Entry Level Research Articles

Impact of an inpatient order verification simulation on student perceived preparedness and confidence

Background and purposeThe ability to effectively and efficiently navigate an electronic health record (EHR) to complete an inpatient prospective drug review is a vital skill that entry level practitioners must possess. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an EHR-based inpatient order verification simulation on students' perceived preparedness and confidence when reviewing the accuracy of an inpatient medication order and providing a verbal recommendation to a health care prescriber. This was evaluated by comparing survey scores pre- and post-simulation. Educational activity and settingAn educational series utilizing EHR technology was designed to simulate the sequence of tasks an inpatient pharmacist completes when processing an inpatient mediation order. This includes performing a prospective drug utilization review to identify medication-related problems, forming alternative recommendations, and verbalizing recommendations to prescriber. FindingsA total of 89 students across two cohorts (99%) completed the pre-survey; 31 students (34%) completed the post-survey. Comparison of pre- and post-survey scores resulted in significant findings for all categories: increased perceived preparedness, efficiency, and accuracy when processing or reviewing a medication order (P < .001); increased confidence when efficiently and effectively utilizing EHR technology (P < .001); increased confidence when efficiently (P < .001) and effectively (P < .001) providing a verbal recommendation to a health care prescriber. SummaryIncorporating a series of EHR-based activities simulating medication order verification and prescriber communication into the doctor of pharmacy curriculum positively impacts student perceived preparedness and confidence.

Instructional Content in Undergraduate Art Therapy Education

Undergraduate art therapy education programs in the United States have endeavored to prepare students for graduate level art therapy training and entry level positions in art facilitation since the mid-1970s with minimal published guidelines or established professional standards. The authors reviewed the art therapy literature regarding current undergraduate and graduate educational instructional content, and educational pathways. We scrutinized current undergraduate guidelines and standards for instructional content among allied disciplines and investigated current undergraduate level employment opportunities and skills required for these positions. Based on these findings, we propose seven undergraduate instructional content areas appropriate for non-clinical pre-professionals. Recommendations include expanding the scope of practice to include undergraduate level art facilitators, developing scaffolded learning outcomes, establishing tiered credentialing, and evaluating outcomes.

Evidence based practice, research and the diagnostic radiographer role. An exploration of engagement, expectations and attitudes at a single centre

IntroductionThe benefits of evidence-based practice (EBP) and research in healthcare are widely accepted for the patient, professional and organisation. However, allied health professional and radiographer activity remains lacking; this study aimed to explore this at a local level. MethodsThis single centre study utilised mixed methods research methodology to triangulate findings from three parallel data collections. Document analysis of radiographer job descriptions (JDs) and appraisal frameworks, retrospective review of completed research activities, and a survey of radiographer perspectives were undertaken. Data analysis included content analysis, thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. ResultsIn three years (2018–2020), 290 EBP activities were completed; 287 were audit and three were service evaluations. There were no documented research projects and no entry level radiographer involvement. The survey response rate was 65.3% (n = 77/118). All JDs describe research engagement, but 50.6% of survey respondents did not realise this. There were inconsistencies and lack of clear progression in these expectations and no direct reference to research in the standard appraisal documentation. Radiographers demonstrated a positive attitude towards research and EBP but felt there were barriers preventing activity. Generally, they did not perceive a strong research culture in their department. ConclusionAs part of EBP, research is a requirement for diagnostic radiographers of all levels. There is widespread enthusiasm and a positive attitude from radiographers to engage, yet activity remains low. Implications for practiceA strong evidence-based culture needs to be prioritised, to embrace the current enthusiasm from radiographers to engage, and accordingly bridge the gap between aspirations of their professional body and actual clinical practice.

Importance of Interprofessional Education for Occupational Therapy.

The purpose of this position statement is to provide recommendations for educators on best practices to embed interprofessional education (IPE) into today's occupational therapy curricula, whether entry level or postprofessional, to bridge academic and clinical learning environments.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Textese in Academic Writing: Magnitude of Penetration, Impacts, and Perceptions

This cross-sectional study examined the distribution of electronic texting patterns in academic writing and effects of textese on EFL learners’ writing performance. It also explored teachers’ perspectives on this phenomenon. Data were gleaned from 60 undergraduates enrolled for a license degree in English language and literature and 10 of their professors who were familiar with writing skills of this body of informants. A corpus of texts derived from exam scripts, assignments, and lecture notes was analyzed, and the teachers were interviewed. The results revealed that learners tend to transfer some patterns of instant messaging (IM) into their writing. However, this remains rather limited to morphosyntactic features and some other paralinguistic features and local-based contents. The phenomenon was pervasive across the sample in a descending order; learners at the entry level e-texted more than their seniors did. Besides, heavy texters used this deformed variety of English to compensate low writing proficiency in terms of spelling, word selection, and sentence structures. Additionally, texting was apparently evident in note-taking more than in answer sheets and assignments. The study concludes that textese is not a surrogate for the Standard English but an addition to it with a variance of scope and purpose of usage.

Intraosseous administration into the skull: Potential blood-brain barrier bypassing route for brain drug delivery.

Progress in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders is retarded owing to a limited understanding of brain disease pathology. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits molecular entry into the brain. Many approaches for brain drug delivery to overcome the BBB, such as BBB permeability enhancement, transient BBB disruption, and direct surgical administration have been explored with limited success. Recent research has shown that direct vascular channels exist between the skull bone marrow and the meninges, allowing myeloid and lymphoid cells to migrate. We hypothesized that these direct channels may also allow brain drug delivery from the skull bone marrow to the brain. In this study, for the first time we propose intraosseous administration of drugs into the skull (intracalvariosseous [ICO]) as a novel approach for brain drug delivery via BBB bypassing routes. We tested the feasibility of the approach by applying nine representative compounds over thinned mouse skulls to simulate ICO and measuring the compound entry level in the brain compared to that after systemic administration. Surprisingly, we found that the skull is not completely impermeable to drug penetration into the brain and the tested compounds reached the brain tissue several tens-to-hundred times higher by ICO than systemic application. These findings suggest a role for the BBB bypassing route from skull to brain, apart from the systemic route, in the drug entry into the brain after ICO. This approach should be applicable to other CNS drugs and even BBB impermeable drugs. Overall ICO provides an innovative and advantageous pathway for effective treatment of brain diseases.

The Roles and Challenges of Traditional Health Practitioners in Maternal Health Services in Rural Communities of Mthatha, South Africa.

Traditional health practitioners (THPs) are considered as the entry level of care in African societies and play an important role in the delivery of health services to the population. A phenomenological qualitative study was carried out among purposefully selected THPs in Mthatha to understand their roles and the challenges they face in providing maternal health services. The study included a focus group discussion with seven participants which yielded three themes and seven subthemes. The content analysis of descriptive data from the focus group discussion revealed threats posed by unregistered and counterfeit THPs to the lives of pregnant women in rural settings. The THPs’ wide range of services allowed pregnant women to receive prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal care in proximity. However, this community level of care was marked by high levels of secrecy and counterfeit practitioners who used human body parts, which compromised the practice and rendered it unpopular. The South African government recommended the establishment of a register for THPs in order to protect the public, including the clarification of functional referral pathways between THPs and conventional health services.

Moving from elite international schools to elite(ish) universities: the pathway leading to Toronto rather than Harvard

ABSTRACT The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2022 as an international mobility “passport”, offering potential entry to universities around the world. Globally, 3,600 schools in July 2022 offer the IBDP. Within these, there is a sub-grouping of well-established private “elite traditional international schools” (ETISs), epitomised by the International Schools of Geneva and Yokohama. Using matriculation data mined from the websites of individual ETISs, this paper reveals the major university destinations. The emergent dominance of relatively few destinations (five in particular), mainly in Canada and England, offers an interesting avenue for research inquiry. Conversely, the relatively low entry level of ETIS graduates into the world’s most prestigious universities, such as the Oxbridge pairing, can be compared. A seemingly “natural pathway” to Toronto rather than Harvard has emerged and warrants much further discussion and investigation.

The PI launchpad: Expanding the base of potential principal investigators across space sciences

The PI Launchpad attempts to provide an entry level explanation of the process of space mission development for new Principal Investigators (PIs). In particular, PI launchpad has a focus on building teams, making partnerships, and science concept maturity for a space mission concept, not necessarily technical or engineering practices. Here we briefly summarize the goals of the PI Launchpad workshops and present some results from the workshops held in 2019 and 2021. The workshop attempts to describe the current process of space mission development (i.e. space-based telescopes and instrument platforms, planetary missions of all types, etc.), covering a wide range of topics that a new PI may need to successfully develop a team and write a proposal. It is not designed to replace real experience but to provide an easily accessible resource for potential PIs who seek to learn more about what it takes to submit a space mission proposal, and what the first steps to take can be. The PI Launchpad was created in response to the high barrier to entry for early career or any scientist who is unfamiliar with mission design. These barriers have been outlined in several recent papers and reports, and are called out in recent space science Decadal reports.

Evaluation of the Early Impact of COVID-19 on Physiotherapy Clinical Placement Learning Models and Client Case-Mix

Clinical placements are fundamental to entry-level physiotherapy education and provide an opportunity for students to translate theory into practice within authentic clinical environments. Student success during clinical placement is a core requirement of physiotherapy programs and a critical component of the pathway to graduation, registration, and then employment. The registration of a physiotherapist confirms that as a student, they have met the profession’s rigorous accreditation requirements. COVID-19 has significantly disrupted physiotherapy clinical placements across Australia, with many placements postponed or cancelled in the early public health response. These placement disruptions may preclude students from demonstrating mandatory pre-registration accreditation requirements, ultimately reducing the number of eligible new-graduate physiotherapists. Creating sustainable clinical placements whilst upholding the professional standard of entry level graduates during the pandemic, calls for innovative solutions to monitor student placement experiences. A Clinical Portfolio was implemented to improve monitoring processes and enable dynamic responses to potentially altered student learning experiences as COVID-19 public health measures evolved. In doing so, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on physiotherapy student placements between May and June 2020 through examining client case-mix, demographics and learning model documented in each student’s Clinical Portfolio. These data sets allowed for comparison of learning model and case-mix during the pandemic with previous literature monitoring typical physiotherapy clinical placement experience, and providing support for ensuring the registration of the cohort impacted.

FAIR Digital Objects in Official Statistics

FAIR Digital Objects in Official Statistics

A structured, blended learning program towards proficiency in epileptology: the launch of the ILAE Academy Level 2 Program

The ILAE Academy is the online learning platform of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and offers a structured educational program addressing the competency-based ILAE curriculum in epileptology. The platform was launched in July 2020 with a self-paced course portfolio of interactive e-learning modules addressing ILAE Level 1 learning objectives, defined as the entry level in epileptology. Using feedback questionnaires from completed Level 1 courses as well as sociodemographic and learning-related data obtained from 47 participants, we show that over 50% of learners have an entry level in epileptology and do not have access to on-site training and over 40%do not have access to on-site training. Most respondents found the case-based e-learning modules relevant to their practice needs, and the time for completion was regarded as viable for most, reiterating the value of an online self-paced training in the field. Participants who have successfully completed all compulsory e-learning material of the Level 1 program and received their final certificate will now be eligible to subscribe to the Level 2 program. The Level 2 program addressing the proficiency level of the ILAE curriculum of epileptology was launched on the ILAE Academy platform in May 2022. The Level 2 program will offer an evolving series of self-paced, interactive, case-based e-learning modules on diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of common as well as rare epilepsies at a higher level of care. An interactive online EEG and MRI reader was developed and is embedded into the course content to satisfy the demands of the learners. The hallmark of this level will be the blended learning with tutored online courses, e.g., the established VIREPA courses on EEG and the newly introduced VIREPAMRI program. Our distinguished faculty willhold live tutored online courses in small groups in various languages and continental time zones. Finally, the ILAE face-to-face curricular teaching courses at summer schools and congresses will represent another pillar of this advanced teaching level. The ILAE Academy will also provide Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to support career planning in epileptology.

ДО ПИТАННЯ АНАЛІЗУВАННЯ ФІНАНСОВО-ЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ ПІДПРИЄМНИЦЬКОГО СЕКТОРУ

The study reveals the relevance of the problem of improving the methodological and applied support for the analysis and implementation of the state policy of strengthening the financial and economic security of the entrepreneurial sector of the national economy. The purpose of the article is to improve the methodological principles of analyzing the financial and economic security of the entrepreneurial sector of the national economy. A description of some of the existing methodological approaches to the analysis of financial and economic security at the level of a sector (branch) of the economy is provided. The author's methodology was developed and the distribution of enterprises by types of economic activity was carried out according to the level of entry into the risk critical zone according to the indicators – «share of non-operating enterprises», «share of unprofitable enterprises» and «amount of loss per unprofitable enterprise». In order to form a higher-quality informational and methodological basis of the state policy of strengthening the financial and economic security of the entrepreneurial sector of the national economy, changes to the composition and volume of statistical information have been initiated in order to enable the calculation of the following indicators: the share of overdue receivables and payables of business entities, including types of economic activity; average conditional actual indicator of liquidity of entities of the business sector; the average conditional actual indicator of the financial stability of entrepreneurship. The applied value of the research results is that the directions and means of the state policy of strengthening the financial and economic security of the entrepreneurial sector of the economy have been determined. The scientific novelty of the research results lies in the further development of the method of analyzing financial and economic security, which, in contrast to its application at the microeconomic level, is proposed and substantiated to be carried out at the meso-level management of the national economy.

Health Profession Student’s Readiness Towards Online Learning as a Component of Blended Learning

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the entry-level health profession students’ perception and readiness to adopt online learning as a component of blended learning (BL). Methods: A cross sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was administered using Google forms. Entry level Health professionals’ education (HPE) graduate students of a higher education institute in India completed the survey (N= 628). The questionnaire was developed from the literature and content validated by experts. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 628 responses, 603 fully completed questionnaires were included for analysis. Of the participants, 98 % owned a smartphone, whereas 67% possessed either a laptop or a stationary computer. 60 % of the respondents reported at least one hour of internet access per day for learning purposes. Most of the participants were comfortable in accessing online learning materials and interacting with peers. The majority of the participants (77.4%) were willing to spend 10 to 20 hours per week on online learning. Conclusion: Entry Level HPE graduate students were ready to adopt online learning as a component of BL. Providing necessary infrastructure and creating online learning materials needs to be considered.

CardioSim: a PC-based cardiac signal simulator using segmental modeling of electrocardiogram

Background: ECG modeling has wide application in signal representation, compression and synthetic ECG generation. Method: CardioSim generates synthetic ECG waveform in real-time using PC-based system. It provides dual facility of interface-based visualization with hardware-based waveform generation. It has two stages viz., development of reference model parameter database using Fourier model and generation of synthetic ECG waveform based on user defined parameters using normal and abnormal records (H, APC, PVC, LBBB, RBBB, P) from mitdb under PhysioNet. Result: It generates ten various ECG waveforms including one healthy and nine diseased rhythms from a single dynamic model with flexible user defined parameters. It gives higher reconstruction performance in terms of SNR and MSE. The mean SNR for different beat morphology is 89.2(H), 88.37(V), 86.32(A), 85.35(L), 97.22(P) and 83.3(R) and mean MSE is 2.45 × 10−6(H), 3.14 × 10−6(V), 8.98 × 10−6(A), 5.82 × 10−6(L), 0.43 × 10−6(P) and 0.25 × 10−6(R). Conclusion: It improves the performance parameters over published research work on ECG modeling and simulation. It can be used as a self-learning tool for entry level medical students.

Career development in the hospitality sector: an exploratory study from Pakistan

PurposeThis qualitative study deals with the career longevity phenomenon in the hospitality sector of Pakistan and aimed at exploring the factors which become the reason for continuing services in this sector for a longer period despite the prevailing perception of the short-term and unsatisfactory hospitality careers.Design/methodology/approachThe study has taken up an interpretive social constructivism approach to carry out the research. The purposive sampling technique is used to solicit expert insights into the dynamics of the hospitality career. A thematic analysis was employed to identify the common themes, extract the meaning from the discussion patterns of the respondents, and outline viewpoints and ideas of the respondents.FindingsThe findings of the study are discussed at three levels of career, i.e. entry level, development level, and consolidation level. Long careers in the hospitality sector are a product of dedication and commitment to the job, professionalism, variety, complexity of the job, and healthy relationship with coworkers, supervisors, and guests.Originality/valueThe study links the belief of belonging and socialization attributes to the retention of employees in the hospitality sector jobs. Secondly, the study uses a qualitative approach to provide a diverse perspective of employee–industry loyalty rather than employee–organization loyalty. Thirdly, the study brings forth practical implications for personnel managers in the hospitality sector and proposes that the management should systematically stimulate the socialization of the workers to hold the talent despite providing workers with the opportunity to join another sector. Finally, the study informs about research limitations and directions for future research.

From Novice to Expert: Building Copyright Expertise Over Time

Students and early career professionals should not be dissuaded from considering a career in copyright librarianship if they have an interest in the subject matter and a willingness to seek out professional development opportunities. Despite starting my MLIS degree with no legal or academic libraries experience, I was able to obtain a skill set in copyright literacy that enabled me to secure an entry level copyright librarian position upon graduation. Those who are willing to embrace being a novice and seek out available opportunities to build their expertise will find copyright librarianship a rewarding and valuable area of specialization to pursue.

Introducing Modeled Wage Estimates by grouped work levels

The Modeled Wage Estimates (MWE) provide annual estimates of average hourly wages for occupations by job characteristics and within a given geographical location. These estimates are produced by borrowing from the strength and breadth of the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and National Compensation Survey (NCS) programs to provide more details on occupational wages than either program provides individually. Job characteristics refer to the attributes of workers within an occupation and include worker bargaining status (union and nonunion), work status (part-time and full-time), basis of pay (incentive-based or time-based), and work level (levels 1–15). In this article, we present experimental estimates calculated by grouping work-level data. Grouped level estimates may help researchers, human resources professionals, jobseekers, and other data users to get a better understanding of how pay varies for entry, intermediate, and experienced work levels.

Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching in Further Education and Training Phase: Evidence from Entry Level Student Teachers’ Baseline Assessments

This paper investigates entry-level student teachers' mathematical knowledge for teaching in the Further Education and Training phase (FET) through Baseline Assessment. The study employed a quantitative research technique. The data collection instrument was a mathematics subject knowledge test (Baseline Assessment) for FET phase student teachers. Purposive and convenient sampling methods were employed in the study. The study enlisted the participation of 222 first-year mathematics education student teachers from a rural Higher Education Institution (HEI) specialising in FET phase mathematics teaching. One hundred and seventy-five (175) student teachers completed the Baseline Assessment for all grades in this study (10, 11, and 12). The Baseline Assessment findings were examined using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that student teachers have a moderate knowledge of mathematics topics in the FET phase at the entry-level. In addition, an adequate level of understanding for teaching Grades 10 and 12 Patterns, Functions, Algebra, Space and Shape (Geometry), and Functional Relationships. While the elementary level of understanding for teaching grade 10 Measurement, Grade 11 Patterns, Functions, Algebra, and Trigonometry and Grade 12 Space and Shape (Geometry). There is no level of understanding for teaching FET phase Data and Statistics and Probability. The paper suggests that student teachers must develop a comprehensive understanding of the mathematics curriculum with the assistance of teacher educators in HEIs.

A qualitative analysis of an online teaching intervention to encourage favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccine among community college students

Objective: To promote influenza vaccine acceptance among community college students during the Fall 2020 semester to reduce the incidence of a “twin-demic” occurring of influenza and COVID-19. Participants: A convenience sample of 185 students enrolled in an entry level health course. Methods: Non-experimental cross-sectional design that used a self-paced, online teaching intervention. Qualitative data in the form of online discussion board posts were collected and analyzed assessing attitudes, normative references, and knowledge. Results: High rates of favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccine, evidence of subjective normative references toward science-based information, and an increase in participant knowledge. Conclusions: An online teaching intervention can be effective in changing attitudes, referencing subjective norms related to scientific information, and increasing knowledge.