Certification Challenges Research Articles

Challenges in Brain-Death Certification in India.

The determination of Brain Death (BD)/Death by neurological criteria (DNC) is now widely accepted among various international societies following the World Brain Death project recommendation. As per the World Brain Death project, ancillary testing should be performed when standard brain-death examination components are inconclusive or cannot be performed. BD was defined legally in 1994 under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA). However, even after 27 years of the formulated law, there are no guidelines in the THOA regarding the determination of BD using ancillary tests. The present brief report describes two instances where ancillary tests like four-vessel angiography and transcranial doppler-aided brain-death certification were done. It is the first available literature from our country where ancillary tests aided in confirmation of BD when the standard clinical components of DNC could not be performed.

ShrimpChain: A blockchain-based transparent and traceable framework to enhance the export potentiality of Bangladeshi shrimp

Despite substantial progress achieved with shrimp production during the last three and a half decades, growth of shrimp export remains minimal in Bangladesh. In the absence of effective traceability and transparency practices, a wide range of malpractice occurs both at the production and post-harvest stages. Traditional paper-based record-keeping methods for the shrimp supply chain are disparate and, therefore, cannot provide efficient traceability capacity and holistic view of the supply chain. These limit the identification of any issues in earlier juncture to proactively ensure food safety, best practice, and good governance. Addressing this multiplexed challenge, we present here ShrimpChain, a public-private hybrid blockchain-based conceptual framework. Focusing on the export market and utilizing existing technologies, the conceptual framework addresses the traceability, transparency, and certification challenges associated with shrimp export. In this framework, from the post-larva purchasing to the final packaging stage, relevant data for every stage will be entered by the associated actors via mobile/web app or Internet of Things devices to the blockchain network. Data authentication will be achieved by a novel approach of incorporating community consensus in conjunction with the machine-derived data entry timestamping method. Instead of the traditional central and endpoint certification approach, we propose a distributed and accumulative score-based certification approach that will grade packaged shrimps according to the completeness and accuracy of the authenticated data entered during different stages. Such distributed approach of certification will enhance not only food safety but also the quality and compliance to best practices. Most importantly, engaging shrimp farmers in the safety and quality assurance as well as to the certification process will empower them to have better control over the market and incentive to produce high-quality shrimp for high-value market.

The 25 years development of the Moscow Center for Diagnostics: through an eyewitness

Today, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the leader in the Moscow radiological service, Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Healthcare Department (used to be the Research and Practical Center of Medical Radiology until 2019), the bright quarter-century history of this institution comes to life in our me-mory, day after day has passed by since the opening of the Center, our weekdays, scientific breakthroughs, and celebrations.
 We would like to present to our readers a brief history of one of the aspects of the Centers complex activities, the development of professional education of radiologists. We observe a period from its launching to its recognition as the authority in radiology. The Education Department of the Moscow Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies is currently appointed by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation as an expert to participate in addressing the current challenges of professional training and certification in diagnostic radiology.
 The article is devoted to well-known scientists and teachers, professors, and leading specialists in the industry, who are actively involved in the development of continuing education of radiologists and other specialists in diagnostic radiology at different stages of the centers existence. Specialists of the Training Center strive for the compliance of the provided professional training following the Bologna Declaration (1999), thereby creating conditions for Russian professionals to obtain European diplomas.

Challenges to obtain halal certification among restaurants in northeast Thailand

PurposeThis study aims to explore the challenges of getting halal certification for restaurants in north-eastern Thailand.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research approach was adopted to analyse the collected data. The research procedures and the interview questions were examined by the Ethics Committee for Research involving human subjects. In total, 10 restaurant owners were interviewed. Then, the interviews were transcribed, coded and grouped by using thematic analysis while the ATLAS ti. software was used for qualitative data analysis. The theme was finalised by three intercoder agreements.FindingsThe three challenges of obtaining halal certification among restaurants in north-eastern Thailand were the complicated process of getting halal certification, lack of restaurant owner commitment and high halal certification fee.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of halal-certified restaurants are limited. Some restaurants refused to renew halal status but their information is still displayed on the halal authority website. Not only the number of restaurants but also time-limited. Further, a quantitative phase for prioritising was suggested.Practical implicationsThe study can be beneficial to the halal authority and business holders as the two main stakeholders. The findings can be used to plan or develop halal strategies to increase the quality of halal restaurants. As informants mentioned common challenges, the findings could be applied as guidelines for a new business holder keen on halal implementation.Originality/valueThis research demonstrated the challenges of halal certification in a non-Muslim country, focussing on the north-eastern region of Thailand. The findings will add value to a potential business area. Therefore, the highlighted challenges could provide a novelty and be useful for Muslim marketing.

From Papers to Practices: Embracing Challenges of ISO Certification

As a mechanism to ensure quality education and services in the state colleges and universities in the Philippines, ISO certification entails embracing challenges and adopting strategies for the sustainable implementation of quality management systems, policies, and procedures. This descriptive study looked into the strategies employed, the challenges encountered and the changes observed by one state college during ISO certification. A total of 84 college officials, faculty members, and staff were requested to answer a questionnaire. Responses were validated through an interview among selected participants. Results revealed the respondents’ positive perception towards ISO certification; the institution’s employment of consultant, conducting seminars, trainings, internal audits, and management review, and implementation of ISO-aligned policies and procedures as strategies; conduct of orientations, dissemination of information, time management, provision of necessary resources and commitment of top management to address challenges on lack of awareness, resistance to change, conflict in schedule, insufficient knowledge on ISO standards and implementation of policies and procedures; and improvement in the school image, customer satisfaction, communication, and implementation of policies and procedures as observed changes. Hence, the respondents’ perception, strategies, and actions to address the challenges helped the institution acquire and benefit from ISO certification.

Effectiveness of point-of-use and pitcher filters at removing lead phosphate nanoparticles from drinking water

Orthophosphate (PO4) addition is a common corrosion control treatment used to lower lead (Pb) concentrations at the consumer's tap by forming relatively insoluble Pb-phosphate (Pb-PO4) minerals. However, some Pb-PO4 particles that can form in drinking water are mobile nanoparticles (i.e., 0.001-0.1 µm) that have the potential to reach the tap. Point-of-use (POU) or pitcher filters are often used to manage risks during distribution system upsets, when corrosion control treatment is not optimized, or following Pb service line replacements. To abide by industry convention, POU and pitcher filters must be NSF/ANSI-certified for Pb reduction (NSF/ANSI-53) using a test water containing dissolved Pb and large Pb particles. Certification for particulates reduction (NSF/ANSI-42) is done using a test water that contains particles, but not leaded particles. To address the lack of testing for Pb nanoparticles, this study challenged six certified commercially available faucet-mounted POU (3) and pitcher (3) filters with aqueous suspensions of Pb-PO4 nanoparticle. For the water quality investigated, the Pb particles formed ranged between 0.016 and 0.098 µm, based on scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analysis. These particles represented 98.5% of total Pb in suspension. The total Pb removals were between 44.6 and 65.1% for the POU filters, and between 10.9 and 92.9% for the pitcher filters. The electron microscopy results confirm that Pb-PO4 nanoparticles passed through the filters. The findings can inform future efforts to re-examine the test waters used in the certification challenge tests.

Estimating Orion Heat Shield Failure due to Ablator Cracking

Before the successful Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) flight test in December 2014, the Orion EFT-1 Heat Shield suffered from two major certification challenges: First, the mechanical properties used in the design were not evident in the flight hardware, and, second, the flight article itself cracked in several locations during fabrication. These events motivated the Orion Program to pursue an engineering-level Loss of Mission Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) as part of the Heat Shield certification rationale. The PRA provided likelihoods considering the probability of ablator cracks occurring during the mission and the likelihood of subsequent structure overtemperature. After a general discussion illustrating the relationship between typical stress design policy and reliability, the Orion-specific methods and input data for the PRA are presented along with a discussion of the test data used to anchor the results. The Orion program accepted an EFT-1 Loss of Vehicle risk of 1 in 160,000 due to in-mission Avcoat cracking based on the results of this analysis. Conservatisms in the result, along with future considerations for Exploration Missions, are also addressed.

Attitudes of Fruit and Vegetable Farmers towards Organic Farming in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Organic farming is increasingly popular among the farmers of Kathmandu valley. However, the organic growers have been facing issues in production, organic certification, and product marketing. To date, little is known about the challenges faced by the organic growers in Kathmandu valley. This study aimed to explore the status of organic farming, attitudes of farmers towards organic farming, their suggestions for improvement, and strengthening the value chain of organic products. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Lalitpur, Nepal during December 2019 with 37 organic growers directly or indirectly involved in organic farming. The results showed that organic growers face challenges in marketing and institutional recognition. Challenges in product certification and marketing were reported by 45.95% of the total interviewed organic growers while following organic practices (transitional organic). Our study suggested that reducing the cost of production through easy access to organic inputs like organic seeds, fertilizers, and biopesticides are highly desired by the growers. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) or group certification along with collective marketing could be the policy implications to address the issues. Organic farming in Kathmandu valley is limited to a niche market; however, due to increasing consumer demand for safe, fresh, and local food, the popularity of organic products is extending to other regions within the country.

Evaluation of Concordance Between Original Death Certifications and an Expert Panel Process in the Determination of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood

The true incidence of sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC), already the fifth leading category of death among toddlers by current US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, is potentially veiled by the varied certification processes by medicolegal investigative offices across the United States. To evaluate the frequency of SUDC incidence, understand its epidemiology, and assess the consistency of death certification among medical examiner and coroner offices in the US death investigation system. In this case series, 2 of 13 forensic pathologists (FPs) conducted masked reviews of 100 cases enrolled in the SUDC Registry and Research Collaborative (SUDCRRC). Children who died aged 11 months to 18 years from 36 US states, Canada, and the United Kingdom had been posthumously enrolled in the SUDCRRC by family members from 2014 to 2017. Comprehensive data from medicolegal investigative offices, clinical offices, and family members were reviewed. Data analysis was conducted from December 2014 to June 2020. Certified cause of death (COD) characterized as explained (accidental or natural) or unexplained, as determined by SUDCRRC masked review process. In this study of 100 cases of SUDC (mean [SD] age, 32.1 [31.8] months; 58 [58.0%] boys; 82 [82.0%] White children; 92 [92.0%] from the United States), the original pathologist certified 43 cases (43.0%) as explained COD and 57 (57.0%) as unexplained COD. The SUDCRRC review process led to the following certifications: 16 (16.0%) were explained, 7 (7.0%) were undetermined because of insufficient data, and 77 (77.0%) were unexplained. Experts disagreed with the original COD in 40 cases (40.0%). These data suggest that SUDC incidence is higher than the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate (ie, 392 deaths in 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive masked forensic pathology review process of sudden unexpected pediatric deaths, and it suggests that SUDC may often go unrecognized in US death investigations. Some unexpected pediatric deaths may be erroneously attributed to a natural or accidental COD, negatively affecting surveillance, research, public health funding, and medical care of surviving family members. To further address the challenges of accurate and consistent death certification in SUDC, future studies are warranted.

Organic Farming: Paradigm Shift during Pandemic to ‘Food Safety” Complying ‘Food Security” in India

The organic farming is gaining worldwide acceptance since the conventional farming gratifies the demand of both food security and the food safety especially during the pandemic year 2020 of COVID 19. Though demographic rise demands for high yielding grains, fruits and spices but under present scenario it fails to satisfy the food safety. The high yielding highbred seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are degrading the fertility gradually and raising health concerns and do not meet the cosmetic standard. The organic farming is labour intensive with higher input costs and lower yields as compared to conventional farming yet it is in demand for its food safety. The search is to uncover whether the yields from Organic farms in India is capable to ameliorates manage pests and diseases, economic feasibility, food safety, nutrient requirement, environmental sustainability, augment food quality. The influence of shut downs are revealed. The producers face the challenges of certification, beating income during transition, seeds and manures and marketing etc. In India, the end produce of organic products are highly expensive and have high end consumers. The cost amelioration needs to be attended by government institutions as tribal and hilly areas in India like Sikkim, Meghalaya and other tribal areas. The tribal population has high organic farming inputs, logistics facilities and huge organic produces from food grains to fishes and cosmetics and spices. But the novice cropping pattern needs “cluster approach for organic lands (ODOP)”, “compensation for incomes losses during transition phase”, “active participation of Corporate houses and NGOs”, “assuring adequate return on investments”, for registering phenomenal rise in the organic farming in India.

Management System Certification Challenges after Transition

Purpose – the article provides part of the broader research in the area of management systems standards and management systems certification. In the paper we analyse the evolution of management system standards after implementation of High-Level Structure (Annex SL) on the example of the most popular management standard ISO 9001: 2015 with the comparison to ISO 14001:2015. To understand the evolution and predict the future of certification we examine more deeply the behaviour of individual standard worldwide and on the particular markets. Research methodology – this study presents a quantitative overview of the quality management system standard certification during and after the last revision transition period. It presents analyses based on ISO survey data, data of the certification structure in Slovakia and particular data of broader research on adoption of an environmental management system in Slovak companies. The data were presented in graphs and tables to outline the change of dynamics of standards usage. We compare certification markets and analyse the observable impact by the type of standard, sectors penetration and possible certification impacts. Findings – the evolution charts of the volume of certificates over time express a saturation effect and stable reduction in the dynamics of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. The analysis of certificates numbers by industrial sectors highlights a decrease in the majority of sectors, only a few of them show up a positive trend in the last two years. Practical implications − the results of this study should be considered indicative rather than definitive. Taking into account the assembled data, multiple questions appear about the future. The future studies could proceed in qualitative research on causes of certification reduction and the possible incentives for management system standards application in organizations to sustain a system of credibility in international trade. Originality/Value – the paper analyses the evolution of management system standards ISO 9001 with a focus on “Big Revision” impact.

The Future of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: What Should We Be Worried About?

How long is a piece of string?- I worry that informal logic will take over from formal logic -- It’s not you, it’s me!- The lost leaders -- BIG DATA: revolution or complication?- The influence of industry -- Are we stifling innovation?- Don`t get dragged into the gloom: Keep the flame!- Pseudoscience and false avenues -- We’d better quit now -- Academic integrity and the God of data -- Research funding – finding a balance -- From science to daily practice: a huge gap! The example of meniscus surgery -- Living on the edge -- The last generation of doctors -- The future of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: It’s the human connection -- The meniscus is the most important piece of the knee -- Is medicine now a science or still an art?- Surgery is so passe!- We should be worried, about being worried!- The end of sports surgery -- Will our focus on techniques and technology to improve patient outcomes be at the expense of a loss of clinical judgement?- Are we going forward or standing still?- Please take your time: A research perspective -- What’s in it for me?- Social media in Sports Medicine -- Biologic and Regenerative Medicine: The Balance between Promise and Proven -- There are no facts only interpretations -- Increased incidence of sports trauma in children. Is it time to worry?- Persistent lack of patient treatment outcome information for patients, therapists and surgeons -- The perils and potentials of biologic therapies -- Am I a robot or a surgeon?- Who will guard the guardians?- Don’t wait to worry -- The threat of fake news!- The big bang and its fallout!- First the process, then the art of medicine? The Gruyere theory- The complexity of a “rope” -- If you don’t know where you are going any road will take you there!- What’s the use in worrying?- High-Technology technicians versus bedside doctors- Surgery is overvalued and rehabilitation undervalued following anterior cruciate ligament injury -- The professional responsibility of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons as advocates for sports injury prevention -- Digitalization and machine learning -- Worried about the vision -- Why are ACL injury prevention programs not being implemented more widely?- Think of the children -- Mentoring in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine -- Challenges of certification and training - looking into the future -- Technology and Sports Medicine: The good, the bad and the ugly -- Will it be possible to perform a 99% perfect ACL reconstruction in the future?- The good and the bad of evidence based medicine, and the challenge of practicing in a time of increased connectivity and artificial intelligence -- Preventing osteoarthritis in young patients after anterior cruciate ligament injury -- The danger of making decisions for evolution, quality of care and education based on National Health data -- When dogmas are not revised soon our sportsmen’s hips and knees will not be preserved but instead replaced -- Ingenuity, intellectual integrity, honesty and collaboration will be the key to our future -- A lot done, more to do!

Non-state certification of smallholders for sustainable palm oil in Sumatra, Indonesia

Rapid expansion of oil palm plantations is one of the leading causes of Indonesia’s continued deforestation over the past decades. To reverse this trend against the wave of increasing global demand for palm oil, non-state certification programs, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), have been promoted to ensure sustainable palm oil production. However, limited empirical studies exist for understanding how RSPO is perceived and practiced by various stakeholders along the palm oil supply chain, especially at the source by small-scale farmers. We surveyed 181 certified independent smallholders in two sites in Jambi, Sumatra to understand: (1) the challenges and benefits of participating in RSPO; (2) the willingness of independent smallholders to continue their participation; and 3) the factors affecting their willingness. We found that most of the challenges of RSPO certification are not well understood by smallholders, except the need for organizational support. In both sites, extensive external support from a local NGO was the key factor that facilitated RSPO certification. Most of the respondents recognize both non-financial (e.g. knowledge, market access, and social recognition) and financial benefits (e.g. sales from RSPO credits) of certification. Although overall, direct financial benefits may be small, they can be a motivator for farmers to continue with certification and for others to consider joining the group when disbursed equitably in non-monetary and communal form, such as in shared food. In contrast, indirect and long-term benefits were not enough to motivate smallholders to maintain RSPO certification. This study provides important insights about the characteristics of the leaders (governing members) and factors affecting RSPO participation from actual experiences of certified smallholders. The information can be used to target early adopters to initiate the RSPO process in farmers’ groups and to develop appropriate facilitation strategies at different stages of certification development for independent smallholders.

The utility of certification for managing the state-voluntary sport club relationship: an agency theory perspective

ABSTRACT Rationale/Purpose: Certification is an institutional mechanism that may, indirectly, have utility for managing the challenges that are likely to be present when the state and voluntary sport clubs (VSCs) connect for sport development. Design/Methodology/Approach: A hermeneutic-dialectic approach guides the adoption of agency theory to conceptualize the state as principal and VSCs as its agents, and to consider agency problems of information asymmetry and divergent interests. Findings: The potential for VSC certification to counter agency problems through harmonization of interests, VSC signaling and reporting of quality and professionalization, state screening and monitoring, and confidence-building through quality assurances, are discussed. Practical Implications: The challenges of certification further inform implications for its indirect application for effectively managing the VSC-state relationship. Research Contribution: The paper advances the limited consideration of both VSC certification and agency theory in the sport literature, combining them for new insights into the potential role of certification for government and community sport relations.

Correlations between thermal history and keyhole porosity in laser powder bed fusion

Additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize the production of metallic components as it yields near net shape parts with complex geometries and minimizes waste. At the present day, additively manufactured components face qualification and certification challenges due to the difficulty in controlling defects. This has driven a significant research effort aimed at better understanding and improving processing controls – yielding a plethora of in-situ measurements aimed at correlating defects with material quality metrics of interest. In this work, we develop machine-learning methods to learn correlations between thermal history and subsurface porosity for a variety of print conditions in laser powder bed fusion. Un-normalized surface temperatures (in the form of black-body radiances) are obtained using high-speed infrared imaging and porosity formation is observed in the sample cross-section through synchrotron x-ray imaging. To demonstrate the predictive power of these features, we present four statistical machine-learning models that correlate temperature histories to subsurface porosity formation in laser fused Ti-6Al-4V powder.

Control Technology Needs for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Systems

Abstract Electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) systems hold potential for the reduction of aircraft fuel burn, emissions, and noise. Currently, NASA and other organizations are actively working to identify and mature technologies necessary to bring EAP designs to reality. This paper specifically focuses on the envisioned control technology challenges associated with EAP designs that include gas turbine technology. Topics discussed include analytical tools for the dynamic modeling and analysis of EAP systems, and control design strategies at the propulsion and component levels. This includes integrated supervisory control facilitating the coordinated operation of turbine and electrical components, control strategies that seek to minimize fuel consumption and lessen the challenges associated with thermal management, and dynamic control to ensure engine operability during system transients. These dynamic control strategies include innovative control approaches that either extract or supply power to engine shafts dependent upon operating phase, which may improve performance and reduced gas turbine engine weight. Finally, a discussion of control architecture design considerations to help alleviate the propulsion/aircraft integration and certification challenges associated with EAP systems is provided.

The readiness of JKR Sarawak to adopt ISO 39001 road traffic safety (RTS) management systems

The recently launched ISO 39001 is a management system for the safety of road traffic. It specifies requirements to enable an organization that interacts with the road traffic system, to reduce death and serious injuries related to road traffic crashes which it can influence. This paper looked at the readiness of JKR Sarawak to adopt ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety (RTS) Management Systems. This paper highlights the current (RTS) practices and identified those which fulfilled the ISO 39001 requirements. This paper also investigated the challenges in achieving certification based on the six steps of a basic plan-do-check-act model for continuous improvement. The finding shows that the organization do fulfill parts of the requirement, however, it is not ready to adopt the best practice in road traffic safety management due to challenges in certification. Measurable RTS objectives are proposed to overcome the identified challenges.

INFORMATION MODELING OF BEHAVIORAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

The application of project management practices in contemporary business is continuously increasing with the aim of delivering the work packages in a more cost-conscious and controlled way while making the best use of limited human resources to meet customer requirements and create competitive advantage. In order to be considered competent, individuals working in the field should demonstrate a certain level of knowledge, skills, and abilities – assessed, developed or improved through a certification system. Taking into account the importance of information modeling and technology in the domain of project management as a set of practices that determine structure, lifecycle and accessibility requirements of information and the emphasis placed on the behavioral competencies of project, program and portfolio managers, the authors of the paper focused on exploring the challenges and specificities of the project management profession in Croatia. Empirical research was conducted in two steps. Firstly, a qualitative research was done using in-depth interviews with a member of the editorial board of a new project management international certification standard and two representatives of the certification body in Croatia: the director and the assessor. The collected data were analyzed using grounded theory approach and results in four main areas were obtained: project management and certification challenges, addressing certification body needs, the missing link between educational institutions and project management in practice and key project management competencies. In the next step, a quantitative research with a questionnaire as a research instrument was conducted among 53 certified project, program and portfolio managers in Croatia regarding their perception of the importance of the behavioral project management competencies. The results show that the majority of the certified experts in the field consider "leadership" to be the most important behavioral project management competency, closely followed by teamwork and self-management, while relations and engagement, conflict and crisis as well as negotiation and resourcefulness are considered to be of the least importance for conducting the project, program, and portfolio successfully. Statistically significant differences in assigning importance to various project management competencies were revealed with regard to several respondents' independent characteristics.

Implementing the rights of indigenous peoples in Japan: implications and challenges of forest certification for the Ainu

ABSTRACTAfter the adoption of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, the Government of Japan recognised the Ainu as an indigenous people in 2008, and it began developing the Ainu policy. However, the policy focuses on individual rights and cultural promotion, failing to implement UNDRIP. In this situation, private standards, notably forest certification, are increasingly paid attention to because the mechanism requires forest managers to respect the rights of indigenous peoples outlined in UNDRIP. With this in mind, the study will discuss the implications and challenges of forest certification in relation to the Ainu indigenous rights in Hokkaido, particularly the 2012 revision of Principles and Criteria of Forest Stewardship Council. It will take a close look at newly added requirements on UNDRIP, identification of indigenous peoples, and the right to free, prior and informed consent. Through this analysis, the study will clarify that the revised standard could improve the relationship between the Ainu and forest managers. However, by considering the current situation of the Ainu, the study will also point out the necessity of careful audit process, further effort in working on the Governmental policy and the increase in auditors’ familiarities with indigenous rights.

Approach to and practical challenges in certification in Psychiatry.

Psychiatrists and mental health professionals (MHPs) are often requested to provide a certificate in connection with admission, treatment, fitness, competence, administration, legal proceedings, or welfare measures and benefits for persons with mental illness. The role of Psychiatrist and MHPs in providing a certificate is an integral part of clinical practice and more so with the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHCA 2017). While issuing a certificate, keeping patient information confidential is a challenging task for a professional as the patient care in psychiatry involves multiple stakeholders (Central and State Mental Health Authorities, Mental Health Review Board, MHPs including psychiatrist, and caregivers). There is limited training at undergraduate or postgraduate level in documentary practices and certification. This article tries to address some of the issues related to certification, professional and legal accountability, and attempts to remove some of the ambiguities associated with the certification process in psychiatry.