Continuing Education Programs Research Articles

Evaluation of Community Pharmacy Practices in Pakistan: Insights into Asthma, Diabetes, HCV and Tuberculosis Management

Patient counseling is an integral part of pharmaceutical services at community pharmacies as community pharmacists are health care professionals most accessible to general public. In this cross sectional qualitative study counseling quality of pharmacists and senior pharmacy technician was evaluated by using pseudo patient method. The study was conducted for 12 weeks at 35 community pharmacies randomly selected from various areas of Lahore. Four diseases which are most prevalent in developing countries were selected for this study. This study revealed that pharmacists were present at 52% of pharmacies visited. Counseling was offered hundred per cent on demand. On 6% pharmacies pharmacy technician refused to counsel on demand. Frequency, administration and storage of drugs were counseled frequently. Parameters like drug’s side effects, disease complications, drug interactions and contraindications were rarely addressed. Quality of counseling was much better in pharmacies where pharmacists were present, pharmacists counseled effectively about dose, frequency, administration, storage, side effects, drug interactions and complications. In order to improve quality of counseling at community pharmacies presence of pharmacist designated for patient counseling should be mandatory and continuing education programs should be run to update pharmacist and pharmacy technician knowledge.

Factors influencing IFRS 13 adoption in enhancing financial report accuracy

This study aims to identify the factors affecting the adoption of IFRS 13 and its significance in improving financial report accuracy among employees at various financial institutions in Erbil, Iraq. The research unveils various findings that require further exploration, such as the roles of regulatory factors, organizational dynamics, market pressures, technical expertise and knowledge, economic conditions, and external influences on educational or professional development incorporated with institutionalism in IFRS 13 adoption. This finding of the current study illustrates clearly that the adoption of IFRS 13 does significantly improve accuracy, clarity, and reliability in financial reporting thereby giving a clearer picture to stakeholders for making informed decisions. Second, the research highlights that educational and professional development, organizational practices, or technical expertise are fundamental for enhancing IFRS 13 adoption success as well as financial reports accuracy that can be driven by IFRS 13. The findings have some practical implications for financial institutions, regulators, and policymakers. Continuous education and training programs and internal controls should be strengthened and increased support from the regulatory bodies may help in faster membership achievement of IFRS 13 compliance requirements. This research could be extended to study the long-term implications of IFRS 13 adoption, how technology can support and promote this implementation process, and cultural factors in different industries and across geographical areas that may affect an agent’s willingness to use such measurements.

Childhood Housing Condition and Old Age Health Among Chinese: The Mediation Role of Adulthood Socioeconomic and Medical History.

Guided by the lifecourse perspective and social determinants of health framework, this study examined the association of childhood housing with old age health among Chinese and its midlife mediators. Respondents were middle-aged and older adults (aged 45+) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 12,842). They were asked about their childhood housing conditions (e.g., if their houses had clean water, water toilet, and electricity). Adulthood socioeconomic and medical history and middle- and old-age health were measured. Causal mediation analysis showed childhood better housing was directly associated with fewer depressive symptoms and better cognition in middle- and older-age, and indirectly through increasing education level. However, the proportion-mediated estimate had very wide confidence intervals. Our findings suggested the importance of broad infrastructure development and adult continuing education programs among those who grew up in poor housing conditions to promote mental health in older age.

Effect of negotiation skills training program on head nurses' knowledge and behavior.

Negotiating is a common occurrence and a significant part of everyday tasks for head nurses. The ability of the head nurse to effectively negotiate is a crucial management tool for work management in healthcare facilities. The present study aimed to assess the effect of negotiation skills training program on head nurses' knowledge and behavior. A pretest-posttest, one-group quasi-experimental design was conducted at Menoufia University Hospitals. It is located in Shebeen, Elkom City, Cairo, Egypt. All head nurses and their assistants and their number 64head nurses. The results indicated that a minority of head nurses had satisfactory knowledge regarding negotiation in the pretest phase and obviously increased in the posttest to be more than three quarters and slightly decreased in the follow-up phase. Also, a minority had a high negotiation behavior level in the pretest phase and increased to be more than half in the posttest with a slight decrease in the follow-up stage. There was a highly statistically significant difference between pre-, post-, and follow-up results regarding negotiation knowledge and behavior. The study revealed that the head nurse's knowledge and behavior increased markedly after implementing the negotiation skills training program. Conduct continuous education and training programs for stimulating and developing head nurses' knowledge, behavior regarding negotiation, and hospital administration should support the importance of negotiation skills to both head nurses and organizations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER [TRN]: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University (code number: NUR 23.10.131).

Development of a core patient-reported outcome set for use in HIV care at the individual patient level in Montreal: protocol for a two-phased multimethod project

IntroductionThere is international interest in using patient-reported outcome measures in HIV care to improve the well-being of people with HIV, but the prioritisation of specific outcomes and measures remains unclear....

Development and Outcomes of a Provider-Driven, Online Continuing Education Program on Integrative Palliative Care: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Integrative therapies are increasingly in demand for both symptom management and quality of life in palliative care (PC) populations. Multidisciplinary PC professionals need continuing education/continuing medical education (CE/CME) to keep current on the evidence-informed use of integrative therapies in PC planning. (1) Elicit input from multidisciplinary PC providers on needs for CE/CME content on integrative care, and indicators of implementation for use in impact assessment. (2) Produce an online CE/CME program responsive to provider input. (3) Assess program impact on PC providers in a randomized controlled trial. Focus groups with 47 multidisciplinary PC personnel assessed needs for CE/CME content and identified practice-related behaviors indicating implementation of integrative care. Qualitative analysis then informed development a 9-hour CE/CME program, and identified candidate items for an outcome measure (Integrative Practice Assessment) to assess impact. Validation testing followed with 63 new subjects. A randomized, waitlist-controlled trial then assessed program impact on (1) confidence understanding evidence-informed use of integrative therapies in PC, and (2) implementation of practice behaviors that promote integrative care. 213 subjects were randomized and 170 provided follow-up data on program impact. Subjects' confidence (10-point scale) understanding safety considerations increased from 5.4 to 8.7; recommending modalities, from 4.2 to 8.3; and explaining modalities, from 4.8 to 8.5. Direct actions promoting integrative care in the last 10 patient encounters increased (12.2 to 17.9). Indirect actions taken in the work setting increased in the past month to advocate integrative therapies (from 5.7 to 9.1), and to promote organizational change (from 10.9 to 18.2). (All outcomes P < .001). This provider-driven CE/CME program led to significant positive changes in practitioners' self-efficacy and implementation of integrative care practices in PC settings. The results indicate that CE/CME can have measurable impacts that benefit providers and may potentially impact patients, families and the culture of care.

Factors of increasing learner motivation in simulation-based education in continuing education for nurses

Background: Continuing education affects nursing skills and care specific to nurses, as well as learning attitudes, including learner autonomy. Simulation-based education is reported to create motivation for learners. Purpose: This study aims to determine the factors that motivated participants in a continuing education program for nurses to learn through the program. Methods: This study used a qualitative design. Participants were 10 graduates who had participated in a continuing education program. Data collection used a focus interview, with the content categorized based on similarities. Results: The results of this study identified two categories: Factors Related to Educational Design and Factors related to the learning environment. Conclusion: In continuing education for nurses, the study suggested that relating the simulation theme to daily nursing practices influences the motivation to learn. Another strength of the continuing education for nurses is as the facilitators are familiar faculty members, which creates an enjoyable learning atmosphere.

Optimizing construction and demolition waste management in Nigeria: challenges, regulatory frameworks, and policy solutions

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste management is a pressing environmental concern in developing countries like Nigeria, where inadequate infrastructure and weak regulatory enforcement create significant challenges. This study provides a detailed analysis of C&D waste management practices in Nigeria, identifying key factors influencing these practices and major barriers to sustainability. Data were gathered from surveys and interviews with 150 stakeholders, including contractors, engineers, policymakers, and waste managers. The data analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of C&D waste management practices and challenges. The findings reveal a heavy reliance on landfills, driven by high costs, insufficient recycling facilities, and economic disincentives for sustainable practices. A critical gap was noted between the awareness of existing waste management regulations and their enforcement, indicating a need for stronger regulatory frameworks and more consistent enforcement. The multiple regression analysis demonstrated that regulatory frameworks, socio-economic factors, and awareness and education levels significantly affect C&D waste management practices, highlighting the importance of these factors in promoting sustainable practices. This study emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to improve C&D waste management in Nigeria, advocating for enhanced regulatory measures, infrastructure development, and continuous education and training programs. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, suggesting targeted strategies to overcome the identified barriers and foster more sustainable waste management practices. Future research should address underrepresented regions to ensure comprehensive and equitable improvements nationwide, ultimately supporting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Applying principles of adult learning and andragogy to the design of continuing education programs in psychology.

Applying principles of adult learning and andragogy to the design of continuing education programs in psychology.

Hospital pharmacists' perceived competence in providing care to oncology patients - (HoPP-CoP2).

Previous research has shown community pharmacists do not have high perceived competence or confidence providing care to patients on oral anti-cancer medications. There is a paucity of evidence when it comes to hospital pharmacists providing care to oncology patients admitted to the hospital for a reason other than cancer. To assess the perceived competence of hospital pharmacists not working in oncology in managing patients taking anticancer drugs. Additionally, identify factors impacting, potential interventions increasing, and any factors that improve perceived competence. An anonymous cross-sectional survey distributed to hospital pharmacists throughout Canada. Mean perceived competence results ranged from 2.52 to 3.97 out of 7.00 with respondents reporting most perceived competence managing electrolyte disturbances and least competence managing drug-disease interactions and intervening on hepatic dysfunction. Low confidence in knowledge received from previous oncology training was reported with a mean of 2.82 on the 7-point Likert Scale. Continuing education sessions were perceived as the intervention which would most improve perceived competence with a mean value of 5.92 to 5.94 on a 7-point Likert Scale. The number of CE hours completed in the last five years was the only factor shown to have a statistically significant correlation with perceived competence. Hospital pharmacists do not perceive themselves as competent in providing care to oncology patients. The implementation of a continuing education program related to oncology may improve perceived and actual competence.

Diabetes Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Toward Self-Care among Nigerian Undergraduates: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background Diabetes mellitus is a noncommunicable chronic disease that is becoming prevalent among the youthful population. Aim This study assessed diabetic awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practices among undergraduates of a Nigerian university. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 consenting undergraduates that completed a self-administered questionnaire on diabetes and diabetic self-care. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The undergraduate age ranged from 16 to 30 years with the majority less than 20 years (55.5%), females 53.8%, Yoruba (87.4%), and second-year students (34.2%). Although a majority (85%) was aware of diabetes mellitus, 53% had poor knowledge, 70% had a negative attitude, and 60% had poor practices toward diabetes mellitus and diabetic self-care. Significant predictor of poor knowledge was being female (adjusted odds ratio 4.56; 95% confidence interval 2.79–7.45; p = 0.0001). Conclusion Despite high diabetes awareness, the knowledge, attitude, and practices were poor among undergraduates. There should be continuous education program on diabetes and diabetic self-care among the students.

A model of co-creation: strengthening primary health care (PHC) in Ghana through an innovative “Nyansapo” partnership

The Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) initiative embarked on a transformative ten-year collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Toronto (U of T) to co-create continuing education programs geared toward augmenting the proficiency of primary care practitioners in Ghana. While upholding core principles within the AHC framework, emphasizing respect, inclusivity, equity, reciprocity, ethics, dynamism, and stewardship, seven teams of U of T and KNUST faculty engaged in collaborative efforts to design, administer, and evaluate five in-person “short courses” in Ghana on Palliative Care, Quality Improvement for Health Professionals, Prehospital Emergency Care, Community Emergency Care, and Emergency Preparedness and Response to Epidemic-Prone Diseases to approximately 100 Ghanaian primary care professionals. This paper describes a model of co-creation, highlights lessons learned from a robust evaluation process, and proposes that this co-creation model can strengthen primary health care in Ghana and ultimately transform health systems in Africa.

Personal physical activity and physical activity counselling among primary healthcare providers in Nigeria primary healthcare centres

ABSTRACT Physical activity is an essential public health goal with crucial evidence in the prevention of non-communicable diseases thus examined in this study. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of personal physical activity and its association with physical activity counselling among primary healthcare providers in Osun state, South-west Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that used a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Two hundred and eighty primary healthcare providers in Osun state, Nigeria, were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between personal physical activity and physical activity counselling. Among the respondents, the prevalence of personal physical activity was 78.2% while 70.0% usually counselled their patients on physical activity. Barriers to physical activity counselling include poor knowledge of physical activity recommendations, lack of time and counselling protocols. There was a significant association between personal physical activity and physical activity counselling (χ2 = 8.930, p = 0.003). This study concluded that there was a high prevalence of personal physical activity and an association between personal physical activity and physical activity counselling among the respondents. The findings suggest a need for continued education programmes for primary healthcare providers to improve their knowledge of current physical activity recommendations, and sufficient time should be allowed during consultations for the physical activity counselling process.

A Cross-sectional Study of COVID-19 Vaccination and Public Perception in Selected Rural Community

The COVID-19 vaccination program in India demonstrated rapid deployment, yet rural populations exhibited lower vaccination rates compared to urban centers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural areas of Surampalem of Andhra Pradesh state in India to evaluate vaccination status, assess public perception, and identify barriers to vaccine uptake. The study included 312 participants (151 males, 161 females) through a door-to-door survey using a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that Covaxin was administered to 168 participants while 144 received Covishield. It is found that 67% of the surveyed population required their second dose, indicating a substantial gap in complete vaccination coverage. Common misconceptions identified among participants included concerns about adverse effects, doubts regarding vaccine efficacy, belief in natural immunity superiority, and fears about vaccine interactions with comorbidities. Statistical analyses using one-way ANOVA and Student's t-tests showed no significant differences between groups regarding vaccine doses, age versus gender, and age versus vaccine type (p &gt; 0.005). Educational interventions were implemented through awareness camps and distribution of informational brochures to address identified misconceptions. Data was shared with local health authorities to facilitate targeted vaccination drives. The study results show the need for continued education and awareness programs in rural communities to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and completion rates.

Assessing the level of patient rights awareness among expectant women attending antenatal care clinics in primary health facility in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Expectant women are recipients of poor quality of care including fear of abuse and disrespect which is a clear violation of their rights. These experiences influence women’s decisions to seek antenatal care. Even though Kenya’s Patients’ rights charter of 2013 empowers them to demand quality care, there is limited information concerning their knowledge on patients rights and responsibilities and this study intends to explore this gap. This was a cross-sectional study where expectant women were drawn from two primary healthcare facilities, attending their monthly routine antenatal care clinics. Data was gathered using a questionnaire during a 2-month period from January to March 2024. Descriptive statistical methods, paired t-test, and repeated measure analysis of variance at significant level P&lt;0.05 were used. Participants’ mean age was 28.14 + 6.43 years. Most patients (78.6%) did not know about the patients’ rights charter and the majority of them (97%) had never received any form of education concerning patient rights. Of those who had knowledge of patient rights, 69.4% of them mentioned healthcare providers to be the source of information. The most practiced patient rights are quality of care (83%) and dignity and respect (97%). The patient’s level of awareness of patients’ rights and responsibilities is low and there is need to enhance this awareness through proper implementation of patient rights through dissemination of relevant content, continuous medical education programs and proper sensitization of healthcare providers on the right content to disseminate as this can lead to improved quality of antenatal care services.

ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS FOR MEASLES AND RUBELLA ELIMINATION TO PREVENT CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME IN KULON PROGO AND GUNUNGKIDUL REGENCIES

Introduction: Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination coverage is important in eliminating Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). In 2023, Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regencies recorded 98.59% and 97.63%, respectively. We conducted campaign activities, introduced the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, and implemented educational efforts crucial for controlling measles, rubella and CRS. A collaborative educational program was organized to improve the quality of promotive and preventive education provided to health workers and elementary teachers. Aims: To enhance the knowledge of health workers and elementary teachers regarding measles, rubella, CRS and elimination strategies in Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regency. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental, non-randomized design with no control group. The participants were selected from all primary health care centers and selected elementary schools in Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regency. Before and after a multi-modal educational program, knowledge of participants was measured using questionnaire and analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: We included 72 health workers and 8 elementary teachers in Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regency. The results indicated an increase in knowledge among health workers regarding these topics. However, elementary teachers did not demonstrate statistically significant improvements in knowledge level, likely due to the small number of participants and a general lack of knowledge about these subjects among teachers. Conclusion: Multi-modal intervention enhanced the knowledge of health workers and elementary teachers about measles, rubella, CRS, elimination strategies of these diseases in two regencies of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Therefore, it is essential that public health authorities should prioritize continuous and accessible education programs for them

Development of the ethical behavior scale in nursing

BackgroundStudies about the evaluation of nursing care from the patient’s perspective are becoming more important. Ethic is an essential element in nursing care. Every person deserves to receive nursing care according to ethical principles, regardless of language, religion, race, or gender. In this study aimed to develop an instrument to evaluate the ethical behavior of nurses.MethodsThe methodological study used a mixed research method designed in accordance with the GRAMMS criteria. Qualitative data was obtained through in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were collected using the Ethical Behavior Scale in Nursing (EBSN). This study was conducted in 4 hospitals (nurses) and 3 health faculty (intern nurses/nursing students) in 2022. There are a total of 714 participants. The construct validity of the scale was evaluated with exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Cronbach’s alpha and item total analysis established the internal consistency. Pearson correlation was used for the relationship between the total scale and sub-dimensions.ResultsCronbach’s alpha coefficient of the EBSN was 0.94. EBSN had 20 items and a five-factor structure which explained 70.45% of the total variance. Principal component analysis and CFA supported the theoretical construct EBSN. Fit measurements (x²/df) was 3.33. Pearson’s correlation coefficient in this data was 0.97.ConclusionThe results of the analysis show the items constituting the scale have validity and reliability criteria that can measure the ethical behavior in nursing profession. It is thought that including activities that will enable nurses to gain positive individual and professional values ​​on ethical issues such as patient rights and patient privacy during the education process will also positively affect their ethical sensitivities. Additionally, in order to increase nurses’ ethical awareness, nursing ethics issues should be included in post-graduation continuing education programs.

The Effect of Clinical Teammate Nurse Approach on the ICU Nurses’ Knowledge of Electrocardiogram (ECG) Interpretation of Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Pilot Study

Background: Using an effective method to enhance nurses’ knowledge of ECG interpretation is one of the most essential requirements for nursing managers. Self-directed learning approaches can help to introduce lifelong learning in learners, especially in clinical settings. This study purposed to detect the effect of the implementation of the clinical teammate nurse program on the critical care nurses’ knowledge of ECG interpretation on cardiac arrhythmia. Methods: A pilot study was performed by a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group. The participants were 32 critical care nurses divided into two groups: the clinical teammate nurse program and control groups. The data were collected by a knowledge assessment questionnaire that measured nurses’ knowledge of ECG interpretation of cardiac arrhythmia. The nurses’ knowledge was measured three times: initial study, one month, and six months later. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age of participants was 32.38±7.03 years. There was a significant difference between three scores of repeated measurement of nurses’ knowledge (p&lt;0.001), as the nurses’ knowledge one month after the study was significantly higher than in the initial test six months later. Also, pairwise comparisons showed that nurses in the clinical teammate program had higher knowledge scores than the control group (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The clinical teammate nurse program can be used as an easy and economical way to improve nurses’ knowledge in interpreting ECG. This method can also be an excellent alternative to formal and traditional methods such as lecturing programs in continuing education programs.

CONTINUING TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE EARLY YEARS: THE RELEVANCE OF TEACHING KNOWLEDGE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH LITERACY PRACTICES

This article addresses the knowledge needed for teachers to effectively play their role in the literacy process, while reexamining the conditions of continuing education, with the aim of cultivating a pedagogical practice that is autonomous, critical, reflective, and responsible. This research aims to discuss the impact of continuing education for teachers in the early years of literacy and teaching knowledge, investigating how this knowledge acquired in continuing education contributes to children's meaningful learning. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive, and bibliographical research approach was used to develop this work. The theoretical framework is based on authors such as: Arena, (2021), Gatti (2016), Imbernón (2011), Jolibert (1994), Paulo Freire (2005), Smolka (2012), among others. The results of this study reveal that continuing education can, in fact, have a significant impact on the quality of literacy teaching. Teachers who participate in continuing education programs have improved mastery of practical teaching strategies and a deeper understanding of student needs.

Self-Assessment of Psychosocial Care Proficiency among Nurses and Oncologists at the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center (Morocco).

In Morocco, cancer is a disease with a concerning incidence to the point that patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. As a result, patient care requires a holistic approach, integrating medical treatment and appropriate psychosocial support to improve their well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial care competencies of oncology healthcare professionals at the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center (CHU) in Marrakech.This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of doctors and nurses in the oncology department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Marrakech. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables was drawn up, together with the Psychosocial Care Competency Self-Assessment Scale (PCCSAS), which measures psychosocial care competencies. A descriptive and analytical analysis was performed via SPSS software (V.26).The overall PCCSAS score was moderate (54.99 ± 13.96), with similar scores for the subscales of symptom diagnosis, intervention, information use and psychosocial care assessment. Professionals working in day hospitals scored significantly higher than those in inpatient settings did (p < 0.05), although the differences between nurses and oncologists were not statistically significant. Seniority showed no significant association with the PCCSAS score, although professionals with 15 or more years of experience obtained the highest scores (61.71 ± 11.22). A significant correlation was observed between the PCCSAS scale and its subscales (p < 0.005).This study revealed a moderate level of psychosocial care skills among healthcare professionals in oncology, compounded by a lack of specialized training. In the Moroccan context, developing a profile of nurses specializing in psychosocial care, introducing continuing education programs adapted to the specific needs of different departments, and promoting experience sharing between professionals to strengthen practical skills and improve the quality of patient care are recommended.