Development Of New Programmes Research Articles

Perception of patient safety culture among nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

To analyse the perception of patient safety culture among nursing students and to compare patient safety outcomes between the different year nursing groups. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with nursing students (n = 266) between first and fourth years from one university in Spain. The project was conducted during the 2020/21 academic year. The data were collected using a translated and adapted version of the "Hospital Survey on Patient Safety" developed by the Agency of Healthcare Quality (AHQR). Significant differences were found between the year of study of the nursing degree and whether or not specific training in patient safety culture had been received. The nursing students who had received specific training gave scores lower than anyone else in all questionnaire items, but only the indicators of "good practice" (p = 0.00) and "frequency of reported events" (p = 0.0012) showed significant differences. In some cases, fourth-year students had lower significant mean scores in their "perception of patient safety within unit/sector," "indicators of good practice" and "total score." Adverse events related to clinical practice continue to be a global problem. Improvements in patient safety require an increase in the patient safety culture of professionals and the promotion of development facilitators. Clinical practice and specific theoretical training foster greater awareness and demand related to patient safety, which is of interest when it comes to the development of new programmes that combine both methodologies and improve their effectiveness. Patient safety will continue to be a focus for all healthcare systems. The patient safety culture of future healthcare professionals should be developed at the university level in order to avoid unnecessary adverse events.

Education and Study Concepts at the European University Alliance EURECA-PRO

Education is an essential core task of EURECA-PRO and consists of designing and implementing new study programmes at all levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral), developing new, supplementary modules and promoting innovative teaching methods. While spreading and encouraging excellence in learning and teaching is a fundamental part of all higher education institutions, it is especially important for EURECA-PRO in the development of new programmes, courses, and educational concepts across all partner universities. This development presents an opportunity to cement and enhance excellence in teaching and learning across the alliance and to prioritise students’ educational experience.

Impact of Government Measures to Support Mortgage Lending on Housing Affordability in Russia: Regional Evidence

This study investigates housing affordability in Russia: factors of affordability, quantitative indicators, and government support measures. We are especially interested in the mortgage rate subsidy programmes that were implemented in 2015–2016 and 2020–2021 and their impact on housing affordability indicators. In order to evaluate impact of the first programme, we use a model of the real estate market and we decompose the index of housing affordability into different factors. As a result of our econometric analysis, we conclude that in general the programme was successful. Data about the second programme are not yet sufficient, so we evaluate its impact by a statistical analysis of the dynamics of the main indicators. We conclude that the impact is ambiguous: up until a particular moment (different in different regions), borrowers could benefit from the programme, but after that moment the increase in housing prices caused by the programme itself were exceeding the benefits from the subsidised rates. In conclusion, we provide some methods to improve the effectiveness of government measures to support housing affordability, which could be useful in the development of new programmes.

Streptococci as the new dominant aetiological factors of mastitis in dairy cows in north-eastern Poland: analysis of the results obtained in 2013–2019

The objective of our study was to evaluate prevalence of selected bacterial and fungal pathogens of mastitis in dairy cattle in north-eastern Poland. Our study was conducted from 2013 to 2019 in 1,665 clinically and sub-clinically infected quarter milk samples (2013, n = 368; 2014, n = 350; 2015, n = 290; 2016, n = 170; 2017, n = 173; 2018, n = 224; and 2019, n = 90). The isolation and identification of the pathogens were performed in keeping with generally accepted microbiological procedures. In 2013, mastitis was most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (24%), Streptococcus spp. (22%), Streptococcus agalactiae (12%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (11%). In 2014, the most common pathogens were Streptococcus spp. (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (10%); in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Streptococcus spp. (from 39–49%) were the most frequent strains isolated from the quarter milk samples. Other pathogens were isolated occasionally (below 15% in all years). In conclusion, the role of environmental bacteria has been gradually increasing in the Warmia Province. The importance of infectious pathogens has been decreasing, indicating the efficacy of the applied preventive programmes and a need for the development of new programmes targeting environmental pathogens.

An evaluation of training courses and programmes in various management level job categories for road transport: A quantitative data analysis

Training programmes for road transport jobs and positions vary significantly across Europe and worldwide. The training programmes are highly developed and specialised in some countries, being strategically managed at a national level, whilst in many countries, training in particular for lower-skilled positions, is mostly organised and managed in-house by companies, and just a few national formal training schemes are available. Therefore, it is necessary to identify potential gaps in the availability of training schemes and programmes in the road transport sector, to support further development of new programmes or the improvement of existing ones. This paper is centered on the analysis of existing training programmes and schemes for road transport primarily in Europe, but additionally Australia is also added in the study. A data set has been collected and statistically analysed for a number of countries. Different job categories in road transport have been studied. A comparison of results is presented showing a vast diversity and lack of standard in skills development for road transport. The study did not identify any evidence for any harmonised procedure and best practices in skills development for road transport amongst the countries under study. Instead, it appears that each country has developed and implemented training programmes and courses for a specific audience, targeting a specific learning outcome.

Environmental awareness begins at the office

Abstract The International Trade Centre (ITC) has long been part of the global movement to protect the environment. For example, mainstreaming of environmental issues is a requirement for the development of new programmes and projects. Since the spring of 2017, the organization has moved a step ahead with the launch of the ITC Greening Initiative (GI).

What Makes International Global Health University Partnerships Higher-Value? An Examination of Partnership Types and Activities Favoured at Four East African Universities.

Background:There are many interuniversity global health partnerships with African universities. Representatives of these partnerships often claim partnership success in published works, yet critical, contextualized, and comparative assessments of international, cross-border partnerships are few.Objective:The objectives of this paper are to describe partnerships characterized as higher-value for building the capacity of four East African universities and identify why they are considered so by these universities.Methods:Forty-two senior representatives of four universities in East Africa described the value of their partnerships. A rating system was developed to classify the value of the 125 international partnerships they identified, as the perceived value of some partnerships varied significantly between representatives within the same university. An additional 88 respondents from the four universities and 59 respondents from 25 of the international partner universities provided further perspectives on the partnerships identified. All interviews were transcribed and analysed in relation to the classification and emergent themes.Findings:Thirty-one (25%) of the partnerships were perceived as higher-value, 41 (33%) medium-value, and 53 (42%) lower-value for building the capacity of the four focus universities. Thirteen (42%) of the higher-value partnerships were over 20 years old, while 8 (26%) were between 3 and 5 years old. New international partners were able to leapfrog some of the development phases of partnerships by coordinating with existing international partners and/or by building on the activities of or filling gaps in older partnerships. Higher-valued partnerships supported PhD obtainment, the development of new programmes and pedagogies, international trainee learning experiences, and infrastructure development. The financial and prestige value of partnerships were important but did not supersede other factors such as fit with strategic needs, the development of enduring results, dependability and reciprocity. Support of research or service delivery were also considered valuable but, unless education components were also included, the results were deemed unlikely to last.Conclusion:International partnerships prioritizing the needs of the focus university, supporting it in increasing its long-term capacity and best ensuring that capacity benefits realized favour the focus university are valued most. How best to achieve this so all partners still benefit sufficiently requires further exploration.

What is best practice in sex and relationship education? A synthesis of evidence, including stakeholders’ views

ObjectivesSex and relationship education (SRE) is regarded as vital to improving young people’s sexual health, but a third of schools in England lacks good SRE and government guidance is outdated....

Analysing body centre weight use by dancers in ArtsCross/Danscross

Abstract Using Laban Movement Analysis1 (LMA) methodologies, in particular the application of the two Weight Efforts, this article provides a comparative analysis of dancers from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), where the researcher is based, and dancers from the Beijing Dance Academy (BDA). The article focuses on the use of ‘body centre’ as conceived in LMA’s Effort Element, which is related to gravitational mechanisms. Through observation, it appeared that the training processes within each of these dance groups utilized different centres of weight and unique conceptions of individual space within the movement, despite both groups having a Chinese ethnic background and similar dance training styles in Contemporary Dance and traditional Chinese Dance. This insight is based on sustained observations of the rehearsal processes of these groups in the 2011 and 2012 editions of ArtsCross, as well as visits to classes at BDA during the three-week ArtsCross project held in Beijing, China in October and November of 2012. As a Certified Movement Analyst, with extensive experience in dance in both East Asia and in the United States, the researcher utilized LMA to understand how dancers from each country responded to the requests of choreographers through the intensive rehearsals and through to the final performance. The data provide significant pedagogical information relevant to the development of new programmes to be implemented within TNUA’s dance training regimen.

Design and methods of CYCLE-HD: improving cardiovascular health in patients with end stage renal disease using a structured programme of exercise: a randomised control trial.

BackgroundThere is emerging evidence that exercise training could positively impact several of the cardiovascular risk factors associated with sudden cardiac death amongst patients on haemodialysis. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an intradialytic exercise programme on left ventricular mass.Method and designProspective, randomised cluster open-label blinded endpoint clinical trial in 130 patients with end stage renal disease on haemodialysis. Patients will be randomised 1:1 to either 1) minimum of 30 min continuous cycling thrice weekly during dialysis or 2) standard care. The primary outcome is change in left ventricular mass at 6 months, assessed by cardiac MRI (CMR). In order to detect a difference in LV mass of 15 g between groups at 80 % power, a sample size of 65 patients per group is required. Secondary outcome measures include abnormalities of cardiac rhythm, left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, physical function measures, anthropometric measures, quality of life and markers of inflammation, with interim assessment for some measures at 3 months.DiscussionThis study will test the hypothesis that an intradialytic programme of exercise leads to a regression in left ventricular mass, an important non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor in end stage renal disease. For the first time this will be assessed using CMR. We will also evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and safety of an intradialytic exercise programme using a number of secondary end-points. We anticipate that a positive outcome will lead to both an increased patient uptake into established intradialytic programmes and the development of new programmes nationally and internationally.Trial registration numberISRCTN11299707 (registration date 5th March 2015).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-016-0294-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS AFTER RADICAL NERVESPARING PROSTATECTOMY

The purpose of our research is to improve the quality of life of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. With the increasing frequency of prostate cancer and determining the effectiveness of surgical treatment significantly increased the number of radical prostatectomy. Surgical treatment is definitely in much greater extent when compared to radiation treatments related to the development of impotence, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.The incidence of erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy ranges from 10 to 50%. Therefore, the development of new programmes for the rehabilitation of patients can improve their quality of life, due to the greater likelihood of recovery of erectile function after the operation. In our study we observed 84 patient. The incidence of erectile dysfunction was 76%. After applying one of the existing methods of stimulation: FDE5 inhibitors, intracavernose injections of prostaglandin, physical therapy, we were able to increase the effectiveness of treatment up to 54.8%, 40% and 70% respectively.

Issues in the ageing individual with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders: understanding and responding to the patients’ perspective

An increasing number of individuals with haemophilia and other severe bleeding disorders who are ≥40 years of age are entering uncharted territory with respect to the identification and management of medical, physical and social issues relevant to ageing with a bleeding disorder. This is because the population experienced considerable mortality during the HIV/AIDs and hepatitis C epidemic due to exposure to tainted blood products for treatment of bleeding. As a result, few older individuals with this disorder survive today. To provide insight for how the comprehensive care team can adapt to the changing needs of the adult haemophiliac we evaluated the patient perspective. The objective of this study was to identify key themes of importance in the ageing population with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. For this study all subjects with a diagnosis of haemophilia A or B, von Willebrand disease or rare bleeding disorders 40 years or older from a single clinic were invited to participate. Audio-recordings of groups of six to eight participants were conducted by an independent investigator without content expertise. Transcripts were analysed using N*vivo (v. 8) software using thematic content analysis. Overall, 32 subjects, 18 men/14 women, with a mean age of 57.5 years (median 56.0 years) and range of 40-77 years, participated. Three major themes emerged: (i) reflection on living an active life, (ii) 'normal' ageing vs. disease-specific impacts and (iii) the health system, and its ability to respond to their needs as ageing individuals with bleeding disorders. We found some anticipated themes and some unexpected ones, confirming that true perspective can only be provided by the patients themselves. Knowledge of these important themes has informed the development of new programmes aimed at this growing segment of the patient population.

Preventive therapy and resilience promotion: an evaluation of social work led skills development group work

Concerns have been expressed for some time about a decline in emphasis on therapeutic work in social work, notably articulated in the Munro Review. Further concerns have been expressed in child care that social workers have increasingly had to focus on child protection work rather than earlier stages of prevention. However, there remain opportunities for social workers through the development of new programmes. One development has been that of Behaviour and Education Support Teams: multi-professional teams, containing as a key element social workers, and encouraging novel practices designed to help emotional stability and improved behaviour and education performance. This study reports on an evaluation of a social worker delivered school-based social skills programme, which can contribute to the important area of resilience. This showed significant and sustained improvements in pro-social behaviour and friendships. The implications of this for the therapeutic potential and professional role of social work are discussed.

THE ERA-ENVHEALTH NETWORK

Background and Aims: Reducing uncertainties about the links between environment and health (E&H) and taking action through protection and prevention measures is necessary. For these measures to be effective, cooperation between all concerned actors must be improved and research driven by a common set of priorities. ERA-ENVHEALTH enhances European coordination of E&H research programming. Methods: The network of 16 E&H research programmers from 10 countries started in September 2008 and has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 219 337. To establish sustainable collaboration, an integrated step-by-step approach is implemented to evaluate methods, define priorities and respond to these through joint activities. The originality of ERA-ENVHEALTH is that it launched a first call early on to experiment joint funding and assess its implementation. Results: Collaboration between ERA-ENVHEALTH partners has enabled the development of a shared vision and improved exchange of knowledge and expertise through access to information at the European level via its website and databases for experts and research programmes. To experiment joint funding and have a better use of resources, two projects are now running, funded by three partners under the first common call, on: “Health vulnerability resulting from future climate change impacts on soil-water ecosystems, land use and water resources at regional scale”. The consortium has analysed the collected data on research programmes and is identifying common priorities for collaborative research and activities, including a second common call. Conclusions: ERA-ENVHEALTH brings dynamism to E&H research in the EU by promoting collaboration and fostering innovative ideas, and by increasing its visibility as a key area for research. With the development of new programmes and changes to existing ones, an increase is expected in the diversity of disciplines involved in research and in multinational projects on E&H issues.

The ERA-ENVHEALTH Project: Coordination of National Environment and Health Research Programmes–Environment and Health ERA-NET

ISEE-0094 Background and Objectives: Reducing uncertainties about the links between environment and health (E&H) and taking action through protection and prevention measures is necessary. For these to be effective, cooperation must be improved and research driven by a common set of priorities. ERA-ENVHEALTH, co-funded by the European Commission under FP7 “Coordination Actions”, enhances European coordination of environment and health research programming. Methods: The project started in September 2008 with 16 E&H research programmers from 10 countries. To establish sustainable collaboration, an integrated step-by-step approach is implemented to evaluate methods, define priority themes and respond to these through joint activities and transnational calls. The originality of ERA-ENVHEALTH is that a first call for proposals was launched simultaneously to experiment joint funding and fully assess its implementation. Results: Better collaboration means avoiding duplication of financial and scientific effort, shared understanding of priority issues, greater access to information and experts, better use of resources to provide answers to common problems and developing common approaches. After a year, ERA-ENVHEALTH has developed a shared vision and improved exchange of knowledge and expertise between countries through access to data at European level (website, expert and research programme databases). The consortium is analysing the collected data and identifying common research priorities. Also, a transnational joint call, funded by three partners, was successfully launched on: “Health vulnerability resulting from future climate change impacts on soil-water ecosystems, land use and water resources at regional scale” and two projects selected for funding. Conclusion: ERA-ENVHEALTH will bring dynamism to E&H research in Europe by promoting collaboration and fostering innovative ideas and increase its visibility as a key area. With the development of new programmes and changes to existing ones, the consortium expects an increase in the diversity of disciplines involved in research and in multinational projects.

Public Administration Education and Europeanization: Prospects for the Emancipation of a Discipline?

The twin processes of Europeanization and Transition provide significant opportunities for the development of Public Administration education in Europe and provide a possibility to further the ‘emancipation’ of the discipline. In terms of Europeanization, the increasing challenges of politico‐administrative interaction between national administrations and the institutions of the European Union illustrate that it is essential for Public Administration graduates to acquire an informed understanding of both the European context of policy‐making and of the administrative organization and culture of other member states and countries associated with the EU. As a second element, the transition process in Central and Eastern European states could provide the discipline with further impetus to search for its own identity and approach in a European context. This article reviews the key findings of the results of the comprehensive inventories undertaken by the SOCRATES Thematic Network in Public Administration with regard to the current direction in which Public Administration education in Europe is moving. It addresses whether attention to European issues is reflected in the curriculum as well as links with the profession and whether cross‐fertilization between the development of new programmes in the transition states and PA academic programmes in the EU member states has actually occurred.

Immigration, asylum and welfare: the European context

This article analyses the relationship between an emerging EU policy on immigration and asylum, and the 'modernization' of welfare state regimes. The development of new programmes for recruiting skilled and unskilled labour from outside the EU is part of an attempt to make labour markets more flexible and to increase mobility. But it is accompanied by tougher measures to deter asylum seekers and control 'illegal immigration'. The authors argue that this new regulatory regime will continue to be challenged by forced migration and by the spontaneous movement of populations.

Regional development and the tasks of vocational education and training professionals

The EUROPROF project has as a broad aim the development of new programmes for the education of vocational education and training (VET) professionals. To achieve this aim the project has developed a new methodology of collaborative research between researchers in different regions and countries. The project has explored the influence of regional development on vocational education and training. Looks at the development of the Dutch vocational education and training system and the motivation and possibilities for cross‐border co‐operation between The Netherlands and Germany. Examines the different ideas and research traditions in different institutions and countries as a basis for mutual learning and collaboration.

Normalization’s Theoretical Status and Future Residential Models

Normalization is concerned with the whole range of human services. The normalization principle complements the development of new programmes and concepts. Significant issues from the normalization literature are appraised, misinterpretations discussed, and the normalization formulations' theoretical status considered. It is found that there are no comprehensive theoretical propositions or substantial empirical evidence which offer serious challenges to normalization. Future indications for residential models show that independent living community based facilities, opportunities for disabled persons to participate in residential planning, and defining residential and related needs are important issues.