High Competence Research Articles

Non-IID Medical Imaging Data on COVID-19 in the Federated Learning Framework: Impact and Directions

After first appearing in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly, leading to global effects and significant risks to health systems. The virus’s high replication competence in the human lung accelerated the severity of lung pneumonia cases, resulting in a catastrophic death rate. Variable observations in the clinical testing of virus-related and patient-related cases across different populations led to ambiguous results. Medical and epidemiological studies on the virus effectively use imaging and scanning devices to help explain the virus’s behavior and its impact on the lungs. Varying equipment resources and a lack of uniformity in medical imaging acquisition led to disorganized and widely dispersed data collection worldwide, while high heterogeneity in datasets caused a poor understanding of the virus and related strains, consequently leading to unstable results that could not be generalized. Hospitals and medical institutions, therefore, urgently need to collaborate to share and extract useful knowledge from these COVID-19 datasets while preserving the privacy of medical records. Researchers are turning to an emerging technology that enhances the reliability and accessibility of information without sharing actual patient data. Federated learning (FL) is a technique that learns distributed data locally, sharing only the weights of each local model to compute a global model, and has the potential to improve the generalization of diagnosis and treatment decisions. This study investigates the applicability of FL for COVID-19 under the impact of data heterogeneity, defining the lung imaging characteristics and identifying the practical constraints of FL in medical fields. It describes the challenges of implementation from a technical perspective, with reference to valuable research directions, and highlights the research challenges that present opportunities for further efforts to overcome the pitfalls of distributed learning performance. The primary objective of this literature review is to provide valuable insights that will aid in the formulation of effective technical strategies to mitigate the impact of data heterogeneity on the generalization of FL results, particularly in light of the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus Complex (Acari: Ixodidae) From Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Kosovo.

Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick, is the most prevalent tick species in Europe. It favours habitats such as shrubs, deciduous and mixed forests, but can also be found in urban environments. Due to its high vector competence, it is of enormous veterinary as well as medical importance, transmitting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, Borrelia burgdorferi s. l., the causative agent of lyme borreliosis, Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum amongst many other pathogens. In Kosovo, I. ricinus is the predominant species and a few studies, mostly based on human and animal seroprevalences, indicate the circulation of tick-borne pathogens. However, data on pathogens in I. ricinus are scarce in Kosovo, particularly in urban settings. This study aimed to provide first insights into the circulation of tic-kborne pathogens in I. ricinus from urban and peri-urban areas in Kosovo. Urban and peri-urban areas were sampled by flagging 150 m transects. In total, 197 ticks were morphologicaly identified as I. ricinus, and consequently DNA and RNA were isolated. All individuals were screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens by using reverse line blotting (RLB) hybridisation. DNA of nine different pathogens from four genera including Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. was detected in 60 (33.5%) specimens. The most frequently detected pathogens were Rickettsia spp. (16.2%), followed by Borrelia spp. (11.7%). Altogether, 54 single infections, 11 double infections and 1 triple infection were observed. We provide first data on genotyping of B. burgdorferi sensu lato as well as the detection of Anaplasma, Babesia and Rickettsia from I. ricinus in this country. The data underline that particularly recreational (peri-)urban areas could facilitate the spillover of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens to humans in Kosovo and provide baseline data for future surveys.

Strategi Peningkatan Pencapaian Kinerja Guru di Namira Islamic School

This study aims to identify strategies that can be implemented to improve teacher performance at Namira Islamic School, an Islamic-based educational institution in North Sumatra. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods to obtain more comprehensive results. The population consists of 104 teachers, with a sample of 51 respondents selected using purposive sampling techniques. Based on a SWOT analysis, Namira Islamic School's strengths include high teacher competence, an inclusive work culture, and solid management support. Development opportunities can be leveraged through partnerships with other institutions and the use of technology. However, weaknesses such as heavy workloads, unequal salary systems, and a lack of comprehensive performance evaluations pose significant challenges. This study recommends strategies to improve performance through more effective workload management, the development of technology-based programs, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure enhancement.

Kajian Pemahaman Mahasiswa tentang Pengumpulan dan Analisis Data melalui Evaluasi Hasil Penelitian Skripsi

A deep understanding of data collection and analysis techniques is an essential competence for students to produce valid and high-quality research. This study employed a quantitative descriptive approach with 22 students as subjects who had studied these techniques. Each student was tasked with evaluating two quantitative theses relevant to the learning model, published within the last five years. The evaluation used a rubric covering seven key components: Data Identification and Classification, Frequency Distribution, Measures of Central Tendency and Data Variation, Coefficient of Variation, Standard Values, Inferential Statistical Procedures, and Data Integration and Synthesis. The study results revealed varying levels of student understanding across the components. Most students achieved high competence in Data Identification and Classification (95.45%) and Inferential Statistical Procedures (95.45%). However, comprehension of more complex components, such as Coefficient of Variation and Standard Values, remained weak, with only 54.55% of students fully competent. This study highlights the need for more structured teaching methods and intensive practical exercises, particularly in advanced statistical analysis and data visualization. The implications suggest that improving these areas can strengthen students' research skills, supporting better mastery of data analysis techniques in the future.

Swimming Competence And Aquatic Disaster Preparedness Of Bachelor of Physical Education Students in University Of Mindanao

Water-related disasters, such as flooding, have become increasingly common and pose a significant threat to human life. Drowning is a leading cause of death in the Philippines, and flooding is a frequent occurrence in Davao City. Swimming competence is essential for individuals to be confident in and out of the water, and it is critical to be prepared for water-related disasters to reduce the risk of drowning. This study aimed to assess the swimming competence and aquatic disaster preparedness of Bachelor of Physical Education (BPE) students in the University of Mindanao. The study used a quantitative research approach, descriptive correlational design and data were collected from 201 BPE students enrolled. Researchers employed a modified survey questionnaire for both dependent and independent variables using a quota sampling technique to determine the respondents' answers. The result showed that. respondents had high swimming competence and a high level of aquatic disaster preparedness, indicating satisfactory performance in these areas. Additionally, the study found a significant relationship between swimming competence and aquatic disaster preparedness. This research highlights the importance of swimming competence and aquatic disaster preparedness in reducing the risk of drowning and mitigating the impact of water-related disasters.

The Young Adult Centered Healthforce Training (YACHT) Program to Increase HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Referrals Among Young Sexual Minority Men in Florida: Protocol for a Type 2 Implementation-Effectiveness Hybrid Trial With a Stepped Wedge Design.

There is a high incidence of HIV among young sexual minority men in Florida. Many are unaware of their status due to low testing rates. Counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) services are essential for diagnosis and prevention of HIV and are integral to the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) strategic plan. However, efforts to increase CTR among young sexual minority men have not been successful. The Young Adult Centered Healthforce Training (YACHT) program promotes developmentally sensitive, culturally appropriate, and evidence-based CTR services for young sexual minority men. This study tests whether the YACHT program increases HIV testing among young sexual minority men and fidelity to evidence-based CTR among testing providers. Agencies in Florida EHE counties that tested at least 24 young sexual minority men aged 18 to 29 years in 2021 will be invited to participate. The sites (N=42) will be randomized in blocks of 6 to participate in the YACHT program, following a stepped wedge design. Through YACHT, all sites will receive visits from mystery shoppers (MSs), who are trained to evaluate HIV testing services and complete postvisit quality monitoring assessments. Sites will be offered the opportunity to review their MS feedback and to receive tailored motivational interviewing training and evidence-based technical assistance to address areas of need identified through MS assessments. The study will evaluate whether YACHT leads to increased HIV testing by comparing numbers of young sexual minority men testing for HIV before versus after YACHT's implementation. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment framework will help understand the barriers to and facilitators of the program's implementation and sustainment. YACHT was funded in August 2022. Data collection began in June 2023. As of June 2024, 194 MS visits have taken place at 42 sites; 4 (67%) sites from the first block and 1 (33%) site from the second block have engaged with the study. At baseline, sites exhibited the lowest competencies in relationship context, counseling sessions, and safer sex education and the highest competency in privacy and confidentiality. Data collection will continue through May 2027, with results published by the end of 2027. To address the high incidence of HIV among young sexual minority men in Florida, YACHT aims to support testing sites with tailored motivational interviewing training and technical assistance to address needs identified by MS assessments. The program seeks to improve delivery of evidence-based CTR services, thereby increasing HIV testing, counseling, and pre-exposure prophylaxis referrals and reducing HIV incidence among this population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06015581; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06015581. DERR1-10.2196/63191.

The Role of Accountant Competencies in Improving Financial Statement Quality in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Case Study Analysis

This study investigates the role of accountant competencies in enhancing the quality of financial statements within small and medium enterprises (SMEs), using a qualitative case study approach. Given the unique challenges that SMEs face, such as limited resources and varying levels of financial expertise, the competencies of accountants are critical for producing accurate, reliable, and relevant financial information. Through in-depth interviews with accountants and SME owners, this research explores how skills such as financial reporting knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and analytical ability contribute to the preparation of high-quality financial statements. The findings reveal that accountants with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and adherence to ethical practices can significantly reduce errors, increase transparency, and improve financial decision-making within SMEs. Additionally, the study highlights that continuous professional development and training in regulatory updates are essential for maintaining high competency levels among accountants in SMEs. This research underscores the importance of building accountant competencies to support sustainable growth and financial stability in SMEs. The insights gained from this study provide practical recommendations for SME owners, accounting professionals, and policymakers to prioritize skill development and professional standards in the accounting practices of SMEs, contributing to broader economic resilience and growth.

Nurses' models of spiritual care: Predictors of spiritual care competence.

Previous studies have shown that nurses' spiritual care competence is related to characteristics of personal spirituality, training adequacy, and comfort, confidence, and frequency of provision of spiritual care. However, these studies assumed that all participants understood spiritual care in the same way, and used self-ratings of spiritual care competence, which are problematic. Our previous study found that spiritual care was understood in 4 qualitatively different ways that can be arranged in order of competence. This study aimed to re-examine the relationships between nurse characteristics and spiritual care competence, using spiritual care understanding as a proxy for competence. Data was collected from a convenience sample of nurses who completed an anonymous, online survey. The survey provided qualitative data about what spiritual care means for them. The survey also provided quantitative data regarding nurse characteristics. This study created sub-groups of nurses based on their understanding of spiritual care, and used the quantitative data to construct a profile of nurse characteristics for each sub-group. Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests determined whether nurse characteristics differed across the 4 sub-groups. Spiritual care competence was not related to confidence or comfort in providing spiritual care. Relationships with spirituality, training adequacy, and frequency of provision of spiritual care were not linear; i.e., higher competence did not always correspond with higher scores of these characteristics. The results raise concerns about the construct validity of using comfort and confidence as estimates of spiritual care competence. That the relationships between competence and spirituality, training adequacy, and frequency of spiritual care provision was not as linear as portrayed in extant literature, suggests that outcomes of training may depend on the type of spiritual care understanding subscribed to by training participants. The findings offer insights about how nurses could achieve high levels of spiritual care performance.

Patterns of professional identity in school counselors: A latent profile analysis

AbstractUnderstanding school counselors’ professional identity development is important to promote positive work‐related outcomes and provide appropriate support for more quality school counseling services. The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of professional identity in school counselors. As a result of latent profile analysis using a sample of school counselors (N = 343), we found five types of professional identity, including (1) Well‐Developed (n = 99; 28.9%), (2) High Competence (n = 53; 15.5%), (3) Moderate (n = 156; 45.5%), (4) Professionally Disconnected (n = 18; 5.2%), and (5) Vulnerable (n = 17; 5.0%). Based on the profiles, we identified significant differences in their work‐related attitudes and experiences (i.e., burnout, stress, job satisfaction, and years of school counseling experience), but there were no significant differences in demographics except for the American School Counselor Association membership. Implications and recommendations for counseling professionals are suggested.

Corporate Technology for the Implementation of an Automated System: Functional, Technological and Methodological Aspects

The purpose of the study is to form a methodological justification for the pedagogical model of the individual trajectory of professional development of bachelors and masters for the implementation of the stages of creating an automated system based on the principles of continuity and experimental verification of its application in the educational process of the university in accordance with the requirements of IT departments, vendors and employers. It is shown that there is a gap between the socio-economic order for the training of IT specialists with high professional competence in the field of information systems and the insufficient level of targeted formation of their readiness to implement the stages of creating automated systems. In addition, the lack of methods and practical recommendations for the implementation of such systems in the context of maximum preservation of corporate standards and taking into account the requirements of Russian legislation, as well as specialists competent in these matters, determined the feasibility of conducting the study in two aspects - functional-technological and pedagogical.Methods and materials. The key methods are structural-functional and process modeling, interactive methods of organizing the educational process (project method, etc.). The research materials include a functional model for developing a corporate technology for implementing an automated system in the form of a function tree.Results. The results present a model of causes and factors determining the success of the projects for the implementation of the automatization systems. The role of the factor “qualification of the performing team” and the possibilities of the educational environment of the university to influence this factor are considered. The pedagogical aspect of the research problem is determined by the methodological justification for conducting students’ project work within a number of disciplines for training bachelors and masters in the field of “Applied Informatics”. The description of the structure and requirements for students’ projects gives an idea of the level of formed competencies, their consistency with the work functions of specialists in the field of information systems.Conclusion. At this stage of work on the research problem, its dual nature was determined. On the one hand, modern IT projects require their own technologies and management methodologies, which should change from project to project, so it is important to have practical recommendations for the development of corporate technology for the implementation of an automated system. On the other hand, one of the success factors of the project for the implementation of an automated system is the “Project Implementation Team”, its level of qualification. This factor is successfully determined and influenced by educational institutions responsible for training specialists in this field. In this direction, the project method plays a key role. It ensures the development of communication skills, the ability to independently pose a problem and develop a way to solve it together. Methodological aspects and practical results, generalizing the pedagogical model for training bachelors in the field of creating automated systems presented in the paper, as well as the development of corporate technology for the implementation of information systems, were reflected in three electronic multimedia educational publications: “Portfolio of Software Engineering Projects”, “Theory and Practice of IS Implementation”, “Theory and Practice of IS Maintenance”.

Pelatihan Penulisan Karya Ilmiah dan Publikasinya pada Jurnal Ilmiah Bereputasi untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Mahasiswa Pendidikan Fisika Universitas Islam Negeri Mataram

Scientific paper training has been conducted for students of the physics tadris study program at the faculty of tarbiyah and keguruan, Mataram State Islamic University. The method used in this training activity is Participatory Action Research (PAR). In general, the training activities were carried out in 4 stages, namely preparation, socialization, implementation and evaluation and reflection. Training activities have been carried out well. Based on the activity evaluation questionnaire, it shows that most participants are satisfied and enthusiastic in carrying out the training. The resource persons presented have high competence in writing scientific papers. The facilities provided are also adequate in the form of software and materials. However, the training time was not long enough. This is because it takes time to provide habituation for participants so that continuous training is needed so that participants can get good results when writing scientific papers.

Examining and comparing the relation between representational competence and conceptual knowledge across four samples

IntroductionWhereas it is commonly assumed that in learning science, representational competence is a critical prerequisite for the acquisition of conceptual knowledge, comprehensive psychometric investigations of this assumption are rare. We undertake a step in this direction by re-analyzing the data from a recent study that found a substantial correlation between the two constructs in undergraduates in the context of field representations and electromagnetism.MethodsIn this pre-registered contribution, we re-analyzed the data (N = 515 undergraduate students; Mage = 21.81, SDage = 4.04) to examine whether the relation between representational competence and conceptual knowledge, both measured with psychometrically validated test instruments, is similar or varies between four samples from two countries. To this end, we employed correlational analysis and scatter plots. Employing these methods, we examined whether a positive relation between representational competence and conceptual knowledge can be found and is of similar magnitude in all samples. We also employed multiple-group latent profile analysis to examine how the more detailed association between the two constructs varies or is similar across samples.ResultsWe found that the relation between the two constructs was positive in all four samples, but was stronger in the samples consisting primarily of engineering and physics students than in environmental sciences and teacher education-students. All latent profiles indicated that high representational competence is a prerequisite for high conceptual knowledge, but not vice versa. We found little relation to learners’ gender and topic-specific learning opportunities in high school.DiscussionThese results indicate that the qualitative findings of a positive relation between representational competence and conceptual knowledge, with no evidence of learners that achieve high conceptual knowledge with low representational competence, generalize across different populations. We derive hypotheses for further moderating factors that can be examined in future research.

Artificial intelligence ethical awareness according to the core competency level among dental hygiene students

Objectives: This study investigated the ethical awareness regarding artificial intelligence (AI) among dental hygiene students based on core competency levels and proposed a competency-based educational approach to improve AI ethical awareness. Methods: Eighty-six dental hygiene students participated in the study and provided informed consent. The core competency survey tool included innovation, communication, relations, and services. The AI ​​ethical awareness survey tool was divided into eight categories, each with 24 questions: responsibility, stability and reliability, non-discrimination, transparency and explainability, people-centered service, employment, tolerance and limits, and robot rights. Results: The group with high core competency had higher levels of AI ethical awareness (p<0.05), particularly in terms of responsibility, transparency, and peoplecentered service. The level of AI ethical awareness was significantly correlated with the relationship competency and service competency (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results highlight the association between AI ethical awareness and core competencies. These results suggest that competency-based education in universities is critical for improving AI ethical awareness. Furthermore, we intend to use the findings as preliminary data to suggest a direction for competency-centered education to improve AI ethical awareness.

Norwegian Public Health Nursing Students’ Experiences with the Transition from Classroom to Online Lectures: Benefits and Challenges

The integration of technology in higher education increased online courses available to students, although traditional face-to-face interaction remains dominant. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition to emergency remote teaching (ERT), impacting public health nursing (PHN) education in Norway, which primarily consists of adult learners. The impact of the transition to online-only lectures on these students remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study is to examine how Norwegian PHN students experienced the transition from traditional classroom lectures to online-only lectures during the global pandemic. It also identifies the self-reported advantages and challenges associated with online-only lectures and whether this transition affected their perceived learning outcome. A cross-sectional sample of public health nursing (PHN) students (n = 275) participated in a survey in from May to November 2020. The questionnaire was specifically developed for this study and covers student motivation, perceived benefits and challenges of transitioning to online lectures, peer collaboration, and self-assessed learning outcomes. It was distributed to the PHN students via their respective education’s LMS system. Most PHN students managed the technical aspects of the abrupt transition to online-only lectures effectively. They reported high digital competence, found the transition relatively easy, and remained motivated to continue their studies. Despite these positives, students reported a reduction in learning outcomes compared to classroom lectures. Challenges included the missing face-to-face interaction with peers, difficulties in managing childcare, and issues with structuring their studies.

Enhanced direct torque control based on intelligent approach for doubly-fed induction machine fed by three-level inverter

This paper presents an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) based on 24 sectors direct torque command (DTC) for a doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM) by using a 3-level neutral point clamped inverter. The DTC approach is used in this paper with 24 sectors based on the ANFIS regulator to minimize the torque fluctuations, flux fluctuations, and stator stream THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of the DFIM drive. The composed technique is accomplished by replacing the hysteresis controllers of the flux and torque with the ANFIS controller. On the other hand, the results of the designed approach based on ANFIS controls were obtained compared to the traditional approach that uses usual controls, as MATLAB was used to realize these approaches in different working conditions. In all tests, the designed method shows improved performance in minimizing torque and flux undulations while reducing the THD of the stator stream. These results highlight the extent of efficiency, high competence, and effectiveness in improving machine features compared to the conventional approach, where the designed approach minimized the THD of current by ratios of approximately 77.50 %, 48.34 %, 75 %, and 81.43 % in all tests. Also, the torque undulation value was reduced by 30 %, 39.24 %, 31.94 %, and 59.31 % in all tests compared to the DTC. The designed approach minimized the speed overshoot compared to the DTC by percentages estimated at 98.83 %, 97.11 %, 96.75 %, and 95.56 % in all tests. These percentages demonstrate the high efficiency and effectiveness of the 24 sectors DTC-ANFIS compared to the conventional approach in improving the features of the control system, making it a promising solution in all electrical fields in the future.

MOTIVASI SEBAGAI MEDIATOR DISIPLIN KERJA DAN KOMPETENSI TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI DI SMA NEGERI 1 GRATI

Administrative staff of SMA Negeri 1 Grati, Pasuruan Regency have an important role in developing the quality of school work, which can be achieved through high ability, motivation, and competence in carrying out their responsibilities. Although the performance of SMA Negeri 1 Grati employees, Pasuruan Regency is quite good, there are still problems with low work discipline and competence, as seen from non-compliance with work hours and disciplinary regulations. This study aims to determine the effect of work discipline and competence on employee performance with motivation as an intervening variable at SMA Negeri 1 Grati, Pasuruan Regency. The type of data used in this study is primary data with a questionnaire method distributed to 40 employees of SMA Negeri 1 Grati, Pasuruan Regency. Hypothesis testing was carried out using the bootstrap resampling method on SmartPLS 3.3. The results of the study showed that although work discipline and competence had a positive effect on employee performance, the effect was not statistically significant. Work discipline also had a positive but not significant impact on motivation. Meanwhile, competence was shown to have a significant positive effect on motivation. However, higher motivation actually had a negative effect on employee performance, although this effect was also not significant.

The price of pressure: nationwide survey on lifestyle disturbances, occupational burnout and compromised perceived-competency among radiology residents in China.

The competency of radiology directly affects the quality and equity of medical services. Due to their different occupational characteristics compared to other specialists, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of lifestyles on competency and burnout in radiology residents in China. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. A total of 12,208 radiology residents during their standardized residency training in China were invited. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression were conducted to identify perceived competency and burnout associated with lifestyles. Of the 3,666 participants, 58.02% were female, 82.24% were aged <30 years, 40.53% were from the Eastern region, and 92.06% obtained a bachelor's degree. The radiology residents with high-level lifestyles had higher competency (β = 0.16, 95% CI = [0.01, 0.32]), particularly in the realms of sleep, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. The correlation was stronger in residents with longer work hours and more night shifts. Residents with insomnia (OR = 7.69, 95% CI = [4.23, 14.67]) and less exercise (OR = 6.24, 95% CI = [1.33, 29.37]) had higher burnout risk, while residents who smoked had a lower risk (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = [0.40, 0.89]). And lifestyle factors had a slightly different impact on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Radiology residents' lifestyles can be emphasized, as it may reflect their pressure and wellbeing and influence their concentration, competency, burnout and performance. Policymakers and hospital administrators should incorporate practical and modifiable strategies into work routines to improve the lifestyle quality of residents.

Reducing health disparities in providing care services in the intensive care unit: a critical ethnographic study

ObjectiveThe intensive care unit, with its structural complexity and the exposure of critically ill patients to various disparities, presents a significant setting for health disparities. This critical ethnographic study sought to uncover cultural knowledge and ethical practices for reducing health disparities in providing care services within the intensive care unit. The focus was on understanding how ethical considerations and cultural competence can address and mitigate these disparities effectively.MethodsThis critical ethnographic study was conducted in 2022–2023 at intensive care units in western Iran. Three interrelated phases were used to collect and analyze the data. More than 300 h of observation were done during the first phase. A horizon analysis was carried out in the next phase. To further enhance the dataset, 18 informants participated in semi-structured interviews and informal conversations. Following that, the analysis procedure was conducted to identify a culture of health disparities and factors that reduce it, as it had been in the prior stage. Trustworthiness data collection methods were implemented to ensure the validity and reliability of the study.FindingsTwo key themes emerged from the study: (A) Improved cultural competence, which encompassed empathy towards patients and their families, effective communication, prioritization of continuous learning, appropriate knowledge and awareness, sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs, staff attitude and personality, and the delivery of customized care tailored to each patient’s needs. (B) Supporting role and compensating for disparities involved recommendations for upholding ethical standards, compensatory actions, maintaining professional behavior despite external factors, addressing gaps and deficiencies, and actively defending and supporting patients.ConclusionThe findings indicate that staff with high cultural competence can ethically mitigate health disparities through their supportive roles. Managers and health policymakers should create barriers to health disparity by improving staff cultural competence and knowledge about health disparities.

Correlation between teacher competence and the self-efficacy of secondary school teachers

The purpose of this study was to compare the different levels of teacher competence and self-efficacy among secondary school teachers. A comparative survey method for descriptive research was used. A total of 147 secondary school teachers were selected through a random sampling method. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis. The key finding of this study is that among male and female teachers with high, moderate, and low competency levels, there are no significant differences in self-efficacy. Government teachers show no significant differences in self-efficacy with respect to their competence levels, but private teachers show an apparent pattern. Private teachers differ only in terms of high and low levels of self-efficacy; neither high nor medium self-efficacy levels differ from one another.

Improvement of methodical training of physical training instructors in the direction of application of physical impact measures

Physical training in units of the security and defense sector plays an important role in the system of professional training of personnel. The direction of application of measures of physical influence, in addition to technical preparation, development of physical qualities, has a positive effect on the education of moral and volitional qualities. And all this certainly affects the readiness of the personnel to perform the assigned tasks. In the conditions of martial law, the system of professional training also changed in order to transform and adapt it to the realities of today. The system of security measures implemented in the state has made its corrections in the educational and training process of personnel training, in particular with regard to planning in training. It is also necessary to take into account the level of physical condition, development and training of the replenishment. During martial law, military personnel are trained according to an abbreviated program. At the same time, from the experience of training our servicemen in various NATO member countries, the training periods there are much longer - which indicates different approaches and concepts. On the one hand, the shorter the training period, the faster a serviceman will get into a combat unit, and on the other hand, the quality of training of personnel is required, many of whom have not served at all, have mature age, low physical development and training, and often have health problems. Undoubtedly, all these conditions require high professional competence and skill from instructors in various areas, including physical training. The instructor must raise his professional level in order to ensure higher efficiency of the educational and training process, increase the training of the personnel and their readiness to perform official and combat tasks as assigned.