Management Competencies Research Articles

A blended learning program focusing on comprehensive opioid management in pain (COMP): A pilot program

Introduction In view of the opioid epidemic and increasing caution surrounding prescription of opioids, addressing the competence of opioid management is important. There is minimal structured opioid education in Singapore. Online opioid education modules are available but lack real-time input, concise objectives, and program evaluation. This pilot online, modular, blended program aimed to efficiently instruct novice doctors on safe and appropriate practical opioid prescribing, optimizing its role in multimodal pain management while minimizing risks to patients and public health. Methods The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model was used. A multidisciplinary team developed the interactive blended program, “Comprehensive Opioid Management in Pain (COMP)”, consisting of three online modules, one case-based discussion (CBD) session, pre- and post-program evaluations. The program was designed to be concise, clinically relevant and engaging to maximize application of knowledge in clinically deficient areas. All junior anesthetists across Singhealth were invited to participate. We analyzed all self-reported and objective scores, as well as program feedback. Results 33 participants completed the online modules. Despite the moderate to high level of baseline self-reported confidence and competency scores, median scores for all variables increased post-program from pre-program. There was unanimous agreement on the relevance and utility of the training program. Conclusion This pilot achieved the aims of improving the knowledge and confidence levels of opioid management in novice doctors. Participants particularly enjoyed the succinct and interactive features of COMP. Further extension with modules focusing on opioid diversion and its use in high-risk populations would benefit intermediate learners.

Assessment of Gaps in Hematology Education in Canadian Internal Medicine Residency Programs

Background Across Canadian Internal Medicine residency programs, a resident's clinical exposure to hematologic disorders is highly heterogeneous depending on the residency program's curriculum, ethnic diversity of the local patient population, and access to resources. Despite this variability in clinical exposure to hematology, there is a paucity of data assessing Internal Medicine residents' competence in the various subspecialties of hematology and whether they are fulfilling the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons' expected competencies by the end of residency 1. Through this study, our primary aim was to assess Canadian Internal Medicine residents' perceptions of their hematology training to identify gaps in hematology education in residency curricula. Methods We administered a cross-sectional survey using REDCap to all Internal Medicine residents (PGY1 to PGY5) from participating sites across Canada. The survey was distributed to residents electronically by email. To increase response rates, the survey was distributed three times (every 2 weeks) over a 6-week period. An incentive ($10 Starbucks gift card) was provided to improve response rates. The survey questions were designed based on the Royal College objectives which outline expected competencies by the end of Internal Medicine residency (Table 1). It consisted of 16 questions assessing 4 domains: respondent demographics, competence in diagnosis and management of specific hematologic disorders, competence in management of hematologic emergencies, and resident perceptions on hematology education in their program. Survey responses were anonymous and consisted of a combination of dichotomous (yes/no) and ordinal variables (Likert scale). The study was approved by the University of Toronto Research and Ethics Board (REB). Generalized linear regression analysis was used to compare survey questions between residents in different subgroups. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Least square mean (LSM) difference (with standard error SE) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, with positive LSM indicating a higher Likert score. Results Of the 17 Internal Medicine programs that were invited to participate, 13 programs participated in the survey. 208 residents responded, with 92.31% (192/208) complete responses and 7.69% (16/208) incomplete responses. The overall response rate was 15.02% (208/1,385), with breakdown as follows: 31.5% (436/1,385) PGY1s, 30.5% (423/1,385) PGY2s, 30.9% (428/1,385) PGY3s, 4.5% (62/1,385) PGY4s, and 1.6% (22/1,385) PGY5s. 84.46% (163/208) of residents felt that there was a need for more hematology education in their residency program (Table 2). Specifically, residents felt that there was a need for more education in thrombosis (62.5%, 120/208), hemostasis (75.5%, 145/208), apheresis (75.0%, 144/208), sickle cell disease (79.2%, 152/208), transfusion medicine (84.4%, 162/208), and malignant hematology (78.7%, 151/208). A simulation/workshop was rated to be the most beneficial intervention (mean score of 4.25 +/- 0.80 on Likert scale) for learning. Conclusion Based on a cross-national survey of Internal Medicine residents in Canada, there are significant gaps in hematology education in Canadian Internal Medicine residency programs, most pronounced in transfusion medicine, sickle cell disease, and hemostasis. Interventions targeting these gaps should be designed to improve competence in the diagnosis and management of hematologic disorders and emergencies.

Health and social care managers' perceptions of factors affecting the competence of managers in knowledge management: A qualitative study.

To describe health and social care managers' perceptions of the factors affecting the competence of managers in knowledge management. A qualitative descriptive study. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 15 managers from three public health and social care organizations in Finland. Data were collected in the spring of 2022 and analysed using inductive content analysis. Health and social care managers perceived that the competence of managers working in knowledge management is affected by managers' behavioural and attitudinal characteristics, their interactive network competence in knowledge management, the dimensions of their competence in knowledge management, the knowledge management infrastructure with which they work and the organizational learning culture within which they work. The competence of health and social managers in knowledge management is influenced by various factors, including their personal characteristics, management competence and the infrastructure and culture of the organization for which they work. However, their competence is constrained by an absence of clear processes, structures and resources in knowledge management as well as a lack of systematic support and training for managers working in knowledge management. The study provides valuable information for improving the competence of managers working in knowledge management in health and social care organizations. The competence of managers working in knowledge management is instrumental for successful implementation and sustaining of knowledge management practices and thus, such competence has a positive impact on the overall performance of an organization. Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of health and social care managers, as well as establishing organizational structures, is essential for effective knowledge management in organizations. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist has been used in the reporting. No patient or public contribution.

SOCIALIZATION OF SELLING PRICES FOR HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTS USING FULL COSTING METHOD IN MERUYA UTARA DISTRICT, WEST JAKARTA

Micro, small and medium enterprises are recognized as very strategic and important, not only for economic growth but also for equitable distribution of income. MSMEs also experience limited human resources. Most MSMEs have low education with minimal technical skills, entrepreneurial and management competencies. Through training in determining the cost of production, selling prices are expected to provide provisions for strengthening competitiveness in product sales. This article aims to describe the total costs incurred to produce a product to determine the selling price. The results of this activity are direct practice in calculating the cost of production which affects the selling price to MSMEs in the North Meruya Village area, West Jakarta.

Development Of Micro Credential Design For Project Management To Improve The Quality Of Engineering Practices

The integration of engineering practices with project management responsibilities is commonplace in the field, offering an effective solution for executing engineering projects. However, the unique discipline of project management poses a challenge, revealing a limitation in the quality of human resources with expertise in both engineering and project management. This study aims to address this gap by developing a Project Management Micro-Credential Design to formally recognize engineers possessing project management competencies. Employing the Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) integrated with the Regional Model Competency Standard (RMCS), the research outlines a comprehensive design for the development of a micro-credential in engineering project management. Key components of the design include a competency-based skill set development model, an instructional design system for quality assurance, an outcome-based learning and teaching delivery structure (OBLT), a competency-based assessment (CBA) development framework, and an operational structure for micro-credential implementation. This designed framework is adaptable for application within Professional Organizations and Professional Education of Engineers, accommodating both integrated and packaged formats, such as the Indonesian Student Micro-Credential (KMMI). The study contributes to bridging the gap in project management expertise among engineers, presenting a structured approach to enhance their competencies and recognition within the engineering profession.

Characterizing the Suture Pullout Force for Human Small Bowel.

Performing a small bowel anastomosis, or reconnecting small bowel segments, remains a core competency and critical step for the successful surgical management of numerous bowel and urinary conditions. As surgical education and technology moves toward improving patient outcomes through automation and increasing training opportunities, a detailed characterization of the interventional biomechanical properties of the human bowel is important. This is especially true due to the prevalence of anastomotic leakage as a frequent (3.02%) postoperative complication of small bowel anastomoses. This study aims to characterize the forces required for a suture to tear through human small bowel (suture pullout force, SPOF), while analyzing how these forces are affected by tissue orientation, suture material, suture size, and donor demographics. 803 tests were performed on 35 human small bowel specimens. A uni-axial test frame was used to tension sutures looped through 10 × 20 mm rectangular bowel samples to tissue failure. The mean SPOF of the small bowel was 4.62±1.40 N. We found no significant effect of tissue orientation (p = 0.083), suture material (p = 0.681), suture size (p = 0.131), age (p = 0.158), sex (p = .083), or body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.100) on SPOF. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting human small bowel SPOF. Little research has been published about procedure-specific data on human small bowel. Filling this gap in research will inform the design of more accurate human bowel synthetic models and provide an accurate baseline for training and clinical applications.

Forming the model of professional readiness of future specialists in vocational education (Transport, Occupational Safety and Health)

The study on forming the model of professional readiness of future specialists in transport and occupational safety and health is relevant due to the constant transport technologies development and growing requirements for workplace safety. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop training approaches that meet the current challenges and needs of the industry, providing future professionals with not only technical knowledge but also risk management competencies and the ability to work in conditions of constant change. The purpose of the study was to search an effective model of professional readiness that would facilitate the training of competent, highly skilled and innovation-oriented future specialists in vocational (professional) education. The use of theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis, systematization and generalization, modeling, and comparison) has helped the authors to solve several tasks. The results of the study include the block analysis of the model of professional readiness of future specialists in vocational education, and a brief description of the modeling tasks (optimizing the structure of the educational material, improving the educational process planning, managing cognitive activity, managing the educational and cognitive process; diagnostics, forecasting and design of training). The author's model of the formation of professional readiness of future specialists in vocational education (Transport. Occupational Safety and Health) has been developed, which has the property of integrity, since all its components are interconnected and should work for the final result - the achievement of a high level of professional readiness for the future type of activity by future specialists, the tasks of professional training of future specialists in vocational education (Transport. Occupational Safety and Health) have also been formed. The author focused on the main contradictions and “problematic” properties of the modelling method. The main components of the proposed model are highlighted, such as: social order, purpose, tasks, interactive technologies, methods, forms, means, criteria and levels of formation, and interconnection, which make the process of forming professional competencies more effective. The practical significance of the study is the development of pedagogical conditions and the model of forming the future vocational education specialists' readiness, its implementation in the practical training at the Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav

Designing and implementing a multi-scalar approach to Maritime Spatial Planning: The case study of Italy

The Italian coastal and marine space includes areas with remarkable differences in terms of oceanographic characteristics, maritime uses, natural habitats, species distribution, landscape and cultural heritage. In Italy, coastal and marine management competencies are shared among national, regional, and for some aspects even local authorities. This geographic heterogeneity and governance complexity required the adoption of a multi-scalar approach to Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Such an approach aims at implementing decision-making and spatial planning at multiple and nested scales. In the case of Italy, the multi-scalar approach included the definition of national guidelines and the development of three maritime spatial (MS) plans, one for each maritime area (Adriatic, Ionian and Central Mediterranean, and Tyrrhenian and Western Mediterranean), including subareas and nested planning units. The development of the MS plans involved competent Ministries, the coastal Regions and several researchers. Based on the description of the adopted six-phase methodology and the exemplification of results of the Italian MSP process, this paper discusses the most relevant features and common challenges of multi-scalar MSP (i.e. co-planning, vertical and horizontal integration, multi-level governance, scalability, flexibility, integration of data and knowledge with different resolution, multi-scalar stakeholder engagement). Finally, the paper reflects on some novel aspects of the adopted multi-scalar approach and identifies actions to grant efficacy to this approach during the next phases of the Italian MSP process.

Promoting Virtual Learning Management Competencies in the Metaverse with Mobile Technology to Support Competency-Based Learning for Computer Major Preservice Teachers

The metaverse, a fundamental framework with the potential to revolutionize social communication and learning processes, offers an enhanced learner experience for accessing the real world. Proficiently developing virtual classrooms and effectively managing learning with current technology are essential skills for teachers. This study aimed to develop competency- based learning activities (CBLA) designed to enhance virtual learning management competencies among computer teacher students in the metaverse, using mobile technology to support. The research employed purposive sampling, selecting 78 students for participation. Data analysis involved statistical measures such as the mean, standard deviation, and onegroup pre-test-post-test analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that the CBLAs developed to enhance virtual learning management competencies in the metaverse consisted of eight components and four steps. Following the completion of the learning activities, students demonstrated a significant increase in their competencies in virtual learning management, surpassing 70% of the established criteria. The statistical analysis confirmed the significance of this improvement, with a p-value of less than 0.05. This study’s results highlight the effectiveness of the developed CBLAs in enhancing virtual learning management skills among computer teacher students in the metaverse. The findings indicate that students experienced a significant improvement in their competencies after participating in the learning activities. Furthermore, the students expressed the highest levels of satisfaction conducted activities.

The circular economy growth machine: A critical perspective on “post‐growth” and “pro‐growth” circularity approaches

AbstractThis forum article contributes to the prospering debate in the circular economy (CE) community discussing whether—and to what extent—the CE is reconcilable with economic growth. Within this discourse about a functional CE, there exist two contesting perspectives. One argues in favor of pro‐growth circularity, the other in favor of post‐growth circularity. The aim of this article is to develop a line of argumentation that helps in reconciliating the two seemingly antagonistic perspectives. Toward that end, this article applies the method of “practical syllogism” that is well known in moral philosophy, since it can enlighten how normative and positive arguments can be structured to enable the formulation of well‐justified moral conclusions. With the help of this interdisciplinary impulse, the article aims at detecting logical errors in current reasoning and fostering discursive learning processes. The ensuing arguments provide vital implications on the macro level by highlighting four critical elements to facilitate a CE transition, namely an intensive growth trajectory, an internalization of negative externalities through creating (missing) markets, an institutional encouragement of spreading positive externalities, and a diffusion of rents from innovation to society by taking the profit motive into service for enabling sustainability goals. Complementarily, the article provides implications on the micro level by highlighting the necessity to develop supplementary management competencies, namely governance competence to realize argumentative clarification and governance competence to (re‐)configurate institutional structures. This article may serve as an incubator to ease new ways of thinking into academia and practice.

Junior Accounting Technician Training for the Business and Management Subject Teacher Forum, or MGMP, in Balikpapan City

The purpose of this community service project is to improve the business and management competencies of Balikpapan City vocational school instructors, with a focus on junior accounting technicians' (TA) abilities. The service team and partners have agreed upon priority concerns, which include aspects related to partner capabilities and information technology. Regarding partner capability, the challenges faced by partners are as follows: (1) there are very few teachers (one in every 50, or approximately 2% of teachers) who are certified in junior accounting technical competency; (2) teachers want to be able to graduate students from vocational schools who are capable of working as junior accounting technicians; and (3) there are no resources available to assist teachers in becoming certified in junior accounting technical competency. In order to address current issues, the following activity is provided as part of the community service: offline training to help prepare for the junior accounting technician competency exam. There are multiple steps involved in the implementation of this activity: (1) planning; (2) implementation; and (3) monitoring and assessment. Community service journals, mentorship materials, publishing in local mass media are the output targets to be met in this PKM.

Improving Parental Stress and Child ASD Severity through the Japanese Parent Mentorship Program: A Research Protocol

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition which often begins in early childhood and can involve a spectrum of persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. Literature in western and non-western countries has demonstrated that parents of children with ASD experience elevated stress relative to parents of neurotypical children. Despite the health-related burdens presented by raising children with ASD, little clinical and research emphasis is placed on reducing parental stress. Furthermore, much of the limited work on parent-centered interventions been conducted in the U.S., and few similar interventions have been developed for the Japanese population. Methods: The Japanese Parent Mentorship Program (JPM) seeks to modify a pre-existing social support intervention (the Colorado Parent Mentorship Program developed for parents of ASD children in the U.S.) to Japanese parents by incorporating dialogue about the culturally relevant stressors, social acceptability, maternal burden, saving the face, and parent-child attachment. To test the efficacy of the JPM at reducing parental stress, a randomized control trial will be conducted with mothers of ASD children who were born and are living in Japan for a minimum of five years. Results: Enrolment into the JPM will be associated with decreased parental stress post-intervention. The social support provided in the JPM will also be a protective moderator on the relationship between parental stress and ASD severity by weakening the overall association between parental stress and ASD severity. Discussion: The JPM can improve health outcomes for parents and their children with ASD by decreasing parental stress and consequently, ASD severity, leading to numerous indirect and positive implications on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. As prompted by the JPM, cultural competence in ASD management, is associated with positive outcomes such as such as increased likelihood of treatment continuation, increased strength of perceived therapeutic alliance and increased perceived treatment benefit. Conclusion: This research contributes to a major gap in the cross-cultural literature about parental stress and ASD. This work can be used to inform intervention strategies in Japan and researchers can emulate this design towards a global shift of providing culturally competent interventions for all.

Utilizing interactive visual multimedia to improve business capabilities and financial management competencies of women vegetable farmers

ABSTRACT This study examined the usefulness of interactive visual multimedia in improving business capabilities and financial management competencies of women vegetable farmers. The researchers utilized a quasi-experimental design and assigned participants to a training group (n = 270) and a no-training group (n-270). The result of the study showed a significant main effect of interactive visual multimedia and business capabilities and financial management competencies of women vegetable farmers. Additional results showed no interactive effect of cultivation characteristics such as the source of labour, farm size, years of cultivation and the season for vegetable cultivation. However, there was a significant contributing role of reason for the cultivation of vegetables. Women farmers who cultivate for commercial purposes were more influenced by the training than those who cultivate for consumption. Nonetheless, the training influenced 54% of those who cultivate vegetables for consumption to indicate their intention to commence commercial cultivation. When asked to indicate the pedagogical agents that influence the learning of business and financial management capabilities, 76% indicated a combination of co-learners and tutors. The researchers highlighted the implications of these results on empowerment and made suggestions on how to empower women farmers through skill acquisition using interactive learning engagements.

Artificial Intelligence Competencies in Logistics Management: An Empirical Insight from Bahrain

This research seeks to examine the artificial intelligence (AI) competencies in logistics management by reviewing its capabilities, challenges and benefits. To increase the use of AI in logistics management, this study addresses the issues of the current technology in AI adoption in logistics management. This goal was accomplished using a systematic methodology. First, a detailed review was conducted to look at the advantages, challenges and current AI competencies. Using a survey instrument and a simple random sampling technique, the required data was collected from 44 businesses which effectively use AI in their logistical operations. The collected data gave insightful information on how AI is currently being used in logistics management. The outcome of this study shows that AI significantly affects logistics management. The study reveals notable competencies, significant challenges and major advantages of AI in managing logistics activities through the systematic analysis and synthesis of the obtained data. These findings demonstrate how AI has the potential to improve operational effectiveness, resource allocation, decision-making processes and supply chain operations in logistics management. A potential recommendation is to establish strategies and guidelines for efficient implementation and integration of AI technologies in logistics management based on the observed technology gap and the research’s findings. This will minimise the current gap and optimise the advantages of the industry’s use of AI, resulting in higher performance, cost savings and increased competitiveness for logistics business organisations.

Improving Malaria Case Management and Referral Relationships at the Primary Care Level in Ghana: Evaluation of a Quality Assurance Internship.

In Ghana, Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds managed by trained nurses and midwives called community health officers (CHOs) play a major role in malaria service delivery. With heavy administrative burdens and minimal training in providing patient care, particularly for febrile illnesses, including malaria, CHOs struggle to comply with the World Health Organization's test, treat, and track initiative guidelines and appropriate referral practices. A clinical training and mentorship program was implemented for CHOs to prevent and manage uncomplicated malaria and offer appropriate pre-referral treatment and referrals to district hospitals. Medical officers, pharmacists, midwives, health information officers, and medical laboratory scientists at 52 district referral hospitals were trained as mentors; CHOs from 520 poorly performing CHPS compounds underwent a 5-day internship at their assigned district referral hospital to improve knowledge and clinical skills for malaria case management. Three months later, mentors conducted post-training mentoring visits to assess knowledge and skill retention and provide ongoing on-the-job guidance. Significant percentage-point increases were observed immediately post-internship for history taking (+12.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]=8.3, 15.1; P<.001); fever assessment (+24.9, 95% CI=20.9, 29.3; P<.001); severe malaria assessment and referral (+32.0, 95% CI=28.2, 35.8; P<.001); and knowledge assessment (+15.8, 95% CI=10.0, 21.3; P<.001). Three months later, a third assessment revealed these gains were largely maintained. Analysis of national health management information system data showed statistically significant improvements in testing, treatment, and referral indicators at intervention CHPS compounds after the intervention that were not observed in comparison CHPS compounds. This training and mentorship approach offers a replicable model to build primary care provider competencies in malaria prevention and management and demonstrates how developing relationships between primary care and first-level referral facilities benefits both providers and clients. More methodologically rigorous studies are needed to measure the impact of this approach.

Competencies and Capabilities for the Management of Sustainable Rural Development Projects in the Value Chain: Perception from Small and Medium-Sized Business Agents in Jauja, Peru

The guinea pig value chain in Jauja, Peru, has been developed through the application of productive projects, institutional strengthening, and implementation of the Principles of Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). Given the smallholding conditions of the Jauja territory and the proliferation of commercial guinea pig breeding, the actors in this chain constitute a key human capital for development. To improve the performance of the actors in the sustainable rural development of the territory of Jauja, Peru, the research carried out an evaluation of the competencies and capabilities for project management in 46 actors linked to the business programme on the CFS-RAI Principles, representing 1094 people in the guinea pig value chain in Jauja, using the Working With People (WWP) model and empirical instruments based on the Octagon method, project management competence evaluation, performance evaluation carried out by experts, attitudinal evaluation. and the Business Model Canvas. The results have helped to structure the actors of the value chain, who show an intermediate mastery of project management competencies (2.73/5), institutional capabilities in development (2.89/7), and a growing organisational management performance (26.2/100). In addition, trust and proactivity have been generated among the actors in the chain, with an interest in continuing with the implementation of the CFS-RAI Principles in order to achieve sustainability in their productive projects with commercial innovation. The results have allowed us to generate the design of an innovative programme for the development of competencies, which balances the three dimensions of project management competencies (perspective, people, and practice), as defined by the International Project Management Association (IPMA), in connection with the CFS-RAI Principles. Both processes complement the strengthening of human capital in agrifood value chains through sustainable project management and contributing to sustainable development in the region.

Competence in managing workplace violence among nursing interns: Application of latent class analysis

AimTo identify subtypes of competence in managing workplace violence (WPV) among nursing interns and to assess between–group differences. BackgroundNursing interns are reported to be a vulnerable population for experiencing workplace violence during their clinical placement. Although WPV could have a negative impact on nursing interns' health and attitudes towards the nursing profession, little is known about nursing interns' competence in workplace violence management or its influencing factors. DesignA cross–sectional study. MethodsBetween March to April 2023, nursing interns at three tertiary general hospitals in Anhui Province, China, completed questionnaires including a general information questionnaire, the Management of Workplace Violence Competence Scale (MWVCS), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES–9), the Emotional Labour Scale for Nurses (ELSN) and were classified into subtypes by latent class analysis. Subsequently, univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify the influencing factors by subtypes. ResultsA total of 264 questionnaires were valid and the overall mean age of the participants was 21.06 ±1.41 years. Four classes were identified: low competency group (15.5%), low cognition–low coping competency group (18.2%), low cognition–medium to high competency group (21.6%) and high competency group (44.7%). The results of multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that placement hospitals with a WPV management department, emotional control effort in profession dimension and emotional pretense by norms dimension in the Emotional Labour Scale for Nurses, pursuing further education and vigour dimension in the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were influencing factors of the potential categories of WPV management competence. ConclusionsFour classes were identified and there was competence variability among nursing interns. More attention should be given to nursing interns who did not receive WPV–related training in their school or placement hospital.

Social imaginaries methods and socio-engineering competences in sustainable river management (a case study in the living lab Upper Citarum)

The Living Lab approach has become popular and developed in the past decade. It could provide a configuration to pursue a shared vision of integrated water resources management of the Citarum River in West Java - Indonesia. The multi-stakeholder situation and the growing recognition of interdependencies among stakeholders foster the complexity of addressing sustainable river management for the Upper Citarum River. To gain insights on essential competencies and adaptations in higher education curricula, the Environmental Engineering Department of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering-ITB, Telkom University Indonesia, and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, joined hands in a collaborative research project. This study aims to develop a socio-engineering aspect for sustainable river water quality management in the Environmental Engineering Field and Curricula. The methods used are social imaginaries of Participatory Mapping and a Poetry Route that allowed the involved river bank communities to activate their role and take positions in the living lab. Institutional stakeholders, acting in a facilitating role, learned to gain and share information from and with the community. The result concludes that social imaginaries methods enable a new perspective in developing community-based programs and advocate further exploring the socio-engineering competencies of environmental professionals.

Effects of Goat Breed Improvement Program on Climate Change Resilience Among Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Zimbabwe

The goat breeding improvement program played a crucial role in addressing the challenges of climate change vulnerability among the smallholder farmers of climate change-vulnerable communities in Gokwe North district, Zimbabwe. Using cross-sectional data from 217 small-scale farmers in four randomly selected wards in the Gokwe North district of Zimbabwe, the study examined the effect of the program on households’ climate change adaptation capabilities using proxy variables including food security, asset acquisition, access to affordable credit, and enhanced business management competencies. Primary data were collected using questionnaires. Results show that there were gains in credit access, asset base improvements, food security and income. The evaluation established an excellent potential for sustainability or continued flow of benefits beyond the program’s lifetime, given the institutional capacity building implemented under the program. There were impacts regarding the program accruing positive changes in well-being, improved livelihoods, and community adaptation even in the face of climate change and an ever-changing economic policy environment. Gokwe North District can be further transformed, given the level of commercialisation of the goat project among the participating members of the community, if extension support is provided in a way that suits the farmers’ capacities to learn.

A comprehensive review of difficult airway management strategies for patient safety.

Difficult airway management is critical to ensuring patient safety. It involves addressing the challenges and failures that can occur, even with skilled healthcare providers, during face mask ventilation, intubation, supraglottic airway placement, invasive airway procedures, or extubation. Although the incidence of the most critical situation in airway management, "cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate," is low at 0.0019-0.04%, its occurrence can have severe consequences, including dental injury, airway injury, hypoxic brain damage, and even death. This study aimed to offer healthcare providers a comprehensive and evidence-based approach for difficult airway management by reviewing recent guidelines and incorporating the latest evidence-based practices to improve their preparedness and competence in difficult airway management, and thus ultimately contribute to improved patient safety.