Scale Behavior Research Articles

Understanding risky driving behaviors among young novice drivers in Nigeria: A latent class analysis coupled with association rule mining approach

Traffic crashes are significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young drivers. The study aims to explore the underlying pattern of risky driving behaviors and the associations with demographic factors among young drivers in Nigeria. A combined approach of Latent Class Analysis (LCA) and Association Rule Mining is applied to the dataset comprising responses from 684 young drivers who complete the “Behavior of Young Novice Drivers Scale” (BYND) questionnaires. The LCA identifies four distinct classes of drivers based on the risky behavior profiles: Reckless-Speedsters, Cautious Drivers, Distracted Multitaskers, and Emotion-impacted Drivers. Association rule mining further connects these driver classes to demographic and driving history variables, uncovering intriguing insights. Reckless-Speedsters predominantly consist of young males who engage in riskier driving behaviors, including exceeding speed limits and disregarding traffic rules. Conversely, Cautious Drivers, also predominantly young males, exhibit a safer driving profile marked by rule adherence and a notably lower crash rate. Distracted Multitaskers, sharing a demographic profile with Cautious Drivers, diverge significantly due to their higher crash involvement, hinting at a propensity for distracted driving practices. Lastly, Emotion-Impacted Drivers, primarily comprising young employed males, display behaviors influenced by emotions, shorter driving distances, and prior unsupervised driving experience. Most of the behaviors are attributed to inadequate traffic control, absence of traffic signs in most of the roads, preferential treatment, and lack of strict law enforcement in the country. The findings hold substantial implications for road safety interventions in Nigeria, urging targeted approaches to address the unique challenges presented by each driver class. With acknowledging the study limitations and advocating for future research in objective measures and emotion-behavior interactions, the comprehensive approach provides a robust foundation for enhancing road safety in the Nigerian context.

Structural transformation behavior of oxide scale during coiling of 0.9 wt% Cr-containing high-strength steel

The phase transformation mechanism of oxide scale on the surfaces of chromium (Cr)-free carbon steel and 0.9 wt% Cr-containing steel at different coiling temperatures and cooling rates was studied using thermal simulation and electron backscattering diffraction experiments. The results showed that the eutectoid transformation of both the steel followed the “C” curve relationship. The Cr-containing steel had a larger eutectoid transformation area fraction than the Cr-free carbon steel. The nose tip temperature of the eutectoid transformation of the oxide scale on the surfaces of Cr-free carbon steel and 0.9 wt% Cr-containing steel were 420∼510 °C and 420–480 °C, respectively. For the 0.9 wt% Cr-containing steel, the proportion of Σ3 and Σ13b grain boundaries in cubic Fe3O4 increased, followed by a decrease, when the coiling temperature decreased from 610 to 410 °C. The Σ3 and Σ13b grain boundaries of the Fe3O4 low-dimensional coincident site lattice had the highest proportion for 510 °C coiling temperature. The low-dimensional coincident site lattice grain boundaries could be used to enhance crack resistance and improve the oxide scale on the steel plate surface.

Effect of Banking Time Intervention on Child-Teacher Relationships and Problem Behaviors in China: A Multiple Baseline Design.

A positive child-teacher relationship is a crucial means of addressing problem behaviors in young children. In recent years, there has been an increase in factors triggering problem behaviors in young children. It is particularly important to employ universally applicable and scientifically effective strategies to improve child behavior. Banking Time, as an emerging variant of play therapy, aims to enhance child behavior by establishing an intimate child-teacher relationship. This study conducted a multiple-baseline experiment involving eight four-year-old children and their teachers from China, exploring the effectiveness of Banking Time in enhancing child-teacher relationships and subsequently improving child behavior from dual perspectives, utilizing tools such as the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale and Conners' Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales-Teacher Assessment Report. Visual analysis and statistical analysis results indicate a strong positive impact of Banking Time on child-teacher relationships and a slight inhibitory effect on child problem behaviors. The implementation of Banking Time provides valuable insights into specific paths and strategies for promoting teachers' professional development.

The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Diabetes Self-Efficacy and Foot Self-Care in Type II Diabetics.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of health literacy on diabetes self-efficacy and foot self-care in type II diabetics. This descriptive correlational study was conducted with 187 people. The research was conducted between 01 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 in a province located in the southeastern region of Turkey. Non-probability purposive sampling was used as the sampling method. An introductory information form, and the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32), Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale and Diabetes Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale (DFSBS) were used in the study. Data were evaluated with frequency, percentage, mean, and correlation analyses using SPSS 25 software. It was determined that the participants had a low education level and were of advanced age, and that the feet of most of the patients were not examined and there were no wounds on their feet. The health literacy level of 57.8% of the participants was found to be insufficient. The mean THLS-32 score was 22.50 ± 10.65, the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale mean score was 72.83 ± 11.84, and the Diabetes Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale mean score was 22.60 ± 5.44. It was determined that there was a relationship between the THLS-32 and Diabetes Self-Efficacy score of those with type II diabetes, and that as health literacy increased, diabetes self-efficacy increased (p < 0.05). It was determined that the health literacy level was insufficient, whereas diabetes self-efficacy and foot self-care were at a good level. It was found that as health literacy increased, self-efficacy increased. Information on health literacy is effective in coping with the disease. For this reason, information on health literacy should be given from an early age.

Influence of Co-Parenting on Parental Burnout: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Adolescence has always been regarded as a period of rapid psychological and behavioral change. Adolescents are subject to more difficult behaviors, and those difficult behaviors have a great impact on co-parenting and parenting burnout. In order to reveal the relationship between these factors, this study investigated the mediating effect of difficult adolescent behaviors on that relationship by constructing a theoretical model and examined the moderating effect of family functioning. In order to provide a scientific basis for preventing and intervening in adolescents' problematic behaviors and improving parents' parenting burnout, we conducted a study on the parents of 1638 teenagers in a junior high school in Huanggang City, China in May 2023, with a questionnaire filled out by the parents. The research tools included a parenting burnout questionnaire, Parental collaborative parenting Scale (PPCR), Adolescent Strengths and Difficult Behaviors Questionnaire (Parental Version), Family Function Scale, etc. An independent sample t test and ANOVA test were used to analyze whether there are certain demographic variables in parenting burnout, and SPSS27.0 was used for descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis and common method deviation tests. The adjusted mediation model was tested by using the SPSS macro program Process4.0. Results: The variance in the explanatory capacity of the largest factor in this study was 21.955%, which did not exceed the critical value of 40%, so there was no obvious common method deviation in the data of this study. The independent sample t test and ANOVA test showed that there are certain differences in parental rearing burnout dependent on parental gender, the main caregivers, family economic income and demographic variables. The results of the adjusted mediation model test by Process4.0 show the following: (1) Adolescent difficult behavior plays an intermediary role between parental collaborative parenting and parenting burnout; (2) the indirect effect of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout through adolescents' problematic behaviors is regulated by family functions; (3) the relationship between adolescent difficult behavior and parenting burnout is regulated by family function; (4) the direct influence of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout is also regulated by family function. Conclusion: Adolescents' difficult behavior partially mediates the influence of parents' collaborative parenting on parenting burnout. In addition, family function not only mediates the front and back ends of mediation, but also mediates the direct influence of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout. These findings are instructive for improving family parenting problems and promoting adolescent development. The results of this study may be helpful in enhancing parents' awareness of parenting of adolescents in China, which will provide reference for some teachers in China to understand adolescent behavior. At the same time, the results may provide new enlightenment for mental health professionals and enable them to fully understand the parenting contradictions between parents and adolescents in China.

Hubungan antara Kontrol Diri dengan Perilaku Kerja Kontraproduktif pada Karyawan PT. Kencana Sawit Indonesia

Self-control and counterproductive work behavior are two things that are interrelated to one's behavior at work. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between self-control and counterproductive work behavior among PT. Kencana Palm Indonesia. The independent variable in this study is self-control and the dependent variable is counterproductive work behavior. Measuring tools used in this study are self-control scale and counterproductive work behavior scale. The sample selection technique in this study uses probability sampling technique. The sample of this study were 73 people from a total population of 107 employees of PT. Kencana Palm Oil Indonesia. Test the validity and reliability in this study using the Alpha Cronbach technique. The results of the validity coefficient on self-control ranged from 0,358 to 0.768 with a reliability coefficient value of 0,911 and on the counterproductive work behavior scale ranged from 0,314 to 0.761 with a reliability coefficient value of 0,890. Based on data analysis, the correlation coefficient between self-control variables and counterproductive work behavior was obtained, namely R=-0,737 with a significance level of P=,000. This shows that there is a negative correlation, which means that the higher the self-control, the lower the level of counterproductive work behavior experienced, conversely, the lower the self-control, the higher the level of counterproductive work behavior experienced by employees of PT. Kencana Palm Oil Indonesia. This shows that there is a significant relationship between self-control and counterproductive work behavior among PT. Kencana Palm Oil Indonesia.

A Comparative Study of the Oxidation Behavior of Hot-Rolled Steel established from Medium and Thin Slabs oxidized in 20% H2O-N2 at 600-900°C

This study focuses on the oxidation behavior of oxide scale on hot-rolled steel from a Thailand steel industry. Hot-rolled steel established from the medium and thin slabs was studied. The oxidation behavior was conducted in a horizontal furnace with 20%H2O-N2 to simulate steel oxidation during the hot rolling line. The scale was formed at a temperature range of 600-900°C for 30, 60, and 90 min. The scale morphology can be seen via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDS). The oxide phase was investigated via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results show that iron oxides such as hematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) were produced on the studied steel. The oxidation behavior of the studied steel was followed by a parabolic law. The mass gain increased with increasing temperatures. The steel established from a medium slab exhibited a lower oxidation rate than the steel established from a thin slab. The reason for this could be the high amount of oxide containing silicon at the steel-scale interface, which promoted the oxidation resistance of the steel established from the medium slab. The influence of different slab types and its alloying elements was studied to comprehend the oxidation behavior. As a result, the alloying element in the hot-rolled steel was controlled in the design process.

The Relationship Between Self-Control and Self-Esteem with Narcissistic Behavior in Teenage Tiktok Users

This research aims to determine the relationship between self-control and self-esteem and narcissistic behavior in adolescent Tiktok users at SMA Negeri 2 Gorontalo City. This research uses a correlational quantitative design with a population of 840 students, a sample size of 90 students using purposive sampling techniques. The data collection method uses a self-control scale, self-esteem scale and narcissistic behavior scale using multiple correlation analysis techniques (Multivariate Correlation) with the SPSS 23.0 for Windows program. Data analysis on the correlation coefficient between self-control variables and narcissistic behavior resulted in a value of R = -0.514 p = 0.000 and the relationship between self-esteem and narcissistic behavior was R = -0.668 p = 0.000. This means, it can be said, there is a significant negative relationship between self-control and narcissistic behavior and there is also a significant negative relationship between self-esteem and narcissistic behavior in teenage TikTok users. Furthermore, the results of multiple correlations to measure the relationship between self-control and self-esteem with narcissistic behavior obtained a value of R = 0.670, R Square 0.449 and p = 0.000 (p &lt; 0.05). This is shows, there is a relationship between self-control and self-esteem and narcissistic behavior in teenage TikTok users at SMA Negeri 2 Gorontalo City.

The Relationship Betweem Self Image and Prosocial Behavior in Instagram Social Media Users

Instagram is one of the biggest platforms used by all groups of people. Instagram provides various kinds of knowledge information and social assistance such as helping behavior or what is known as prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior is the behavior of helping each other among individuals. Instagram is also used as a place for the formation of selfimage. Selfimage is a view and image of oneself, self-image is formed from past experiences and individual behavior. The research method used is quantitative method. The subjects in this study were Instagram users, age 18-29 years who were obtained using the sperman rho technique with the accidental sampling method. The research data was tested using the Cronbach's alpha reliability test using the SPSS application. The measuring tools used in this research are self-image scale and prosocial behavior scale. The results showed that there was a positive relationship between self-image and prosocial behavior on Instagram social media users, which was 0.232 (p&lt;0.001), meaning that there was a positive relationship between the two variables. The purpose of study was to determine the relationship between self-image and prosocial behavior on Instagram social media users.

Kontrol Diri dalam Perilaku Merokok pada Remaja Laki-Laki

Adolescence is a time when an individual is looking for identity. In searching for identity, sometimes a teenager does things that shouldn't be like smoking behavior. Smoking behavior is the activity of burning cigarettes made of tobacco and wrapped in paper and then inhaling the smoke and then exhaling it out of the body. Smoking behavior is a form of juvenile delinquency related to self-control abilities. Self-control or self-control is an important factor in controlling and directing adolescent behavior. Adolescents who have high self-control will be able to control and direct their behavior. The teenager is generally still able to control the impulses that exist in him. This study aims to determine whether self-control plays a role in smoking behavior in male adolescents at SMKN 2 Kendari. This type of research is quantitative with an ex-post facto research design. The population in this study were 613 students. The sample of this research was 89 people who were taken using a purposive sampling technique with the criteria of male students, class X and XI, and students who smoked. The research instrument used a self-control scale and smoking behavior scale. Data analysis technique using simple regression analysis. The results showed that self-control played a role in smoking behavior with a significance value of 0.001 (P

Association between health-related empowerment and health-protective behaviors among community-dwelling older adults

BackgroundEmpowerment is a broad concept seen as a critical approach for helping older adults who lack power to gain control over various aspects of their lives, including their health-protective behaviors. AimThe study investigated the association between health-related empowerment and health-protective behaviors in older adults. DesignA cross-sectional correlational research design was used by recruiting a convenient sample of 200 older adults. ToolsThe Elder Health Empowerment Scale and Health Protective Behavior Scale were used to collect the participant data. ResultsIt showed a significant positive correlation between health-related empowerment and health-protective behaviors in older adults (r = 0.891, p = 0.001), indicating that as health-related empowerment increases, engagement in health-protective behaviors also increases. Furthermore, health-related empowerment accounted for a large proportion of the variation in health-protective behaviors (85.7 %). ConclusionOverall, these findings suggest that there is a need for interventions to improve the health-related empowerment of older adults, particularly in terms of their ability to turn their health goals into actionable plans, overcome barriers to health, and make informed healthcare choices. However, the studied older adults generally engage in health protective behaviors; there is variability in the extent to which they engage in specific behaviors, which may provide valuable insights for developing targeted health promotion programs and interventions.

Women’s Mental Health During COVID-19 in South Africa

Women’s mental health vulnerability, already a concern before the COVID-19 pandemic, has been exacerbated due to social isolation and restrictions on daily activities. This paper aims to follow a cohort of women from pre - to during the pandemic to determine the change in their mental health using the PHQ-2 scale (a mental health screening tool). Additionally, we investigate whether women with depressive symptoms before the pandemic suffered similarly to those without while controlling for pandemic-related factors. Primarily, we use the Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey dataset and apply pooled ordered logit and fixed effects ordered logit models. We find that the value of the PHQ-2 scale significantly increased during the first period of the pandemic and then eased over time. Interestingly, the behaviour of the individual scale items differed over time. This result questions the internal reliability of the scale during the pandemic and the importance of analysing the scale items individually. Furthermore, being depressed before the pandemic increases the probability of ‘depressive feelings’ and does not matter for ‘anhedonia’. Other factors increasing the probability of mental health disorders are taking care of children for 13–24 h a day and living with a person who has gone hungry. In contrast, wearing a mask and living in a grant-receiving household decreases the probability. These findings inform future researchers of the unexpected behaviour of scales and policymakers of the vulnerability of women’s mental health during unprecedented times, given their vital role in increasing the well-being of future generations.

The Effects of the ADMIRE Program on the Learning Motivation and Self-regulated Learning of University Students

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Learning motivation and self-regulated learning are prominent and essential characteristics to possess in this time of change, leading to lifelong learners. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the ADMIRE program on the learning motivation and self-regulated learning behavior of undergraduate students. The research consisted of a quasi-experimental design conducted for two months. The participants were divided into two homogenous groups including the intervention group (n = 85) and the control group (n = 79). Data were collected before and after the intervention using the learning motivation scale and self-regulated learning behavior scale. Finally, data were analyzed using MANOVA. The study results revealed that the ADMIRE program made a significant impact on the learning motivation and self-regulated learning behavior. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of the ADMIRE program can lead to greater learning motivation and self-regulated learning behavior in the intervention group compared to the control group. The ADMIRE program gives students the opportunity to participate in initiatives to reach the desired learning outcomes. Instructors can also use the ADMIRE program during the process of proactive learning in various forms.&lt;/p&gt;

Multiscale simulation of polymer curing of composites combined mean-field homogenisation methods at large strains

This work introduces a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical framework for simulating the polymerisation process of composites, accounting for large strains. The framework encompasses the microscale, mesoscale and, macroscale. The microscale represents a step-growth polymerisation mechanism, which is modelled as a system of multiple growing spheres. These spheres are further decomposed into concentric layers of solid, resin, and curing agent material. At the mesoscale, the composite is divided into inclusions and the polymer matrix. The macroscale is considered as a homogeneous material. In order to describe the behaviour of the heterogeneous scales, mean-field homogenisation methods are employed. These methods have been developed before for linear elastic materials. However, considering finite deformations, a special treatment is necessary to accurately account for the effects of such deformations. Effective properties at all scales are obtained using the Mori–Tanaka, Voigt, Reuss, and Voigt–Reuss–Hill average mean-field homogenisation method. The results demonstrate how the different homogenisation methods influence the curing process and, consequently, the macroscopic response of the composite material.

Investigating the coupling between transport and reaction within a catalyst pellet using operando magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

In heterogeneous catalysis, the distribution of reactant and product species within a catalyst pellet are of central importance to the catalyst performance, and ultimately to the overall conversion and selectivity achieved in commercial-scale reactors. Despite this importance, fundamental understanding of pellet scale behaviour at operando conditions is limited due to the coupled, multi-scale nature of the underlying transport processes, and the limited techniques capable of mapping the intra-pellet composition at industrially relevant length scales. Here, we demonstrate the coupling between transport and reaction at the pellet scale by using operando magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to map the liquid composition within Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst pellets at an isotropic in-plane spatial resolution of 86 µm during a styrene hydrogenation reaction. The results reveal that asymmetric liquid wetting at the pellet surface, typical of that occurring in trickle-bed reactors, causes significant composition heterogeneity across a catalyst pellet. Due to the wetting inhomogeneity, commonly used 1D reaction-diffusion models are inadequate for describing the observed composition heterogeneity across the pellet. The results reported here provide unique experimental insight into the coupling between transport and reaction at the pellet scale within an operating reactor.

Numerical study on microscopic behaviour of non-crushable cemented granular media subjected to direct shear test

ABSTRACT Granular media, though discontinuous and heterogeneous, exhibit discrete behaviour at the grain scale and continuum behaviour at the macroscopic level. Understanding the correlation between micro-macro-mechanical parameters is crucial. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) effectively bridges this micro-macro-mechanical gap. This study simulates the Direct Shear Test (DST) using DEM software PFC2D on synthetic cemented granular media (CGM) under varying normal loads and strain rates. It examines micromechanical features and correlates them with macroscopic observations, focusing on confinement pressure and strain-rate dependency. Significant volumetric dilation is observed during shearing at low normal loads, which diminishes at higher normal loads. Particle-scale shear mobilization is explored through shear band formation in the sample. Grain-scale contact force distribution is highly heterogeneous throughout the sample. A probability distribution study is carried out to explore the bond breakage effect on the global response, which confirms the bond breakage to be a pressure and strain-dependent phenomenon.

Work engagement, impulsivity and, self-efficacy among Polish workers. Moderating role of impulsivity.

The study proposes adding a new component to the Job Demands-Resources Theory, termed 'personal demands'. Impulsivity serves as an illustrative example of personal demands. A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted and a total of 394 (Female = 59.6%) workers were surveyed. Standardized survey questionnaires were used in the study, i.e. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), Life Roles Self-Efficacy Scale (LRSES) and UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. The obtained results indicate that Work Engagement correlates negatively with Impulsivity scales (lack of premeditation (r = -.22; p < .001), lack of persistence (r = -.27; p < .001), positive urgency (r = -.12; p, < .01) and negative urgency (r = -.12; p < .01)). In addition, Positive Urgency, moderates the relation between Self-efficacy and Work Engagement, in line with the theory (B = .133; SE = .067; t = 1.98; p < .05; LLCI = .0007; ULCI = 0.2643). This confirmed the fact, that impulsivity should be included in the JDR theory as a 'personal demand'.

Associations and gender differences between OHI-seeking behaviors and eHealth literacy among Chinese university students.

to explore associations and gender differences between OHI-seeking (online health information seeking) behaviors and eHealth (electronic health) literacy among Chinese university students. Online questionnaires of eHealth literacy scale and OHI-seeking behaviors created in software Wenjunxing were used in this survey. Chi-squared tests, t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using SPSS for data analysis. Among 5,383 participants, 72.4% were girls, 77.5% lived in rural areas, 51.2% majored in liberal arts, 76.6% with low education parents. The average C-eHEALS scores of boys and girls were 26.53 ± 5.861 and 26.84 ± 5.816, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.084). The top three OHI-seeking behaviors for boys and girls, as well as for the C-eHEALS low and high groups, were "finding information about physical exercises" "reading or sharing health information via social media" "finding information about nutrition and diet", all of which had significant gender and eHealth literacy differences. Gender and eHealth literacy differences should be focused for intervention when developing and implementing eHealth intervention training for parents and adolescents in schools and communities.

Efficiency of Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi [D. Don] DC.) and selected Yoga module in test anxiety of school-going children: A single-arm clinical trial

Abstract Introduction: Test anxiety (TA) is a form of social evaluation anxiety experienced by individuals in a setting of assessment. Studies among students have reported an anxiety rate of 10%–30% which affects their overall performance. On analyzing the symptoms of TA, it is found that, there is a predominance of imbalance of Vata and Pitta humor. Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi [D. Don] DC.) has the property to balance all three Sharira Dosha (body humor) along with Manasa Dosha (psychic humor) and is hence widely used in psychiatric conditions. Several studies concluded that Yoga therapy is effective in various anxiety conditions. Aim: As the reported trials are less in TA from the Ayurvedic fraternity, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jatamansi and Yoga in test anxiety (TA) of school-going children. Materials and methods: Four hundred higher secondary students with age group 15-17 Yrs. were screened with TA self-assessment questionnaire after the quarterly examination. The 32 students satisfying the criteria and with informed assent, were selected for intervention, 45 days before the half-yearly examination. Jatamansi tablet was administered to the participants at the dose of two tablets (each of 500 mg) twice daily at 7 am and 7 pm with lukewarm water along with practicing 50 min of the selected Yoga module in the morning, continuously for 1 month. Assessments were done by the Westside TA scale (WSTAS) and Suinn TA behavior scale (STABS) before and after the intervention and after the half-yearly examination. The data were analyzed using paired “t-test.” Results: The total score of the WSTAS showed a statistically significant effect at the level of P &lt; 0.001, which is suggestive of improvement in the wandering of mind, improving confidence, and concentration ability during the examination. Similarly, the total score of the STABS showed a statistically significant effect at the level of P &lt; 0.001 suggesting improvement in anxious behavior during the examination. The scale showed highly significant results in anxiety at the level of P &lt; 0.001 during preparation and after completing the examinations and at the level of P &lt; 0.05. The drug does not show any drug tolerance or adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a significant role for the Jatamansi tablet 500 mg twice daily along with a selected Yoga module for one month in reducing the test anxiety (TA) of school-going children.

A Comparison Between In-Person and Virtual Communication Skills OSCE for Medical Students.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a virtual format of an advanced communication skills observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) for senior medical students in comparison to an in-person format. The study also examines the emotional support students experience in the virtual setting. Our analysis was based on quantitative data collected through objective checklists and post-OSCE survey results. The virtual OSCE was a revision of an earlier in-person formative advanced communication skills OSCE for fourth-year medical students. Student performances were assessed by self and peers using objective checklists-the modified Master Interview Rating Scale (mMIRS) and Communication Behavior Checklist (CBC). The mMIRS measured interview process such as avoiding jargon and demonstrating empathy. The CBC examined interview content which included tasks specific to the content of the case. The OSCE was followed by a faculty-led debrief and quantitative survey. The virtual OSCE was conducted in 2021, and the results of the checklists and survey were compared with those collected from two earlier in-person OSCEs. Eighty-three students participated in the virtual OSCE. There was no difference in mMIRS scores between the virtual and in-person OSCE. Overall CBC scores were lower in the virtual OSCE compared to in-person (p < 0.05). Sixty-seven out of 83 (80.7%) students completed the post-OSCE survey. There were no differences between the virtual and in-person OSCE in terms of educational value, whether the OSCE would change the way participants talk to patients, and preparedness to have serious conversations with patients. All respondents somewhat or strongly agreed with feeling emotionally supported during the virtual OSCE. The virtual format was a suitable alternative to an in-person, formative, advanced communication skills OSCE for medical students. The virtual OSCE was educationally effective and was met with student satisfaction and a sense of emotional support. Future virtual iterations must ensure adequate instruction on interview content.