Professional Practice Issues Research Articles

Course in Professional Practice Issues

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and practitioners recognize professional practice issues as important in undergraduate civil engineering education. This paper describes a creative approach for incorporating professional practice issues into the civil engineering curriculum through a course entitled “Civil Engineering Practice.” This course has the following advantages: (1) It encourages active learning via activities as opposed to a traditional seminar; (2) forms long-term teaching partnerships with engineering professionals; (3) offers a venue where important yet distinct topics can be presented systematically; (4) provides the local engineering community with the opportunity to share its accomplishments and to further continuing education credits; (5) reinforces the professional practice elements of the capstone design project; and (6) supplies structured time where students can interact with potential employers and vice-versa. The course feedback from students, faculty, en...

Ethical Issues Concerning the Use of Videoconferencing to Supervise International Social Work Field Practicum Students

Increasing numbers of social work training programs are offering international field practicum placements. However, because it is difficult to provide appropriate, high quality supervision that is needed over large distances, many educators and researchers are calling for the greater use of Internet based videoconferencing to deliver remote supervision. This article examines current ethical guidelines affecting the use of videoconferencing in the supervision of students nationally and internationally. The authors suggest protocols to address ethical and professional practice issues that are likely to arise as a result of using videoconferencing to conduct supervision across international borders.

Sexual harassment and abuse in sport: The research context

This publication draws on the contributions to a Symposium on ‘Sexual Harassment in Sport - Challenges for Sport Psychology in the New Millennium’, held at the Xth Congress of the International Society for Sport Psychology, Skiathos, Greece from May 28th to June 2nd 2001. The symposium was intended to move forward the international research agenda on sexual harassment and abuse in sport and, in particular, to examine professional practice issues for sport psychologists. It was clear from the attendance of over 60 delegates at that symposium that international interest in this subject is growing. Further evidence of this came from the attendance of 26 members states - from Azerbaijan to Sweden - at a Council of Europe seminar on The Protection of Children, Young People and Women in Sport, held in Helsinki in September 2001. It seemed appropriate, therefore, to take the work on sport-based sex abuse research to a wider audience, both to increase awareness of sexual abuse in extra-familial settings and to attract critical interest in the sharing of research perspectives between those working inside and outside sport. One of the co-organisers of the Skiathos Symposium (Celia Brackenridge) is a NOTA member and serves on its Research Sub-Committee so it seemed particularly appropriate to approach the Journal of Sexual Aggression with a proposal for this publication. We are delighted that Marcus Erooga and Helen Masson were enthusiastic about the idea and we thank them and the publishers for investing in this issue on sport. We sincerely hope that this marks the start of a long and fruitful exchange of research ideas and expertise between sports researchers and readers of the Journal.

The Influence of a Move to Program Management on Physical Therapist Practice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how a move to program management (PM) from a traditional department structure affected the professional practice of physical therapists in a large Canadian teaching hospital. Twenty-five physical therapists participated in 1 of 5 focus groups, and 4 physical therapists participated in individual interviews. Focus groups and structured interviews were conducted by an experienced facilitator who was not a physical therapist. All focus groups and interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Using an open-coding technique, 2 investigators undertook line-by-line analysis of each transcript to identify and code specific events related to the physical therapists' experiences. The investigators reached a consensus on all coding categories and then identified themes. Seven themes that addressed issues of affect (a sense of loss, low morale, and positive coping), professional practice (loss of professional development activities, professional advantages, the assuming of multiple roles), and patient care were identified. Physical therapists who were deployed from a department to a program described both positive and negative effects of the move to PM on their practice. There were reported influences on their personal affect, professional practice, and patient care. Staff and physical therapy administrators need to be aware of potential implications of an organization's move to PM on the professional practice of frontline staff.

Evaluating a Web-based Graduate Level Nursing Ethics Course: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

This article discusses the course design, experiential findings, and evaluation of a Web-based course for graduate nurses examining professional health care practice and ethical issues. Using course input and evaluative data, the article addresses student and teacher perceptions of use of a Web-based delivery mode for graduate level courses and the appropriateness of this ethics course for graduate level students. Evaluative data supported existing knowledge concerning pros and cons of Web-based education. New insights concerning the Web's ability to foster critical thinking skills and supports for continuing ethics education for nurses are reported. All students assessed this ethics course as being of considerable value to their professional practice. Students evaluated the pros of Web use for the course as far outweighing the cons. The students' substantial interest in and critical thinking about appropriate knowledge bases to underpin effective ethical decision-making strongly supports the need for continuing ethics education for practicing nurses.

ABET Program Criteria: Review and Assessment for a Civil Engineering Program

AbstractRecently, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) sponsored programs to recommend changes for the engineering curriculum. In addition, various other studies, such as that conducted by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), investigated methods to strengthen undergraduate education.The present investigation is based on a study of Lamar University civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students as well as practicing alumni. The findings suggest that all three groups, practicing engineers as well as undergraduate and graduate students, perceive that some subject areas are more important than others. For example, greater than 40% of each group identified four subject areas that presently receive or should receive a high level of coverage in the civil engineering curriculum. They include: mathematics through calculus and differential equations; structural and geotechnical engineering; and major design experience or course. In addition, more than 40% of the undergraduates and practicing engineers also perceive that hydraulics/hydrology/water resources presently receive or should receive a high level of coverage. In contrast, graduate students and practitioners also believe that construction management/surveying, and structural/materials and hydraulics laboratories receive or should receive a high level of coverage. These results suggest strong support for the traditional technical aspect of engineering. In addition, they may be interpreted as positive reinforcement for the Engineering Criteria 2000 program requirements. Nevertheless, all three groups rate professional practice issues at a relatively lower percentage. The foregoing are among the various subjects that have been included in the Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria that have been adopted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as criteria that must be considered in order to satisfy the requirements of an accredited civil engineering degree.

Professional Program Criteria for Civil Engineering Curriculums

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has adopted a revised set of accreditation criteria that is designed to ensure that graduates of accredited programs are prepared to enter the practice of engineering. The proposal also specifies that engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have an understanding of professional practice issues in addition to proficiency in specific subject areas that are tabulated in the civil engineering program criteria. The findings of this study indicate that engineering undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners perceive that four subject areas are of great importance for civil engineers: structural engineering, hydraulics/hydrology/water resources, engineering design, and mathematics through calculus and differential equations. In contrast, one area, chemistry, received lower ratings. Data suggest that the majority of subjects included in the civil engineering program criteria are considered by students and practitioners to have generally the same level of importance and should be included in the curriculum at an above average level. In particular, 81% of the subject areas included in the ABET civil engineering program criteria are rated by both students and practitioners with a composite score 3.1. This may be interpreted as strong support for the Engineering Criteria 2000 program requirements.

Clinicians' Impact on the Quality of Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Clinicians' impact on substance use disorder treatment has been much less studied than therapy and patient variables. Yet, in this selective review of literature, a growing body of empirical work on clinicians' impact highlights several key issues that have relevance both to clinical practice and future research. These issues include clinicians' effect on treatment retention and outcome, professional characteristics, recovery status, adherence to protocols, counter- transference, alliance, personality, beliefs about treatment, and professional practice issues. Specific recommendations are offered to help improve the quality of care clinicians provide. In particular, it is suggested that greater accountability for clinicians' performance be balanced with increased support for their very difficult role. Methodological issues in studying clinicians are also addressed.

Australian public relations: status at the turn of the 21st century

Since its inception, public relations in Australia has grown in professional stature, status, education, research, and practice. As these trends progress, visibility of the profession is becoming steadily more pronounced in the industry, education, and public domain. Over the last two decades the Public Relations Institute of Australia together with its strategic alliances have made many changes, structurally, strategically, and academically towards the professional growth of public relations. This article briefly discusses the views of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and offers a snapshot of two surveys1 on professional practice and related issues. Although direct comparisons are not meant to be made from these studies, both surveys offer insights into aspects of Australian public relations. Whereas mixed findings and scenarios are evident, and the surveys highlight areas for further development, the profession, with close attention to existing threats, is poised to grow in Australia.Raveena Singh is program director and senior lecturer at the University of Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) and Rosaleen Smyth is senior lecturer and public relations coordinator at Deakin University (Victoria). Both authors are coeditors of the Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal.

Music Therapy in School Settings: Current Practice.

The practice of music therapy in school settings was the focus of this study. Survey forms were mailed to 244 NAMT members who indicated school setting as their place of employment. A total of 190 forms were received, 138 of which fit the qualifications for inclusion and were included in the data summaries. Greater numbers of respondents lived in Texas (21), New York (17), and Michigan (11), and were employed full-time (60&percent;). Employers were more typically school systems (53&percent;) for the highest percentage of full-time respondents (80&percent;), and self-employers (25&percent;) for the highest percentage of part-time respondents (80&percent;). A considerably higher percentage of time was spent each week in direct service delivery (62&percent;) than in consultation (13&percent;), travel (18&percent;), documentation (11&percent;), or preparation (14&percent;). Over 40&percent; of the respondents had been music therapists for more than 8 years, but not necessarily in their current positions. Almost 40&percent; needed a valid teaching certificate for employment, while over 50&percent; currently held one. Respondents most frequently worked with persons who were developmentally disabled (80&percent;). The impact of employer and the inclusion movement on professional practice issues was discussed, as were possible trends in the practice of music therapy in school settings.

BOOKS RECEIVED

McGoldrick, M., (Ed.). (1998). Re‐visioning family therapy: Race, culture, and gender in clinical practice.Minuchin, P., Colapinto, J., & Minuchin, S. (1998). Working with families of the poor.Tasker. F. L., & Golombok, S. (1997). Grouping up in a lesbian family: Effects on child developement.Marsh, D., & Magee, R. (1998). Etbical and legal issues in professional practice with families.Freeman, J., Epston, D., & Lobovitz, D. (1997). Playful approaches to serious problems.

Professional Design Component for Civil Engineering Curriculums

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology has adopted a revised set of accreditation criteria that is designed to assure that graduates of accredited programs are prepared to enter the practice of engineering. The proposal also specifies that engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have an understanding of professional practice issues in addition to the ability to design civil engineering projects by taking various realistic constraints under consideration. The findings of this study indicate that engineering undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners perceive that three constraints that represent the traditional technical aspect of engineering are of great importance for design projects. They include engineering codes and standards, economic factors, and manufacturability (constructability). In contrast, two constraints received lower ratings. They include social ramifications and political factors. Overall, 60% of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology recommended design constraints are rated by students and practitioners with a composite score ≥3.0. This may be interpreted as strong support for the \IEngineering Criteria 2000\N design requirements.

Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Practice with Families

Partial table of contents: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. Ethical Issues in Professional Practice with Families (D. Marsh). Multicultural Competence in Family Practice (B. Goodwin). PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WITH SPECIFIC POPULATIONS. Ethical Issues in Couple Therapy: Therapist Competence and Values (R. Magee). Ethical and Legal Issues in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Family Therapy (R. Scrivner). CURRENT TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. Ethical Issues in Child Maltreatment (P. Berman). Serious Mental Illness: Ethical Issues in Working with Families (D. Marsh). PROFESSIONAL ISSUES. An Ethics Policy for Family Practice Management (M. Gottlieb). Professional Training in Ethics (L. Knauss). Indexes.

An instructional design case event: Exploring issues in professional practice

Cases have been recommended as an important instructional tool for developing professional knowledge across disciplines. In this paper, we begin by defining case methods, a potentially valuable instructional tool for encouraging authentic, active learning. We describe our approach to the design and use of instructional design (ID) cases, and go on to report on the design and use of a Web-based ID case in a team case competition involving six universities. Students and most officials were enthusiastic about the use of ID cases and about this event. Team collaboration and competition were noted as motivating factors for students. The findings are being used to inform ongoing research and development, which is also described.

Professional Practice: A Topic for Engineering Research and Instruction

AbstractProfessional practice is considered as a much broader topic for inclusion in engineering curricula than traditionally associated with engineering design. Practicing engineers require a working knowledge of several non‐engineering disciplines and must interact with people of a variety of backgrounds within a variety of organizational contexts. Engineers must develop the skills of problem solving and decision making for circumstances much broader than generally used in the engineering class room. Professional engineering practice in this broad context can be the subject of legitimate research and instruction. Case research methods are applicable to the exploratory study of engineering practice and the development of a knowledge base important to designing engineering curricula. Case instruction provides one method of dealing with topics at the boundaries of the engineering disciplines and in developing decision making skills that are fundamental to engineering practice. It is concluded that the engineering education community should explore new frameworks for research, instruction and the associated scholarship that address professional practice issues.

Dying and Death in Law and Medicine: A Forensic Primer for Health and Legal Professionals

Most of us—1.25 million each year— die in hospitals. Despite the medical setting, the problems surrounding the process of dying and death are often legal. The dying process, for example, involves issues of personal autonomy and informed consent. The determination of death is usually defined by statute. The disposition of dead bodies and valuable organs is likewise governed by specific laws. Even the rare doctor who is able to avoid death issues in professional practice will ultimately have to confront them in personal life. Thoughtfulness toward one's survivors requires us to at least make our wishes clear before we die or become legally incompetent. This book explains living wills and durable power of attorney and their limitations. The author of this excellent resource is director of the International Institute for the Study of Death and several other foundations and committees related to the ethical, legal, and medical problems at the

Community-based behavioral training approaches for people with mental retardation and mental illness.

Challenges associated with behavioral training approaches for individuals with mental retardation and mental illness in the community are reviewed in this article. Family and nonfamily facilitated training are considered. Professional practice issues are reviewed, and justification for multifactor behavioral assessment is offered. Future research directions are discussed.

City planning in a revolution: Cuba, 1959–61

The general goal of city planning, as a profession and as an academic discipline, is to guide cities through continual conflicts created by the social and economic forces that support or oppose change. These conflicts are magnified during a political revolution, when a primary concern of city leaders and the supporting population is to determine which public policies will be preserved intact, which will be modified (and how), and which no longer serve the new conditions created by the revolution. The purpose of this paper is to discuss events that took place during the first three years of the Cuban Revolution, 1959–62, in order to identify problems and opportunities that emerged due to the impact of new public policies upon city planning processes in the largest Cuban cities. Because these experiences are related to contemporary issues in education and professional practice, this analysis may be of special interest to institutions and professionals in Hispanic American countries. This paper has been writ...

Ethics, Legalities and Professional Practice Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy

Ethics, Legalities and Professional Practice Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy

Book Reviews

Journal Article Book Reviews Get access The Pediatric Psychologist: Issues in Professional Development and Practice. By Lizette Peterson and C. Harbeck. Champaign, IL: Research Press, 1988. Dennis Drotar Dennis Drotar Case Western Reserve University Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Volume 16, Issue 3, June 1991, Pages 386–387, https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/16.3.386 Published: 01 June 1991