Continuing Education Programs Research Articles

Leishmaniasis: neglected diseases also by health professionals

The increasing number of cases of leishmaniasis, the expansion of transmission areas, and its high impact on public health highlight that there are still many challenges to achieving success in the Surveillance and Control Program of this neglected disease. Additionally, the inherent difficulty in early diagnosis and prompt and accurate therapeutic intervention make leishmaniasis still a health problem that afflicts society. In 2017, the first case of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was reported in Lavras, in the southern state of Minas Gerais. Since then, seven more cases have been reported, with two resulting in death. Regarding Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL), it has also been reported in several municipalities in the region. In this context, it is necessary to study new control strategies, as well as optimize existing ones, to prevent the occurrence of new cases of the disease. In light of the above, this study aimed to investigate cases of VL and CL in the area covered by the Regional Health Secretariat (RHS) of Varginha and understand the perception of primary health care professionals (PHCPs) regarding this condition. To meet these objectives, existing data in the RHS of Varginha were analyzed, seeking a better understanding of the existing gaps in the field of leishmaniasis. A total of 115 PHCPs representing all 50 municipalities in the Health Region participated in the study. Participants were questioned about the management of leishmaniasis cases, transmission mode, clinical signs, and biological, and epidemiological aspects of the disease. After analyzing the results, it was possible to perceive a lack of knowledge about the local epidemiological reality, as well as difficulties in identifying prevention and control measures related to reservoirs, the environment, and humans. The conceptual gaps among health professionals reinforce the pressing need to implement continuing education programs, given the indispensable role of these professionals in the success of the control program.

Universal design for learning as a basis for curriculum development

Abstract The project "Barrierfree dEsign foR Teaching and Learning" (BERTL) aims to identify and reduce barriers in teaching, with a focus on Universal Design or Design for All. BERTL includes an analysis of the situation at the University, to identify barriers faced by people with disabilities, chronic diseases, and in different life situations The BERTL Simulation Lab and Toolbox will be developed based on the analysis to help identify and eliminate barriers in their courses, and the continuing education program. In the different phases of the project, pilot courses with different didactic concepts are analyzed, checked for barriers in teaching materials and course procedures also peer feedbacks are conducted. These results will be used to improve and expand the courses of the University Applied Science and the used didactic principles. Establishing a handbook and a training series at the University is also aim of this project as practice collection and sample courses to support lecturers. The project results will be used in teaching and made publicly available.

Total nutrition admixture compounding training (TNACT): A survey of the nutrition continuous education programme for pharmacists

Total nutrition admixture compounding training (TNACT): A survey of the nutrition continuous education programme for pharmacists

The effectiveness of continuing education programmes for health workers in rural and remote areas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Health workers in rural and remote areas shoulder heavy responsibilities for rural residents. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of continuing education programs for health workers in rural and remote areas. Eight electronic databases were searched on 28 November 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies evaluating the effectiveness of continuing education for health workers in rural and remote areas were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool provided by Effective Practice and Organization of Care. A meta-analysis was performed for eligible trials, and the other findings were presented as a narrative review because of inconsistent study types and outcomes. A total of 17 studies were included, four of which were RCTs. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared to no intervention, continuing education programs significantly improved the knowledge awareness rate of participants (odds ratio=4.09, 95% confidence interval 2.51-6.67, p<0.05). Qualitative analysis showed that 12 studies reported on the level of knowledge of participants, with all showing positive changes. Eight studies measured the performance of health workers in rural and remote areas, with 87.50% (n=7) finding improved performance. Two studies reported on the impact of continuing education programs for health workers in rural and remote areas on patient health, with only one showing a positive change. One study from India measured the health of communities, which showed a positive change. The results of this study showed that continuing education programs are an effective way to address the lack of knowledge and skills among health workers in rural and remote areas. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of education programs for health workers in rural and remote areas in improving patient health outcomes. It is not yet known whether the delivery of continuing education programs to health workers in rural areas has a positive impact on patient and community health. Future attention should continue to be paid to the impact on these outcomes.

Factors associated with continuing education needs in medication administration among school nurses.

To investigate the continuing education requirements and factors influencing school nurses' needs in relation to medication administration on school campuses. A total of 391 school nurses working in K-12 schools in Taiwan were invited to participate in an online questionnaire survey. This cross-sectional study employed a probability proportionate to size technique along with a random sampling method. Data were collected from February to April 2023. School nurses reported a significant demand for continuing education and perceived moderate levels of stress and government support related to medication administration. Among the various dimensions, the highest demand was observed for 'definition of campus medication errors' and 'regulations for campus medical orders.' Moreover, the 'identifying drug interactions' and 'adverse drug effects and referrals' dimensions were identified as the most stressful aspects. Notably, perceived stress emerged as the sole predictive factor for continuing education demand, accounting for 16.1% of the variance. The study found that there was a significant demand for and moderate stress related to continuing education among school nurses. Therefore, it is crucial for the government and school nursing organizations to develop targeted programs focusing on medication administration. These initiatives should be designed to enhance nurses' capabilities and reduce their stress, thereby ensuring safe medication administration on campuses. Continuing education enables school nurses to acquire up-to-date knowledge and improve the workflow in their practice. This study highlights a strong need for education in medication administration with a focus on 'campus medication error definitions' and 'campus medical order regulations.' The government and relevant school nursing organizations should prioritize the development and implementation of continuing education programs to decrease the school nurses' stress related to medication administration. No patient or public contribution. This study adhered to the relevant cross-sectional EQUATOR STROBE guidelines.

Insidious risks of wearable robots to worker safety and health: A scoping review

Introduction: The construction industry is tormented by a high rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and flat or declining productivity rates. To improve construction workers’ safety, health, and productivity, construction researchers and practitioners are investigating the safe implementation of exoskeletons. However, concern exists that these human-robot interactions (HRI) could amplify the effects of existing health and safety risks and lead to new health and safety risks. Only a few comprehensive studies have identified safety and health hazards inherent in using exoskeletons within construction trades and potential strategies for mitigating these threats. This study attempts to bridge this gap. Method: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases. The authors relied on a 5-step scoping review process to examine academic publications, industry reports, and fact sheets to generate helpful information for this study. Results: The review revealed 36 health and safety hazards associated with using wearable robots in high-risk construction trades. Twenty-two organizational and field-facing strategies were introduced as potential controls to mitigate the identified hazards. Conclusions: The study provided a knowledge-based foundation for HRI safety risk assessment and guidance to optimize pre-task planning. This foundation could lead to significant advances in construction trade safety and the successful execution of tasks by robotic technology. Practical Applications: Results from the present study can guide construction practitioners and safety professionals involved in technology integration and safety risk assessment on safe ways to implement wearable robots. Moreover, the present study provides critical insight that could inform the design and implementation of job hazard analysis and shape continuous education programs and safety training. This study prompts policymakers, standard developers, and exoskeleton manufacturers to work closely to ensure a safe future for exoskeletons in the construction industry.

Educational Intervention regarding Osteoporosis Knowledge among Nurses: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Osteoporosis, a significant public health concern, necessitates informative health interventions due to its largely modifiable risk factors. Non-pharmacological approaches play a vital role in managing this condition. This survey aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention on osteoporosis knowledge among nursing professionals. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a health information brochure as an educational tool in enhancing osteoporosis awareness among nurses. Methods: Employing a comparative cross-sectional design, the study systematically sampled 278 nurses using the Roasoft calculator. Data were collected through a pre- and post-intervention osteoporosis quiz, with a health information brochure utilized for the intervention. Results: The study achieved a 100% response rate. Pre-intervention, 70.9% of nurses correctly identified that osteoporosis affects both genders, which increased to 82.4% post-intervention. Statistical analysis revealed a weak correlation in bone health knowledge (r=0.35, p&lt;0.001), a strong association in understanding risk factors (r=0.70, p&lt;0.001), and treatment and prevention (r=0.89, p&lt;0.001). Significant differences in knowledge improvement were confirmed through paired t-test statistics. Conclusions: The survey demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in osteoporosis knowledge following the educational intervention. The results advocate for the integration of enhanced osteoporosis-related education in nursing curricula and continuing education programs, addressing the identified gap in responsiveness and knowledge as a barrier to optimal patient care.

Comparison of Outcomes Between Professions Following an Interprofessional Continuing Education Program to Enhance Trauma Care for Children

ABSTRACTThe prevalence of children exposed to a potentially traumatic event (PTE), or Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) is high, with exposure to long-lasting and severe PTEs and ACEs associated with negative health outcomes. Health care professionals who predominantly work with the paediatric population have limited training on how to screen, assess, and treat children after exposure. This study aimed to assess differences in learner outcomes between three healthcare provider types (PCPs, behavioural health providers, and other care team members [e.g. nurses, community health workers]) after participating in a continuing education programme designed to improve health outcomes of paediatric patients experiencing trauma. Learner outcomes were assessed as pre- and post-series changes in self-reported knowledge, self-efficacy, skills, and attitudes related to the programme’s learning objectives. Self-reported learner outcomes of 31 participants revealed significant increases in knowledge among all provider types, and significant increases in self-efficacy and skills for behavioural health providers and care team members. Additionally, results revealed that behavioural health providers significantly outperformed medical providers in self-efficacy and skills outcomes. These findings suggest that interprofessional continuing education programmes to enhance trauma care can be successful at training PCPs, behavioural health providers, and care team members, but learner outcomes may vary by discipline.

Evidence of the Development of Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Chemistry Teachers about Redox Reactions in the Context of a Professional Development Program

In this study, we investigated the impact of a continuing professional development program (CPD) on the development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of chemistry teachers regarding the topic of redox reactions. For this purpose, a CPD program designed to develop teachers’ PCK on redox reactions was examined. During the course, teachers were observed and their activities were analyzed. The data collected were based on responses to the CoRe instrument, lesson plans, vignettes, and audiovisual records of the CPD program. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, focusing on the five components of PCK proposed by Park and Oliver. The results demonstrate that teachers, after participating in the continuing education program, were able to independently develop the components of PCK at different levels, with the knowledge of instructional strategies showing the most prominent improvement. Additionally, it was observed that the components could potentially be integrated, suggesting the potential for enhancing PCK in the context of redox reactions.

비폭력대화 프로그램이 야간 전문대학생의 공감, 의사소통, 대인관계 및 비폭력대화 능력에 미치는 효과

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the nonviolent commnication program on the empathy, communication, interpersonal relationships, and nonviolent commnication ablities of night college students. Methods To this end, a single-group post-mortem experimental design study was conducted on 17 night college students at C College in C City. The program consisted of 13 sessions of 90 minutes once a week, and data were collected through questionnaires before and after the training. Data analysis was performed by corresponding sample T-test using SPSS/WIN 26.0. Results The nonviolent commnication program was found to improve empathy ablities (t=7.50, p=.000), commu-nication ablities (t=8.16, p=.000), interpersonal ablities (t=5.35, p=.000), and nonviolent commnication ablities (t=5.41, p=.000) of night college students. This proved that nonviolent commnication program is an effective edu-cational program that starts with empathizing with oneself and others, communicates with the other person through listening and speaking, and promotes interpersonal skills by showing respect for the other person through self and other requests rather than coercion. Conclusions This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the Nonviolent commnication Program in improving the empathy, communication, interpersonal, and nonviolent commnication ablities of night college students. In the future, there is a need for LMS-based utilization studies to provide continuing education programs to night college students.

Knowledge About The Interrelationship of Oral and Systemic Health Among Postgraduate Dental Students and General Dental Practitioners of West Tamil Nadu – A Questionnaire Study

Objectives: Oral health status is an integral component of general health. Many studies have shown that the oral cavity exhibits manifestations of many systemic diseases and acts as a predictor of oral health. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge about the interrelationship of oral and systemic health among postgraduate dental students and general dental practitioners of west Tamil Nadu. Material and Methods: Data was collected using a self-administered pilot tested questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants and demographic details were collected for the participants of study. The questionnaire was sent through email. Study data obtained were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. Comparison between the variables was done using chi-square test. Level of significance was set at 5% (p &lt; 0.05). Results: The results were tabulated and comparison of knowledge about oral and systemic diseases among general practitioners and postgraduates were analyzed using nonparametric – Mann-Whitney test. General practitioners had comparatively better knowledge on inter-relationship of oral and systemic health than postgraduate students. 44.17% of respondents in general dental practice knew that a relationship exists between oral and general health, but application of this knowledge in treating medically complex patients was limited. Conclusion: Greater emphasis should be placed on this association by interfiled (medical and dental) training from the undergraduate level which can be rectified by modifying the academic regulations. Continuing education programs should be frequently conducted on educating dental, medical and other healthcare professionals on the robust and latest evidence of the oral-systemic link.

Expanding Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities for Oncology Nurse Practitioners.

Nurse practitioner (NP) involvement in professional organizations improves clinical practice, patient outcomes, and health care policy. Results of a survey for a local professional nursing organization showed a need for more NP-level education and NP mentorship and leadership training. Findings were applied to develop a leadership initiative through an NP-led continuing education program. At the conclusion of the program, NP presenters completed a survey. The NP presenters agreed that participating in this program and the mentoring that was provided helped them prepare for their sessions, improve their leadership skills, and prepare for additional speaking engagements. Additionally, each session's attendees completed evaluation surveys. Results from program attendees indicated a high level of agreement about meeting learning objectives in sessions and the effectiveness of the NP presenters. This innovative program may be modeled across a variety of nursing specialties, settings, and organizations to enhance NP professional development and support nursing-led continuing education. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(2):94-100.].

Continuing education for advanced practice nurses: A scoping review.

The aim of the study was to identify the nature and extent of scientific research addressing continuing education for advanced practice nurses. A scoping review. The Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. Electronic search was conducted on 17 September 2023 via CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the Joanna Briggs Institute's Evidence-Based Practice Database for research articles published between 2012 and 2023. Nineteen papers were included in this review. Scientific research on continuing education for advanced practice nursing roles (i.e. nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist) has primarily been conducted in the United States and mostly addresses online-delivered continuing education interventions for clinical care competency. Most of the interventions targeted nurse practitioners. Continuing education has a pivotal role in supporting advanced practice nursing competency development. In addition to clinical care, future continuing education research should focus on other advanced practice nursing competencies, such as education, leadership, supporting organizational strategies, research and evidence implementation. Continuing education programmes for advanced practice nurses should be rigorously developed, implemented and evaluated to support the quality and effectiveness of patient care. Continuing education for advanced practice nursing roles is an understudied phenomenon. This review highlights future research priorities and may inform the development of continuing education programmes. PRISMA-ScR.

Oral Cancer Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes: A Survey of Libyan Dentists

Dentists play an important role in early detection of oral cancerous lesions. several studies indicate that dentists lack knowledge in oral cancer etiology and diagnosis. Role in the control studies assessing dentists' oral cancer awareness in Libya are lacking. Objectives: This study examined the oral cancer awareness and practice among dentists in Libya. Materials and methods: : Administered questionnaires were distributed on dentists working in private and public clinics in the city of Benghazi. Participants’ responses to the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Three hundred dentists returned completed questionnaires; 237 (79%) females and 63 (21%) males and most of them were under 40 years old 227 (75.7%). Although most dentists were knowledgeable about the most common site, type, and screening method of oral cancer, only about half of the dentists were aware of tobacco as the main risk factor and biopsy as the most proper diagnostic technique for oral cancer. Despite that 86% of the dentists reported that they perform mucosal examination as part of their routine dental examination, about half of the dentists reported lack of confidence in detecting oral cancer and most dentists expressed need for further education and training in this area. Conclusion: Overall, this study highlighted the importance of introducing continuous education and training programs to dentists which could increase oral cancer prevention and survival rates among oral cancer patients.

Exploring Learners' Motivations and Preferences for Micro-Credentials: A Mixed-Method Study

As professionals aim to stay abreast of their ever-changing disciplines and global challenges, and universities reframe their offerings, the popularity of micro-credentials continues to grow. Without replacing traditional qualifications, micro-credentials offer the potential for short, flexible learning experiences that support learners in achieving their career or life goals. Universities, providers, employers, and students are all important stakeholders in the micro-credentials ecosystem. However, there is a significant dearth of academic research on students' perspectives towards micro-credentials. This gap represents a crucial challenge that universities must tackle when developing training options. This study aims to investigate learners´ motivations and preferences for micro-credentials employing a mixed-method methodology. The research sample comprises 37 adult learners, alumni of continuous education programs at the Open University of Catalonia. After reviewing the research data, results revealed a multitude of factors driving diverse learners towards pursuing micro-credentials. Among these factors, personal interests and career objectives appear to be the primary motivators, followed by social and academic motivations, which play a secondary role. Additionally, the study indicates that there is a notable preference for short courses that last between two to three months, requiring a part-time dedication of between six to fifteen hours per week. Students have a stronger inclination towards micro-credentials that are applicable, as opposed to the theoretical knowledge emphasized in college or master's programs. Courses delivered in online and asynchronous formats are particularly demanded, although some learners appreciate the opportunity for synchronous Q&amp;A sessions with instructors. Learners highly value the modularization of micro-credentials into different levels and prefer courses that offer credentials, although not all of them consider official credentials to be essential, particularly those that pursue micro-credentials for personal reasons. This research supports universities in their efforts to develop and align short learning courses that respond to actual learners’ demands.

Effect of an Educational Intervention Program on Improving Self Care Practices of Asthmatic Children

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurrent reversible airway obstruction leads to airway hyper reactivity, which causes the airways to narrow. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention program on improving self-care practices of asthmatic children. A quasi experimental study was utilized. The study was conducted at pediatric Emergency Department and pediatric Outpatient Clinic at Suez Canal University Hospitals. The study subject included purposive sample of school aged children (40) with their accompanying mothers. Two tools were used; A structured interview questionnaire sheet, and observational checklists to assess children's knowledge and self-care practices regarding bronchial asthma. Results: Regarding knowledge and self-care practices of the studied children about bronchial asthma, the results showed that all children had unsatisfied knowledge and self-care practices pre-test that improved at post and follow up intervention phase where most of them had either satisfied level or partial satisfied level. The study concluded that implementation of the educational intervention program improved knowledge of the studied children about bronchial asthma, enhanced self-care practices, reduced frequency of asthmatic attack and reduced school absence days. The study recommended continuous educational intervention program based on actual need assessment for improving self-care practices of asthmatic children.

Knowledge about chest imaging findings in COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Objectives: Chest imaging, particularly computed tomography, plays a crucial role in the evaluation of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study aimed to assess physicians’ knowledge about chest imaging findings in COVID-19 patients in Goma, North Kivu Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 202 physicians who responded to the survey questionnaire. Performance was tested in terms of the mean score and proportions of correct answers for each questionnaire item. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with good knowledge. Results: The mean score obtained by respondents was 8.55 ± 2.49 out of 16 points. The proportion of physicians with more than 60% correct answers was 37.13%. There was no significant statistical association between good knowledge and the demographic and professional characteristics of the respondents (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study found that physicians’ knowledge about chest imaging findings in COVID-19 patients is poor. This lack of sufficient information on the part of healthcare workers indicates the need to develop continuing education programs.

Health Consequences of Climate Change: Continuing Education Opportunities for Health Professionals in the United States.

Climate change is a looming public health challenge. The health consequences of climate change are increasingly recognized as contributing to negative health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The education of health professionals in academic programs and continuing education in clinical practice settings is critical in today's world. The Association of American Medical Colleges and the National League for Nursing, among other organizations, have urged academic programs to include the impact of climate change on health in health professions education and have started to integrate it into curricula. However, health professionals educated over the past several decades have received little content related to the deleterious impact of climate change on health. Therefore, continuing education programs addressing the health consequences of climate change are being developed to fill the gap in health professions education globally. This review study explicated the available continuing education opportunities for public health professionals and health care providers related to the health consequences of climate change. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(12):561-566.].

Global survey of endodontic practice and adoption of newer technologies.

To investigate current endodontic practices, adoption of technologies and continuing education attendance within specialist endodontic practice globally and to identify geographic trends. A web-based survey of endodontic association members in Australia, Britain, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and the USA on routine treatment preferences, armamentarium and education attendance was conducted. Chi-squared, independent sample t-tests, Cochran's Q test and McNemar's test were performed. The survey was completed by 543 endodontists or endodontic post-graduate students. Almost all respondents used the dental operating microscope (DOM, 91.3%), engine-driven nickel-titanium instruments (NiTi, 97.6%), electronic apex locators (EAL, 93.0%), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT, 91.2%) and calcium silicate-based materials (CSBMs, 93.7%). Dental dam was always used by 99.1%. Over half used irrigation adjuncts (81.8%), warm vertical compaction (74.6%) and heat-treated NiTi (60.2%). Geographic comparison between AP (Asia-Pacific, n = 78), AM (Americas, n = 402) and EM (Europe and Middle East, n = 63) was performed. AM and EM preferred single-visit treatment more (p < .001) and used higher sodium hypochlorite concentrations than AP. AM had more access to CBCT in the workplace (86.6%) than AP (65.4%, p < .001) and used CBCT for routine preoperative assessment (39.6%) more than EM (7.3%, p < .001). Almost all of EM used irrigation adjuncts (95.2%), more than AM (78.1%, p = .001). AP used steroid/antibiotic medicaments most (p < .001) and had the highest attendance at continuing education programmes. Several endodontic-specific armamentaria have reached almost complete adoption within global specialist endodontic practice, whilst the continued uptake of newer technologies should be followed over time. Some practising philosophies varied significantly across different geographic regions.

Augmentative and alternative communication continuing education programs for multidisciplinary teams—Does it make a difference?

AbstractAlthough augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been in use for several decades, many multidisciplinary teams do not implement the available knowledge in their practice. Limited availability of AAC programs has been purported as a reason for its limited use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a dynamic intensive continuing education program aimed to provide multidisciplinary teams with theoretical and practical knowledge in AAC, teamwork, literacy, and family issues regarding the application of AAC for individuals with complex communication needs, on the participants' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and myths. A mixed method was used to investigate two out‐service and three in‐service continuing education programs consisting of 136 multidisciplinary staff members. Results demonstrate that participants gained knowledge and skills, changed attitudes, and refuted previously held myths. Participants reported changes in practice and in collaboration within their teams, with individuals at their settings, and with their families.