Disadvantaged Regions Research Articles

Communication Management Strategy in Implementing Recognition of Prior Learning to Enhance Village Officers' Competence in Indonesia

The State University of Surabaya (UNESA), the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, and the Bojonegoro Regency Government initiated an RPL program collaboration, offering opportunities to all village officials in Bojonegoro Regency who have not yet obtained a bachelor's degree to have their various experiences and work portfolios assessed against the learning outcomes of courses in higher education. This RPL program, specifically for village officials, is the first of its kind in Indonesia. So, it encourages researchers to use case study research methods. This research discusses the importance of communication management, as many actors and institutions within UNESA are responsible for implementing this RPL collaboration. The students from village officials studying at the undergraduate level in five study programs selected by UNESA. UNESA's communication management in managing RPL is evident in the inter-institutional communication content that regulates their respective duties and functions, so these institutions structurally have a coordinating function and are responsible to the Rector. The communication flow between institutions within UNESA is formally regulated, and its channels are written. Conversely, in the classroom between lecturers and RPL students, communication management is more equal in community service and joint research programs.

The Efficiency of Village Funds in Indonesia: A Case Study of the Mandatory Spending Programme

The Law No. 6 of 2014 concerning the Village brought fundamental changes in the management, arrangement, and implementation of village governance. However, there are still a number of issues with how it's implemented. Government Regulation concerning Villages states that Village Funds are prioritized for handling food security, stunting, and Direct Cash Assistance from Village Funds (BLT-DD). Mandatory spending is distributed evenly to all villages that receive village funds, whereas each village is different, so an in-depth study is needed on whether the mandatory program is considered ineffective according to the real needs of the village. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of the mandatory program in terms of the priority of using Village Funds. The analysis was conducted using a qualitative approach by mapping Village Fund Problems (current situation - effects-causes) by looking at the Priority Use of Villages Funds and Implementation of Village Funds. The results showed that: 1) The percentage for Village Funds is more flexible to adjust to village needs 2) it is necessary to evaluate the weighting of indicators and determine the criteria for measuring the needs of each village in determining the amount of Village Funds and 3) important to increase capacity for structures under the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Ministry of Villages PDTT). These efforts need to be carried out immediately so that the priority of using village funds can be more effective and meet the real needs of the village.

Effect of management system and dietary seasonal variability on environmental efficiency and human net food supply of mountain dairy farming systems

Although mountain dairy cattle farming systems are pivotal for the economy, as well as for social and environmental aspects. They significantly contribute to the rural development which is currently strongly prioritized in the common EU agricultural policy, at the same time they are also increasingly criticized for having relatively high environmental impacts per kg of product, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, the aim of this study was to assess and compare the environmental efficiency of 2 common alpine dairy farming systems, with focus on the effects of grazing, considering the seasonal variability in feeding at individual cow level and farm management over a 3-year period. This study focuses on alpine farming systems but can be considered to represent well other topographically disadvantaged mountain areas. An intensively managed and globally dominating production system (high-input), aiming at high milk yield through relatively intensive feeding and the use of the high-yielding dual-purpose Simmental cattle, permanently confined in stables, was compared with a forage-based production system (low-input), based on seasonal grazing and the use of the autochthonous dual-purpose breed Tyrolean Grey. For the present analysis, a data set with information on feed intake and diet composition as well as animal productivity at individual cow level, and farm management data based on multiyear data recording was used. Four impact categories were quantified for 3 consecutive years: Global Warming Potential (GWP100), Acidification Potential (AP), Marine Eutrophication Potential (MEP), and Land Use (LU, m2yr and Pt, with the latter additionally considering the Soil Quality Index). Besides being attributed to 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM), these impact categories were also related to 1 m2 of on-farm area. Due to limited agronomic options beyond forage production and pasture use in alpine regions, net provision of protein was calculated for both farming systems to assess food supply and quantify the respective food-feed competition. Overall, the low-input farming system had greater environmental efficiency in terms of MEP per kg FPCM, as well as MEP and AP per m2 than the high-input system. LU was found to be consistently higher for the high-input than for the low-input system, the GWP100 per kg of FPCM was lower for the high-input system. Additionally, pasture access had a significant effect on the reduction of environmental impacts. Lastly, the net protein provision was slightly negative for the high-input system and marginally positive for the low-input system, indicating a lower food-feed competition for the latter. Future studies should also address the social and economic aspects of the farming systems, to offer a comprehensive overview of the 3 key factors necessary for achieving more sustainable farming systems, particularly in disadvantaged marginal regions such as mountain areas.

Is naloxone where it needs to be? Using spatial analytics to examine equitable distribution of community-based naloxone sites

BackgroundOne of the most effective harm reduction services for preventing opioid overdose deaths is naloxone. Given the ongoing opioid crisis, which has led to a surge in overdose deaths across the country, expanding access to naloxone is critical. Community-based naloxone distributions sites in Palm Beach County can increase access to naloxone. However, several rural and disadvantaged regions rarely have any type of access to naloxone. The purpose of this descriptive paper is to examine the spatial distribution of and evaluate equitable accessibility to community-based naloxone sites in Palm Beach County. MethodsWe examined health equity in the distribution of community-based naloxone sites using a mixed-methods approach with ArcGIS Pro version 3.0, which is a geographic information system (GIS) software used for mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization. ResultsThe Belle Glade region was identified as the location most adversely affected with health inequities and limited accessibility to naloxone distribution sites, as it ranked in the 100 % percentile for all social vulnerability index (SVI) themes. The 30-minute drive-time area calculated a county service area of 1885.3 km2 (km2), which covers about 34 % of the 478.0 km2 land area of census tracts. Drive-time areas did not account for periods of heavier traffic such as during rush hour. Maximum distances during heavier traffic may be smaller, thus decreasing accessibility to naloxone distribution sites. ConclusionThere is a need for effective policy-led strategies tailored to expanding our understanding of the challenges that are experienced by the individuals in need of naloxone and encountered by the distribution sites themselves, as accessible naloxone is crucial for preventing nonfatal and fatal overdoses and ensuring timely emergency responses in vulnerable communities.

Trends and inequalities in thinness and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents: evidence from seven national school surveys between 1985 and 2019.

There are little recent data in China regarding contemporary nutritional inequities among children and adolescents, particularly in relation to urban-rural residence and regional socioeconomic status (SES). We aim to assess inequalities in thinness and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents. Weight and height measurements for 1 677 261 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years were obtained from seven cycles of the Chinese National Surveys on Students Constitution and Health (1985, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, and 2019). Sex-specific BMI-for-age Z scores were applied to define thinness (Z scores <-2SD) and obesity (Z scores >+2SD). Urban-rural classification came from the Statistical Urban and Rural Division Code, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the province in which the school was situated was used as a proxy for SES. T1 represented the provinces with the most disadvantaged SES and T3 represented the provinces with the most advantaged SES. General linear regression models assessed correlations between prevalence and GDP per capita, with projections to 2030 derived from best-fitting models. The mean prevalence of obesity rose from 0·10% (95% CI 0·09 to 0·11) in 1985 to 8·25% (8·13 to 8·37) in 2019, whereas thinness prevalence decreased from 8·49% (8·41 to 8·58) to 3·37% (3·29 to 3·45). High SES provinces exhibited a significant drop in obesity prevalence from 2014 (8·42% [8·19 to 8·65]) to 2019 (7·73% [7·52 to 7·95]). Nationally, the prevalence of obesity was consistently higher in urban areas than in rural areas for both sexes from 1985 to 2019; however, a greater prevalence of obesity was observed in rural than urban girls residing in T3 regions in 2019 (urban-rural gap: -0·37% [-0·07 to -0·80]). Rural boys had a higher prevalence of thinness than their urban counterparts across all survey waves, with the exceptions of 1985 and 1995. For girls, no significant urban-rural gap in thinness was observed in the most recent survey in 2019 (-0·10% [-0·24 to 0·04]). From 1985 to 2014, boys and girls from high SES regions had a higher risk of obesity and a lower risk of thinness than those from low SES regions. However, in 2019, a nationwide shift occurred, and the T3-T1 difference in obesity approached or went below zero for boys (-0·49% [-1·02 to 0·04]) and girls (-0·68% [-1·00 to -0·35]). T3-T1 differences in thinness also approached zero for boys (-0·46% [-0·77 to -0·14]) and girls (-0·14% [-0·43 to 0·15]). The projected estimates to 2030 for urban-rural obesity gaps (boys: -1·00% [-2·65 to 0·65]; girls: -2·88% [-6·91 to 1·15]) and T3-T1 obesity differences (boys: -8·88% [-13·76 to -4·01]; girls: -8·82% [-12·78 to -4·85]) were both negative, with forecasted estimates for urban-rural gaps and T3-T1 differences in thinness prevalence in 2030 close to zero for both boys and girls. China's socioeconomic development continues to influence within-country inequities regarding the regional distribution of child and adolescent weight according to urban-rural location and regional SES. Contemporary Chinese children and adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions and rural areas constitute a vulnerable population facing nutritional risk, but from obesity rather than thinness. Disrupting projected inequities in obesity will require extensive preventive investments. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing Natural Science Foundation, Peking University Talent Introduction Program Project, and Clinical Medicine Plus X-Young Scholars Project of Peking University. For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Implementation of Equal Distribution of Education for Indonesia’s Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost Regions

Two important dimensions of education in Indonesia which have often been a problem so far are the problem of widespread access to education and equality of education in Indonesia. These two problems are still a polemic in educational development in Indonesia. Many factors influence the implementation and distribution of education. Expansion is characterized by the ease with which society (citizens) can obtain education, while educational equality is a situation that is the same between the implementation of education carried out in both cities and villages. Through the literature, researchers looked at the implementation of educational equality in Indonesia, so it was found that the government was trying to provide rights based on UU No. 20 of 2003 through the educational equality program in the 3T area, so it was known that the initial explanation regarding this implementation was presented in the discourse on the importance of educational equality, then the basis The basis of the education equality policy was to look at the problems and also the quality of education itself. Afterwards, it was found that policies related to education equality had been implemented by the government through the 3T teaching undergraduate program and the realization of other programs which were considered to have an influence on the progress of education in Indonesia.

The empirical evidence of digital trends in more disadvantaged European Union regions in terms of income and population density

AbstractRemote rural and postindustrial regions are much more vulnerable to population drain in comparison with industrialized centers and capitals, due to obvious reasons such as meager job opportunities, difficulties in accessing public services in education, healthcare and transport, housing, entertainment, lack of integration with other territories and, finally, less advanced levels of digitalization. This represents an open challenge for the European Union within the framework of its Cohesion Policy. This paper analyzes the impact of digital trends, represented by the percentage of the population with access to internet and broadband and the percentage of individuals who buy goods and internet services (percentages provided by Eurostat) in less populated EU NUTS2 regions with lower income, on the crude population growth rate composed of natural changes in population and migratory flows and on the unemployment rate by applying panel data analysis. It has been possible to confirm that digitalization has a positive impact on natural changes in population in EU regions with lower economic development. On the contrary, the unemployment rate does not affect natural changes in population, but it does have a negative impact on migratory flows. The findings show that digitalization may contribute to reversing negative demographic trends in more disadvantaged EU regions in terms of income and population density.

Family or career? Intergenerational differences in values

Structurally disadvantaged regions are looking for ways to attract and retain educated people who are the pillars in community for economic, social, and cultural prosperity. This research is aimed at gaining insight into the values and preferences of such people in order to better understand their decision-making. The study sample (n = 1350) was formed using quota-wide sampling (university-educated people). The data was collected by a specialized research agency using an electronic survey. The values and preferences were first determined using a semantic differential scale, and then the significance was verified by a Kruskal Wallis test followed by a post hoc test. Based on the statistical analysis, it was found for all generations that the ideal place to live is a quiet village or smaller town with good civic amenities, transport accessibility, and proximity to nature. This offers an opportunity for several villages that saw a large loss of population in the past when inhabitants left for big cities at the end of the last century. Another common value across generations is the preference for family over single life. However, Generation Z differs from Generation X and Y in their preference for career over family and even their preference for career over leisure time, which is not entirely consistent with Inglehart's theory on the preference for post-materialist values.

Assessment of the performance of implementation of renewable energy facilities with the prospect of hydrogen production using the example of southern Russia

Adopting experience and best practices for stimulating the development of RES in individual regions that most successfully implement RES-based installations into their energy balance is a necessary element in the development of the energy sector of disadvantaged regions, while a methodology is needed to determine what factors influenced the success of implementation and what criteria should be used to compare and to determine the success of the implementation of RES in the region, however, a generally accepted methodology has not been formed to date. It was proposed to determine the leading regions and disadvantaged regions from the point of view of success in introducing renewable energy sources into the regional energy system based on the success of fulfilling the regional demand. To assess the success of the use and implementation of installations based on renewable energy in the regional energy system, it is necessary to identify parameters that reflect the potential of renewable energy sources, the initial state of energy supply in the region, the costs of construction of the installation, the profit received from the sale of generated energy, and the current state of the regional energy system. Based on the developed technique, the six most energy-intensive regions included in the operating area of the Southern Branch of United Dispatch Control Center of Russian Power System Operator which have renewable energy power plants were analyzed. The chosen indicator was the share of energy resources generated from renewable energy sources in the total amount of energy resources. Based on the results of the analysis, recommendations were drawn for disadvantaged regions. Energy donation for disadvantaged areas is proposed through the production of a universal energy carrier - hydrogen - in prosperous areas. For energy storage, hydrogen cryogenic storage facilities have been considered promising. The standard cryogenic hydrogen tank RSV-1400 was adopted as part of the main element of the hydrogen storage facility. The capacity of such tanks is 1 000 000 L. To transport energy to consumers, the possibilities of transporting hydrogen by cryogenic tankers and hydrogen transport tanks have been considered.In addition, at present there is a fairly large scientific, technical and practical base for the creation of gas and cryogenic liquid hydrogen pipelines.

Mortality Convergence in Europe? Spatial Differences in Life Expectancy Gains Between 1995 and 2019

AbstractThe conventional approach to gauging mortality convergence in Europe relies on life expectancy estimates () at the national level. However, mortality can differ within countries significantly. To better apprehend whether Europe's mortality patterns have been converging or diverging over recent decades, we must shift our focus to regional mortality data. Using data from statistical offices, we present annual estimates for 420 regions in 16 EU countries from 1995 to 2019. In our empirical analysis, we examined whether regions with initially high mortality levels caught up with low‐mortality regions, and we investigated changes in the standard deviation of Europe's regional distribution over time. Indeed, mortality variation has generally decreased from 1995 to 2019 due to larger gains in for regions with initially high mortality levels. The convergence phase took place mostly during the first half of the entire time period analyzed. Over more recent periods, however, we observe more heterogeneity in the development of . Some advantaged regions realized further gains in , even as improvements slowed for more disadvantaged regions. In conclusion, our analysis underscores the importance of addressing widening health inequalities. Policies should target disadvantaged regions to retard mortality divergence across Europe.

Evaluation of environmental impact of small-scale oil palm cultivation in Ghana: A life cycle assessment of Juaben Municipal District

Abstract Palm oil has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its various uses in the food, cosmetics, and biofuel industries, resulting in a high global demand. In the 2021/22 marketing year, palm oil production reached approximately 73.8 million metric tons, up from 73 million in 2020/21. Palm oil yields more per area than other oil crops such as sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed. It is also economically feasible to grow in areas where other crops typically do not thrive, providing a source of income for many people. Palm oil cultivation has also contributed to economic growth, rural community development, and poverty reduction in disadvantaged regions, especially in Indonesia, Ghana, and Malaysia. The study’s findings indicate that Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) production significantly contributes to the global warming index. The study also shows that the eutrophication effect resulting from fertiliser usage was lower, with a total value of 1.8 kg PO4 equivalent, which is lower than the values reported in previous studies. This is attributed to the common usage of fertilisers in the study area due to financial constraints. An in-depth analysis of small-scale farmers’ local vegetable oil production was also studied, focusing on the challenges encountered during oil palm cultivation and processing.

Changes in Use of Prenatal Dental Care After Brazil’s Incentive Policy

In 2020, the Brazilian federal government launched the “Prevent Brazil” program to incentivize cities to improve their performance across 7 health care indicators, including prenatal dental care. Our study examines the impact of this policy on the use of oral health care among pregnant women in Brazil. We used a series of cross-sectional data from the Brazilian Public Health System from 2018 to 2023. We linked publicly available data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Our outcome was the proportion of pregnant women receiving prenatal care who had at least 1 dental visit during the past year. Covariates included city-level socioeconomic (income and literacy), demographic (gender, race, and urban areas), and workforce variables (number of dentists working in the public health system per city/year). We estimated the impact of the policy on prenatal dental visits nationwide and stratified by geographic region using interrupted time-series analysis. Our analyses included 99.9% of all Brazilian cities (n = 5,562). The use of oral health care among pregnant women increased from 15% in 2018 to 69% in 2023. Adjusted estimates show that, after initiation of the Prevent Brazil, dental care use among pregnant women increased nationally at a rate of 4.6 percentage points per 4-mo period (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5; 4.7). The policy’s largest impact was in the North and Northeast regions, which have the lowest socioeconomic profiles (adjusted time-series rate 5.7 [95% CI 5.3; 6.1] and 5.2 [5.0; 5.4] percent points, respectively). Our findings support the positive impact of the Prevent Brazil policy on prenatal dental care in Brazil. The policy was associated with a countrywide improvement in prenatal dental care use, with a greater impact in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions.

Coffee Processing Business Feasibility In BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama Wanagiri Village, Buleleng Regency Bali Province

The potential for good coffee plantation yields needs to be developed and utilized to improve the village economy, which is the basis for establishing BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. The development of this business unit is aimed at supporting an integrated coffee processing industry and being able to produce more efficiently and be able to produce products according to dynamic market demands. The research objectives were to describe governance, to analyze financial feasibility, and to analyze the level of sensitivity of the coffee processing unit in BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. This research was made using descriptive analysis and business feasibility analysis with the investment criteria used being NPV (Net Present Value (NPV), IRR (Internal Rate of Return), Net Benefit-Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Payback Period, and sensitivity analysis. The type of data used is primary data collected by in-depth interviews, field observations, and literature study. There are two variables in this study, namely the benefits and costs variables. The results of the study show that the Village Owned Enterprises in their establishment are managed with the spirit of wanting to improve the village economy, making the village an independent village with all the potential that exists in the village. BUMDes management is carried out in a professional, transparent, participatory, and sustainable manner. sources of funds for this business unit come from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, and the local village government. Based on the results of the financial analysis, the NPV value was IDR 679,311,964.218, IRR was 31,60%, Net B/C was 2,85 and PP was 4 years 7 months 2 days. Furthermore, the results of the sensitivity analysis with an increase in operational costs by 25.18% obtained an NPV of IDR 434,079,320.45, an IRR of 23.17%, and a net B/C of 2.12. Then for the assumption of a 14.28% decrease in revenue, an NPV of IDR 388,934,679.50, an IRR of 22.02%, and a Net B/C of 2.02 are obtained. This coffee processing business unit is feasible. After all, it can provide benefits for the manager because it meets the investment criteria. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the assumption of a decrease in revenue is more sensitive than an increase in operational costs. In the future, for business development, managers need to innovate so that products become more attractive and have competitiveness as well as invest in human resources and marketing.

Coffee Processing Business Feasibility In BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama Wanagiri Village, Buleleng Regency Bali Province

The potential for good coffee plantation yields needs to be developed and utilized to improve the village economy, which is the basis for establishing BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. The development of this business unit is aimed at supporting an integrated coffee processing industry and being able to produce more efficiently and be able to produce products according to dynamic market demands. The research objectives were to describe governance, to analyze financial feasibility, and to analyze the level of sensitivity of the coffee processing unit in BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. This research was made using descriptive analysis and business feasibility analysis with the investment criteria used being NPV (Net Present Value (NPV), IRR (Internal Rate of Return), Net Benefit-Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Payback Period, and sensitivity analysis. The type of data used is primary data collected by in-depth interviews, field observations, and literature study. There are two variables in this study, namely the benefits and costs variables. The results of the study show that the Village Owned Enterprises in their establishment are managed with the spirit of wanting to improve the village economy, making the village an independent village with all the potential that exists in the village. BUMDes management is carried out in a professional, transparent, participatory, and sustainable manner. sources of funds for this business unit come from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, and the local village government. Based on the results of the financial analysis, the NPV value was IDR 679,311,964.218, IRR was 31,60%, Net B/C was 2,85 and PP was 4 years 7 months 2 days. Furthermore, the results of the sensitivity analysis with an increase in operational costs by 25.18% obtained an NPV of IDR 434,079,320.45, an IRR of 23.17%, and a net B/C of 2.12. Then for the assumption of a 14.28% decrease in revenue, an NPV of IDR 388,934,679.50, an IRR of 22.02%, and a Net B/C of 2.02 are obtained. This coffee processing business unit is feasible. After all, it can provide benefits for the manager because it meets the investment criteria. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the assumption of a decrease in revenue is more sensitive than an increase in operational costs. In the future, for business development, managers need to innovate so that products become more attractive and have competitiveness as well as invest in human resources and marketing.

The Training for Soft Skills Development for Youth in Kadumaneuh Village, Pandeglang, Banten

Based on the Village Development Index figures released by the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Kadumaneuh Village in Pandeglang Regency is a village that is included in the developing village group. Relevant training is carried out in the village, one of which is soft skills training for the youth of Kadumaneuh Village, Pandeglang Regency, as energetic and innovative village drivers. Community development activities in Kadumaneuh Village aim to help the young find the best jobs to improve the welfare of the village community and provide training on soft skills that young people must have to become competent individuals in the future who can develop Kadumaneuh village. The method used in implementing this activity is training and is supported by a set of computer tools to access all information about work and increase their skills. The development of soft skills can have various positive implications. Young people who have these skills will more easily get jobs in both the formal and informal sectors, and they can be better at marketing village products and establishing collaboration with outside parties. Soft skills also include learning abilities; young people will find it easier to access information, and youth can participate actively in the village development decision-making process.

Exploring the misalignment between HEIs’ educational offerings and the local economy in low(er) income regions

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the relationship between graduates, higher education institutions (HEIs), and policymakers, examining their objectives and impact on HEIs’ attractiveness and graduate retention. A theoretical framework is introduced, with a similarity index to gauge alignment between educational offerings and the local economy. Findings show that HEIs in disadvantaged regions often provide educational portfolios that are not optimally aligned with the local context. Analysing 75 Italian universities, empirical evidence confirms that similarity between educational offerings and the local job market influences university attractiveness, student quality and graduate retention. The research underscores the misalignment between HEIs and policymakers’ objectives.

The Influence of Self-Efficacy and Love of Work on Teacher Work Engagement in the Frontier, Outermost, Disadvantaged (3T) Regions of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan

The Influence of Self-Efficacy and Love of Work on Teacher Work Engagement in the Frontier, Outermost, Disadvantaged (3T) Regions of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan

From crisis to opportunity: The role of inclusive coaching in struggling schools

This paper sheds light on the substantial challenges faced by schools today in the UK, especially in the aftermath of a negative school inspection report. Stigmatised and labelled as ‘faliing’ and with limited support, staff within these schools are often emotionally exhausted and professionally traumatised (Jeffrey &amp; Woods, 1996), when they begin the arduous journey towards school improvement. A longitudinal study, implemented within a secondary school located in an economically and socially disadvantaged region of Wales, focuses on the outcomes of a school-wide talent development program, with a strong emphasis on coaching, made available to staff in all roles, from caretaking to leadership. Through the adoption of a data-driven, strategy-aligned, professional development programme, this paper describes how the internal talent of the whole school was harnessed and directed towards a transformative shift: one that took the school from an initial inspection assessment of ‘in significant need of improvement’ to a more favourable ‘satisfactory’ rating and beyond. Central to this programme was a coaching initiative aimed at bolstering staff self-efficacy, which over time resulted in significant improvements in staff wellbeing, team resilience and overall performance, benefiting both staff and students across the school. This study highlights the efficacy of an inclusive, school-wide approach to staff development, with coaching playing a pivotal role in driving positive change.

Preferences of Iranian medical students for selecting the compulsory service plan packages: A discrete choice experiment.

Health policymakers face challenges in designing compulsory plan packages for medical students to encourage them to work in disadvantaged regions. Using a discrete choice experiment, this study assessed the preferences of medical students for selecting the compulsory service plan packages in Guilan Province, Iran. In total, 374 medical students responded to a survey inquiring about salary, distance from their residency city, availability of welfare amenities, work difficulty, the developmental status of their workplace, contract duration, and preference for urban or rural work settings. The study revealed that students favor a compulsory service package that provides higher salaries and shorter contract duration. They also show a preference for working within their home province over other factors. For the opportunity to serve in their city of residence, they would forgo an average of US$77.93 per month. While financial incentives were the primary consideration for medical students when choosing compulsory service packages, a range of nonfinancial factors significantly influenced their decisions as well.

Telemedicine-Enhanced Lung Cancer Screening Using Mobile Computed Tomography Unit with Remote Artificial Intelligence Assistance in Underserved Communities: Initial Results of a Population Cohort Study in Western China.

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Despite favorable recommendations, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung screening adoption remains low in China. Barriers such as limited infrastructure, costs, distance, and personnel shortages restrict screening access in disadvantaged regions. We initiated a telemedicine-enabled lung cancer screening (LCS) program in a medical consortium to serve people at risk in underserved communities. The objective of this study was to describe the implementation and initial results of the program. Methods: From 2020 to 2021, individuals aged 40-80 years were invited to take LCS by mobile computed tomography (CT) units in three underserved areas in Western China. Numerous CT scans were remotely reported by radiologists aided by artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic systems. Abnormal cases were tracked through an integrated hospital network for follow-up. A retrospective cohort study documented participant demographics, health history, LDCT results, and outcomes. Descriptive analysis was conducted to report baseline characteristics and first-year follow-up results. Results: Of the 28,728 individuals registered in the program, 19,517 (67.94%) participated in the screening. The study identified 2.68% of participants with high-risk pulmonary nodules and diagnosed 0.55% with lung cancer after a 1-year follow-up. The majority of high-risk participants received timely treatment in hospitals. Conclusions: This study demonstrated mobile CT units with remote AI assistance improved access to LCS in underserved areas, with high participation and early detection rates. Our implementation supports the feasibility of deploying telemedicine-enabled LCS to increase access to a large scale of basic radiology and diagnostic services in resource-limited settings. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR1900024623.