Program Content Research Articles

Entrepreneurship Education Intention and Performance Indicators of SMEs amongst Managers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Across the globe, it has been established that the activities of small and medium enterprises are critical for the growth and development of a country, thus attracting investigations. The aim of this empirical study is to investigate issues relating to entrepreneurship education intention and performance indicators of small and medium enterprises amongst managers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design was used and primary data collected via questionnaire. With the aid of statistical package for social sciences version 25, mean, aggregate mean, correlation and spearman rank were used to analyze the data collected. From the empirical findings, the study concludes that entrepreneurship education intention relates positively and significantly to performance indicators as measured by dimensions of cognitive education and customer service – their respective proxies. It is, therefore, recommended that for SMEs to operate competitively and profitably, thereby contributing significantly to the economic recovery and growth of Nigeria, owners and managers of entrepreneurial ventures need to continuously acquire entrepreneurial education for themselves and their employees. Also, leaders or managers of SMEs in Nigeria need to engage more in transformational leadership styles. More specifically, the contents of personnel development programmes should be intentionally geared towards enhancing the cognitive dimensions of entrepreneurship education for managers of SMEs for them to operate efficiently in order to gain competitive advantage.

Sustainable effects of a motor skill programme on physical activity levels in 7–8 years old children, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

BackgroundDeteriorating global physical activity (PA) levels among children warrants new and sustainable approaches to increase PA levels. This study aimed to determine the immediate and sustainable influences of a 9-week movement program on the PA levels in 7 to 8-year-old school children in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.MethodsA randomized control trial including two groups (control group (CG) and intervention group (IG)), pre–post–retest (after six months of no intervention) design was used. Seventy school children, mean age 7.12 years (± 0.71) (n = 35 IG; n = 35 CG) participated in the study. A 9-week movement program was followed twice a week for 30 min during school hours. PA was measured for 7 consecutive days using a hip-mounted wGT3X-BT Actigraph accelerometer. The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition (TGMD-3) was used to assess motor skills. Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) was applied to analyze the data with time, sex, and group as predictors. Effect sizes were computed using Cohen’s d-cut points to assess the practical significance of changes over time. Estimated regression coefficients were also computed to determine the strength of the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and fundamental movement skills (FMS).ResultsBefore the intervention, 60% of the IG met the 60 min of daily MVPA guideline, while light physical activity (LPA) per day was also higher than sedentary behavior (SB) in both groups. No immediate (p < 0.01) or sustainable (p < 0.01) increases in MVPA levels were found and no positive associations emerged between FMS and MVPA levels.ConclusionsThis intervention had little to no effect on children’s MVPA. More understanding of the activity behavior and interests of children is needed to improve their PA behavior through the content of movement programs. Strategies are also needed to communicate clear messages at a personalized but also parental level, focusing on enhancing health through regular PA, especially to promote PA in young children.

UONEDU as Social Innovation: From Education to Education

The specific conditions of education are a great challenge for all those involved in education, and necessarily refer to knowledge and the transfer of knowledge. In such conditions, without prior planning and organization of teaching, educational institutions are "thrown into the world" (Heidegger, 1985) of online education. The purpose of the study is to identify leadership, programs and its evidence. By content analysis, it is identified that the UONEDU organization has leadership in accordance with regulations of the state, it has the educational program contents and that has evidence for verification and recognitions for policy makers - Certificates. It can be concluded that social innovation of citizens and experts, by networking and bringing to the table models of organizing and representations are a way in which small-scale organizations are thrown and could be recognized in the world and be served as strategies to overcome education in specific conditions.

The influence of actors on the content and execution of a bereavement programme: a Bourdieu-inspired ethnographical field study in Sweden

IntroductionThe death of a parent can have profound negative impacts on children, and a lack of adequate support can exacerbate negative life experiences.AimTo explore the influences of various actors on the content and execution of a bereavement programme within a Swedish context, considering relational and contextual perspectives.MethodsAn ethnographic field study involving six children, their parents, and eight volunteers. A theory-inspired thematic analysis was conducted, methodically inspired by Braun and Clarke, theoretically inspired by Bourdieu’s concepts of position, power, and capital.ResultsConfidentiality obligation was an essential element in the programme, however, the premisses varied depending on actors’ positions. Volunteers and researchers had different outlets to express their experiences in the program. The programme offered the children an exclusive space for talking about and sharing experiences and feelings. Simultaneously, the programme restricted the children by not allowing them to share their experiences and feelings outside the physical space. The physical settings shaped the different conditions for interactions among the actors. The sessions adopted loss-oriented approaches, where communication between volunteers and children was guided by the volunteers. However, children created strategies for additional, voiceless communication with their peers or themselves. During breaks and mingles, shared interests or spaces connected children (and adults) more than their common experience of parental bereavement.ConclusionThe participants in the programme were significantly influenced by the structural framework of the programme, and their positions within the programme provided them with different conditions of possibility for (inter)acting. Children’s daily activities and interests were both ways to cope with parental bereavement and connect them to other people.

Practice pathways, education, and regulation influencing nurse practitioners’ decision to provide primary care: a rapid scoping review

Background/ObjectiveInitially established to improve access to healthcare, particularly for primary care, the full potential of the nurse practitioner role is yet to be realised in most countries. Despite this, most countries are working to meet an ageing population’s increasing healthcare needs and reduce healthcare costs and access disparities. Achieving these outcomes requires reform at multiple levels, including nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation, and identifying the barriers and facilitators to optimising their primary care role.MethodsA rapid scoping review of nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation inclusive of: (1) a systematic search of Medline and CINAHL for peer-reviewed English language articles, including opinion pieces published between January 2015 and February 2022; and (2) a web-based search of nurse practitioner program entry requirements of International Nurse Regulator Collaborative country members with a protected nurse practitioner title and prescribing rights, plus the Netherlands. The individually summarised search data was integrated and synthesised using Popay’s narrative approach.ResultsEmerging evidence from the included nurse practitioner courses (n = 86) and articles (n = 79) suggests nurse practitioners working in primary care provide safe, effective care and improve healthcare efficiencies. However, different regulatory and educational models are required if the primary care nurse practitioner is to meet growing demand.ConclusionsInternational variations in entry criteria, curriculum, and regulation shape the global profile of the nurse practitioner primary care workforce and their practice setting. For countries to grow their primary care nurse practitioner workforce to meet unmet needs, different entry requirements, program content and accredited post-registration transitional programs must be urgently considered.

Личный бренд студента-спортсмена как инструмент публичной дипломатии

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the need and expediency of supplementing the competence of international activities with the competence of public sports diplomacy of specialists in physical culture and sports for productive participation in the implementation of international sports cooperation programs. The article complements the political, humanitarian, cultural prerequisites for the implementation of public diplomacy in the field of physical culture at the level of mass and amateur sports, recorded in international and Russian documents. The goals of public diplomacy in the field of youth policy and student sports are clarified, aimed at creating a positive image, business reputation and a productive personal and corporate brand. Based on the concept of “sports well-being”, the structure of its components and their content, the content of the phenomenon “personal brand of a student-athlete” is substantiated. The structure of the components of the personal brand of a student-athlete as an actor of public diplomacy was modeled. Methodology for designing a personal brand of a student-athlete is presented. Recommendations have been formulated for designing the content of the educational program of additional education, the advanced training course “Strategies, tactics and techniques of public diplomacy in the field of physical culture and sports”, integrating knowledge in the field of foreign policy, world sports, sociology, social psychology, intercultural communication, public relations and journalism, collectively necessary and sufficient to assume the social role of “actor of public sports diplomacy”.

The impact of early weight-bearing on results following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

IntroductionAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common injuries that typically affect young, physically active individuals and may require surgical reconstruction. Studies have shown that the long time success of ACL reconstruction depends on the surgical technique and the postoperative rehabilitation strategy. However, there is still no consensus on the content of rehabilitation programs. Hence, additional research is required to elucidate the significance of early weight-bearing in the rehabilitation process following ACL reconstruction. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of weight-bearing on the clinical results of ACL reconstruction.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed patient records who had undergone arthroscopic reconstruction using a semitendinosus-gracilis tendon graft for anterior cruciate ligament rupture between January 2018 and December 2020. The study included the data of 110 patients. The patients were split into two groups: Group 1 underwent early weight-bearing, while Group 2 followed a non-weight-bearing regimen for three weeks. We assessed the patients using the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, range of motion, Lysholm knee scale, Cincinnati scale, Tegner scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form and clinical records. Analytical tests were conducted to compare the results.ResultsThe complication rates did not show a significant difference between the groups. Group 1 had higher frequencies of positive anterior drawer and Lachman tests. The Lysholm and Cincinnati knee scores of patients in Group 1 were notably lower than those of patients in Group 2. Additionally, the Tegner activity scores and IKDC scores of patients in Group 1 were also meaningfully lower than those of patients in Group 2. In Group 1 patients, there was no notable relationship observed between body mass index (BMI) and the results of the anterior drawer test (ADT) or Lachman test. However, patients with a BMI of 25 or higher in Group 1 showed a decrease in postoperative IKDC scores. In Group 2 patients, no significant relationship was identified between BMI and either the ADT or the Lachman test outcome.ConclusionBased on current literature and current rehabilitation guidelines following ACL reconstruction, the decision to initiate early weight-bearing is based on a limited number of studies with low levels of evidence. In our study, we found that patients who followed a non-weight-bearing regimen for 3 weeks after surgery had better mid-term results than those who were allowed to bear weight early. It appears that further prospective studies on this topic are needed to update rehabilitation guidelines in the next.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Physiotherapists about Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Adherence among Patients Discharged from the Hospital after Cardiac Surgery in India.

In most settings, patients receive phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation in CTVS ICU at the hospital, but there are several barriers to follow-up after patients are discharged from the hospital. Physiotherapists play an important role in the enrolment and continuation of cardiac rehabilitation. Thus, we aim to study the knowledge, attitude, and practice of physiotherapists about CR program adherence among patients discharged from the hospital after cardiac surgery. (i) To study the knowledge of physiotherapists about the importance of cardiac rehabilitation after discharge; (ii) to know the attitude of physiotherapists towards cardiac surgery patients after discharge; and (iii) to know what approach various centres are applying for patients after discharge to ensure adherence to cardiac rehabilitation. A questionnaire was developed with reference to the objectives of the study, which was answered by a total of 127 physiotherapists. The overall response rate was 42.3%; nearly 35.4% of the participants indicated that they knew a lot about CR, while 5.5% said they knew very little. Regarding the program's content, 36.2% of participants reported having a medium degree of awareness of the diverse CR components, while 8.6% reported having very little knowledge of them. Only about one-third, 35.7% stated that CR in India is effective and 95% believed that CR will have an added value for the country. Approximately 80% of respondents thought that it would be challenging for a physiotherapist to recommend patients to a CR in the nation. Nearly 35% of respondents believed that they, "themselves as physios," needed to commence CR, and slightly less than 70% thought that doctors were required to choose and refer the patients when asked who should take the initiative to start this kind of programme in the country. A little over 40% of respondents said that insurance firms are also involved in starting a CR programme. Physiotherapists have good knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation. However, their attitude and practice towards adherence to exercise protocols are confounded by various clinician- and patient-level factors.

Training mode of university dance performers based on sequential quadratic programming algorithm

Dance performance is an art form, which needs to cultivate students’ dance skills, artistic accomplishment and stage performance ability. Sequential quadratic programming algorithm is an optimization algorithm that can be used to solve complex optimization problems. In this paper, Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) is applied to explore the training mode of dance performers in colleges to help dance performers develop the optimal training plan and program. Aiming at the problems existing in the training mode of dance performance talents in colleges, this paper put forward an optimization method based on SQP algorithm, and implemented its optimization scheme in actual colleges. In the planning of dance performance talent training mode, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize SQP algorithm, so that it can have higher planning efficiency. This paper studied the goal and index system of the training of dance performance talents in colleges, generated a personalized training program, and further improved the scientific and practical effectiveness of the training mode. This paper investigated the current situation of dance performance talent training in several dance schools in a certain province of China. The survey data include practical curriculum planning, teachers’ teaching philosophy and teaching content. Combined with SQP algorithm, the teaching and training program is optimized. After evaluation, it can be concluded that the SQP algorithm optimized by PSO shows good stability and accuracy. It can calculate the optimal solution of the cultivation scheme, and when calculating the optimal solution, the running time of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) was only 5.6 s, which can further improve the efficiency of the planning. Finally, through the satisfaction and resource utilization test, it can be found that the number of people who are very satisfied with the teaching content of the dance performance talent training program optimized by SQP increased from 38.4% to 52.4%. After optimization, the average utilization rate of teaching resources reached 88.1%. It can be concluded that SQP algorithm can provide scientific basis for dance education institutions to improve the training mode of dance talents. This can help dance education institutions better improve the training mode, and improve the overall quality and dance skills of dance students.

Development of an implementation plan for a school-based multimodal approach for depression and suicide prevention in adolescents.

Strong Teens and Resilient Minds (STORM) is a multimodal, school-based approach for depression and suicide prevention in adolescents that is currently implemented in a region in the Netherlands. The STORM approach will be implemented in new regions in the coming years. This study used the implementation mapping protocol to report on the development of the STORM implementation plan. First, a needs assessment was conducted through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and brainstorming sessions with regional programme leaders in the two regions that started implementing STORM in 2023. This led to the identification of six main barriers to implementation: high level of demands for schools, insufficient understanding of the programme content, insufficient network collaboration, no perceived relative advantage of STORM by stakeholders, lack of attention to sustainability, and high work pressure. Second, performance and change objectives were formulated based on these barriers. For example, a performance objective for potential providers was that they felt supported by STORM. Third, implementation strategies were selected from theory and translated into practical applications through brainstorming sessions with programme leaders. The following strategies were included in the implementation plan: collaborate with similar initiatives within the region, free up time for STORM tasks, tailor strategies, identify and prepare STORM champions, and promote network weaving. Last, a plan to evaluate the implementation of STORM and the application of the STORM implementation plan was formulated. Planned evaluation research will provide more insight into the usefulness and impact of the STORM implementation plan.

Success of an expedited health system–based pharmacy technician training program to address the workforce needs of an institution

Abstract Purpose The formation, implementation, outcomes, and impact on retention of a health system–based pharmacy technician training program are described. The program seeks to produce graduates who are well equipped for employment within the health system and eligible for certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, thereby developing a consistent source of well-trained technicians to meet the needs of the health system. Summary The program’s ideal candidate is one who is seeking to begin or transition to a career in health-system pharmacy. The affordable accredited program provides candidates with the skills needed to become a certified pharmacy technician. A distinguishing feature of the program design is the pace of the curriculum, designed to be completed in 11 weeks. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education at the entry-level accreditation standard. The program is structured to enroll 3 cohorts annually, beginning in April, August, and January. This provides a consistent and dependable bolus of graduates for hiring managers across the health system’s pharmacy department. The program supports enrollment by internal and external candidates. In addition to didactic content, the simulation component of the program combines remote and onsite simulations. Following completion of the didactic and simulation content, students receive 2 blocks of acute and ambulatory care shadowing for 111 hours over 2.5 weeks of experiential content. The program realized benefits by partnering with an external digital content provider. First, the platform enabled the team to accelerate the time to program launch. A second benefit of the platform is the ability to conduct the program and update content. In April 2018, the institution launched the program to meet pharmacy technician needs within the organization. As of April 2022, 11 cohorts have successfully completed the program, with a total of 41 graduates. At the time of writing, the retention rate in the health system for those beginning the training program in April 2018 was an impressive 90%. In comparison, the overall retention rate for the pharmacy department during this same period was 31%. The program has a graduation rate of 93% and a job placement rate as a pharmacy technician of 90%. The institution believes that this program has helped provide a consistent supply of well-trained technicians to meet the needs of the health system and that the program provides a superior level of clinical training to technician students at an affordable price. The program represents a novel strategy to efficiently and effectively train pharmacy technicians and has been demonstrated to result in improvements to the health system. Conclusion Establishing a pharmacy technician training program provides a mechanism to ensure continuity and uniformity as healthcare continues to evolve. By providing a source of well-trained pharmacy technicians, the program allows the profession to continue to achieve its overarching aims.

“It would be nice to have more than basic support”: A learning needs assessment survey of midwifery faculty in low- and middle-income countries of the Asia Pacific region

BackgroundThe provision of high-quality midwifery education relies on well-prepared educators. Faculty members need professional development and support to deliver quality midwifery education. AimTo identify development needs of midwifery faculty in low- and middle-income countries of the Asia Pacific region, to inform program content and the development of guidelines for faculty development programs. MethodsAn online learning needs assessment survey was conducted with midwifery faculty from low- and middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific Region. Quantitative survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Textual data were condensed using a general inductive approach to summarise responses and establish links between research aim and findings. FindingsOne hundred and thirty-one faculty completed the survey and a high need for development in all aspects of faculty practice was identified. Development in research and publication was the top priority for faculty. Followed closely by leadership and management development, and then more traditional activities of teaching and curriculum development. Preferred mode of program delivery was a blended learning approach. DiscussionHistorically, programs of faculty development have primarily focussed on learning and teaching methods and educational development. Yet contemporary faculty members are expected to function in roles including scholarly activities of research and publication, institutional leadership and management, and program design and implementation. Unfortunately, programs of development are rarely based on identified need and fail to consider the expanded role expectation of contemporary faculty practice. ConclusionFuture midwifery faculty development programs should address the identified need for development in all expected faculty roles.

Nursing faculty development program for digital teaching competence

BackgroundNursing faculties need to develop digital competencies to effectively use information, communication, and technology-based nursing education.PurposeThe study aimed to develop and apply a theory-guided faculty development program on digital teaching competencies.MethodsA faculty development program was developed. Between March and April 2020, three five-hour web workshops participated by ninety-three faculty members were held. The program was assessed via mixed methods, combining satisfaction surveys post-workshop with content analysis of open-ended questionnaires to gauge participant evaluation of program content and learning experience.ResultsParticipants were highly satisfied with the program contents and their opportunity for integrating digital technology into education and improving faculty proficiency in digital teaching technology.ConclusionsThe program provides faculties with the self-confidence and essential skills to teach students using information, communication, and technology-based nursing education by enhancing their digital teaching competencies. It is critical to integrate both digital proficiency and nursing practice education.

Tobacco, e-cigarette and alcohol content in popular UK soap operas: a content analysis to explore changes in social norms and scene location

Background Exposure to tobacco and alcohol on-screen promotes use and despite regulations and policies to limit impact, these behaviours remain common. We report a longitudinal analysis of tobacco, e-cigarette and alcohol content in three popular UK television soap operas, to examine changing social norms between 2002 and 2022. Methods We used one-minute interval coding to measure content in programmes in two one-week periods in three years (2002, 2012 and 2022). Change in the probability of actual and implied use of tobacco, e-cigarette and alcohol over time was examined using logistic regression. Results We coded 2505 intervals from 78 episodes. Tobacco content occurred in 22% of episodes and significantly decreased from 2002 to 2022 (OR 0.15 95% CI 0.06–0.40). Tobacco use changed over time with decreasing use indoors and increasing use outdoors. No e-cigarette use was identified. Alcohol content was found in 88% of episodes and while it also significantly decreased over time (OR 0.78 95% CI 0.61–0.99) it featured in 20% of broadcast minutes in 2022. Alcohol use in homes increased over time. Conclusion While tobacco imagery is increasingly rare in these three UK soap operas, alcohol content has remained common. Tightening the UK Ofcom regulations would help to reduce young people’s exposure to these harmful behaviours and their potential influence on social norms now and in the future.

Developing an mHealth program to improve HIV care continuum outcomes among young Black gay and bisexual men

BackgroundYoung Black gay and bisexual men (YBGBM) in the United States face significant disparities in HIV care outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown promise with improving outcomes for YBGBM across the HIV care continuum.MethodsWe developed an mHealth application using human-centered design (HCD) from 2019–2021 in collaboration with YBGBM living with HIV and with HIV service providers. Our HCD process began with six focus groups with 50 YBGBM and interviews with 12 providers. These insights were used to inform rapid prototyping, which involved iterative testing and refining of program features and content, with 31 YBGBM and 12 providers. We then collected user feedback via an online survey with 200 YBGBM nationwide and usability testing of a functional prototype with 21 YBGBM.ResultsFocus groups and interviews illuminated challenges faced by YBGBM living with HIV, including coping with an HIV diagnosis, stigma, need for social support, and a dearth of suitable information sources. YBGBM desired a holistic approach that could meet the needs of those newly diagnosed as well as those who have been living with HIV for many years. Program preferences included video-based content where users could learn from peers and experts, a range of topics, a community of people living with HIV, and tools to support their health and well-being. Providers expressed enthusiasm for an mHealth program to improve HIV care outcomes and help them serve clients. Rapid prototyping resulted in a list of content topics, resources, video characteristics, community features, and mHealth tools to support adherence, retention, goal setting, and laboratory results tracking, as well as tools to help organization staff to support clients. Online survey and usability testing confirmed the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of the content, tools, and features.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potential of a video-based mHealth program to address the unique needs of YBGBM living with HIV, offering support and comprehensive information through a user-friendly interface and videos of peers living with HIV and of experts. The HCD approach allowed for continuous improvements to the concept to maximize cultural appropriateness, utility, and potential effectiveness for both YBGBM and HIV service organizations.

Pengaruh Penggunaan TikTok sebagai Media Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Pada Era 4.0

Currently the world has entered the era of the fourth industrial revolution. The advancement of modern technology will certainly affect developments in the world, both with regard to the issue of organizing education and from the ease of obtaining learning resources or knowledge. In this modern technological era, it is necessary to have truly unique and innovative learning, especially learning that can attract students' attention and interest in learning. Therefore, the objectives, structure and content of educational programs and learning media need to be changed so that learning becomes more interesting, accurate and attractive. This research was conducted at SMA PGRI 1 Kotabumi. The instrument used was a questionnaire regarding the effect of the use of TikTok on Islamic Religious Education subjects with the data analysis technique used in this study is to calculate the number of respondents' answers to each question. Students' Understanding of Islamic Religious Education Learning Activities using the TikTok Application according to PGRI 1 Kotabumi High School students understand Islamic Religious Education learning activities using the TikTok application, students can learn (review) learning material at any time and anywhere, and can increase student activeness and creativity.

Mooditj – Indigenous Australian sexuality education adapted for hilltribe youth of Northern Thailand: evaluation of delivery through a mixed-methods approach

ABSTRACT ‘Mooditj' known as ‘good' or ‘solid knowledge’ in Noongar language based in Western Australian, is an impact evaluated sexuality education program developed in 2002 by Sexual Health Quarters after an extensive consultation process with WA First Nations populations. The program uses interactive activities designed to educate 11–14–year–old First Nations youth about sexual health, life and relationship skills. In conjunction with local and Indigenous leaders within hilltribe communities, Borderless Friendship Foundation (BFF) and Borderless Friendship WA (BFWA) adapted the Mooditj training program to a hilltribe youth audience. Hilltribe people are the Indigenous culture of Thailand, typically living in remote villages that often have little to no electricity, access to safe water, health services or education. Hilltribe youth are at risk of entering the sex trade due to multiple vulnerabilities as a population and education is recommended to reduce risky sexual behaviours. This paper explores the acceptability of Mooditj program content and delivery to suit the cultural contexts and need of hilltribe communities.

Standardized Onboarding Increases Intention to Stay With the Organization

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are valuable members of health care teams integrated through orientation and onboarding. Comprehensive onboarding is crucial to retention and satisfaction in this group. A standardized onboarding program for new hire APPs was developed after a system-wide needs assessment showed poor satisfaction. Participants were surveyed upon completion of the program and compared with a preintervention cohort. An 80% increase in positive responses was noted in the intervention cohort when asked whether they intend to stay in their role for at least 1 year. Participants also identified recommendations for content in future programs.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Bystander Naloxone Training Course.

Bystander provision of naloxone is a key modality to reduce opioid overdose-related death. Naloxone training courses are available, but no standardized program exists. As part of a bystander empowerment course, we created and evaluated a brief naloxone training module. This was a retrospective evaluation of a naloxone training course, which was paired with Stop the Bleed training for hemorrhage control and was offered to administrative staff in an office building. Participants worked in an organization related to healthcare, but none were clinicians. The curriculum included the following topics: 1)background about the opioid epidemic; 2)how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose; 3)actions not to take when encountering an overdose victim; 4)the correct steps to take when encountering an overdose victim; 5)an overview of naloxone products; and 6)Good Samaritan protection laws. The 20-minute didactic section was followed by a hands-on session with nasal naloxone kits and a simulation mannequin. The course was evaluated with the Opioid Overdose Knowledge (OOKS) and Opioid Overdose Attitudes (OOAS) scales for take-home naloxone training evaluation. We used the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare scores pre- and post-course. Twenty-eight participants completed the course. The OOKS, measuring objective knowledge about opioid overdose and naloxone, had improved scores from a median of 73.2% (interquartile range [IQR] 68.3%-79.9%) to 91.5% (IQR 85.4%-95.1%), P < 0.001. The three domains on the OOAS score also showed statistically significant results. Competency to manage an overdose improved on a five-point scale from a median of 2.5 (IQR 2.4-2.9) to a median of 3.7 (IQR 3.5-4.1), P < 0.001. Concerns about managing an overdose decreased (improved) from a median of 2.3 (IQR 1.9-2.6) to median 1.8 (IQR 1.5-2.1), P < 0.001. Readiness to intervene in an opioid overdose improved from a median of 4 (IQR 3.8-4.2) to a median of 4.2 (IQR 4-4.2), P < 0.001. A brief course designed to teach bystanders about opioid overdose and naloxone was feasible and effective. We encourage hospitals and other organizations to use and promulgate this model. Furthermore, we suggest the convening of a national consortium to achieve consensus on program content and delivery.

Potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines in training future engineers: students’ opinions analyzed

Introduction. Higher education is a key factor for societal development; new challenges associated with ultra-fast socio-technological transformations create new demands for professionals, especially in engineering. In addition to knowledge of natural and technical sciences, a modern engineer is to possess a wide range of so-called flexible competencies. In this regard, the issue of how these skills can be developed becomes particularly relevant. In particular, experts in higher education development believe that sociohumanitarian disciplines are indispensable for solving this issue. The study aims to assess the potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines in training future engineers and to outline proposals for optimizing their role in education. Research methods. The study had two stages: a comparative analysis of Russian and foreign research and expert assessments regarding challenges to modern engineering education, and an assessment of the influence that specific disciplines of engineering education have on its quality; a survey-research of 548 students of Saint Petersburg Mining University (Russian Federation). Research methods: survey, comparative analysis, pedagogical consultation. Research results. More than 60% of students positively assess the potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines, considering them essential for the development of a wide range of communication and cognitive skills. At the same time, 60% of students noted that the teaching methods used and the content of work programs do not always meet their expectations. Conclusion. The survey results confirm the opinion of experts that modern technical education is to be more practice-oriented and address current problems of modern society in order to be competitive. Based on the results of the study, proposals were formulated for solving the identified problems in engineering education.