Professional Opportunities Research Articles

Using a Popular Video Platform to Assess Patient Perceptions of Clubfoot Deformity.

In today's world, individuals receive much of their medical information from the Internet, including social media platforms such as the increasingly popular TikTok, a video-sharing site. This study's purpose was to better understand the content popular online regarding clubfoot deformity. The 50 most viewed, English language videos on TikTok with the tags #clubfootjourney, #talipes, #clubfootcast, #clubfoottreatment, and #clubfoot were identified and independently evaluated by 2 separate reviewers for creator demographics, video type, and prominent themes. Videos were also assessed for medical accuracy and given a score for understandability and actionability based on the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). In total, the videos had 87.7 million views, 3.8 million "likes", and 42.1 thousand comments. Health care professionals created 10% of the videos, and only 1 video was made by an orthopaedic surgeon. Of all the videos, including those created by non-health-care professionals, 82% included medically substantiated and accurate claims. A majority of the videos were primarily educational (70%), with the remainder primarily motivational (30%). Tone varied between positive (74%), and neutral (26%) with no negative tone although most watched videos accounting for 30 million views were primarily motivational. Prominent themes included casting journey (32%), medical education/demonstration (22%), and adults with clubfoot deformity (12%). Ideas such as fear, pain, and discomfort (55%), the importance of family support (25%), and hygiene (20%) were also represented. None of the videos exhibited themes of race in medicine or socioeconomic barriers. All videos were also found to have an average understandability of 74.3% and an average actionability of 36.3%, according to the PEMAT. The substantial number of views and "likes" accumulated by these videos highlights the breadth of content and utilization of social media by the public. This study reveals an opportunity for health care professionals to reach patients with accurate information, identify areas of fear/distrust, and address negative or incorrect perceptions that pervades a variety of interventions with regards to clubfoot deformity management and treatment.

Opportunities and Challenges of Online Professional Development Training: Perspectives of Private Schools’ Teachers

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of English Language teachers in private Schools regarding opportunities and challenges of online professional development (PD) programs. It also investigated their attitudes towards these online programs. Methods: The qualitative method was employed to provide in-depth insights into the complex and nuanced perspectives of teachers regarding online professional development (PD), 5 Semi structured focus group interviews were conducted via Zoom platform with a subset of English Language teachers (N=20) randomly selected from a total of 100 male and female English Language teachers in 6 private international schools at Ajman Educational Zone. The interview main questions and follow up ones were validated by a jury of experts. Inter-rater reliability was also conducted to ensure the accuracy and precision of the results analysis. In addition, two research main questions were used to guide the study. Results: The results showed that Online Professional Development Programs granted teachers professional development training opportunities in terms of quality and quantity as well as types and varieties since these programs are flexible, and affordable. They could also save time, efforts, money, and energy. In contrast, the challenges lied in language barriers, and appropriateness for the specific needs of teachers, students, subjects, and context. Additionally, most teachers developed positive attitudes towards online professional development programs. Conclusion: It could be concluded that online professional development training programs were beneficial for teachers who developed mostly positive attitudes in various aspects like flexibility, affordability and variations though there were some barriers like appropriateness and language barriers.

A Reflective Account of Character-Based Professional Learning in Higher Education

This manuscript will reflect on the planning and development of professional learning opportunities provided to diverse university stakeholders on character education and virtue formation. While reflecting on the approach to the project, planning logistics and content development are explored explicitly. An evaluation exploring training modalities, attendance, arrangement, and feedback were used to gain insight and guide the authors in their reflective practice. The reflective narrative and evaluation of ideas led to a decision about the factors that aided the project's implementation. In future professional learning opportunities, determining attendees' prior knowledge of the content and additional internal support for communication and development plans is key. While evaluating how to implement professional learning opportunities focused on character, the planning and development process were explored; in coming to a decision, the reflective criteria of responsibility, open-mindedness, and wholeheartedness were focal points. Keywords: reflection, readiness attitudes, planning, professional learning opportunities, planning and development

Exploration of Youtuber Business Models as an Additional Reference for Current Professional Opportunities

This research explores the opportunities for YouTubers' digital workers today. The existence of opportunities to earn income from the YouTube platform in the form of AdSense, as well as other income opportunities that are open because of being a YouTuber makes people want to engage in this digital worker. Either as a side job or as a main job. No research explores the current YouTuber business model, making this research important to be used as an additional reference for those who want to become YouTubers. This research applies a qualitative method whose goal is to explore information in depth. With in-depth interviews with 2 big YouTubers and 2 beginner YouTubers as well as Employees of the Directorate General of Taxes, the author found that currently, the work of YouTubers is not as prospective as it used to be, because the competition between YouTubers is very tight, and the regulations imposed by YouTube related to AdSense are also felt by informants. In conclusion, to start a career as a content creator on YouTube, and then make it your main income for now seems less recommended. Apart from the fact that there are many YouTubers, it means that the red ocean or competition is saturated, also the adsense received turns out to be "change", to collect just 100 dollars can be a year as experienced by Susanto who currently has 18.8 thousand subscribers.

The Role of Participatory Leadership in Developing Creativity and Increasing Teachers’ Motivation toward Teaching in Saudi Schools

This study examines the relationship between participatory leadership, creativity development, and teacher motivation in Saudi schools, addressing a gap in the theoretical literature. The aim of this study is to understand how leadership styles impact educational outcomes. A descriptive quantitative research design was utilized, involving a thorough review of relevant literature and the administration of a closed-ended questionnaire to a sample of 100 teachers. The questionnaire was designed based on previous studies and validated through a pilot study, achieving a Cronbach's alpha of 0.897 for overall reliability. The results indicate a strong positive relationship between participatory leadership and both creativity development and teacher motivation, with a correlation coefficient of 0.974 (p = 0.000). This finding is consistent with existing literature that emphasizes the benefits of collaborative decision-making and professional development in enhancing job satisfaction and organizational success. The high level of agreement among teachers (mean = 4.09) underscores the significance of participatory leadership in fostering a supportive and innovative educational environment. In conclusion, the study highlights the pivotal role of participatory leadership in enhancing teacher motivation and creativity, which are essential for improving educational outcomes in Saudi schools. The study recommends that school principals adopt participatory practices, involve teachers in decision- making, and offer professional growth opportunities. Training programs on participatory leadership should be implemented, and further research should examine the long- term impacts on student performance and overall school effectiveness.

DESENVOLVIMENTO DO HOME EASY: SISTEMA DE SOLICITAÇÕES DE SERVIÇOS

This article describes Home Easy, a platform built for both web and mobile, created to simplify the hiring of services, focusing on manual services. Its main objective is to increase the visibility of professionals while simplifying the hiring process for clients. To achieve an intuitive and accessible interface for all users, the platform was developed using ASP.NET Core MVC and SQL Server. The results showed that Home Easy has the potential to significantly change the recruitment market, especially for services that are traditionally less visible or poorly perceived. The platform not only meets the current market needs but also creates new business opportunities for both clients and professionals. We conclude that Home Easy not only satisfies an ever-evolving market but also offers new possibilities for professionals to stand out and expand their work, while providing clients with a more efficient and reliable way to hire services.

A Longitudinal Examination of Autism Services, Child Adaptive Functioning, and Parent Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The delivery of services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was disrupted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may have affected child functioning and caregiver quality of life (QoL). This study examined changes in service intensity, child adaptive functioning, and caregiver QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 146 caregivers (87% mothers) of children with ASD (M age = 8.22 years; SD = 4.21) who were invited to complete an online survey about service intensity, child functioning, and caregiver QoL at four time points between the summer of 2020 and the summer of 2021. Simple regressions indicated that child adaptive functioning and caregiver QoL increased over time after stay-at-home orders were lifted. Fixed effects regression models indicated that increases in service intensity were associated with concurrent increases in caregiver physical QoL. Decreases in child repetitive behaviors were associated with concurrent increases in caregiver social and environmental QoL. These findings suggest that children and their caregivers demonstrated resilience in the year after stay-at-home orders were lifted. Additionally,service intensity and child repetitive behaviors may impact caregiver QoL, making these variables areas of opportunity for stakeholders and professionals.

Exploring the Motivations, Challenges, and Integration of Internationally Educated Healthcare Workers in the UK: A Scoping Review.

Healthcare worker migration, influenced by push and pull factors, is accentuated by active recruitment strategies of developed nations. This scoping review explores experiences of internationally educated nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals in the UK since 2010, acknowledging the historical context of UK recruitment policy and the implementation of codes of practice by the World Health Organisation and the UK government. Using the Population, Concept, and Context framework, systematic literature searches were conducted in various databases, including CINAHL, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar. Covidence software facilitated screening, with data systematically extracted and analyzed. The scoping review included 24 papers focusing on nurses (n = 19), midwives (n = 1), and various allied health professions (n = 4), spanning from 2010 to 2023. Findings revealed diverse challenges and facilitators, from professional recognition and career opportunities to discrimination, language barriers, and socioeconomic factors influencing integration and retention. The review highlights the multifaceted experiences of internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs) in the UK workforce. Despite their significant contributions, IEHPs face challenges such as unrecognized skills, third-party recruitment issues, and cultural adjustment difficulties. Addressing registration processes, recruitment practices, and cultural competence training is crucial to creating an inclusive environment that maximizes IEHPs' contributions and ensures their professional growth and well-being, ultimately benefiting the healthcare sector.

Strategic actions based on reconnaissance: promoting critical colleagueship though discussion of assessment mistakes

ABSTRACT Teachers’ development can be enhanced by reflection and meaningful peer discourse revolving around pedagogical mistakes, including the creation and implementation of poorly constructed assessment tasks. However, while many teachers plan together, discussion revolves around planning that is, looking forward. While there may be discussion about what seemed to work well or not, the depth of critique – or looking backward – is shallow. This project is meant to be the jumping off point for future exercises in which teachers work within a critical colleagueship and open up discussion of their own teacher-made assessment tasks as well asthose created by third parties. Twenty-six educators participated in the pilot in which they weresurveyed on their feelings related to making mistakes, learning through working with others, and professional opportunities to learn from mistakes and work with colleagues. They were asked to critique and discuss seven poorly constructed assessment tasks. Then, they were surveyed on the potential value of the activity as a professional-development tool. Results confirm the value of analysing assessment errors in a collaborative way, but also reveal that the most prevalent perceived benefit of discussing mistakes is the ‘I won’t make that same mistake again’ mentality and that fear undergirds such discussions.

Female Patients and Staff at Hanwell Asylum (1830s–1860s): Negotiating Limitations and Opportunities in a Male-dominated Medical Sphere

Abstract Hanwell Lunatic Asylum is widely recognised as having been emblematic of Victorian British asylums, for which it represented a therapeutic model. It was nevertheless a relatively atypical institution in its way of treating male and female patients, and this was in no small part due to the personality of John Conolly, its medical superintendent from 1839 to 1852. His political convictions, deeply rooted in utopian socialism, made him less inclined to conform to middle- and upper-class social norms of the time, which tended to limit women in their social and intellectual aspirations. More typical was the undeniable tendency in the institution to strictly separate the male and female spheres, the medical profession having long been a field traditionally reserved to men. The situation was nevertheless quite different within what might be called the “social sphere” of the asylum. Here female staff played a key role, under the authority of the matron. This paper will seek to demonstrate that, despite genuine restrictions and limitations imposed on female patients and nurses – many of which were in fact imposed on both genders, and were denounced by female staff and chaplains – the asylum could nevertheless appear as a safe place for women to gain access to education, leisure and social interactions, and could even offer them some kinds of professional opportunities.

Broadening the purpose of education within performance-based accountability: policy (in)coherence and professional learning opportunities

ABSTRACT At a time of increasing global uncertainty, it is critical that school systems succeed at transforming their educational aims and practices. This article focuses on the Chilean System of Educational Quality Assurance as a policy case aimed at expanding the purpose of education by incorporating indicators of social and personal development (ISPD) within performance-based accountability (PBA) policy. The article analyses this phenomenon at organisational level, charting the emergence of organisational routines focusing on ‘if’ and ‘how’ professional conversations that engender a more holistic educational approach are allowed. Data comes from four school cases, each representing a different achievement combination (high-low) of learning standards and ISPD indicators. Results show that all cases develop new professional meetings believing in their capacity to facilitate teachers’ professional conversations. However, three of the four schools deviate from that pathway focusing on practice repetition and increased control to attain academic results, while all schools neglected the policy’s holistic goals. In the context of this disconnection, schools lack operational tools for building an existing language that enhances professional conversations related to broad education. Consequently, the reform does not motivate transformative learning but a reproductive type, hindering teachers’ practice possibilities for adjustments compatible with global challenges.

Showcasing 2024 Community College Research and Practice Highlights

ABSTRACT The Community College Journal of Research and Practice (CCJRP) has published impactful and relevant research concerning community college in 2024. This article describes the scholarship published in 2024 within the journal’s scope, providing important information about the reach and metrics of the journal. In addition, publishing opportunities for scholars and professionals are noted.

Comprehensive Management of Drunkorexia: A Scoping Review of Influencing Factors and Opportunities for Intervention.

Drunkorexia is a novel alcohol-related disorder prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Extensive research on the causes and their relationship is lacking. Identifying these aspects could improve early detection and management by healthcare professionals. The aim of this review was to identify the influencing factors of drunkorexia in adolescents and young adults, as well as the main opportunities for action by health professionals. A scoping review was conducted in June and July 2024 using three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science). A search and review protocol were established and registered in PROSPERO. The research questions were formulated in Patient, Concept, Context (PCC) formats for an adequate literature review. Original articles from January 2008 to July 2024 were included. Reviews, meta-analyses, and doctoral theses or academic texts were excluded. In the screening phase, a methodological assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical appraisal tools to support study eligibility. Depending on the study design, different checklists were used, and cross-sectional studies that received scores of 4/8 or higher, quasi-experimental designs that obtained 5/9 or higher, and qualitative research that obtained 5/10 or higher were accepted. A total of 1502 studies were initially found. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 20 studies were selected. Complications of emotion regulation, both positive and negative metacognitive beliefs, inability to effectively manage stress and anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, self-discipline and self-control, or differences in social expectations are predisposing factors for drunkorexia. The management of malnutrition and dehydration is an opportunity for clinical professionals to address this problem. In addition, mental health issues can provide another opportunity to manage heavy alcohol consumption. Drunkorexia must be recognized as a new disease to be addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective. In this way, increasing research on this trend would support prevention and intervention strategies. The use of digital platforms is essential for raising social awareness of this negative habit.

Professional learning for leadership in early years: Comparing Sweden and England

This paper critically reviews England’s National Professional Qualification of Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) and Sweden’s National Principal Training Program (NPTP). The design and implementation of these programs are critiqued considering the process of professional learning, with view of offering recommendations for future policies on professionalisation through leadership professional learning. The study compares the professional development using a simple multiple case study design. Analysis of sources highlight common themes of leadership, curriculum, agency, and professionalism. These are discussed in relation to how such programs may contribute to the early years sector, leading to recommendations to inform future professional learning opportunities.

The Longitudinal Implementation of a Mental Health Literacy Resource Among Grade 8 and 9 Students in a Catholic School Setting

ABSTRACT Background Mental disorders most likely manifest during adolescence, providing opportunities for schools and professionals to implement standardized mental health literacy (MHL) interventions to support improvement of mental health outcomes. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an MHL intervention (the Guide) on knowledge, stigma, help-seeking and overall mental health among grade 8–9 students. Methods We developed a longitudinal cohort study to evaluate the Guide among 523 students, delivered across subsequent grade levels within a Catholic school board in Canada. We utilized validated measures to assess mental health knowledge, stigma, help seeking attitudes, and mental health across four time-points: baseline, end of grade 8, beginning of grade 9, and end of grade 9. Teachers undertook training to learn how to administer the intervention, utilize included teaching aids, and collect data. Results Students demonstrated improvements on knowledge and stigma at all measurement intervals, however statistically significant differences in help-seeking and well-being outcomes were not observed. Discussion This study suggests the plausibility of longer-term delivery of the Guide and similar resources in enhancing knowledge and reducing stigma among similar youth cohorts. Translation to Health Education Practice Certified Health Education Specialists may adapt the Guide to accommodate youth mental health needs in different contexts.

Factors Contributing to English Fluency Paucities among Secondary Level Students: Perspective Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh

This study examines the factors contributing to English fluency paucity among secondary-level students in the Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh. Despite the prominence of English as a global language, students in this region face significant challenges in achieving fluency. The research identified key factors such as inadequate teaching methods, lack of exposure to English outside the classroom, limited access to English learning materials, socio-economic barriers, and insufficient emphasis on speaking and listening skills in the curriculum. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and classroom observations, involving both students and teachers. The findings suggest that while students possess a basic understanding of English grammar and vocabulary, their ability to use the language in conversational settings remains limited. Furthermore, socio-cultural attitudes towards English and insufficient teacher training also play a role in hindering fluency development. The study recommends improvements in curriculum design, teacher professional development, and the promotion of interactive English language learning environments. Addressing these challenges could significantly enhance students’ fluency and better prepare them for academic and professional opportunities.

Correction to: Merit recruitment, professional advancement opportunities and prosocial rule-breaking among public servants in Greece

Correction to: Merit recruitment, professional advancement opportunities and prosocial rule-breaking among public servants in Greece

Certified Child Life Specialists in Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations: A State of the Profession.

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) provide developmentally appropriate psychosocial care to children to promote positive coping. However, little is known about the current professional landscape and opportunities for professional growth, especially in hospice and palliative care. To conduct a needs assessment among CCLS and examine the role in hospice and palliative care. CCLSs were surveyed on their experience and needs in providing care in hospice and palliative care organizations. The online survey contained questions about demographics and work environment. The survey included multiple choice, yes/no, and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were generated from the survey items and comments/open-ended questions were coded and assessed for themes. Among the 191 respondents, most were females (96.3%), under 40 years of age (63.8%), Caucasian (87.4%), and non-Hispanic (95.3%) with under 12 years of full-time work experience (57.0%). CCLSs commonly worked in urban/suburban (67.5%) pediatric programs (62.3%) with clients ranging from perinatal (33.5%) to adult caregivers of children (60.2%). Themes from the open-ended questions were: (a) role clarification, (b) staffing, (c) funding, (d) training/education, (e) professionality, and (f) self-care. Key insights into the profession, along with challenges and opportunities of working within the hospice and palliative care setting were identified. The findings highlighted the unique need for professional development among CCLSs.

Predictive Modeling and Early Detection of Parkinson's Disease Using Machine Learning

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impacts millions of citizens in the USA, mainly targeting the motor system and causing debilitating symptoms such as rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is presently heavily dependent on clinical evaluations and neurological examinations, targeting the detection of motor dysfunction. The principal aim of this study was to use machine learning as a means for early detection and prediction of Parkinson's disease. The dataset utilized for this study was the Parkinson’s Disease Dataset, retrieved from the UCI Machine Learning Repository, which included comprehensive biomedical voice measurements from a cohort of individuals, 23 of whom are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and 8 who are healthy controls. This dataset included a set of features extracted from voice recordings. These include parameters like fundamental frequency (pitch), amplitude variation, jitter, shimmer, and several phonation-related measures known to reflect early vocal impairments associated with the disease in question. This research project deployed three credible and proven algorithms, namely, logistic regression, random forest, and the Support Vector Machines. Besides, this study employed a combination of metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC-AUC, which are more holistic toward the model performance. According to the metric performance results of the three models, several key insights were drawn into the early detection of Parkinson's Disease. Particularly, it was clear that the Random Forest model had superior accuracy and was the most reliable in classifying positive cases and healthy patients, which could be that this model turned out to be most reliable in an early detection setting. In that respect, predictive modeling in Parkinson's Disease is a capability frontier that has the potential to make much difference in clinical decision-making. Supported by Machine Learning algorithms, clinicians can trace the minute patterns in patient data, which are not easily visible through any other diagnostic means. In such cases, early detection of Parkinson's Disorder with vocal biomarkers or motor assessment may afford healthcare professionals opportunities for early interventions that might retard the disease process.

Exploring Influencing Factors and Strategies for Enhancing Self-Efficacy in Higher Education Teachers: A Case Study of a College in Changzhou

This paper explores the influencing factors and proposes strategies for enhancing self-efficacy among higher education teachers, with a specific focus on one college in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. Drawing on Bandura's self-efficacy theory, the paper examines personal, institutional, and environmental factors that contribute to teachers' self-efficacy. It also reviews existing literature on effective strategies such as professional development, mentorship programs, and feedback systems. The findings suggest that enhancing self-efficacy through tailored professional growth opportunities, peer mentorship, and constructive feedback can significantly improve teaching quality and outcomes. The paper concludes with implications for institutional policies at the case study college, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems to foster teacher self-efficacy in China's evolving educational landscape. Future research should empirically validate the proposed conceptual framework to further inform educational practices.