Ongoing Improvement Research Articles

The nature of inappropriate referrals to wellness services in primary care setting in Qatar: Outcome of multifaced interventions on rate and quality of referrals

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to explore the rate and types of inappropriate referrals to the wellness services and to assess the impact of multi-level interventions on the rate of inappropriate referrals at Rawdat Al-Khail health center in Qatar. MethodsThis study employed a retrospective analysis of all referrals data to Rawdat Al-Khail wellness services extracted from the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) between July 2022 and August 2023. The monthly rates and types of inappropriate referrals were calculated. In this study, pre-post analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of two sets of interventions on reducing inappropriate referral rates. The first set involved the development and distribution of e-referral pathways training manual in September 2022. The second set, implemented in April 2023, included close monitoring the rate and types of referrals, and the initiation of feedback communication between wellness services supervisors and referring physicians for advice and corrective actions. ResultsA total of 966 referrals were received during the study period, with 1:5 male-to-female ratio. Of all referrals, 34.9 % were classified as inappropriate, exhibiting considerable variations among different referring health centers. The most common reason for inappropriate referrals was due to the lack of “exercise wellness gym assessment form” (23.8 %). While interventions aimed at enhancing the referral process, they did not result in a significant overall reduction in inappropriate referral rates. However, there was a noteworthy reduction in the inappropriate referrals caused by the lack of “exercise wellness gym assessment form” observed from March to August 2023 (41 %–18 %). ConclusionThis study sheds light on the complexities of wellness services referrals, revealing a high rate of inappropriate referrals that require closer scrutiny. Despite interventions not significantly reducing the rate of these referrals, it emphasizes the need for ongoing improvement strategies. Structured, periodic interventions at higher levels are recommended to enhance referral appropriateness.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION: TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING

The ongoing improvement of teaching abilities among faculty is recognized as essential across various academic disciplines. Within the Construction Management and Engineering (CME) field, there's a notable need for such professional development. Our study looks into a specific program designed to bolster the teaching capacities of new faculty in foundational construction topics. The central aim was to understand the opinions of CME faculty regarding these development initiatives and their potential benefits. During the summer of 2022, we introduced the program to 15 early-career faculty members. These individuals participated in educational sessions led by experienced construction educators. To gather feedback, we collected personal reflections and insights from participants, aiming to understand their perceptions and the impact on their teaching and mentoring skills. The feedback highlighted areas for improvement in current CME teaching practices and affirmed the value of such development programs. This research provides guidance for those in CME looking to design educational tools to better prepare graduate students for academic roles.

On the variations in equatorial and low-latitude GPS-TEC and assessment of NeQuick-2, IRI-2016 and IRI-2020 models in the African longitude during solar cycle 24–25

Ionospheric models play a crucial role in understanding, prediction, and mitigation of the effects of ionospheric variability on a wide range of technological and scientific applications relying on space-based services. Conversely, the models need to be routinely updated with newer datasets and specifications to account for the regional discrepancies in the changing ionospheric conditions due to various dominant localized physical and chemical processes. Although there have been ongoing improvements to the extensively utilized empirical model known as the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), the newly emerged version (IRI-2020) needs to undergo global testing. In this research, we carried out diurnal and seasonal variations in GPS-TEC and the assessment of some ionospheric models such as IRI-2016 and its recently updated version (IRI-2020), alongside the NeQuick-2 model at 2 stations each in the East, West and South in the equatorial and low-latitude African longitudes during different phases of solar cycles 24–25 (2016 – 2021). Also, we carried out statistical analysis between GPS-TEC and the ionospheric models using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE), in order to show the model with the best forecasting capability in the African region. Diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variations in GPS-TEC, NeQuick-2, IRI-2016 and IRI-2020 were observed, showing higher magnitudes in the West, followed by the East in close range and least in the Southern sector of the African longitudes. TEC Variations in some sectors in the African longitudes show a consistent trend in this research. More importantly, there are observed regional differences within the African longitudes owing to the wider coverage of landmass in the equatorial and low latitudes. However, TEC variations in the Northern sector of Africa are not included in the present research. From our observation, NeQuick-2 and IRI-2016 models either underestimate or overestimate GPS-TEC during different phases of the solar cycles at the three sectors in the African longitudes, whereas IRI-2020 shows mostly underestimating characteristics at the three sectors irrespective of solar activity conditions during the study period. Nevertheless, the underestimation or overestimation of NeQuick-2 and IRI-2016, and the underestimation of IRI-2020 are reflected in the RMSE and MAE values. Regrettably, the predictions from IRI-2020 model are not satisfactory at any of the three sectors in the African longitudes and prompt attention of the modeling community for further investigations towards possible refinements in the model specifications.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION: TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING

The ongoing improvement of teaching abilities among faculty is recognized as essential across various academic disciplines. Within the Construction Management and Engineering (CME) field, there's a notable need for such professional development. Our study looks into a specific program designed to bolster the teaching capacities of new faculty in foundational construction topics. The central aim was to understand the opinions of CME faculty regarding these development initiatives and their potential benefits. During the summer of 2022, we introduced the program to 15 early-career faculty members. These individuals participated in educational sessions led by experienced construction educators. To gather feedback, we collected personal reflections and insights from participants, aiming to understand their perceptions and the impact on their teaching and mentoring skills. The feedback highlighted areas for improvement in current CME teaching practices and affirmed the value of such development programs. This research provides guidance for those in CME looking to design educational tools to better prepare graduate students for academic roles.

ChatGPT for use in technology-enhanced learning in anesthesiology and emergency medicine and potential clinical application of AI language models : Between hype and reality around artificial intelligence in medical use

The utilization of AI language models in education and academia is currently asubject of research, and applications in clinical settings are also being tested. Studies conducted by various research groups have demonstrated that language models can answer questions related to medical board examinations, and there are potential applications of these models in medical education as well. This study aims to investigate the extent to which current version language models prove effective for addressing medical inquiries, their potential utility in medical education, and the challenges that still exist in the functioning of AI language models. The program ChatGPT, based on GPT3.5, had to answer 1025 questions from the second part (M2) of the medical board examination. The study examined whether any errors and what types of errors occurred. Additionally, the language model was asked to generate essays on the learning objectives outlined in the standard curriculum for specialist training in anesthesiology and the supplementary qualification in emergency medicine. These essays were analyzed afterwards and checked for errors and anomalies. The findings indicated that ChatGPT was able to correctly answer the questions with an accuracy rate exceeding 69%, even when the questions included references to visual aids. This represented an improvement in the accuracy of answering board examination questions compared to astudy conducted in March; however, when it came to generating essays ahigh error rate was observed. Considering the current pace of ongoing improvements in AI language models, widespread clinical implementation, especially in emergency departments as well as emergency and intensive care medicine with the assistance of medical trainees, is aplausible scenario. These models can provide insights to support medical professionals in their work, without relying solely on the language model. Although the use of these models in education holds promise, it currently requires asignificant amount of supervision. Due to hallucinations caused by inadequate training environments for the language model, the generated texts might deviate from the current state of scientific knowledge. Direct deployment in patient care settings without permanent physician supervision does not yet appear to be achievable at present.

Assessment of Factors Affecting the Safety Performance in Construction Projects

Abstract: This study analyzes the 152 responses of clients, contractors, and consultants within the construction industry in order to investigate safety performance factors within the construction industry. The data for the study were gathered through the use of a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis, including ANOVA tests, was performed on it in order to evaluate the possibility of differences between the respondents in terms of their experience and designation. The findings highlight significant differences in perceptions among the various groups and suggest that areas of focus for improvement include safety training, availability of equipment, communication, and adherence to safety standards. The study emphasizes the significance of ongoing evaluation and improvement of safety measures and advocates for increased attention to the cultivation of a culture that places an emphasis on safety in construction projects. These findings provide valuable insights for improving overall safety performance and contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of safety in the construction industry, which is a sector that is currently understudied.

Empowering the Blind: An AI Driven Indoor Assistance for Visually Impaired

Abstract: This review paper presents the design and development of a comprehensive mobile application aimed at enhancing the daily lives of visually impaired individuals. The proposed mobile app offers real-time assistance for various visual recognition tasks, including object detection, distance estimation, currency recognition, barcode detection, color recognition, and emotion analysis. The primary objective of this application is to provide visually impaired users with a powerful tool to navigate their surroundings, identify objects and currency, scan barcodes, discern colors, and even gauge the emotions of those they interact with. The app integrates pre-trained deep learning models for object detection and facial emotion analysis, computer vision techniques for distance estimation, and optical character recognition for currency recognition. User feedback and engagement are central to the ongoing improvement of the application, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for the community it serves. Ethical considerations and privacy concerns are also addressed, with a focus on data security and user privacy. By presenting the development and functionalities of this app, this review paper not only contributes to the field of assistive technology but also underscores the importance of harnessing cutting-edge technology to improve the quality of life for visually impaired individuals.

Examination of Quality Implementation Management for Institutions with Accreditation: An Analysis Study

Examination of Quality Implementation Management for Institutions with Accreditation: An Analysis Study

Role and Applications of Experimental Animal Models of Fontan Circulation.

Over the last four decades, the Fontan operation has been the treatment of choice for children born with complex congenital heart diseases and a single-ventricle physiology. However, therapeutic options remain limited and despite ongoing improvements in initial surgical repair, patients still experience a multiplicity of cardiovascular complications. The causes for cardiovascular failure are multifactorial and include systemic ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary vascular resistance, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, arrhythmia, development of collaterals, protein-losing enteropathy, hepatic dysfunction, and plastic bronchitis, among others. The mechanisms leading to these late complications remain to be fully elucidated. Experimental animal models have been developed as preclinical steps that enable a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. They furthermore play a key role in the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of new medical devices prior to their use in human clinical studies. However, these experimental models have several limitations. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the evolution and progress of the various types of experimental animal models used in the Fontan procedure published to date in the literature. A special focus is placed on experimental studies performed on animal models of the Fontan procedure with or without mechanical circulatory support as well as a description of their impact in the evolution of the Fontan design. We also highlight the contribution of animal models to our understanding of the pathophysiology and assess forthcoming developments that may improve the contribution of animal models for the testing of new therapeutic solutions.

Consumption as the catalyst: Analyzing rural power infrastructure and agricultural growth through panel threshold regression and data-driven prediction

With ongoing improvements in infrastructure, extensive data consistently demonstrate that the development of rural power infrastructure plays a significant role in driving agricultural growth. However, the existing research has only scratched the surface in comprehensively assessing the multifaceted impact of different aspects of power infrastructure, primarily owing to the narrow scope of performance indicators. To address this gap, this study employs principal component analysis (PCA) to develop panel threshold models and data-driven predictive models based on an indicator framework. Using Fujian Province as a case study, this research systematically analyzes the impact of rural power infrastructure development on agriculture across four stages, i.e., generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. The findings highlight the crucial role of the consumption stage in nurturing agricultural growth through rural power infrastructure construction. Notably, the investigation reveals that residential electricity consumption and the number of service users have a significantly positive impact on rural agricultural development, while the influence of agricultural electricity consumption remains comparatively limited when compared with the secondary and tertiary sectors. Furthermore, the data-driven predictive model introduced in this study provides a more precise forecast of future trends in rural agricultural development. This research underscores the critical importance of conducting in-depth explorations to uncover the actual role of power infrastructure development in the context of rural agriculture. With regards to rural power infrastructure construction, it is advisable to invest prudently, formulate relevant policies, with a specific focus on the consumption stage, and implement targeted technology upgrades to enhance productivity and ultimately promote agricultural development.

An implementation analysis of a quality improvement project to reduce cesarean section in Brazilian private hospitals

BackgroundBrazil has one of the highest prevalence of cesarean sections in the world. The private health system is responsible for carrying out most of these surgical procedures. A quality improvement project called Adequate Childbirth Project (“Projeto Parto Adequado”- PPA) was developed to identify models of care for labor and childbirth, which place value on vaginal birth and reduce the frequency of cesarean sections without a clinical indication. This research aims to evaluate the implementation of PPA in private hospitals in Brazil.MethodEvaluative hospital-based survey, carried out in 2017, in 12 private hospitals, including 4,322 women. We used a Bayesian network strategy to develop a theoretical model for implementation analysis. We estimated and compared the degree of implementation of two major driving components of PPA—“Participation of women” and “Reorganization of care” – among the 12 hospitals and according to type of hospital (belonging to a health insurance company or not). To assess whether the degree of implementation was correlated with the rate of vaginal birth data we used the Bayesian Network and compared the difference between the group “Exposed to the PPA model of care” and the group “Standard of care model”.ResultsPPA had a low degree of implementation in both components “Reorganization of Care” (0.17 – 0.32) and “Participation of Women” (0.21 – 0.34). The combined implementation score was 0.39–0.64 and was higher in hospitals that belonged to a health insurance company. The vaginal birth rate was higher in hospitals with a higher degree of implementation of PPA.ConclusionThe degree of implementation of PPA was low, which reflects the difficulties in changing childbirth care practices. Nevertheless, PPA increased vaginal birth rates in private hospitals with higher implementation scores. PPA is an ongoing quality improvement project and these results demonstrate the need for changes in the involvement of women and the care offered by the provider.

Decoding Factors Influencing Mental Health Help-Seeking in Asian International Students: A Correlational Survey Study

This study investigates the effects of gender, age, perceived socioeconomic status, and attitudes toward mental health treatment, alongside the awareness and accessibility of mental health services, on the propensity of Asian international undergraduate and graduate students in U.S. colleges to seek mental health support. Utilizing an online survey, responses from a diverse group of 116 participants, aged 18 and above, from universities across the nation were examined through correlation analysis. Findings indicated no significant gender differences in attitudes toward mental health treatment. However, factors such as higher educational level, superior socioeconomic background, longer U.S. residency, and increased awareness and accessibility of mental health services positively influenced attitudes. This quantitative study extends previous qualitative research addressing similar questions, filling a gap by offering broader empirical insights into this population’s mental health service utilization. The outcome underscores the need for university counseling centers to develop targeted interventions that acknowledge the needs of Asian international students. Future research should explore the longitudinal impacts of these factors on mental health help-seeking behaviors to inform ongoing service improvement.

P062 Trust performance in managing inflammatory arthritis over time in England and Wales: a latent class analysis approach

Abstract Background/Aims To evaluate trust-level performance in time to initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy in patients with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA), with identification of change in performance trajectories over time and investigation of trust characteristics associated with this change. Methods We included 130 trusts from the UK contributing to the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) from 2018 to 2020. The primary outcome was days from referral to initiation of DMARD therapy in patients with EIA. Latent class growth mixture models were applied to identify distinct groups of trusts with similar trajectories of performance change over time. We used mixed-effects linear and multinomial logistic regression models to evaluate the association between delay in treatment and trust-level characteristics. Results The mean (SD) time to DMARD initiation was 53 (18) days, with an average 0.3-day decrease with each month over time. Four latent trajectories were identified in our cohort, with over 77% of individual trusts showing ongoing improvements in decreasing treatment waiting times. Prior to separating by latent class, time to DMARD initiation was shorter in trusts with higher rheumatology staffing, a local EIA treatment pathway and those with access to musculoskeletal ultrasound. Trusts with more nurses in the rheumatology department were less likely to be in the worse performance group (OR = 0.69 [95%CI 0.49, 0.93]). Conclusion In this cohort study, we observed a reduction in treatment waiting time over time. Trusts with better staffed and improved EIA clinical structure are likely to initiate definitive treatment earlier in patients with EIA. Disclosure Z. Yang: None. N. Arumalla: None. M.D. Russell: Honoraria; Lilly, Menarini, Galapagos. Grants/research support; NIHR. Other; Pfizer, Janssen, Biogen, and UCB. K. Bechman: Honoraria; Menarini, Galapagos. Grants/research support; NIHR,Versus Arthritis and Pfizer Global Medical Grants for Quality Improvement in Rheumatology Practice. Other; UCB. E. Alveyn: Other; UCB. S. Gallagher: None. E. Price: None. S. Norton: None. J. Galloway: Honoraria; AbbVie, Biovitrum, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi and UCB.

Influence of resource planning practices in faecal sludge management system in Embu County

The study aimed to assess the influence resource planning influences the implementation of a faecal sludge management system in Embu County between March and December 2022, adopting a descriptive research design. The population included 655 individuals, with a sample size determined using Taro Yamane's formula for landlords and a census method for top managers, technical officers, contractors, and individuals involved in exhausting. Research instruments comprised scheduled questionnaires and interviews, with ethical considerations obtained from relevant authorities. Data analysis utilized SPSS Version 26 for both qualitative and quantitative data, employing thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive and inferential analyses for quantitative data. Findings revealed a notable gender imbalance and age-related impacts on perceptions in fecal sludge management. Resource planning effectiveness indicated strengths in objective setting, communication, and risk management, significantly influencing system implementation. Recommendations include strengthening the strategic framework, enhancing vision and mission statements, refining financial planning, addressing role comprehension gaps, aligning resource planning with project timelines, and implementing regular monitoring and evaluation for ongoing improvements. Overall, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of resource planning in the success of fecal sludge management projects and highlights areas for improvement to enhance effectiveness.

Enhancing patient safety culture and examining adverse events in intensive care units: a comparative analysis

Background and Purpose: The global emphasis on fostering a patient safety culture is a priority for many countries, including those in the Middle East. Hospitals worldwide are dedicated to enhancing the quality of patient care and safety, with an increasing recognition by hospital management of the role played by a robust patient safety culture. This study compares intensive care nurses' perceptions of patient safety culture and adverse events. Method: A comparative study was conducted in the intensive care units (ICUs) of four private and teaching hospitals utilizing The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC)-two in Riyadh and two in Cairo. Nonprobability sampling was employed across all registered nurses working in ICUs. Results: The study revealed that the highest percentage of errors occurred in patients' acquired infections (61.5%), while the lowest percentage was associated with patients' falls (7.8%). The strengths of the composites were continuous organizational learning improvement (85.9%) and management support for patient safety (81.4%). Areas for improvement were identified in composites such as handoffs and transitions (40.3%) and teamwork across units (49.5%). Notably, nurses in Cairo hospitals reported a higher frequency of adverse events compared to their counterparts in Riyadh hospitals. Implications for practice: The views of nurses working in both cities emphasized the importance of organizational learning to achieve ongoing improvement, teamwork within specific units, and managerial backing for ensuring patient safety. Moreover, the research emphasized the necessity for additional improvements in collaboration between different units, as well as in the processes of handoffs and transitions.

Performance Evaluation of an Enhanced Solar Still Using Simulink

This study focuses on enhancing the efficiency of solar desalination, particularly for small communities facing water scarcity. Despite the economic viability of solar desalination, the method encounters a technical challenge related to low solar yield. The research proposes innovative solutions, notably the integration of a Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC) and Thermal Energy Storage (TES). The CPC system addresses low solar yield by minimizing losses through reflection, significantly improving the capture efficiency of solar radiation. Additionally, TES serves as a strategic storage component, storing solar energy and providing high energy when needed, thereby enhancing water evaporation rates. Using the SIMULINK platform for evaluation, the study demonstrates that the solar still, enhanced with TES and CPC, consistently produces an average of 15 liters of clean water. This positive outcome underscores the effectiveness of the proposed enhancements and suggests avenues for further refinement. The research not only addresses technical challenges but also establishes a foundation for ongoing improvements in solar desalination technology, offering potential solutions for water-scarce communities.

Political Staff Promotions, Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Style and Performance of Private Universities in Kenya

This study investigated the relationship between political staff promotions, the vice chancellor's leadership style, and the performance of private universities in Kenya, highlighting their significant roles in shaping the educational landscape. Despite the renowned flexibility, autonomy, and competitiveness of private universities, these institutions in Kenya encountered challenges due to political staff promotions and leadership dynamics, potentially impacting their performance and standing in the competitive educational sector. The research was prompted by concerns over the suboptimal performance of private universities in Kenya, with issues such as quality of education, financial constraints, fierce competition, and governance problems being key contributing factors. The study aimed to explore the effects of political staff promotions and the leadership style of vice chancellors on the performance of these institutions, seeking to understand the dynamics influencing their success or shortcomings. Employing Transformational Leadership Theory and Resource Based View Theory as its foundation, the research utilized a descriptive design for an in-depth analysis. Data were collected from a purposively selected sample of five prominent private universities in Kenya through questionnaires and interviews targeting vice chancellors, deans, and lecturers. This methodological approach facilitated a detailed examination of the research variables and their interrelations. The findings indicated that political staff promotions had insignificant impact on university performance, with a non-significant p-value of 0.666 (B = -0.174), suggesting that political considerations, while present, did not substantially affect institutional effectiveness. In contrast, the vice chancellor's leadership style showed a significant positive correlation with university performance, evidenced by a significant p-value of 0.020 (B = 0.475), indicating the role of effective leadership in driving institutional success. This underlined the potential of strong, visionary leadership to guide private universities towards higher levels of excellence and competitiveness. The study recommends a focus on leadership development, the implementation of transparent promotion processes, and efforts to improve teaching quality and infrastructure. By addressing these areas, private universities in Kenya could strengthen their foundations, better navigate existing challenges, and seize opportunities for ongoing improvement and significant contributions to the wider educational sector. Keywords: Leadership style, university performance, political staff promotions, higher education management, private universities in Kenya

Wastewater Effluent from Outfalls in Kuwait Bay: A Threat to Recreational Water Quality

The implications of wastewater discharge into marine ecosystems are gravely concerning due to their ability to trigger a chain reaction of contaminants that pose severe risks to both humans and aquatic life. Kuwait Bay is no exception, with numerous wastewater outfalls posing a threat to the marine environment on its southern coasts. This study sought to extensively evaluate the recreational water quality adjacent to wastewater outfalls at five specified sites and compare the results according to the KEPA's (Kuwait's Environmental Public Authority) guidelines. Field measurements and laboratory analyses were conducted to gauge various parameters associated with water quality, such as nutrients, heavy metals, fecal bacterial indicators (FBI), and pharmaceutical compounds. The results of field measurements indicated that two locations had insufficient DO levels with values < 4 mg/l below KEPA standards and brackish to saline water concerning Electrical conductivity (EC) measurements. However, the heavy metal results demonstrated mercury (Hg) pollution at all locations, whereas the nutrient data revealed significant PO4-P concentrations. Furthermore, EPA requirements were considerably exceeded for bacterial indicator counts (fecal coliforms, E. coli, and fecal streptococci), suggesting serious biological pollution at these locations and elevated concentrations of paracetamol and ranitidine have been detected in pharmaceutical compound analysis, particularly in location OC5. The study's findings emphasized the significance of periodic surveillance to ensure the ongoing improvement of water quality and public health in Kuwait's coastal zones and highlighted the dire need to address the extensive contamination by implementing measures to mitigate the dump of unprocessed wastewater into the sea.

Imaging the pulmonary vasculature in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a redistribution of regional lung perfusion that impairs gas exchange. While speculative, experimental evidence suggests that perfusion redistribution may contribute to regional inflammation and modify disease progression. Unfortunately, tools to visualize and quantify lung perfusion in patients with ARDS are lacking. This review explores recent advances in perfusion imaging techniques that aim to understand the pulmonary circulation in ARDS. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography captures first-pass kinetics of intravenously injected dye during continuous scan acquisitions. Different contrast characteristics and kinetic modeling have improved its topographic measurement of pulmonary perfusion with high spatial and temporal resolution. Dual-energy computed tomography can map the pulmonary blood volume of the whole lung with limited radiation exposure, enabling its application in clinical research. Electrical impedance tomography can obtain serial topographic assessments of perfusion at the bedside in response to treatments such as inhaled nitric oxide and prone position. Ongoing technological improvements and emerging techniques will enhance lung perfusion imaging and aid its incorporation into the care of patients with ARDS.

Teachers’ Perceived Level of Professional Development and Competencies in Handling Kindergarten Pupils: The Case of Public and Private Schools of Ozamis City Division

Despite the critical role of early childhood education and the unique challenges faced by kindergarten teachers, there exists a noticeable need for more specific professional development needs and competencies required for effective teaching. This study employed a descriptive-survey research method to determine the professional development needs and competencies of kindergarten teachers in public and private schools of the Ozamiz City Division. Findings revealed that the kindergarten teachers expressed a high level of perceived professional development needs and demonstrated a high level of competence in handling kindergarten classes. This emphasizes the dedication of teachers to ongoing growth and improvement within their field. However, there exist a significant differences on the perceived professional development needs and competencies in terms of gender. These indicated the necessity for professional development to enhance the skills of kindergarten teachers, particularly in addressing the differing competency needs of male and female pupils. Thus, continuous professional development is essential, especially for early childhood education, as teachers must effectively meet the needs of their students and provide quality education.