Current Skills Research Articles

A comprehensive "real need" assessment, a step towardimproving the quality of faculty development programs: A survey-based study in Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences.

Developing a framework to identify the "real" needs of faculty members, the gap between the current and desired conditions, would lead to an effective faculty developmentprogram (FDP) and improve higher education quality and health system promotion. For the first time in Iran, instead of needs assessment based on faculty members preferences or assessing needs only in a few areas, this study aimed to assess the difference between "self-rated level of skill" as the current condition and "perceived importance" as the expected condition, regarding all faculty roles and levels at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS). This study used a research-made questionnaire that included 73 items within nine domains. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.86 to 0.96 for domains. The census method was applied. Participants rated their current skill level and perceived importance for professional development of each item on a 10-anchor scale. Statistical software, SPSS 19, analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and analytic tests. Significant differences existed among participants' ratings of skills and the importance of further training in various areas. Priority professional development domains were e-learning, curriculum development, personal development, program evaluation, leadership and management, student assessment, learning theories and teaching strategies, research and scholarship, and ethics and communication. Additional formal training is required, especially in e-learning and curriculum development, for most faculty members at HUMS to enhance their academic performance. This study is the first needs assessment in Iran based on gaps between current and desired conditions. Conducting a "real needs" assessment before initiating an FDP is necessary for its feasibility.

Physical and biophysical markers of assessment in medical training: A scoping review of the literature

Purpose Assessment in medical education has changed over time to measure the evolving skills required of current medical practice. Physical and biophysical markers of assessment attempt to use technology to gain insight into medical trainees’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The authors conducted a scoping review to map the literature on the use of physical and biophysical markers of assessment in medical training. Materials and methods The authors searched seven databases on 1 August 2022, for publications that utilized physical or biophysical markers in the assessment of medical trainees (medical students, residents, fellows, and synonymous terms used in other countries). Physical or biophysical markers included: heart rate and heart rate variability, visual tracking and attention, pupillometry, hand motion analysis, skin conductivity, salivary cortisol, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The authors mapped the relevant literature using Bloom’s taxonomy of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and extracted additional data including study design, study environment, and novice vs. expert differentiation from February to June 2023. Results Of 6,069 unique articles, 443 met inclusion criteria. The majority of studies assessed trainees using heart rate variability (n = 160, 36%) followed by visual attention (n = 143, 32%), hand motion analysis (n = 67, 15%), salivary cortisol (n = 67, 15%), fMRI (n = 29, 7%), skin conductivity (n = 26, 6%), fNIRs (n = 19, 4%), and pupillometry (n = 16, 4%). The majority of studies (n = 167, 38%) analyzed non-technical skills, followed by studies that analyzed technical skills (n = 155, 35%), knowledge (n = 114, 26%), and attitudinal skills (n = 61, 14%). 169 studies (38%) attempted to use physical or biophysical markers to differentiate between novice and expert. Conclusion This review provides a comprehensive description of the current use of physical and biophysical markers in medical education training, including the current technology and skills assessed. Additionally, while physical and biophysical markers have the potential to augment current assessment in medical education, there remains significant gaps in research surrounding reliability, validity, cost, practicality, and educational impact of implementing these markers of assessment.

Time to scale-up point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in obstetrics and gynaecology in Nigeria

The availability, affordability and portability of high-resolution-ultrasound machine in recent years have made ultrasound an indispensable point-of-care diagnostic and procedural tool in current practice of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. POCUS is a goal-directed (focused/emergency) ultrasound examination performed by the healthcare provider in the consulting office or patient’s bedside to make a specific diagnosis that will direct timely and definitive treatment of the patient. It improves clinical outcomes, prevents hospital delays, promotes swift definitive treatment, reduces cost and enhances patient satisfaction without exposure to ionizing radiation. It is a readily available care in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Skills acquisition in POCUS should be incorporated in teaching programs for midwives, medical students, resident doctors and consultants. This review aims to summarize the literature on the advances in ultrasound technology, indications and practice guidelines for clinicians’ POCUS examinations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Recommendations to fill the gaps in the current training and skills acquisition in Nigeria are proposed.

The Impact of Training on Career Satisfaction

The aim of the current study is to investigate the impact of training on career satisfaction among employees in the Sulaymaniyah General Directorate of Health. The study is a quantitative study, a survey based on a questionnaire. A survey involving 256 employees was conducted to gather data, and the analysis revealed a significant positive effect of training on career satisfaction on one variable (training) on another (career satisfaction). The findings suggest that training plays a significant role in enhancing career satisfaction among employees in the health sector. This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the importance of training programs in improving employee job satisfaction and overall performance in healthcare organizations. As a recommendation, we recommend that organizations design training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the organization and the individual employees, considering the current skills gaps and future requirements of the workforce.

EXPLORING SKILLS THAT CAN BE IMPARTED TO PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH FOR SELF- RELIANCE

In every individual, there exists a rich interplay of strengths and weaknesses, a truth that extends to specially-abled individuals as well. As a society, our role becomes pivotal in championing the strengths of these individuals rather than fixating on their limitations. Embracing them as equals, not objects of sympathy, and affording them equal opportunities are foundational steps. Engaging with them in a manner that fosters a sense of belonging and offering avenues of empowerment are essential elements to enable their pursuit of fulfilling lives. The present study aims to determine the need for skill training for specially-abled youth and to assess their quality of life. This study was conducted at Rambhadracharya Divyang University, Chitrakoot. A total of 150 specially-abled youth were selected and a systematic survey and experimental method was adopted to collect the information regarding respondent's personal profile, disabilities, problems, and present needs. A questionnaire was prepared in the form of Google Form. The survey covered various aspects of textiles and apparel designing-related skills, including fabric identification, cutting, sewing, embroidery, printing, and embellishment techniques, comparing the respondents' current skills with the desired ones for the skill training. The study revealed that the quality of life of specially-abled individuals is influenced by factors like family dynamics, living conditions, family occupation, social skills, education, and personal potential. The disparity between current and required skills highlighted the necessity for professional development, aiming to enhance the overall quality of life. To address these needs effectively and sustainably, the study proposed an individual- and ecosystem-cantered approach.

Climate change-related concerns in psychotherapy: therapists’ experiences and views on addressing this topic in therapy

BackgroundWhile adverse impacts of climate change on physical health are well-known, research on its effects on mental health is still scarce. Thus, it is unclear whether potential impacts have already reached treatment practice. Our study aimed to quantify psychotherapists’ experiences with patients reporting climate change-related concerns and their views on dealing with this topic in psychotherapy.MethodsIn a nationwide online survey, responses were collected from 573 psychotherapists from Germany. Therapists reported on the presence of such patients, their socio-demographic characteristics, and climate change-related reactions. Psychotherapists’ views on dealing with this topic in psychotherapy were also assessed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses.ResultsAbout 72% (410/573) of psychotherapists indicated having had patients expressing concerns about climate change during treatment. Out of these therapists, 41% (166/410) stated that at least one patient sought treatment deliberately because of such concerns. Patients were mainly young adults with higher education. Most frequent primary diagnoses were depression, adjustment disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Psychotherapists having encountered such patients differed from those without such encounters in their views on potential functional impairment and the necessity to target the concerns in treatment. Although 79% (326/415) of all respondents felt adequately prepared by their current therapeutic skills, 50% (209/414) reported a lack of information on how to deal with such concerns in therapy.ConclusionsResults indicate that psychotherapists are frequently confronted with climate change-related concerns and regard the mental health impact of climate change on their patients as meaningful to psychotherapeutic care. Regular care could be improved by a continuous refinement of the conceptualization and knowledge of the mental health influences of climate change. This would allow providing tailored methods of assessing and addressing climate change-related concerns in practice.

Pengaruh Digitalisasi dan Pandemi COVID-19 Terhadap Pembentukan Keterampilan Guru di Jepang

This paper examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has implications for the formation of Japanese teachers' skills related to digitalisation, as well as how the teaching and learning situation in Japan has changed as a result. The COVID-19 pandemic has indirectly forced teachers in Japan to adapt and change their teaching methods to students. Discussions on teacher certification and training in Japan, digitization of education in Japan, and the formation of teacher skills in Japan before and after the COVID-19 pandemic are used to explain how digitization was already introduced in education in Japan but was only massively implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study found that current teacher skills in Japan have undergone some changes in standards. The introduction of digitalization in education in Japan as well as the COVID-19 pandemic that entered Japan in 2020 indirectly changed the teaching standards of teachers in Japan. Nowadays, teachers in Japan are not only required to be proficient in teaching but also to act as practitioners in their teaching environment, thus indirectly changing the teaching and learning process in Japan.

Leadership Development for Contemporary Post-Secondary Academic Leaders: Challenges, Content and Approach

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary higher education, the demand for leaders well-versed in the intricacies of its challenges has become paramount. Despite the availability of leadership fellowships and retreats globally, there is a notable dearth of institution-specific leadership development programs tailored for post-secondary education leaders. This deficiency leaves a substantial number of higher education leaders ill-equipped with the fundamental competencies needed for effective leadership. This review underscores the pressing necessity to establish institution-based leadership development initiatives explicitly crafted for academic leaders and faculty members. The exploration encompasses diverse platforms and methodologies for delivering such programs, drawing insights from empirical studies that underscore the advantages of leadership development. Also, the review discusses the content of leadership development curricula. Focusing on academic leaders and faculty, these curricula cover competencies such as strategic planning, interpersonal communication, talent management, and adaptive leadership. The outcomes underscore the significance of institutions integrating leadership development efforts within their academic domains. The discussion delves into the manifold benefits of instituting leadership development programs, not only as a cost-effective alternative to external fellowship courses but as a strategic move with multifaceted advantages. These advantages encompass streamlining competitive succession planning, magnetizing and retaining talent, cultivating expansive networking opportunities, and augmenting the capacity to confront contemporary challenges in higher education. By prioritizing the nurturing of academic leaders, institutions can effectively bridge the gap between current leadership skills and the evolving demands of the higher education landscape.

Accessibility and Inclusive Public Policy Initiatives of Union Ministry of Education for Digital Higher Education in India

Digital Education is the innovative use of digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning, and is often referred to as Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) or e-Learning. It is an evolving area which is primarily concerned with the teaching learning process using digital medium. M. Bakia says that internet based education is referred to by multiple terms including online learning, e-learning, cyber learning and web based learning. It is a true that digital or online education cannot replace the existing classroom learning. But it has some advantages for effectively utilization of internet in the higher education. It has a superior potential to enrich learners current knowledge, skills, and abilities. The question is whether the digital higher education is accessible and inclusive for the learners in a vast populated, diverse and plural India. In order to address these issues, the union Ministry of Education initiated through its various major public policies such as Swayam, Swayam Prabha, National Digital Library, e-PG Pathshala, e-ShodhSindhu, e-Yantra, Virtual Labs and National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) in order to make the digital higher education system is more accessible and more inclusive for all types of the learners in India.

Interfacility Transfer Teams: A Pilot Study to Assess Viability as a Skill Sustainment Platform.

A US Naval hospital in the remote Pacific region has developed interfacility transfer (IFT) teams staffed by active duty personnel out of necessity due to a large percentage of critically ill patients requiring IFT and a lack of local resources. The IFT program underwent significant improvements in training and quality assurance in 2017. We sought to assess patient safety when transport was performed by our locally sourced and trained IFT teams. En route care (ERC) is a recognized critical capability gap in the US Navy requiring clinicians with current knowledge and skills to maintain competency. IFT programs may be a viable skill sustainment program for ERC clinicians. A database was created as part of the quality assurance program to collate information on patient demographics, level of care provided, reason for transport, and interventions provided by the transporting team. A retrospective review of these data was conducted with emphasis on the appropriateness of patient management and skill sustainment for active duty personnel. The project was deemed institutional review board exempt. Of the 1,193 patient care reports reviewed, interventions were required in 128 (10.7%) of patients and 58 (4.9%) required ventilator management. Medical deterioration occurred during 22 (1.8%) of the transports, with 20 (90.9%) of the deterioration episodes managed appropriately. No patient harm occurred. IFT teams with local training were able to safely transport critically ill patients with no adverse outcomes, defined as direct harm to the patients as a result of transport. Patient care during transports included routine interventions, ventilator management, and troubleshooting of patient deteriorations. Our data further suggest IFT programs may be a viable skill sustainment platform for ERC clinicians.

Opinions on advanced practice among diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers: Survey results of an European congress of radiology study

IntroductionThe exploration of Advanced Practice (AP) in both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography has become a prominent topic of discussion within the radiographic community, prompting an investigation into radiographers' perceptions and the current global status of advanced roles. This study aimed collect data on radiography and radiation therapy AP career paths, and understand radiographers' perceptions of advanced practice at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2020. MethodsA concise, 15-question web-based survey was distributed through the EFRS Research Hub during ECR 2020. Topics covered included respondents' demographics, educational background, current radiography skills, the landscape of AP in radiography, potential progression avenues in their countries, and key benefits linked to role advancement. ResultsThe survey garnered responses from 83 radiographers, with a predominant 79.5% (n = 66) representing Europe. Information on the total number of participants approached during the ECR and thus the resulting response rate is not available. Among the findings, a meaningful portion (30%, n = 25) of participants indicated the absence of AP opportunities in their respective country. Notably, an overwhelming majority (97.5%, n = 81) expressed a personal willingness to embrace AP roles. Areas of particular interest to the respondents included radiography reporting (38.6%, n = 32), performing ultrasound examination (13.2%, n = 11), conducting interventional procedures (13.2%, n = 11) and engaging in radiography research (10.8%, n = 9). ConclusionThe study indicates a keen interest among surveyed radiographers in pursuing AP, emphasizing the necessity for role recognition. Education, research and job satisfaction emerged as pivotal for AP progression. Despite this, AP availability in Europe is limited. Implication for practiceThere is a need to recognize and address barriers, provide targeted education and training, and promote job satisfaction to facilitate the development of AP in radiography.

Reviewing the Exposure of Engineering Occupations to Artificial Intelligence

An engineering degree should include learning the current skills required in a variety of jobs in an engineering discipline of choice. However, as new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are implemented, the skills required by human workers will evolve. This paper builds on previous research which compared the verb/noun pairs in AI patents to those found in occupational descriptions to obtain numerical scores reflecting how exposed various occupations are to AI disruption. Improvements to this method, including a new selection method for identifying AI specific patents and the use of a different verb/noun extraction method, are used in this work. The updated method is then employed to identify tasks associated with engineering professions that are vulnerable to AI displacement. Specifically, it was found that Microsystems, Human Factors, and Electrical Engineering have relatively high exposure scores. The exposure of Electrical Engineering is further analyzed to determine the aspects of the occupation that are potentially most vulnerable to AI displacement. The analysis illustrates that the impact of AI might not undermine an entire task or skill. Rather, this type of emerging technology may displace or alter the nature of a task. This work is still in progress. The exposure scores themselves are not the focus, but they are a first step toward identifying the type of skills and engineering occupations that may be affected by AI technologies. This work has ramifications for engineering education as educators make choices about which skills to teach and which to abandon in the curriculum.

Effective Deep Learning Seasonal Prediction Model for Summer Drought Over China

AbstractDrought is an important meteorological event in China and can cause severe damage to both livelihoods and socio‐ecological systems, but current seasonal prediction skill for drought is far from successful. This study used convolutional neural network (CNN) to build an effective seasonal forecast model for the summer consecutive dry days (CDD) over China. The principal components (PC) of the six leading empirical orthogonal function modes of CDD anomaly were predicted by CNN, using the previous winter precipitation, 2‐m temperature and 500 hPa geopotential height as predictors. These predicted PCs were then projected onto the observed spatial patterns to obtain the final predicted summer CDD anomaly over China. In the independent hindcast period of 2007–2018, the interannual variabilities of first six PCs were significantly predicted by CNN. The spatial patterns of CDD were then skillfully predicted with anomaly correlation coefficient skills generally higher than 0.2. The interannual variability of summer CDD over the middle and lower Yangtze River valley, northwestern China and northern China were significant predicted by our CNN model three months in advance. CNN identified that the previous winter precipitation was the important predictor for PC1–PC3, whereas the previous winter 2‐m temperature and 500 hPa geopotential height were important for the prediction of PC4–PC6. This research provides a new and effective method for the seasonal prediction of summer drought.

Matching geographies and job skills in the energy transition

The changing US energy system raises concerns of job losses among fossil fuel workers. Since these employment impacts vary considerably across the US, policies must be tailored to local contexts. We develop an analytical approach to help policymakers understand the localized opportunities and challenges that energy workers may face. We first estimate the exposure of local labor markets to job displacement in fossil fuel extraction, transportation, processing, and electricity industries. We then assess the extent to which the skill sets of fossil energy workers match similarly-paying jobs with high growth in their local labor markets. We document substantial differences across local labor markets in terms of fossil fuel workforce demographics, their current job skills, and how well these skills align with those for in-demand jobs over the coming decade. We find that other than most technical skills, skills important for fossil fuel jobs typically differ from those necessary for fast-growing occupations with similar levels of pay, many of which require extensive service-oriented and management skills. Our methodology and associated analytical tools can be readily used to provide locally tailored information about skills mismatches between the existing fossil energy workforce and in-demand sectors, suggesting areas where workforce development may bear the most fruit.

Ohio’s 5G and Broadband Workforce: Assessing the Current Landscape Using Skillshed Analysis

Ohio’s 5G and broadband industry is rapidly changing. In this study, we assess the current skills and skills gaps of the state’s workforce and the supply and demand of labor within the 5G and broadband industry. We use a skillshed analysis to determine declining occupations with easy and challenging transitions into 5G and broadband occupations. Based on the analysis, we determine where skills gaps exist and where additional resources are needed to prepare the state’s workforce for the 5G and broadband industry.

Analysis of Literacy Content in IEPs of Students With Complex Support Needs

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) should include a summary of the student’s current skills and needs as well as annual goals that support their progress in the general education curriculum; however, IEPs for students with complex support needs may be missing required information. We investigated IEP goals and Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements for 112 students with complex support needs in four educational placements to understand (a) similarities and differences in the literacy skills identified in IEP goals, (b) the extent to which students’ IEP goals aligned with the literacy skills identified in their PLAAFPs, and (c) how this alignment differed across placements. Results revealed some students were missing literacy-focused content in their IEP, very few K–2 students had goals focused on early literacy skills, few students in Grades 3 to 6 had expressive writing goals, and IEP goals were inconsistently aligned with PLAAFP statements.

Preparing the next generation of mechanical engineering graduates: identifying and combating the digital skills

In connection with the rapidly growing role of digital technologies, great importance is attached to the level of «digital literacy» of specialists, that is, their ability to perform tasks in a digital environment. The engineering industry is no exception. It should be viewed as high-tech, requiring innovation and improvement to remain competitive in today's digital economy. Digital tools open up many possibilities. However, realizing these benefits requires a new approach to the challenges posed not only by new technology, but also by the human component. In order for the future generation of engineers to be competitive, during their training it is extremely important to develop skills in using digital technologies not only on the basis of professional disciplines, but also general professional ones using the example of studying the discipline «Hydraulics and Hydraulic Drive». With digital literacy skills, students can plan learning that will help them think critically, creatively, and innovatively. The main purpose of this study was to determine the required skill set of the future «mechanical engineer». To achieve this goal, the following tasks were formulated: (1) to understand the importance of digital technologies for mechanical engineering students; (2) identify gaps in current skills; (3) identify opportunities to use digital technologies to improve operations; (4) identify the benefits of digital technologies in future engineering projects; (5) analyze data indicating the percentage of students using and integrating information and communication technologies into learning during practical training. The authors consider the need for digital skills using the example of training areas 05.23.01 «Land Transport Systems» and 03.15.02 «Technological Machinery and Equipment» (profile «Oil and Gas Industry Equipment»).

The benefits of math activities depend on the skills children bring to the table.

Playing board games and other math activities can provide young children with opportunities to develop their math skills. However, it is critical to understand for whom these activities may be most beneficial. In two studies, we examine the extent to which foundational cognitive skills moderate the effects of playing math games on math skills. In Study 1, we look cross-sectionally at the association between parents' frequency of math activities with their 3- to 4-year-old children (N = 124) and children's math achievement, examining the extent to which children's skills moderate this relation. We find that frequent math activities are only associated with better math performance for children with better number knowledge. In Study 2, we test this experimentally by randomly assigning parents and children (N = 76) to play with a number-related board game, an active control board game, or a business-as-usual control group. Controlling for number knowledge, inhibitory control, and vocabulary at pretest, no differences in math skills at posttest were observed between the training groups. However, a significant interaction emerged between training group assignment and number knowledge, such that children with higher pretest number knowledge had higher posttest math scores when assigned to the number board game condition compared to the two control conditions, but no differences among conditions were seen for children with lower number knowledge. Collectively, these findings suggest that math activities may be most beneficial for math skills when children have stronger number knowledge and underscore the need for tailoring activities to children's current skill level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Developing and validating an abbreviated adult reading history questionnaire in the Finnish and Dutch contexts

BackgroundThe adult reading history questionnaire (ARHQ) is frequently used in research on adult dyslexia and family risk for dyslexia. However, this measure is lengthy (23 items), reducing its applicability in studies with extensive assessment batteries.MethodsWe identified the best‐performing ARHQ items in a sample of 396 Finnish adults using exploratory factor analysis and item response theory. Consequently, we validated the brief questionnaire in independent Finnish and Dutch samples by comparing its performance with that of the complete questionnaire. We also evaluated how the scores on the questionnaires related to the scores on direct adult reading assessments in the Finnish samples. Finally, we tested how predictive parental questionnaires were of children's skills in the Dutch and one of the Finnish samples.ResultsFive items were selected to construct the short version of ARHQ. All of them relate to childhood/adolescent reading difficulties rather than current adult skills. The scores of the complete ARHQ significantly correlated with those of the abbreviated version in all samples. Moreover, in one of the samples, direct reading assessment scores had a stronger correlation with the short ARHQ than with the full version. Additionally, across all three samples parental scores on the short ARHQ were at least as predictive of children's reading skills as the complete ARHQ.ConclusionsThe short ARHQ proved to be on a par with the complete version in its usefulness for identifying adults with dyslexia. Future research should investigate whether the five selected items can effectively serve as a brief screening measure for adults with dyslexia in languages other than Finnish and Dutch.

Influence of School Environment on Physics Teacher Effectiveness in Kigezi Sub-Region, Uganda

This study investigated the influence of school environment on physics teacher effectiveness in secondary schools in Kigezi Sub-region, Uganda. The focus of the study was to establish the influence of administrative support on physics teacher effectiveness; to establish the influence of collegiality of teachers on physics teacher effectiveness and to find out the influence of professional development like workshops, seminars on physics teacher effectiveness. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect and sequentially analyse the data. The study adopted a mixed research design on a sample of 234 physics teachers, fourteen (14) head teachers and six (06) education officials. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, interview guide, focus group discussions and classroom environment checklist. Quantitative data was analysed through the statistical software programs SPSS and SPSS AMOS while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis and verbatim quotations. Descriptive analysis showed that the school environment highly influences physics teacher effectiveness in all aspects. The results of structural equation model (SEM) showed that the school environment influences teacher effectiveness. The findings showed that the school environment as conceptualised as administrative support, collegiality and professional development had a strong positive influence on teacher effectiveness. It was concluded that teachers should create appropriate environment to present new thoughts by creating standards of administrative support, exercise companionship and cooperation between colleagues. Finally, develop professionally and remain relevant with current skills by participating in activities like educational seminars, workshops, and conferences