Master's Degree Level Research Articles

Successful research capacity building in academic nursing and midwifery in Ireland: An exemplar

Nursing and midwifery education have comparatively recently moved into academia in Ireland. In 2002, nurse tutors who were qualified to Master's degree level assimilated into the third-level sector. Only 11 of the 35 staff (31%) in one university School held, or were undertaking, a PhD. In 2006, children's nursing and midwifery tutors also moved into third-level institutions. The culture of all assimilating tutors was focussed on teaching, rather than research. The School set ambitious plans to develop the research abilities of all academics, setting the goal that 75% of academic staff would either hold, or be undertaking, a PhD by 2010. Objectives were also set to increase external research funding, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. A combination of sabbatical leaves, student stipends and periods of reduced teaching load was introduced to provide staff with protected time for doctoral studies. Funding for conference and research expenses was provided, based on the previous year's research output of publications, conference presentations and external funding submissions. By October 2010, 79% of the 66 School staff either had (n=23), or were conducting (n=29), PhDs, surpassing goals set. Peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations had increased by >20% per year and external research funding totalled €6,351,101 for the previous 5 years. Strong research leadership, generous support and liberal encouragement can change a predominantly teaching-focussed culture to one of academic research excellence. This increase in research expertise will lead to better patient/client care and improved education of nursing and midwifery students.

Gap analysis of green hotel marketing

Purpose– The green marketing concept emerged in the late 1980s, and many hotels have since implemented a variety of green marketing strategies, such as the use of the “green hotel” label to project a green image and attract potential customers. However, some companies that have launched environment-based promotions have been accused of “green washing” by their customers. This study aims to investigate the gap between hotel manager and customer perceptions of the relative importance of green marketing-related activities.Design/methodology/approach– Two sets of 30-statement questionnaires designed for hotel managers and customers were used to gauge respondents' perceptions of a variety of hotel green marketing-related activities. Independent samplest-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the significant differences between the ways in which hotel managers and customers rate the importance of these activities.Findings– The two statements that gained the highest level of agreement amongst both hotel managers and customers were: “The internet is an effective channel for marketing a hotel's green initiatives directly to customers”; and “Green hotels can elevate industry members' image and reputation to attract green tourists who demand green accommodation when travelling”. Both also perceived: “The environmental claims in advertisements are often met with criticism from competitors and consumer organisations”; “Hotel customers are willing to pay a higher price for eco-facilities”; and “Customers are willing to pay a higher green price if part of the amount paid is donated to green activities” to be the three least important statements. The results also indicated ten over-perceptions and three under-perceptions amongst hotel managers, thus implying that they may require a better understanding of customer expectations. Several demographic differences were also identified. Female hotel managers and customers were found to be more concerned with green hotel products and a green image; hotel managers aged over 59 were found to have reservations about certain green marketing strategies probably because of service quality issues, although green supporters are in general older than average; younger customers aged between 20-29 become more concerned about environmental issues; and customers with a Master degree level of education or above challenged whether hotels are truly innovative in their development of green products and services and had reservations about the use of eco-labels.Research limitations/implications– The results of this study may not reflect the full picture of managerial perceptions of green hotel marketing, as the sample was restricted to hotels on the Hong Kong Hotels Association list. Researchers may thus wish to undertake further studies with larger hotel samples over a longer time period in future. Drawing on the foundations laid by this study, future researchers may also wish to investigate smaller, lower-ranked hotels, which may experience greater challenges in implementing green marketing strategies than those considered here.Originality/value– Few studies to date have investigated green hotel marketing. The findings of this study can be viewed as a preliminary step towards greater understanding of green hotel marketing-related activities.

Collaborative learning, face-to-face or virtual: the advantages of a blended learning approach in an intercultural research group

Within Higher Education, current changes in levels of funding available and the increasingly diverse profiles of students participating have placed a greater emphasis on the need for institutions to provide more ‘flexible methods’ of delivery. In addition to traditional face-to-face, collaborative environments, the widespread use of information and communication technologies allows individuals around the globe to participate in collaborative learning. Dillenbourg emphasizes the need to differentiate the ‘notion of culture’ in the context of intercultural group learning, with that of developing a common ground or ‘micro-culture’ through which to successfully interact. The importance of building a micro-culture is echoed by Ashcraft and Treadwell, as the basis for successful collaborative learning. This article highlights the experiences of a university based, intercultural, mixed methods research project at Master's degree level, where student researchers with diverse backgrounds, worked collaboratively to create a tentative conceptual framework, in order to map research trends at the 2010 American Educational Research Association conference. This article suggests that collaborative learning in intercultural groups, rather than benefiting from one approach over another, can actually be enhanced by the combining of methods, resulting in a deeper learning experience for those participating. Furthermore, in the initial stages of negotiating and re-negotiating collective understandings and meaning, face-to-face collaboration can provide a basis for deeper learning and understanding in subsequent online collaboration, as experienced by the intercultural collective research group, which is the case study of this article.

School-based research. A guide for education students, coordinado por Elaine Wilson. Segunda edición. SAGE Publications, 2013.

This book is aimed for practitioners and / or students at a master degree level who wish to do research in the classroom and who need a handbook to guide them in their research process, from the formulation of the research questions to the elaboration of the final draft of the work. Specifically, the text addresses the issues of how to compile literature on the chosen topic and how to construct a robust theoretical framework, it presents the ethical problems researchers may encounter, it explains how to collect and analyze data, it provides tips for the writing process, it illustrates the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches, it defines what we understand by an action research, a case study or a grounded theory method and finally, it describes the philosophical paradigms that support each of these modes of investigation. Furthermore, the volume, noted for its clarity and accessibility, provides concrete examples extracted from published research papers as well as diagrams and summaries to explain the most complex content.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training in Sport Universities: An Italian Survey

Background: Physical activity is associated to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Together with primary prevention, prompt recognition and early management of SCD are crucial in order to improve survival rate. During their duty, sport trainers and teachers can play a key role in secondary prevention of cardiac arrest provided they have received an appropriate training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) during their curricular study. This is usually achieved through a Basic life Support and Defibrillation (BLS-D) Course which in Italy formally enables to Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use. Objective: To investigate the presence, the type and the diffusion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in Sport and Exercise Sciences Universities in Italy. Design: Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Setting: The study sample consisted of 32 Italian Universities with Bachelor and Master-Level Degrees in Sport and Exercise Sciences. Methods: Teaching secretary or directly deans/ course presidents were contacted by email or telephone in order to collect information on the availability of BLS-D courses for Sport and Exercise Sciences students during the academic year 2010-2011. Results: The compliance to the survey has been >93%. Only a reduced number of the contacted Universities offered dedicated courses of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with license to Defibrillation according to current local regulation. Conclusion: The described situation shows a limit in the generation of a sport trainers’ category highly specialized in cardiac and respiratory emergencies: only 6 Universities organize BLS-D training with official certification.

Pretest genetic counseling informs patients withBRCAmutation

When patients with breast cancer received pretest genetic counseling before undergoing definitive surgery for breast cancer, they showed fewer signs of distress. At the same time, patients who were offered counseling after surgery improved their informed decision-making, while both groups were better informed, according to a study by researchers at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida. The study, funded by the American Cancer Society, was published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.1 The researchers note that patients with breast cancer with certain risk factors likely would benefit from pretest genetic counseling and genetic testing at or near the time of their initial diagnosis. Although some health care providers may fear that these efforts could increase distress for patients at this time, few studies to date have actually examined the impact of such pretest genetic counseling, according to lead coauthor Susan Vadaparampil, PhD, MPH, an associate member of the Health Outcomes and Behavior Program at H. Lee Moffitt. She and her colleagues developed a study to determine how pretest counseling impacts cancer knowledge, psychosocial development, and decision-making about genetic testing for patients with breast cancer. They analyzed 103 patients, 87 of whom had undergone surgery and 16 of whom had not. The patients ranged in age from 24 years to 69 years. They met with master's degree-level, trained genetic health professionals to obtain a risk assessment based on their personal and family genetic history. At the same time, they received information about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer as well as the limitations of genetic testing. The study found that both the before-surgery and aftersurgery groups experienced increases in cancer knowledge after pretest genetic counseling. At the same time, the before-surgery group reported decreases in cancer-related distress and intrusive thoughts. Furthermore, informed decision-making in the after-surgery group improved. Dr. Vadaparampil stresses that before-surgery genetic counselors may need to focus on perceived risks of genetic testing and how they might align with patients' values. Reference

LA COOPERACIÓN SUECA EN LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AGRARIA: IMPACTO DE 26 AÑOS DE COLABORACIÓN

La cooperación científica sueca en la Universidad Nacional Agraria inició en el año 1986, teniendo como contraparte a la Agencia Sueca para la Cooperación en Investigación (SAREC), quien administró la cooperación hasta 1995, año en que dicha institución se integra a la estructura de la Agencia Sueca para el Desarrollo Internacional (Asdi). Durante los primeros años la cooperación se orientó a la capacitación institucional a través de becas de dos años otorgadas a académicos para la obtención de maestrías en ciencias. Para el año 1995, la cooperación decide dar un salto, continuando con la formación a nivel de doctorado con un tiempo de duración de cinco años. El modelo de estudios utilizado fue el método sándwich donde la investigación se realizaba en Nicaragua y los cursos se tomaban en Suecia u otro país. La contraparte de la UNA en esta colaboración fue la Universidad de Ciencias Agrícolas de Suecia (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet - SLU). En el año 1997 se amplió el apoyo hacia la formación de capacidades institucionales. Suecia apoyó el fortalecimiento de la administración de la investigación científica, infraestructura (plataformas de tecnología, informática y laboratorios), el acceso a publicaciones electrónicas, etc., con la intención de desarrollar las capacidades, fomentar la capacidad analítica y generar conocimientos con base científica que respondieran a niveles internacionales. Producto de esta cooperación, la capacitad de investigación ha aumentado en torno a temas vinculados a Nutrición y genética Animal, Control Biológico de Plagas, Manejo Integrado de Plagas, Gestión de la Fertilización, Manejo de Cuencas Hidrográficas, Restauración de Ecosistemas Degradados, Manejo de Áreas Protegidas, Agronomía y Biotecnología de Raíces y Tubérculos, Agro forestaría, Ordenamiento Territorial, Medicina Homeopática, Recursos Genéticos, Seguridad Alimentaria, Turismo y Desarrollo Rural. También, se mejoró la calidad de los programas de cooperación y se cuenta con docentes capacitados para tutorar estudiantes a nivel de grado y posgrado. La cooperación científica ha dado resultados positivos en varios aspectos; hasta mediados del año 2011 han alcanzado el grado de maestría 22 académicos de la institución y 17 el grado de doctor. Se han publicado 93 artículos científicos y bajo un programa de fondos competitivos se financiaron un total de 91 proyectos de investigación, seleccionados mediante un proceso abierto y transparente. La UNA actualmente cuenta con capacidades para ofrecer educación de maestrías a nivel local. El fortalecimiento de la UNA ha contribuido a mejorar el nivel de eficacia, así como la gestión de la investigación científica, se formularon las políticas de investigación, y se crearon espacios de intercambio con actores claves del sistema de investigación. El apoyo de Asdi en tecnología de la información en la UNA ha contribuido a un mayor acceso al conocimiento para los investigadores y estudiantes, a través de publicaciones científicas y redes internacionales DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.753 La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 p. 57-67/junio 2011

Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

To the Editor: I would like to thank Gray and Abel for their thoughtful article in the March issue of Journal of Oncology Practice on the direct-to-consumer marketing (DTCM) movement in oncology.1 Clinicians should not underestimate the impact and potentially negative ramifications of this practice in the realm of genetic testing for hereditary predisposition for a diagnosis of cancer. The authors correctly note that few published studies have directly addressed the impact of DTCM on behavior and, more important, psychosocial well-being. The practice of DTCM is complicated in genetic testing. Marketing targets both the public and health care providers, including primary care providers, who may have limited knowledge of genetics and oncology.2 When genetic testing occurs outside of the setting in which there is access to genetics professionals, including physicians board certified in genetics, masters degree–level genetics counselors, and advanced practice nurses with a genetics credentials, the risk of negative outcomes is greatly increased.3 Several professional organizations have issued position statements that warn about the risks of DTCM. These include the Oncology Nursing Society,4 National Society of Genetic Counselors,5 American Society of Human Genetics,6 American College of Clinical Pharmacology,7 American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,8 American College of Medical Genetics,9 European Society of Human Genetics,10 and ASCO.11 In general, all of these position statements express concerns that patients may not understand the impact of genetic testing results, be unprepared for the test results, be uninformed of the recommended screening or follow-up based on the results, or experience psychosocial distress when genetic testing occurs without informed pre- and post-test genetic counseling. The psychosocial impact of poorly informed genetics testing is very real. In the past year, I have personally observed three women self-refer for genetic education and counseling services after learning they are at risk for one of the three founder BRCA mutations commonly seen in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish background, on the basis of an online DTCM test. In each case, the at-risk finding was confirmed in another laboratory. All three women had done the test out of curiosity. One had received it as a 50th birthday gift from a well-meaning friend, one had done it with her husband as an anniversary present to each other, and one had done it with her fiance strictly out of curiosity. None had genetic counseling, although it was available at the Web site for an additional charge. None was prepared for the possibility that they had a possible 90% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a 40% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer.12 Each was devastated by the diagnosis, and this response was compounded by the psychosocial distress of being unprepared for the results and the associated prevention and surveillance recommendations including prophylactic surgery. Each woman has required many hours of psychosocial support that may have been avoided with proper pretest counseling. All have begun to make difficult decisions about prophylactic surgery. DTCM does not appear to provide this type of counseling and support. More important, it does not identify other family members potentially at risk and provide them with psychosocial support, education, and coordinated genetic testing. In each of these women's families, there were other members at risk. A genetics professional knows to identify other at-risk members and assists them with counseling or to coordinate it in another geographic area as indicated. DTCM for genetic testing appears to have much more than entertainment value, and those who respond to DTCM for genetics testing may be at significant risk for not understanding the implications of a test and the importance of engaging in adequate prevention and early detection maneuvers. They may also experience psychosocial distress as a result of being unprepared for the test results, and may not receive information on coordinated care for other at-risk relatives. Clearly, more research needs to be done to verify clinical findings resulting from DTCM tests. Clinicians should realize that the risks from DTCM for genetic testing are real and potentially devastating.

Perceptions of a forensic pathology rotation by a small cohort of medical students and first year residents

Forensic Pathology programs have long faced challenges in recruiting suitably qualified medical students or uncommitted interns into the subspecialty. At the Marion County Coroners Office (MCCO) in Indianapolis in Indiana, between 20 and 24 trainees rotate through the facility annually. These include pathologist assistant students at the masters degree level, pathology residents, 3rd and 4th year medical students, and transitional (first year) postgraduate interns. The purpose of this study was to determine how the learning experiences of medical students and first year residents could be improved and to identify the implications their responses may hold for recruitment of future forensic pathologists. They were selected because unlike the pathology residents (most of whom have interests in other areas of pathology), medical students and transitional year residents are trainees at earlier points in their careers. Their rotations are dedicated to forensic pathology and generally last a month.

Ordaining for Learning Culture: Educational Conservation and Development of Buddhist Monk Universities for Isan People with Limited Opportunity

Problem statement: Buddhist monk universities in Isan (northeast Thai land) have problems of lacking Buddhist monk students. The number of people ordained for learning decreases because Isan people do not like ordaining for learning. In order to adjust the condition of problem to catch u p with current conditions, this research study was co nducted. The purpose of this research was to examine the background, current conditions, problems and process of conserving and developing ordaining for learning at Buddist monk universities for people with limited opportunity in Isan. Approach: The research area covered Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Roi Et provinces. Each of these provinces had campuses of the 2 Buddhist monk universities located in the same province. These universities had continuously been proving educatio n at the undergraduate and graduate studies level up to present. The research procedure used the qual itative research methodology. Data were collected from documents, related literature and field studie s using survey, observation, interviews and focus group discussion from a group of totally 208 inform ants. The findings were presented by means of a descriptive analysis. Results: There were 2 universities: (1) Mahachulalongkornra javidyalaya University provided education at 3 locations: Khon Kaen Campus, first offered in 1986; Nakhon Ratchasima Campus, first established in 1987 and Roi Et Classroom, first established in 1999 according to the project for classroom extension by Khon Kaen Campus. (2) Mahamakut Buddhist University provided education at 3 locations: Isan Campus, located in Khon Kaen province, first established in 1990; Roi Et Campus, first establish ed in 1994 and Koraj Education Center, located in Nakhon Ratchasima province, first established in 20 06. For current conditions and problems of ordaining for learning at Buddhist monk universitie s for people with limited opportunity in Isan, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University at present provides education at certificate, bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctoral degree levels at 3 locations. Khon Kaen Campus offers 15 majors, Nakhon Ratchasima Campus offers 10 majors and Roi Et Classroom offers 7 majors. Mahamakut Buddhist University provides education at certificate, bachelor's degree and master's degree levels at 3 locations. Isan Campus offers 18 majors, Roi Et Campus offers 13 majors and Koraj Education Center offers 15 majors. As for the problem conditions, both of the Buddhist monk universities in Isan were not supported by the gove rnment agency as they should be. There were limitations of curricular offering. There were prob lems of monk's travelling and appropriate behaviors, these could cause people in general to d ecrease their faith in monks. They did not like ordaining for learning. The process of conservation and development of ordaining for leaning at Buddhist monk universities in Isan could be made by supporting each Buddhist monk university in Isan and enhancing people to be more interested in ordaining for learning to be a choice of education. It would be creation of educational oppo rtunity. Different resources concerning education of people with limited opportunity could be accesse d. Conclusion: Buddhist monk universities in Isan provide education at certificate, bachelor's d egree, master's degree and doctoral degree levels. It is educational opportunity extension, education for developing monks' education, social development, economic development and dissemination of ordaining for learning culture at Buddhist monk universities in northeast Thailand to be widely known. Buddhist monks and novices can not have to travel to study further outside the ir domiciles.

A mini-library of sequenced human DNA fragments: linking bench experiments with informatics

We describe the development of a mini-library of human DNA fragments for use in an enquiry-based learning (EBL) undergraduate practical incorporating ‘wet-lab' and bioinformatics tasks. In spite of the widespread emergence of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the cloning and analysis of DNA fragments in Escherichia coli remains a fundamental skill commonly taught to undergraduate biology students. The individual procedures are simple enough, but enthusiastic engagement of the students in practical exercises requires that a better learning experience be offered to them than the simple opportunity to participate. To address this issue we have prepared a mini-library of well-characterised fragments of human DNA in a small plasmid vector. We have generated high-quality sequence data for each end of the human DNAs and there are sufficient clones for around 80 students to each engage in a series of enquiry-based activities producing results that are unique to each student. This resource allows the students to experience the real-life integration of ‘wet-lab' and bioinformatics approaches in modern molecular genetics. The experimental procedures are aimed at molecular genetics students commencing their second year of undergraduate study, but the materials could also be used with more advanced groups, up to and including masters degree level, by appropriate adaptation and extension of the range of experimental techniques used.

Experiential learning and international collaboration opportunities: virtual internships

PurposeExperiential learning incorporated into library and information science education in the form of a practical placement has long been accepted as important. However, it is not always possible for students to undertake a traditional internship because of constraints associated with the physical location of internship sites. The purpose of this paper is to explore virtual alternatives, in the context of digital curation.Design/methodology/approachSurveys exploring the internship experience were conducted of students and supervisors, leading to the development of a pilot study. In addition, discussions were held with possible supervisors in a country with a small population, faced with the challenge of building capability in digital curation.FindingsThe concept of a virtual internship is entirely appropriate given the focus on digital tools, information and systems in digital curation. A new dimension to the traditional internship experience is the potential for sharing expertise internationally, in diverse settings.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper describes activities taking place through the School of Library & Information Science at San Jose State University, the findings can be used to justify virtual internship programs and develop strategies to be employed by other Schools at the University and other Universities within and outside the USA.Practical implicationsThis paper includes implications for the development of successful virtual internship programs on the Master's degree level, including those for students preparing for careers in digital curation.Originality/valueThe paper provides insight into the practical issues associated with incorporating experiential learning into digital curation curricula and signals the potential for approaching internships from a global perspective.

Career Preferences of Social Work Students in Beijing and Shanghai

Professional social work is a recent development in China. This article reports the results of a survey of social work students (n = 1331) in Beijing and Shanghai concerning their career preferences, the work they intend to be doing in five years time and their views about the training that they were receiving. The sample included students from sub-degree, Bachelor and Master's degree levels in all years. Results indicated that social work is strongly linked with individual counselling and psychotherapy which is preferred over work with families and groups. Community work and resource mobilization were relatively less popular despite being the most appropriate modality for the social problems that Beijing and Shanghai face. Students show a marked preference for working in government or other large organizations. After graduation, those in degree programmes hoped to move into administration and management. Fewer students were interested in grassroots work. Many of those studying at Master's level intended to become university based social work teachers. Limitations of the research included the cross-sectional nature of the design, lack of information about the levels of motivation of social work students, and limitations to the generalizability of the findings as Shanghai and Beijing are not necessarily representative of China.

Problem-Based Learning in Wind Energy Using Virtual and Real Setups

The use of wind energy is now an established fact, and many educational institutions are introducing this topic into their engineering studies. Problem-based learning (PBL), as a student-centered instructional approach, has contributed to important developments in engineering education over the last few years. This paper presents the experience of a problem-based learning approach within the context of teaching wind energy conversion systems for electricity generation at an Electrical and Electronic Master's degree level. Students were given the problem of finding the response of a wind turbine to a grid fault. Groups of three students worked on a cooperative learning project for 15 weeks, with the instructor providing resource assistance and information at all stages of the work. Two tools were designed to help the students: a virtual wind turbine simulator and a real wind turbine setup. Both experimental tools are described, and the results obtained by the students are discussed. The results show that the students valued both tools and were able to address problems at a high cognitive level.

Digital liaisons: Shifting borders in interdisciplinary collaborations

AbstractAs the line between libraries and other information environments starts to blur with digital initiative collaborations, so do the distinctions between specific professions, roles, and duties within these contexts. Given the changing landscape, up‐and‐coming professionals at the undergraduate and master's degree level as well as recent graduates are greatly impacted by these innovations. Providing these early professionals with a venue for showcasing their budding expertise is critical for continuing this cycle of innovation. The proposed session features posters and presentations from undergraduate and master's students and early professionals which highlight their research, contributions and professional experiences related to the evolution and shifting borders of digital information environments.

Student Loyalty Toward Masters Degree Business Administration Curriculum At Srinakharinwirot University

This research aims to study mixed factors of service marketing affecting student loyalty toward the business administration curriculum at the masters degree level at Srinakharinwirot University. It also examines the relationship between student satisfaction and loyalty in the MBA program. The results show that service marketing mixed factors have influenced student satisfaction in the MBA curriculum by approximately 39.4 percent. The product and service aspect is the most important factor in predicting student satisfaction. Furthermore, the service marketing mix has influenced student attitudinal loyalty toward the MBA curriculum by about 26.7 percent, while the service-marketing mix has influenced student behavioral loyalty by nearly 40.5 percent. Student satisfaction has rather a low positive relation to attitudinal loyalty at the 0.01 level of statistical significance. Student satisfaction has a moderately positive relation to behavioral loyalty at the statistical significance level of 0.01.

(A49) Disaster Content Varies in Australian Postgraduate Tertiary Emergency Nursing Courses: Implications for Educational Preparedness

Emergency nurses have key roles in responding to healthcare disasters. Emergency nurses often complete postgraduate qualifications in their area of specialty to equip them with a breadth and depth of knowledge to respond to the challenges and complexities of emergency nursing care. However, little is known about the disaster preparedness of emergency nurses in Australia. More specifically, the educational preparedness and training for disaster nursing roles is not well understood. This purpose of this study is to describe the disaster content of Australian postgraduate tertiary emergency nursing courses as a means of better understanding emergency nurses' educational preparedness for disaster. An exploratory, descriptive approach was used to survey postgraduate tertiary emergency nursing course convenors. Data were collected from course convenors by structured telephone interview. Questions included: (1) nursing background; (2) demographics and disaster experience of course convenors; (3) course type, duration and mode of delivery; and (4) the type and amount of disaster content. Currently, 12 universities in Australia offer postgraduate courses specific to Emergency Nursing, ranging from Graduate Certificates to Masters Degree level. Of these universities, 10 participated in this research project. This presentation will report on the demographics of course convenors, including their disaster education and experience. However, the focus of the presentation will be on the review of the course content. Seven courses had some disaster content, while three had none. The disaster content in these courses varied in both content and duration. Three had learning objectives, and one had an assessment item related to disasters. Five had recent modifications relating to disaster content; this was in response to real-world events, such as terrorism and communicable diseases. This research highlights that the disaster content in Australian postgraduate emergency nursing courses varies. This finding supports the need for national consistency and supporting framework for disaster content in post-graduate courses. The 2009 Ben Morley Scholarship, a financial award sponsored by the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia, supported this research.

Analyzing of factors related to burnout in health professionals of Sivas Numune Hospital

Abstract Aim. It is targeted to analyze burnout that cause various problems in individual and institutional sense on health professionals constituted of doctor, nurse and allied health professionals (such as laboratory assistant, technician). Methods. Data has been received by filling a form which include Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and socio-demographic variables on totally 180 health professionals who are employed in Sivas Numune Hospital. Results. In our study, MBI mean scores of nurses when compared to doctors, amongst staff who work 9 hours or more when compared to staff who work 8 hours or less, in health professionals who had training in levels of secondary education and associate degree when compared to staff who had training in masters degree level, on women when compared to men and health professionals who are under 34-group of age when compared to over 45-group of age has been found significantly high in terms of emotional burnout score. In singles, individual success scores has been found meaningfully high when compared to married ones. Besides, in evaluations implemented according to years of labour and having children it is seen that there exist no significant difference. Conclusion. As a result of our study it is viewed that burnout is seen frequently in health professionals. In medical institutions, as well as satisfaction of the patient it is recommended to deal with problems of employees also and work out a solution. Keywords: Burnout, health professionals, state hospital Ozet Amac. Bireysel ve kurumsal anlamda cesitli sorunlara yol acan tukenmisligin doktor, hemsire ve yardimci saglik personelinden (laborant, teknisyen gibi) olusan saglik calisanlarinda incelenmesi amaclanmistir. Yontem. Veriler Sivas Numune Hastanesi'nde calisan toplam 180 saglik calisaninda Maslach Tukenmislik Olcegi (MTO) ve sosyodemografik degiskenleri iceren bir form doldurularak elde edildi. Bulgular. Calismamizda duygusal tukenme puani acisindan hemsirelerin puani doktorlara gore, 9 saat ve uzeri calisanlarda 8 saat ve daha az calisanlara gore, ortaogretim ve on lisans duzeyinde egitim alanlarin yuksek lisans duzeyinde egitim alanlara gore, kadinlarin erkeklere gore ve 34 yas alti yas grubunun 45 yas ustu grubuna gore anlamli derecede yuksek bulunmustur. Kisisel basari puanlari bekarlarda evlilere gore anlamli derecede yuksek bulunmustur. Cocuk sahibi olmalarina ve calisma yillarina gore yapilan degerlendirmelerde ise gruplar arasinda anlamli fark bulunmamistir. Sonuc. Calismamizin sonucunda tukenmislik saglik calisanlarinda sik olarak gorulmustur. Saglik kurumlarinda hasta memnuniyetinin yani sira, calisanlarinin sorunlariyla da ilgilenilmesi ve cozum uretilmesi onerilir. Anahtar sozcukler: Tukenmislik, saglik personeli, devlet hastanesi

Using a community of practice to develop standards of practice and education for genetic counsellors in Europe

The profession of genetic counselling is developing in Europe in response to the increased need for genetic healthcare. Standards of education and professional practice are needed to ensure that patients are provided with genetic counselling of an appropriate quality. However, such standards need to be relevant to practitioners in many different national and healthcare settings. In order to develop appropriate standards and a code of practice to guide professionals in Europe, we formed a community of practice that includes genetic nurses and counsellors, plus other interested health professionals, from 23 European countries. With reference to the European core competences for genetic counsellors, the members of the network developed a set of professional standards for practice, educational standards and a code of practice. It is strongly suggested that the title genetic counsellor should become a protected title in Europe and that practitioners are educated via a master level degree in genetic counselling. These standards have been approved by the members of the network and the existing professional national societies for genetic nurses and counsellors. They provide a foundation for building the profession of genetic counselling in Europe and for provision of equitable care across European countries. Further work is now needed to ensure that appropriate educational opportunities exist to train practitioners and that clinical teams utilise the expertise of these professionals appropriately to enhance the care offered to families at risk of or affected by genetic conditions.

Predictive Ability of the Graduate Record Examination and Its Usage Across Physician Assistant Programs

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is used by 47% of physician assistant (PA) programs. In the liberal arts education literature, GRE scores have generally correlated with graduate school grade point average (GPA), particularly when used in combination with other admission factors such as undergraduate GPA. In the health professions, data on the predictive ability of the GRE are mixed. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE, recommends standards for usage of GRE scores, including that they not be used as a stand-alone criterion for denial of admission. We evaluated GRE usage by PA programs to determine score utilization and compliance with ETS guidelines. We reviewed the admissions criteria of ARC-PA accredited programs granting master's degrees. Each program's GRE requirements were compared with ETS guidelines. Of 70 master's level PA programs requiring the GRE for admission, 27 programs comply with ETS guidelines; 43 programs use scores incorrectly by requiring or recommending precise minimum scores or by allowing other admissions exams to substitute for the GRE. Of the 70 master's degree level PA programs requiring the GRE for admission, only 40% are applying scores in accordance with ETS guidelines. Because the majority of programs are not using GRE scores as recommended, and because current data on the predictive value of the GRE are incongruent, it is important to determine how the GRE relates to the requirements of each program. Further research on the use and predictability of GRE scores by each PA program would be valuable.