Graduate-level Education Research Articles

Effectiveness of Simulation Best Practices in Nurse Practitioner Education.

Nurse educators are challenged to implement simulation best practices (SBP) in advanced practice curricula. Prebriefing and debriefing were implemented in a nurse practitioner course using software-generated asynchronous virtual simulation. A pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate simulation scores and debriefing experience in a convenience sample of 36 students. Scores were statistically higher in the prebriefing group. Debriefing experience scale scores increased on the posttest with four items showing statistical significance. Results of the study provide support for implementation of SBP with prebriefing in online graduate-level nursing education.

Treatment Adherence and Factors Influencing It in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a significant global health concern, making its effective management crucial. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often require multiple medications, restriction of fluid and diet intake, and maintenance hemodialysis (HD) to manage their condition, which together makes it difficult to maintain adherence to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of treatment adherence among ESRD patients and to identify influencing factors, addressing the lack of such data from Northern India. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. ESRD patients on maintenance HD for at least three months were recruited from the outpatient and dialysis units of the hospital. Patients were interviewed using a validated and reliable tool, the End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ). The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of treatment adherence among ESRD patients on HD who presented to the hospital, and the secondary objective was to evaluate various factors influencing treatment adherence among these patients. Results A total of 199 patients were enrolled, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 44.34 ± 13.7 years. Among the patients, 51.76% (n = 103) demonstrated good adherence (adherence score >1000), 41.71% (n = 83) showed moderate adherence (adherence score 700-999), and 6.53% (n = 13) exhibited poor adherence (adherence score <700). A significant association was found between adherence scores and patients' perception of treatment regimens (p < 0.0001 for each of the four treatment adherence domains, namely, HD, medication, fluid restriction, and diet restriction) and between adherence scores and the frequency of counseling by medical professionals (p = 0.106, 0.037, 0.014, and 0.002 for HD, medication, fluid restriction, and diet restriction, respectively). Individuals with graduate-level education or higher exhibited significantly better adherence scores than those with education levels below graduation (p = 0.044). However, age, sex, marital status, area of residence, employment status, mode of transportation, and the presence of family members accompanying patients to HD sessions were not significantly associated with treatment adherence. Conclusion Approximately half of the study population exhibited moderate-to-poor adherence, emphasizing the need for substantial improvement in adherence levels. These findings suggest that more frequent and effective counseling is necessary, as low adherence scores were significantly associated with infrequent counseling and poor patients' perceptions of the importance of treatment regimens.

Pedagogizing Identity in Teacher Education Through Critical Autoethnographic Narrative

In this study, I report on my use of critical autoethnographic narrative (CAN) writing with English language teacher candidates (TCs) in a graduate-level teacher education course. In that iterative, scaffolded writing activity, I coached TCs to construct their teacher identity in narrative and make visible to themselves ideologies dominant in the sociopolitical context of language teaching. Drawing data from my CAN implementation in Spring 2023, I analyze Pamela's (pseudonym) case to address this research question: How does she construct her English language teacher identity in a semester-long CAN writing activity? The qualitative data analysis demonstrates that Pamela's language teacher identity involved: (a) becoming a social justice advocate, (b) grappling with neurodiversity, and (c) positioning language as an evolving local contextualized practice. Based on her positioning of language, she denies ‘one right way’ approach to language use, ‘teaching as correcting errors’ approach, and ‘assessment as gatekeeping’ approach as part of her teacher identity. Pamela's CAN shows that the personal, professional, and political dimensions of language teaching are intricately intertwined in teacher identity, and that teacher identity construction involves tensions of competing ideologies in the sociopolitical context.

Language Learning Strategies of Maritime Students

Language learning strategies for maritime students might differ depending on their individual requirements and programs. In this premise, this study aimed to determine the extent of Language Learning Strategies by Maritime Students in a private school in a highly urbanized city in the central Philippines during the first semester of the School Year 2023-2024 as the basis for the language mastery program. The data needed for this descriptive research framework, coupled with statistical analysis to investigate the language learning strategies, was collected from 438 first-year maritime students using a standardized questionnaire. The results indicate that most parents hold graduate-level education, influencing academic environments. Most students are enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, with a balanced distribution of private and public school backgrounds. The study examines language learning strategies used by maritime students, finding moderate utilization in both direct and indirect dimensions. The study highlights the importance of tailored language learning support in marine education, enhancing language learning practices and promoting practical communication skills for professional endeavors. Moreover, it reveals notable language learning strategy employment variations among BSMT and BSMarE students. BSMT students showed slightly higher engagement in metacognitive aspects, while BSMarE students showed moderate engagement in affective and social strategies. The overall mean suggests areas for improvement in language learning behaviors. The study compares language learning strategies among maritime students and reveals significant differences based on a program of study. Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation students show higher engagement; in contrast, BSMarE students show no significant difference. The findings suggest tailoring specific language learning strategies to enhance students’ proficiency and academic success. Specialized support programs tailored to academic specializations and collaborative efforts among language teachers and faculty across programs are essential to enhancing language learning in maritime education. Keywords: Education, language learning, maritime, strategies, private school, central Philippines

“Discussions on another spectrum”: Q pedagogy and high-quality discussions

ABSTRACT This study examines Q pedagogy—an innovative approach to discussion-based teaching—to promote discussion in a graduate-level social studies research course. The study explores how graduate-level teacher education students experienced Q pedagogy discussions about research in social studies teaching and learning. The work offers an elaborated conception of high-quality discussion in the enacted teacher education space of a graduate-level research in social studies course. Findings suggest that students believed the Q pedagogy discussion seminars were more powerful than non-Q pedagogy discussions on every one of six discussion aims articulated in the concept of high-quality discussion at the center of the instructor’s pedagogical decision-making. Findings also address numerous strengths of the approach toward furthering the aim of a highly participatory, informed discussion grounded in the arguments of the texts featured in each class session. This research highlights the intersection of student experiences and instructor aims to advance scholarship on teaching through and learning from discussion.

Caste affiliation and access to high-authority jobs in the Indian service sector

Restricting high authority jobs to a specific section of society leads to market inefficiencies, resulting in higher costs and lower quality of goods and services due to suboptimal management. Moreover, such favouritism exacerbates social inequalities across occupational hierarchies. Given India’s caste-based societal structure, it is crucial to investigate whether all social groups have equal access to top management and leadership positions. Using the 2019–2020 Periodic Labour Force Survey and binary logit models, this study reveals significant disparities in securing high-authority roles between lower and upper castes. The results show an average marginal effect of −7.3% for lower castes relative to upper castes. These disparities are further amplified if the lower caste individual is female, resides in a urban area, or holds a graduate-level education.

Willingness to pay for a tobacco-free life: a contingent valuation assessment.

Tobacco, being an established risk factor for significant mortality and morbidity, causes over 7 million annual deaths globally. India is a country with over 270 million active tobacco users. On the one hand, although the willingness to quit amongst tobacco users is as high as 55.4%, the actual quit rates translate to less than 20%. Taking a cue from the economic principle of commitment and consistency, paying a nominal fee can serve as a form of public commitment and motivation to decrease the dropout rate amongst those committed to quitting. This study uses contingent valuation assessment to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) values for an effective tobacco cessation service across individuals with different socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional observational study with multistage cluster sampling in Rajasthan was conducted to recruit 360 active tobacco users from 8 districts. Q-Q plots were used to determine the non-parametric distribution, and statistical differences between median WTP values were compared using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests, considering a p-value less than 0.05 to be statistically significant. The majority of participants were males (57.78%) between the ages of 26 and 35 (40.28%), married (82.50%), and with children (65.83%), with an annual income between USD 7500-10,000 (23.61%) and graduate-level education (40.56%). Exclusive smokers formed the majority of the cohort (48.06%), and 50.83% were willing to quit as well as willing to pay for cessation. Median WTP values were maximum for males (USD 54.05; p<0.05), age group 26-35 years (USD 54.05; p<0.05), post-graduates (USD 81.08; p<0.05), and annual income above USD 20,000 (USD 121.62; p<0.05). Weak positive and significant correlations were observed between WTP and annual spending on tobacco, annual spending on health, and annual income. The study emphasizes the critical importance of early-age interventions for effective tobacco cessation prior to transitioning into dependency, resulting in reduced financial parity for availing health services. These are the first such WTP values from the Southeast Asian region, tailored for different population subsets, specifically for tobacco cessation. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence to support innovative approaches to enhance tobacco cessation efforts through financial commitments.

Empowering Medical Students to Practice High-Value Care

Over the last decade, initiatives like the Choosing Wisely campaign have promoted the practice of evidence-based, cost-conscious care. However, education surrounding value in medicine has been largely restricted to graduate-level medical education or post-clerkship undergraduate medical education. Here, we present a mixed-methods study evaluating pre-clerkship medical student engagement with and response to new value-based curricular initiatives to assess whether high-value care (HVC) can be introduced successfully earlier in training. Initiatives were introduced into the pre-clerkship clinical curriculum without major alterations to the established curricular structure. These comprised an annual event devoted to self-reflecting on HVC observed in prior and current clinical experiences and subsequent small-group facilitated discussion. Engagement with and response to these initiatives were analyzed for two whole-class cohorts using an abductive, progressive focusing approach complementing quantitative survey data. Baseline familiarity with HVC and post-event response to the annual event was higher and more positive, respectively, among responders from the Class of 2025 compared with those from the Class of 2024. Analysis of reflection essays revealed the emergence of five primary themes differentiating the two class years: (1) understanding HVC, (2) addressing barriers to HVC, (3) medical waste and underserved communities, (4) patient–physician relationship and value, and (5) self-reflection. Evaluation of thematic patterns in light of survey response data suggests that early clinical exposure combined with intentional self-reflection could promote engagement with HVC topics in a way that shapes students’ foundational understanding of the practice of medicine.

The Impact of Graduate Record Exam Threshold Scores in Disqualifying Underrepresented Ethnic-Racial Minority Applicants for Admission to a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

A growing number of graduate-level health professions education programs in the United States are discontinuing the use of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in their admissions requirements amidst concerns that its use puts Underrepresented Racial Minority (URRM) applicants at a disadvantage. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzes the association between ethnic-racial selection and the reasons for disqualification among applicants to a public Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program that used a minimum grade point average (GPA), and Analytic Writing and Quantitative Reasoning GRE minimum threshold scores to qualify applicants. There is evidence across the health professions literature that both GRE scores and GPA are associated with success on licensure examinations and academic performance. However, these variables also tend to disadvantage URRM applicants in gaining admissions to postgraduate health care fields, including physical therapy. All applicants (N = 4,797) to a single DPT program from a 9-year period were included. Racial and ethnic self-selections, GRE scores, and prerequisite GPA were coded for each applicant and classified for meeting qualifying criteria. The URRM applicants were disqualified based on GRE scores alone (P < .001) and in combination of GRE and GPA at a statistically significantly (P < .001) higher rate than Overrepresented Racial Group (ORRG) applicants, although the associations were negligible or weak. Compared with ORRG applicants, URRM applicants were at a statistically significant disadvantage because of the GRE threshold scores requirement. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that use of GRE minimum threshold scores disproportionately reduced URRM applicants in the qualified applicant pool. This investigation can be used as a model to inform holistic admission decisions regarding the use of academic variables to achieve the diversity and success goals of the program.

Acceptance of Alternative Medicine in Bangladesh: A Study on Homeopathy

Homeopathy is widely recognized globally, including in Bangladesh, as part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is noted for effectively treating various conditions without adverse effects, which has garnered significant interest. This recent study investigated the acceptance of homeopathic medicine among Bangladeshi people, surveying 157 respondents. The participants comprised of 64.3% males and 35.7% females; among them a large majority (88.5%) had at least a graduate-level education, and 72.6% belonged to middle-class families. Interestingly, middle-aged individuals (45.2%) showed a particular affinity for homeopathy. This study revealed a high awareness levels among the respondents, with 89.8% familiar with homeopathic medicine and 86.6% erudite about its utilization. In addition, safety was mentioned by 65.6% of respondents, affordability by 55.4%, and effectiveness in many cases by 44.9%. However, all the above points collectively influenced their preference for homeopathy. There was a consensus among 69.4% of respondents advocating for integrating homeopathy into mainstream healthcare. The study participants endorsed few ideas including ensuring quality control of homeopathic medicines, promoting research initiatives, and providing greater integration opportunities for homeopathic practitioners within the healthcare system. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1619-1626, 2024 (July)

Patient-reported outcomes for immediate breast reconstruction with mastectomy among breast cancer patients in Pakistan.

To evaluate the effect of immediate breast reconstruction with mastectomy in the local population. The quasi-experimental, control study was conducted at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised patient data from April 2017 to December 2020, of breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction. Those who underwent mastectomy were labelled as control group A, while patients with immediate breast reconstruction were labelled as intervention group B. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Of the 66 patients, 33(50%) were in each of the 2 groups. Group B had significantly more patients aged <40 years than group A (p=0.01), more patients with graduate-level education (p=0.04), and more patients who were either unmarried or divorced (p=0.05) than group A. Group B patients had higher mean scores for satisfaction with breasts (p=0.001) and psychosocial wellbeing (p=0.001) than those in in group A. Mean scores for adverse effects of radiotherapy were significantly higher in group B than in group A (p=0.04). Better health-related outcomes were reported by patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with mastectomy.

Using Caring Theory to Guide Application of Psychological PPE to Support Graduate Nurse Wellbeing in a Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide, including students pursuing secondary education. This disruption caused increased worry, anxiety, and overall stress in students. Graduate-level nursing students also not only experienced stress related to educational disruptions but also due to work and home life upheaval as well. Faculty were challenged to support students in reducing educational stress and anxiety. While the Institute for Healthcare Improvement introduced the concept of ‘Psychological Personal Protective Equipment’ (PPE) to support the mental well-being of healthcare workers, this article explores how faculty implemented psychological PPE in graduate-level education using Swanson's Theory of Caring as the theoretical framework during the pandemic and how these constructs can continue to support student wellbeing in today's challenging environment.

Evaluating Digital Competence in Graduate-Level Chinese International Education Programs: A Dual Perspective on Teacher Needs and Training Models

This paper employs a mixed research methodology, integrating a questionnaire survey and sample interviews, to assess the current state of digital competence and identify the factors influencing it among international Chinese pre-service teachers. Building upon the authoritative model framework, this study developed a questionnaire on the digital competence of international Chinese pre-service teachers and collected data from 100 master candidates of international Chinese language education from leading domestic universities in China. Upon analysis of the data, it was determined that the digital competence of international Chinese pre-service teachers is currently satisfactory overall, although there is a notable discrepancy in development. In particular, competences related to digital teaching, research, and pedagogical innovation are less developed. The training experience of international Chinese pre-service teachers has a significant correlation with their digital competence. However, the experience of international Chinese teaching does not have a significant effect on their digital competence, nor does it have a significant effect on their digital teaching competence or digital pedagogical innovation competence. This study identifies the reasons for this and proposes to refine the training system for digital competence, develop and optimize shared digital resource repositories, and enhance the capacity for innovation in pedagogical practice.

Exploring determinants of hand hygiene among nursing students: A theory of planned behavior approach

BackgroundThis study aims to assess the hand hygiene behavior of nursing students and identify the factors influencing this behavior through the “Scale for Assessment Hand Washing Behavior in the Frame of Theory of Planned Behaviour (SAHBTPB)”.MethodsThis descriptive and cross-sectional study was undertaken at the nursing departments of the university’s faculty of health sciences in İzmir, Turkey between 2021 and 2022. A total of 240 nursing students were recruited as participants for this study. Data were collected with the SAHBTPB. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and correlation analysis in the SPSS 21.0 program (p < .05).ResultsParticipation rate was 74.76%. The mean age of the students was 20.59 ± 1.59 years and 69.9% were woman. The nursing students’ total mean score of SAHBTPB was 147.5 ± 14.0 (min = 94; max = 176). There was a positively significant association between the total score and students’ gender, graduate level, and hand hygiene education status. There was no significant difference in scale total score mean based on the existence of dermatological problems on the students’ hands or their frequency of hand hygiene (p > .05).ConclusionThe mean scores of nursing students on the SAHBTPB were found to be at a good level. The sub-dimension “intention” was identified as an effective factor in predicting the hand hygiene behavior of the students. The findings have the potential to positively impact nursing education by increasing awareness among students and offering valuable insights for nurses and educators.

Exploring the Unmet Needs of Cancer Caregivers in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Introduction Caregivers of individuals with head, neck, and face cancer play a pivotal role in providing support, yet they face distinct challenges. This study aims to explore caregiving experiences and consequences among this population. Methods A multicentric cross-sectional study involving 200 caregivers using a convenience sampling method was conducted in Pune. Caregivers involved in patient care were included in head, neck, and face cancer. The Cancer Caregiving Consequences Inventory (CaTCoN) questionnaire was utilized to assess various dimensions of caregiving. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional review boards. Results The demographic profile revealed that 89% of caregivers were spouses/partners, primarily females (77%), aged 25-40 (81.5%), and urban dwellers (68.5%). Caregivers were predominantly married or cohabiting (100%) and had children (95%). Most had a graduate-level education (97.5%) and were employed full-time (82.5%). The mean scores from the CaTCoN questionnaire highlighted substantial caregiving responsibilities, with significant associations found in multivariate regression analysis. Spouses/partners showed stronger correlations with increased workload, personal growth challenges, financial difficulties, and the need to maintain an everyday life. Conclusion This study comprehensively explains caregiving consequences among head, neck, and face cancer cases. The predominance of spouses/partners as caregivers emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address their unique challenges. The study highlights the demanding nature of caregiving, with potential positive outcomes.

The role of patient-driven education in decision-making for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

e19532 Background: This study examines decision-making resources and outcomes among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The study aimed to identify shifts in resource utilization over time and evaluate the relationships of these with patient education outcomes. Methods: Using HealthTree Cure Hub, a retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted exploring the experiences of RRMM patients undergoing therapy changes. Likert scales assessed educational resource utilization frequency (1-never to 5-all the time), healthcare team explanations rating (1-very poor to 5-very good), comfort level with final treatment decision (1-very uncomfortable to 5 - very comfortable), education satisfaction (1-very dissatisfied to 5-very satisfied) and time given and used to make a treatment decision. Results: 294 RRMM were included with a mean age of 66±9, 53% were female, and 49% had a graduate level education. Of 219 demographics respondents, 91% were white. For the first change in treatment the top educational resources were: 1) doctor/medical team recommendations (91%), 2) patient advocacy myeloma websites or resources (58%), 3) Google search (40%), 4) webinars (38%), and 5) online videos with experts (37%) (%, all or almost every time). Use of an additional three educational resources increased: 1) articles in medical journals (2nd change: 2.3±1.1; &gt; 3 changes: 3.1±1.3), 2) NCCN, ASCO, mSMART or other blood cancer society guidelines (1st change: 2.0±1.1; &gt; 1 changes: 2.3±1.3), and 2) social media posts from myeloma experts (1st change: 2.5±1.2; &gt; 1 change: 2.7±1.3), p &lt; 0.05. The patients' rating of their care teams’ explanations of the treatment options was on average good (4.0±1.1) at 1st change in therapy with (95% of patients rating the explanations as acceptable or better) and this improved at &gt; 3 changes in therapy (4.4±0.7, p &lt; 0.05), with 100% rating these as acceptable or better. Correspondingly, patients' comfort level with their final treatment decision (4.3±0.8) was related to the care team's explanation rating (r = 0.406, p &lt; 0.001) and overall level of treatment education satisfaction (4.0±0.8, r = 0.503, p &lt; 0.001), but it was not related to time given (4.7±9.3 wk) or used (2.2±5.4 wk) to make the treatment decision. Conclusions: While doctor/medical team recommendations remain central, RRMM patients increasingly turn to a diverse set of educational resources as they gain more experience. This is likely driven by an effort to reach a comfortable treatment decision and to obtain a satisfactory disease and treatment education level. Patients' utilization of patient advocacy websites, medical journals, society guidelines, and social media expert posts indicates a broadening of resources used to build an information base. Acknowledging this evolving paradigm is vital for understanding viable avenues for patient engagement to enhance treatment choice and decision making.

The effect of care team-patient relationship on decision-making in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

e19530 Background: Understanding patient involvement in shared decision making is critical for informed decision-making for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. This study explored the relationships between care teams and patients, who patients talk to and quantify the level of involvement, satisfaction, and comfort in the process of reaching a final change in treatment decision. Methods: HealthTree Cure Hub (PMID: 35271305) was used to conduct a survey for RRMM patients for their first change of therapy decision. Five-point Likert scales were used (1-Not at All Influential to 5-Extremely Influential; 1-Very Satisfied to 5-Very Dissatisfied), along with dichotomous and categorical choices. Results: 294 patients with RRMM were included with a mean age of 66±9, 53% were female, and 49% had graduate level education. Of 219 demographics respondents, 91% were white. Of the people patients talked to, the most influential individuals ranked by somewhat to extremely influential were: 1) myeloma specialist (84%), 2) community hematologist/oncologist (69%), and 3) spouse, partner or significant other (56%). Additionally, 67% of patients talked with nurses, PAs, or RNAs, with 49% finding them somewhat to extremely influential. Seeking a second opinion from a myeloma specialist was reported by 34% of patients and 50% of patients reported talking to other patients about treatment decisions. Patients varied in their description of their relationship/communication approach with their doctor: the doctor makes recommendations, the patients ask questions and they discuss preferences, then 1) patient proposes ideas and the decision is made together (37%), 2) then the patient makes the final decisions (21%) and 3) then the patient follows the doctor’s suggestions (14%). Importantly, a weak positive relationship existed between these levels of patient involvement in the treatment decisions and their involvement-satisfaction in choosing a treatment (r = 0.251, p &lt; 0.001). About half of patients (51%) followed their care team recommendations without changes, while 31% opted for significant alterations, and 19% chose a modified option. Most patients reported making the final decision (59%), followed by their doctor (40%), and the minority reported a caregiver or partner (1%). Conclusions: This study identified that about half of patients engage in a collaborative and active decision-making process, which was related to their involvement-satisfaction of the treatment decision. Patients actively engaged with various individuals, including myeloma specialists, community hematologists/oncologists, and spouse/partners. Notably, discussions with nurses, PAs, and RNAs played a significant role, along with interactions with peers. Taken together a multifaceted engagement highlights the active role of patients in determining their treatment paths within a complex healthcare network.

Assessing the benefits of an online prematriculation anatomy workshop on knowledge acquisition and anatomy competency in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Preparing students for the transition to graduate-level education with greater learning demands in a condensed time frame is a challenging process for health professions educators and incoming students. Prematriculation programs offer a solution for exposing students to the foundational sciences in preparation for the academic rigor of a doctoral program. This retrospective study assessed whether incoming students enrolled across 3 yr of a 2-day online anatomy workshop, offered in July and August before the start of their first semester resulted in improved anatomy knowledge. Whether this acquired knowledge translated to improved anatomy outcomes in the first semester of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program was also assessed, while also accounting for variables of gender, ethnicity, and grade-point average. Knowledge acquired during both days of the workshop resulted in statistically significant improvements in anatomy postquiz scores compared to the baseline prequiz (P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated statistically significant relationships between the first-semester anatomy practical score and workshop participation (P = 0.04) as well as a predictive value of gender (P = 0.01). Evaluating a timing effect on the predictive value of the online anatomy workshop demonstrated statistically significant effects of the prematriculation workshop on both first-semester anatomy practicals for August (P = 0.03 for practical 1; P = 0.04 for practical 2) but not July workshop participants. Findings from this study support the utility of an online prematriculation anatomy workshop to prepare students for graduate-level anatomy learning expectations in a doctoral allied health program.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper presents the findings of a retrospective study examining the effectiveness of an online prematriculation anatomy workshop on knowledge acquisition and first-semester anatomy competency following the success of a previously offered peer-led onsite workshop. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an online prematriculation program that successfully introduces graduate-level learning expectations and access to anatomical resources leading to improved anatomy competency in an allied health professional program.

Beyond conventional teaching towards networked learning

With Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) adoption growing, education has seen the emergence of innovative technologies like chatbots. However, little research has examined the impacts of GenAI integration in specialized higher education contexts. This study explored graduate students’ experiences using a GenAI chatbot, PEARL, within a graduate-level teacher education course focused on teaching students how to collaboratively conduct program evaluations using practice cases. Four students participated in our study and shared perceptions of interviewing personas with PEARL when evaluating the practice cases. Thematic analysis identified advantages like enhanced efficiency and accessibility, plus limitations regarding authenticity of artificial interactions. Findings emphasized the continued importance of human guidance and peer learning to enrich GenAI-enabled education aligning with principles of networked learning. Students highlighted the need for ethical considerations despite interacting with artificial entities, underscoring nuanced understanding. The significance of collaborative analysis and ongoing iterative improvements also emerged as themes integral to meaningful learning. Although GenAI presents transformational potential in instructional designs, findings support the use of blended approaches that strategically integrate its advantages with human activity and collaborative inquiry. The study makes contributions by elucidating domain-specific nuances of integrating GenAI into teaching in higher education. Practical implications encourage scaffolding GenAI curricula to promote authenticity and collaborative knowledge construction. Further research could examine variations across disciplines, technologies, and demographics. Overall, as GenAI shapes academia’s evolution, reflective pedagogical examination will be key to evidence-guided integration. This exploratory study presents a preliminary yet important step, unveiling opportunities for networked learning and complexities of GenAI adoption in teaching program evaluation skills in education contexts.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Plus (SBIRT-Plus): A Novel Interprofessional Training for Rehabilitation Science Professional Students.

With the increasing amount of substance use-related health conditions in the United States, it is important for rehabilitation science professionals to receive screening and prevention training. To describe and examine the preliminary effectiveness of a novel educational program, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Plus (SBIRT-Plus), that combines traditional SBIRT training with new modules for cannabis, stimulant, and opioid use. Prospective, cohort design. Academic institution. One hundred eighty-one rehabilitation science graduate students. SBIRT-Plus curriculum. Outcomes included satisfaction with training, perception of interprofessional training, attitudes, knowledge, and stigma, as assessed with the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire, Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire, Knowledge Screening Scale, and two stigma instruments. Most students (>80%) expressed satisfaction with their training, would recommend the training to a colleague, and believed that the training would influence and change the way they practiced with patients at risk for substance use disorders. Students' attitudes and knowledge increased from pre- to post-training, and stigma perceptions were significantly reduced. SBIRT-Plus is an evidence-based interprofessional training that is feasible to implement in graduate-level education programs. Integrating SBIRT-Plus into professional graduate programs may be an optimal and low-cost model for training rehabilitation health care professionals. Plain-Language Summary: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Plus (SBIRT-Plus) is an evidence-based interprofessional training that can be easily adopted in curricula to train professional students about the importance of screening for substance use disorders.