workflows for CIED remote monitoring

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) generate substantial data, often stored in image or PDF formats. Remote monitoring, now an integral component of patient care, places considerable administrative burdens on clinicians and staff, in large part due to the challenge of integrating these data seamlessly into electronic health records (EHRs). Since 2006, the Heart Rhythm Society, in collaboration with the CIED industry, has led an initiative to establish a unified standard nomenclature. This effort has harmonized terminology, aligning diverse terms with single terms approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. With this foundational work complete, attention now turns to developing technical standards for interoperability, which would enable the smooth communication of CIED data between information technology systems used in clinical practice. In this manuscript, by leveraging Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, we present a roadmap for the technical committee to guide this endeavor. We identify critical data exchange points between remote transceivers, EHRs, and third-party platforms commonly used for CIED patient data management. Our objective is to establish bidirectional communication among these resources, ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of clinical data for clinicians. We also anticipate substantial benefits for both clinical research and administrative efficiency through the implementation of this interoperability framework.

Patients’ experiences with ‘sludge’ (administrative burden) in the cancer screening process and its relationship with screening completion, experience and health system distrust

Objective‘Sludge’ refers to administrative burdens or frictions that preclude people from getting what they want or need (eg, duplicative forms, complicated instructions, long waiting times). This mixed methods study evaluated...

Fast Forward to Freedom: Unveiling the Realities of Early Retirement of Teachers

Early retirement among teachers is on the rise, creating a shortage of experienced educators and potentially hindering the quality of education. This trend requires investigation into the reasons behind it and the development of effective strategies to retain teachers in the workforce. This qualitative study aims to explore the phenomenon of early retirement among teachers in primary schools, employing a case study approach and drawing upon theories such as Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, Social Identity Theory (SIT), and the Beehr Retirement Model. Through purposive selection of a resourceful participant and qualitative data synthesis, the study uncovers the multifaceted nature of factors influencing teachers' decisions to retire early. Key findings reveal that organizational challenges, including administrative burdens, workload, and dissatisfaction with school management, significantly impact teachers' retirement intentions. Personal considerations such as health concerns, work-life balance, and career satisfaction also play pivotal roles in shaping early retirement decisions. Proposed interventions to address these challenges include fostering a positive organizational culture, providing career advancement opportunities, and prioritizing health and safety measures to mitigate the adverse effects of early retirement on the education field. The study advocates for collaborative approaches involving policymakers, educational stakeholders, and teachers to formulate and implement policies that value teacher perspectives and expertise, ultimately improving educational outcomes. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complexities of early retirement among primary school teachers, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive strategies to address organizational, personal, and systemic factors influencing early retirement intentions. Recommendations for further research suggest involving participants from diverse backgrounds to generate a more comprehensive understanding of teacher early retirement dynamics.

Associations Between Administrative Burden and Children’s ECE Stability During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic caused widespread closures of early care and education (ECE) facilities that negatively impacted children’s socioemotional, behavioral, and academic development. Policies permitting child care centers to remain open by obtaining waivers from closure directives involved varying levels of administrative burden. This study examined administrative burden within waiver policies and its association with ECE stability, as measured by children’s enrollment in waiver-obtaining child care centers. I found Black children were significantly less likely than White children to be enrolled in a waiver-obtaining center, and also far less likely to have a center that obtained a waiver very early on in the pandemic. Analyses showed rates of enrollment in waiver-obtaining centers were far lower among children whose centers experienced more administrative burden, and suggested racial disparities in ECE stability were driven by Black children’s concentrated residence in communities where the waiver application process was more burdensome.

Reducing administrative burden by implementing a core set of quality indicators in the ICU: a multicentre longitudinal intervention study

BackgroundThe number of quality indicators for which clinicians need to record data is increasing. For many indicators, there are concerns about their efficacy. This study aimed to determine whether working...

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING ON POLICE OFFICER PERFORMANCE AT NKURENKURU POLICE STATION

This research explores the impact of supervision and management training on the performance of police officers at Nkurenkuru Police Station, focusing on improving law enforcement effectiveness. Conducted in the Kavango West Region of Namibia, the study aims to understand how training programs influence personnel performance. Qualitative research methods were employed, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis for data interpretation. The findings highlight a complex relationship between supervision and management training and police officer performance. While acknowledging some positive impacts of the training, the study identifies various obstacles that hinder its full effectiveness. These challenges include resource limitations, lack of follow-up support, administrative burdens, resistance to change, inadequate integration of training, and heavy workloads. The study suggests the importance of a comprehensive approach to supervision and management training tailored to the needs of law enforcement agencies. Recommendations include customising training programs, increasing participant engagement, and establishing consistent follow-up mechanisms. These insights are not only relevant to Nkurenkuru Police Station but also offer valuable lessons for law enforcement agencies worldwide seeking to optimise their performance through effective training strategies.

The Role and Challenges of Teachers in the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum

This study analyzes the role and challenges of teachers in the implementation of the Independent Curriculum in elementary schools and identifies strategic steps to support the success of this curriculum. Qualitative research methods with the type of literature study are used to collect and analyze data from relevant literature through content analysis methods. The findings of the study show that although the Independent Curriculum offers a more flexible and student-centered approach, its implementation faces significant challenges. These challenges include a lack of in-depth understanding of curriculum concepts, limited resources and facilities, high administrative burdens, cultural challenges, and the need for ongoing support and training. Teachers play the role of facilitators, curriculum developers, evaluators, and agents of change in education. To address these challenges, systematic support from the government and stakeholders and ongoing training for teachers are needed. This study emphasizes the importance of teacher competence in the successful implementation of the Independent Curriculum and provides recommendations to improve the quality of education in Indonesia.

Balancing act: the complex role of artificial intelligence in addressing burnout and healthcare workforce dynamics

Burnout and workforce attrition present pressing global challenges in healthcare, severely impacting the quality of patient care and the sustainability of health systems worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) has immense potential...

Lessons from European transformative policies

In order to reach climate neutrality by 2050 the EU needs to overcome challenges relating to accelerating innovation, creating infrastructure, redirecting investments, and fostering cross-sectoral integration. In this policy brief, we present key policy lessons relating to these four challenges based on seven case studies on transformative policies from the period 2005–2022 in different EU countries. Two themes reappear in many of our lessons. First, policies could be improved if a holistic approach to innovation was taken, with policymakers considering how new (innovative) technologies substitute (or phaseout) old technologies. Second, rather than trying to incentivize firms or citizens through monetary returns, governments could make progress towards climate neutrality by reducing the efforts required from firms and citizens to participate in the carbon neutrality transition, e.g., reducing administrative burdens.

Emotional capital in citizen agency: Contesting administrative burden through anger

Abstract The literature on administrative burden has focused on cognitive, material, and social resources, leaving emotional strategies and processes largely unexplored. This study begins to address this research gap by elaborating Illouz’ (2007) concept of emotional capital in the context of citizen agency. The article uses the concept emotional capital to analyze claimant anger in response to administrative burdens examining the question: how do citizens understand and maneuver the potential benefits and risks of expressing their anger when experiencing administrative burdens? The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork in Danish job centers involving interviews with 71 claimants and observations of 10 conversations between caseworkers and claimants. The article contributes to theorize the role of emotions in citizen-state encounters by showing that emotional capital works as a resource moderating the experience of and coping with administrative burden

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF UNION

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigerian public universities has long championed the welfare and interests of academic staff. However, operational inefficiencies stemming from manual processes hinder its effectiveness in addressing contemporary challenges. This inefficiency hampers ASUU’s effectiveness and limits its ability to interact efficiently with its members and stakeholders. Therefore, this study proposes that the ASUU Web-Based Information System (AWBIS) should modernize data management, communication, and decision-making within the union. Drawing on related work in online information systems across various sectors, the methodology involves requirements gathering, leading to the development and implementation of AWBIS. Leveraging development technologies, AWBIS offers modules for member management, communication, event organization, and biometric attendance. This project uses the waterfall model approach to developing software as the research methodology. The data collection techniques include interviews and questionnaires. The AWBIS enables various operations to be performed online, consisting of registering members by the admin, logging members, and allowing members to manage their profiles. The system also provides a login page for both members and admins, each with their own username and password. A secure and accessible database for storing memberprofiles, academic information, and other relevant data was created. The successful implementation of AWBIS will significantly streamline ASUU’s operations, resulting in improved communication, reduced administrative burden, and enhanced transparency. Members will have access to up-to-date information, and the system will facilitate better coordination of ASUU’s activities. Future enhancements, including financial management, election processes, loan applications, and mobile app development, are suggested to further optimize AWBIS’s functionality and accessibility. AWBIS is a model for leveraging technology to advance organizational efficiency and effectiveness within the education sector.

What are the Major Barriers and Challenges Faced by Independent Oil Palm Smallholder Farmers in RSPO Certification?

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification is essential for promoting sustainable palm oil production; however, smallholder farmers face significant obstacles in meeting its standards, hindering their growth. This study aims to identify the main barriers and challenges for independent oil palm smallholders in the RSPO certification process and to propose strategies for overcoming these issues. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers collected data from 60 smallholders through a snowball sampling method and analyzed it using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency counts and cross-tabulations. Critical barriers identified include high certification costs, lack of knowledge, limited resources, difficulties tracking production yields, and challenges meeting social requirements. Furthermore, smallholders struggle with adapting cultivation practices, accessing markets, maintaining commitment, building capacity, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Organizations are urged to adopt market development strategies, enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and facilitate better access to sustainable technologies to tackle these challenges. Additionally, enhancing green skills, simplifying record-keeping, reinforcing farmer groups, and offering financial incentives, including soft loans and tailored training, are critical. Streamlining certification procedures will also alleviate administrative burdens, enabling smallholders to adopt sustainable practices more effectively.

Disability, recruitment and job retention: Identifying barriers and facilitators from the employers' point of view.

Despite increased public awareness of the professional, integration of people with disabilities, they encounter more difficulties than their non-disabled counterparts in accessing employment. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to hiring and retaining people with disabilities from the perspective of employers in the private and public sector in France. This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with forty-two employers from public structures or private companies. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was used as a guideline to secure accurate and complete reporting of the study. Among barriers we found that 1. Stereotypes persist about disability, still associated with lower productivity and dangerous behaviour; 2. Disabilities were associated with costs that were considered too high; 3. Disabilities management was seen as an administrative burden. 4. The bumps of inclusion. We also highlighted facilitators such as 1. A public sector is a more favourable environment 2. Employer's personal motivation to hire people with disabilities; 3. The support by Job Coaches was seen as a powerful facilitator. The decision to hire people with disabilities depends on many personal, societal and organisational factors. This study has contributed to a better understanding of their interrelationships and could be useful in developing more effective strategies for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Impatiently Waiting: Women Managers, Professionalism, Psychological Costs, and the Reduction of ER Wait Times

Administrative burden has emerged as a key theoretical framework for understanding onerous, burdensome, and slow citizen-state interactions. While most work to-date focuses on how the political process generates burdens, how citizens experience burdens, and how burdens affect street-level bureaucrats, this manuscript focuses on the understudied link between management and administrative burden. This link is essential to understanding administrative burden because burdens are often reflected in bureaucratic logics, standard operating procedures, and other administrative tools—all facets of an organization which management possesses some power over. This manuscript develops an argument which links the literature on gendered management, representative bureaucracy, and sex-based selection with reduction in wait times (a dimension ripe with psychological costs) since women in management positions tend to be more relational, transformational, and process-oriented than men, all behavioral characteristics which may link onto administrative burdens in predictable ways. An empirical test linking women managers to a reduction of wait times in Florida emergency departments reveals that hospitals managed by women observe lower wait times, on average, across four out of six interrelated processes. Supplemental analyses examine the link between professionalism and gender and find that women with a health background are effective in reducing some of the most complex dimensions of waiting.

“Although Burdened, Do We Need to Do More?” Street-Level Bureaucrats’ Organizational Citizenship Behaviors in Poverty Alleviation Policy Implementation

Drawing on attentional resource allocation theory and transaction cost theory, this study links street-level bureaucrats’ problem-solving organizational citizenship behaviors with perceived administrative burden. Based on 28 in-depth interviews and 657 survey responses from street-level bureaucrats involved in China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation Policy during 2019 and 2020, the study found positive relationships between problem-solving organizational citizenship behaviors, resource deficiency, bureaucratic control, and perceived administrative burden. Policymakers should be cautious when using control tools and avoid exploiting street-level bureaucrats’ commitment and compassion for clients to ensure effectively policy implementation and reduce administrative burdens on dedicated public servants.

Monoclonal Antibody Delivery Using 3D Printed Biobased Hollow μNe3dle Arrays for the Treatment of Osteoporosis.

Transdermal microneedles have demonstrated promising potential as an alternative to typical drug administration routes for the treatment of various diseases. As microneedles offer lower administration burden with enhanced patient adherence and reduced ecological footprint, there is a need for further exploitation of microneedle devices. One of the main objectives of this work was to initially develop an innovative biobased photocurable resin with high biobased carbon content comprising isobornyl acrylate (IBA) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate blends (50:50 wt/wt). The optimization of the printing and curing process resulted in μNe3dle arrays with durable mechanical properties and piercing capacity. Another objective of the work was to employ the 3D printed hollow μNe3dles for the treatment of osteoporosis in vivo. The 3D printed μNe3dle arrays were used to administer denosumab (Dmab), a monoclonal antibody, to osteoporotic mice, and the serum concentrations of critical bone minerals were monitored for six months to assess recovery. It was found that the Dmab administered by the 3D printed μNe3dles showed fast in vitro rates and induced an enhanced therapeutic effect in restoring bone-related minerals compared to subcutaneous injections. The findings of this study introduce a novel green approach with a low ecological footprint for 3D printing of biobased μNe3dles, which can be tailored to improve clinical outcomes and patient compliance for chronic diseases.

Implementing virtual primary care: experiences, perspectives and identification of improvement opportunities in an academic primary care setting

BackgroundOne of the biggest changes to primary care triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid integration of virtual care (VC). VC offers benefits to patients and providers but implementation...