National Licensing Research Articles

Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Czech Republic: History, Current Status, Management, and Regulations

The Czech Republic has a long tradition of pond production and recreational fisheries. Today, the Czech fisheries sector has two main pillars: (1) production of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio in semi‐extensive pond culture and (2) rod‐based recreational angling by approximately 350,000 people (3% of the Czech population). The production of carp supplies fish protein mainly for the local population, but the Czech Republic is also Europe's most important exporter of carp meat. A mandatory national license and reporting system in recreational fisheries has been effective since the 1950s. Anglers purchase a fishing license, and the proceeds are used mainly to stock fish and maintain ecosystems for native fish species. Recreational angling and fish stocking are focused on nonnative species: Common Carp and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Here, I present a short review of pond culture, aquaculture, commercial fisheries, and recreational fisheries, with examples of history, status, management, and regulations.

Trends in the Use of Driving-Impairing Medicines According to the DRUID Category: A Population-Based Registry Study with Reference to Driving in a Region of Spain between 2015 and 2019.

The European DRUID (Drive Under the Influence of drugs, alcohol, and medicines) program classifies medications into three categories according to their effect on one's fitness to drive. The trend in the use of driving-impairing medicines (DIMs) in a region of Spain between 2015 and 2019 was analyzed through a population-based registry study. Pharmacy dispensing records for DIMs are provided. The use of DIMs on drivers was weighted according to the national driver's license census. The analysis was performed considering the population distribution by age and sex, treatment length, and the three DRUID categories. DIMs were used by 36.46% of the population and 27.91% of drivers, mainly chronically, with considerable daily use (8.04% and 5.34%, respectively). Use was more common in females than in males (42.28% vs. 30.44%) and increased with age. Among drivers, consumption decreases after 60 years of age for females and after 75 years of age for males. There was a 34% increase in the use of DIMs between 2015 and 2019, with a focus on daily use (>60%). The general population took 2.27 ± 1.76 DIMs, fundamentally category II (moderate influence on fitness to drive) (20.3%) and category III (severe influence on fitness to drive) (19.08%). The use of DIMs by the general population and drivers is significant and has increased in recent years. The integration of the DRUID classification into electronic prescription tools would assist physicians and pharmacists in providing adequate information to the patient about the effects of prescribed medications on their fitness to drive.

Influence of job autonomy on job crafting of dental hygienists.

Job autonomy focuses on the job performance and tasks of health providers with a national licence in South Korea, which affects job crafting, to develop job competency. This study was conducted to identify the influence of job autonomy on job crafting of dental hygienists. This cross-sectional study included 411 dental hygienists extracted through convenience sampling from a pool of 35,000 clinical dental hygienists in South Korea. Measuring tool are Korean version of the Job Crafting Questionnaire (JCQ-K) and job autonomy questionnaire (JAQ). To investigate the level of job autonomy and crafting of dental hygienists based on their general characteristics, t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were performed. Pearson correlation was performed to determine the linear correlation between autonomy and crafting. To determine whether job autonomy affects job crafting, an adjusted regression analysis was conducted using general characteristics as control variables. High job autonomy and job crafting were associated with increases in participant age with job experience as a senior staff, education level, and work environment, such as dental office or hospital. A significant positive correlation was observed (r=0.64) between job autonomy and job crafting. Job autonomy (β=0.58) and dental/medical hospital in university (β=0.13) had a significant relationship with dental hygienists' job crafting. Job autonomy could positively influence the job crafting of dental hygienists in South Korea. Our findings suggest that job latitude should be redesigned to promote task competency and social responsibility with a health outcome perspective for the population as well as the dental hygiene profession.

Updating the British Geriatrics Society recommended undergraduate curriculum in geriatric medicine: a curriculum mapping and nominal group technique study.

medical education must adapt to meet the challenges and demands of an ageing population, ensuring that graduates are equipped to look after older patients with complex health and social care needs. Recommended curricula in geriatric medicine in the United Kingdom and Europe offer guidance for optimal undergraduate education in ageing. The UK version, written by the British Geriatrics Society (BGS), requires updating to take account of innovations in the specialty, changing guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC), and the need to support medical schools preparing for the introduction of the national Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). the BGS recommended curriculum was mapped to the most recent European curriculum (2014) and the MLA content map, to compare and contrast between current recommendations and nationally mandated guidance. These maps were used to guide discussion through a virtual Nominal Group Technique (NGT), including 21 expert stakeholders, to agree consensus on the updated BGS curriculum. the curriculum has been re-structured into seven sections, each with 1-2 overarching learning outcomes (LOs) that are expanded in multiple sub-LOs. Crucially, the curriculum now reflects the updated GMC/MLA requirements, having incorporated items flagged as missing in the mapping stages. the combined mapping exercise and NGT have enabled appropriate alignment and benchmarking of the UK national curriculum. These recommendations will help to standardise and enhance teaching and learning around the care of older persons with complexity.

Machine Learning Process to Determine the Social Demand for IT Professional Jobs

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that uses scientific computing, mathematics and statistics through automated techniques to solve problems based on classification, regression and clustering. Social demand refers to the need for service and product of the professional training process, expressed by interest groups, aimed at contributing to national development, as established by the quality assurance policy of university higher education and national licensing and accreditation models. In this context, this paper conducts research based on job positions of IT professionals posted n web portals, designs a machine learning process with an unsupervised approach, extracts occupational profiles, designs a multidimensional model, applies k-means clustering when determining clusters of job positions by similarity, and reports the results obtained.

Non-destructive verification of materials in waste packages using QUANTOM®

The nuclear and non-nuclear industry has produced a considerable amount of low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes during the last decades. The material characterization of waste packages recently became more and more important in order to dispose of these waste packages in a final underground repository. Material characterization remains an indispensable criterion to prevent pollution of the groundwater with toxic materials and is usually required by the national licensing and supervisory authorities. Information on the nature of waste materials can be obtained based on existing documentation or, if the documentation is insufficient, on further destructive or non-destructive analysis. Non-destructive methods are to be preferred to minimize radiation exposures of operating personnel as well as costs. Existing non-destructive techniques (Gamma scanning, X-ray, active/passive neutron counting, muon tomography) do not allow the identification of non-radioactive hazardous substances. An innovative non-destructive measurement system called QUANTOM® (QUantitative ANalysis of TOxic and non-toxic Materials) has been developed. It is based on the prompt and delayed gamma neutron activation analysis (P&DGNAA). This technology is able to identify and quantify the elemental composition (Cd, Cu, B, Pb, Hg, Fe, Al, …) in radioactive packages such as 200-l radioactive drums. This information helps waste producers verify the content of their radioactive wastes, especially regarding the presence of hazardous substances. Different reference materials have been analysed by means of the same technology (P&DGNAA) at the research reactor of BUDAPEST. A comparison of those results for five reference materials is presented. The results show a very good agreement between QUANTOM® and standardized reference analyses.

A Correlational Analysis of Predictor Test Results and Licensure Examination Board Performance among Education and Criminology Graduates from a Private University

Academic success and poor performance on national licensure examinations negatively correlate with test anxiety. Focusing on a relatively small number of graduate takers of the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) and Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE) from the three board courses (n= 19), the investigation determines the predictor test scores and licensure examination board performance of graduates of BEED, BSED, and BS in Criminology from a private university in Bacoor, Cavite. Moreover, it examined possible relationships between the graduates' scores in the two standardized assessments. Upon Using frequency, percentage, and Chi-squared correlation tests, the study revealed poor predictor results (32% passing rate), good percentage performance to the graduates to CLE and LEPT (rate is above the national passing percentage), and a strong positive correlation between graduates' performance and their prediction test scores (x^2 (1,19) = 6.31, p=01154). The study discovered that all students who passed the predictor test and a few who failed it also passed the licensure examinations. Results have provided necessary recommendations, such as initiatives and programs to enhance board performance further, increase linkages, reduce test anxiety, enrich curriculum delivery, and achieve the program education goals of the education and criminology departments of the humanities and social sciences cluster

Case-based learning with practical exercises in the course hygiene and microbiology as a model for the implementation of the new medical licensing regulations

Within the scope of an educational improvement project, the teaching concept of the course hygiene and microbiology at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt was transferred from an organ system-based teaching concept into a case-based teaching concept. Concomitantly, this transformation was qualitatively reviewed to evaluate self-perceived learning success. 54 participants were included in this qualitative study. 45 students were interviewed in homogeneous focus groups of up to five. Nine physicians were interviewed individually. Following anonymization and transcription, a structured and qualitative text analysis was conducted. Both groups, students and physicians, prefer a case-based teaching concept in hygiene and microbiology, especially in combination with a hands-on approach to learn practical skills. Students taught with the case-based approach were more satisfied and reported better knowledge retention. The practical elements of the course hygiene and microbiology were positively remembered by all participants. Regardless of the teaching concept, the individual lecturer is considered most essential in shaping motivation. Overall, the implementation of a case-based teaching concept with practical elements in the course hygiene and microbiology increases the ability of medical students to understand the relevance of core knowledge and improves self-perceived learning. The fusion of theoretical and clinical contents elements in the course hygiene and microbiology meets the new national medical licensing regulations in Germany and promises to be a sustainable concept for clinical-theoretical subjects like hygiene and microbiology.

Preliminary Development and Verification of Divertor Module for CFETR System Safety Analysis Code

China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), the next-generation fusion device of China, is designed to bridge the gap between International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the commercial fusion power plant by solving the essential physical, engineering, and technical problems, including tritium self-sufficiency and high duty cycle of 0.3–0.5. Before the completion of the design and construction of CFETR, the thermal-hydraulic safety assessment is needed in order to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities and to get the national nuclear safety license. Up to now, there is no specialized code for the fusion reactor safety assessment. And the safety assessment work that had been done for the fusion device is completed by the system safety analysis code for pressurized water reactors, such as RELAP5, CHATHARE, and so on. For developing a simulation tool that can meet the safety assessment needs of the fusion reactor, some special models need to be established compared to the fission reactor. In this article, the development of a module for the divertor is presented. The thermal-hydraulic safety of the divertor with design basis accidents, and in-vessel loss of coolant (LOCA), is analyzed based on the developed code. Comparisons are performed to verify the reliability and feasibility of the developed code.

The impact of modifications in cadaver dissection time on student learning outcomes in a doctor of physical therapy program.

Human anatomy is a foundational component of medical and allied health professional education. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs are required to teach anatomy, however the pedagogies used are at the discretion of faculty and institutions. Cadaver dissection may have been the predominant instruction methodology in DPT programs in the past; new technology provides alternative interactive teaching methods. This paper describes the modifications in an anatomy curriculum over 5 years in one DPT program, and the impact on student perception and learning outcomes. This was a retrospective, quantitative study that utilized a survey to collect data on student perceptions about the anatomy pedagogy; the learning outcomes analyzed were grades and licensure exam pass rates. We report on outcomes for five cohorts within one DPT program. IRB approval was obtained for the research. Despite the decrease in cadaver laboratory time after 2016, students' final exam grades in Gross Anatomy improved and the first time pass rate for the national licensure exam increased. Most students rated cadaver laboratory and the active learning assignments that replaced traditional cadaver laboratory time as valuable to their learning; however, there were differences in opinions between cohorts. Although the outcomes might not reflect a direct result of dissection time, the study confirmed that using alternative methods for teaching anatomy did not hinder student performance. Using innovative pedagogy allows educators to achieve student success in spite of decreased gross dissection time.

Robotics and cochlear implant surgery: goals and developments

Cochlear implantation (CI) is a viable option for patients with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Advances in CI have focused on minimizing cochlear trauma to improve hearing preservation outcomes, and in doing so expanding candidacy to patients with useful cochlear reserve. Robotics holds promise as a potential tool to minimize intracochlear trauma with electrode insertion, improve surgical efficiency, and reduce surgical complications. The purpose of this review is to summarize efforts and advances in the field of robotic-assisted CI. Work on robotics and CI over the past few decades has explored distinct surgical aspects, including image-based surgical planning and intraoperative guidance, minimally invasive robotic-assisted approaches mainly through percutaneous keyhole direct cochlear access, robotic electrode insertion systems, robotic manipulators, and drilling feedback control through end effector sensors. Feasibility and safety have been established and many devices are undergoing clinical trials for clinical adoption, with some having already achieved approval of national licensing bodies. Significant work has been done over the past two decades that has shown robotic-assisted CI to be feasible and safe. Wider clinical adoption can potentially result in improved hearing preservation and quality of life outcomes to more CI candidates.

Brief Reports Prepared by Students and Graduates of Master of Science in Biobanking.

Brief Reports Prepared by Students and Graduates of Master of Science in Biobanking.

THE IMPACT OF INDONESIAN MEDICAL DOCTORS NATIONAL COMPETENCY EXAMINATION (IMDNCE) TOWARDS LEARNING AND CLINICAL PRACTICES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE INTERNSHIP DOCTORS’ PERSPECTIVES

Background: The implementation of the national licensing examination for medical doctors is expected to have a broad impact on doctors and society. Indonesian Medical Doctor National Competency Examination (IMDNCE; Indonesian: Uji Kompetensi Mahasiswa Program Profesi Dokter or UKMPPD) as an ‘exit exam’ in the medical education process may significantly impact learning and clinical practices. The study’s objective was to explore the impact of IMDNCE on both the learning and clinical practices of doctors.Methods: The study subjects were internship doctors who had passed the IMDNCE. Participants were recruited by purposive sampling based on the ownership status of the institution (state/private) and the accreditation of respective medical schools and participants’ gender. The study participants consisted of 41 internship doctors working in 6 regions from 33 different medical schools out of 75 medical faculties in Indonesia.Results: IMDNCE has a positive influence on learning and clinical practice. The IMDNCE process emphasizes standard competencies that must be mastered and patient management process with current evidence that is not always achieved during clinical education, increasing clinical knowledge and skills, and increasing awareness of professional development. IMDNCE also has very well affected in the development of self-confidence and a sense of responsibility which are essential in clinical practice. In addition to psychological influences, IMDNCE improves competence in clinical skills and promotes good medical practice.

The Promotion of Space Sustainability Through National Licensing Regimes

The Promotion of Space Sustainability Through National Licensing Regimes

Evaluating Professional Misconduct: The Effects of Licensure State and Board Membership

Purpose: By further analysis of a subset of data collected from licensed social workers from six selected states, this article explores the effect of respondents’ licensure state and board membership on their perceptions of professional misconduct vignettes. Methods: Using a simplified factorial survey design, 5,388 licensed social workers evaluated versions of vignettes involving social worker misconduct. Respondents rated the vignettes as serious and important to discipline and assigned sanctions to the vignette they viewed as most troubling. The licensure state was a factor in the seriousness and importance of discipline ratings, board membership less so. Results: Results indicated that some factors involved in misconduct are more relevant than others. Respondents generally agreed on the most troubling vignettes and sanctions appropriate to the action. Conclusions: These results may serve as preliminary support for the formation of national licensure standards and processes.

Quality of multiple-choice questions in medical internship qualification examination determined by item response theory at Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia

BackgroundAssessment of cognitive competence is a major element of the internship qualification exam in undergraduate medical education in Ethiopia. Assessing the quality of exam items can help to improve the validity of assessments and assure stakeholders about the accuracy of the go/no decision to the internship. However, we know little about the quality of exam items utilized to ascertain fitness to join the medical internship. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the quality of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of the qualification exam administered to final-year medical students at Debre Tabor University (DTU), Ethiopia.MethodsA psychometric study was conducted to assess the qualities of 120 randomly selected MCQs and 407 distractors. Item characteristics were estimated using the item response theory (IRT) model. T-test, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square tests were run to analyze the univariate association between factors. Pearson’s correlation test was done to determine the predictive validity of the qualification examination.ResultOverall, 16, 51, and 33% of the items had high, moderate, and low distractor efficiency, respectively. About two-thirds (65.8%) of the items had two or more functioning distractors and 42.5% exhibited a desirable difficulty index. However, 77.8% of items administered in the qualification examination had a negative or poor discrimination index. Four and five option items didn’t show significant differences in psychometric qualities. The qualification exam showed a positive predictive value of success in the national licensing examination (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.5).ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the medical qualification exam were inadequate for making valid decisions. Five option MCQs were not better than four options in terms of psychometric qualities. The qualification examination had a positive predictive validity of future performance. High-stakes examination items must be properly created and reviewed before being administered.

Item Equivalence Verification according to Test Information Media of the Optician National Licensing Examination: Focused on the Smart Device Based and Paper Based Tests Including Multimedia Items

This study conducts the validity of the pen-and-paper and smart-device-based tests on optician’s examination. The developed questions for each media were based on the national optician’s simulation test. The subjects of this study were 60 students enrolled in E University. The data analysis was performed to verify the equivalence of the two evaluation methods, specifically, through split-plot factorial design of the evaluation method as a partition variable. As a result of the statistical significance test for the difference in achievement for each type of test information medium, indicating that there was no difference in achievement according to the type of test information medium at the significance level of .05. Although the validity of the smart device-based test and the paper-and-pencil test was verified through this study. To develop and set multimedia items in the optician national licensing examination, it is necessary to establish guidelines for how to develop the items.

Facilitators and barriers in implementing the nurse practitioner role in Japan: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

To investigate the distribution of nurse practitioners (NPs) across Japan and their perceived facilitators and barriers to NP implementation in Japan. NP certification examinations have been conducted in Japan since 2011, and by 2020, there were 487 NPs in the country. The momentum of NP implementation is slower in Japan compared with other countries. A cross-sectional descriptive study, following the STROBE guidelines, was conducted. Web-based survey questionnaires, developed by the authors, were administered to 248 NPs whose email addresses were maintained by the certification management body. Valid responses were obtained from 101 NPs (response rate: 40.7%), of which 34% were male. The respondents had more than 12 years of registered nurse experience on an average before enrolling in the graduate NP program. 53% were employed as NPs from the beginning, while 25% were initially employed as registered nurses and later advanced to NPs, and 11% still worked as RNs. A majority worked in hospitals with beds. Many NPs perceived the lack of NP national licensure and reimbursement benefits as barriers to NP implementation, whereas recognition from superiors and organizations was considered facilitators. Despite their small numbers in Japan, NPs take on crucial tasks and contribute to the appropriate distribution of medical resources. The NP licensure system and recognition from superiors and organizations may be necessary to promote NP roles in Japan. Some certified NPs still work as registered nurses. Recognition from nursing and organization administrators is critical to implementing NPs. To this end, a reimbursement system benefiting the organizations and a legislation facilitating NP employment are required.

Premises standards

Lisa Mason-Poyner and Sally Taber explain the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners’ (JCCP) review of premises standards in relation to how they might inform the new proposed the national licensing scheme, which will be introduced as part of the new Health and Care Act (2022) that has recently received royal assent

DT05: Is skin of colour appropriately represented in undergraduate resources for dermatological conditions covered in the new national medical licensing assessment?

DT05: Is skin of colour appropriately represented in undergraduate resources for dermatological conditions covered in the new national medical licensing assessment?