Orientation Program Research Articles

Enhancing Yoga Awareness Among Future Healthcare Practitioners: A Study on MBBS Students' Knowledge and Perceptions

Background: Yoga, and art and science rooted in ancient Indian culture, is increasingly recognized for its holistic benefits, contributing to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Despite its global popularity, knowledge and awareness of yoga amongst medical students, particularly within Health Professions Education, remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the understanding of yoga and yoga therapy among MBBS students to help integrate these concepts into future medical practice. Aim and Objective: The study sought to evaluate the general awareness of yoga among medical students, particularly focusing on misconceptions, technical terminology, and therapeutic applications, aiming to enhance their ability to utilize yoga in a healthcare context. Materials and Methods: Conducted at the School of Yoga Therapy, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, this study involved 221 MBBS students participating in a yoga orientation program. The Yoga Awareness Questionnaire (YAQ), a 10-item pre-validated tool, was administered both before and after a single 60-minute yoga session. Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes in awareness with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: The average YAQ score increased significantly from 5 to 7 post-intervention, indicating improved awareness. Increases were noted across understanding holistic yoga, Ashtanga Yoga concepts, and dispelling misconceptions. However, some variability persisted in technical terminology understanding. Conclusion: A single yoga awareness session effectively enhanced medical students' understanding of yoga, promoting a more uniform baseline knowledge. These findings suggest that integrating yoga education in healthcare curricula could prepare future practitioners to incorporate holistic practices into patient care. As the Government of India and the National Medical Commission are advocating integration of Ayush systems within modern medicine, the results of this study have several important implications.

Development and Pilot Testing of Children's National Hospital's New Faculty Orientation Program.

New faculty orientation (NFO) programs are shown to increase faculty satisfaction, enhance collaboration, and support promotion, retention, and academic success. In an effort led by a clinical psychologist, the Children's National Hospital (CNH) NFO was developed, piloted, and is in its 3rdyear. Data are shared regarding program development process, feasibility, and acceptability. In 2020, CNH faculty were surveyed about their new faculty member experience. CNH leaders were interviewed about important topics to include in an NFO. In FY22, the NFO was piloted across 15 Divisions. Year 2 (FY23) invited all new early career faculty. Year 3 (FY24) invited all new faculty. Feedback was obtained via REDCap after meetings and before/after the 10-month program. In 2020, 62% of recently hired faculty surveyed indicated not having any institutional level orientation. Leadership interviews supported the need for an NFO; suggested topics included promotion and provider wellness. In FY22, 27/38 invited faculty chose to participate. For FY23, 36/48 chose to participate. In FY24, 69/95 invited are participating. A needs assessment showed CNH faculty and leaders supported an NFO Program. Participants report finding the program helpful; they learned about institutional resources, benefits, and operations and appreciated the networking opportunities. Longer-term metrics include faculty satisfaction, promotion, and retention.

Addressing the Gaps in Belongingness: A Qualitative Investigation of Student Exclusion on Outdoor Orientation Programs

Despite their aim to foster belongingness, a small percentage of incoming college students (1%-2%) report feeling excluded (not belonging) during their outdoor orientation program. Feelings of exclusion are often highly consequential to a person transitioning to college. This study explores the experiences of students reporting low levels of belongingness (n= 11) to better understand their experience and to help inform interventions. Thematic analysis using a General Qualitative Approach (GQA) revealed several factors contributing to students' lack of belonging. Findings led to the development of the Belongingness Assessment Model (BAM). This novel approach assesses a lack of belongingness along two scales, isolated vs. generalized lack of belonging and whether the lack of belongingness is bridgeable or unbridgeable. Leader approaches to belongingness are nuanced and may require different interventions based upon the type of exclusion a participant is experiencing.

Topographic and Geodetic Survey for Samarkand's Administrative Boundaries

General Background: Administrative and territorial boundary delineation is vital in the effective governance and economic planning of urban regions globally, with digital technologies increasingly integrated into these processes for accuracy and efficiency. Specific Background: In Uzbekistan, the city of Samarkand’s administrative boundaries are undergoing significant realignment as part of a broader initiative to incorporate strategic urban centers and enable digital land management across administrative zones. Knowledge Gap: Existing methods lack precise integration with digital geospatial frameworks, leaving a gap in high-resolution topographic data essential for clear administrative delineation. Aims: This study seeks to develop and apply an accurate, digitally supported methodology for determining the boundaries of Samarkand's administrative units using advanced geodetic and topographic techniques. Results: By utilizing the CREDO DAT program, this study achieved precise boundary coordinates through the automated processing of survey points, and further analysis was conducted using the Panorama program for detailed map orientation. Novelty: This research presents a unique approach by integrating CREDO DAT with geospatial tools in administrative boundary demarcation, enabling accurate and reproducible results that surpass traditional methods in efficiency and scalability. Implications: The findings support the strategic planning of Samarkand’s infrastructure and resource allocation while also laying the groundwork for applying similar methodologies in other urban regions, advancing Uzbekistan’s digital transformation efforts in land management.Highlights: Digital tools enhance accuracy in administrative boundary mapping. CREDO DAT and Panorama software streamline data processing for precise mapping. This method supports effective urban planning and resource management in Samarkand. Keywords: Administrative Zones, Border, Territory, District, City

Admission Strategy for International New Students at the University of Mataram

Recruiting international students is highly beneficial yet challenging for universities in Indonesia. This study raised research focusing on strategies applied by Indonesian Universities to attract international students' willingness to enroll. It also figured out the challenges and solutions encountered by the students in their initial studies. This study adopted Vincent Tinto's theory about the factors affecting students' academic accomplishments and learning failures. Qualitative design, case study approach, and open-ended questionnaires were implemented. This study invited three staff members of the International Affairs and International Center as the participants. Thematic analysis was adopted utilizing Atlas. Ti software to analyze the data from the respondents following Kawulich's (2004) framework, encompassing Narrative, Coding, Interpretation, Confirmation, and Presentation. The result demonstrated some strategies implemented by Mataram University for international students, such as providing proper facilities, including library and study spaces, access to technology, and a health center. The university also utilizes international alumni to endorse the university in their home country. Alongside the hurdles, the university provides students with a welcoming ceremony that includes a language course, academic orientation, and cultural adaptation programs upon their arrival

Evaluation of an Orientation Program for Adjunct Clinical Instructors in Nursing

Abstract Part-time clinical nurse instructors teach students in many nursing schools in the United States. They are often unprepared for this role and require instruction in teaching methods. We developed and evaluated an online orientation program to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for nurses to become confident clinical instructors. For this project, 55 nurses completed the program; 28 were part-time faculty. Significant statistical differences were noted after completing the orientation program. Part-time faculty notably benefited from the online program and felt more confident in their ability to work with students.

Challenges Facing Students with Special Needs During the Transition from Primary Special Schools to Public Secondary Schools in Morogoro Municipality

The study aimed at investigating the challenges that students with special needs face during the transition from primary special schools to public secondary schools in Morogoro Municipality. The research was conducted in Morogoro Municipality and employed a cross-sectional research design alongside a mixed research approach. The target population included regular teachers and those specializing in special needs education within the municipality. The study sampled 155 respondents, comprising 131 regular teachers and 24 specialized teachers. Data collection was by means of questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study reveals major challenges for students with disabilities transitioning to public secondary schools, such as inadequate teacher training, insufficient curriculum adaptation, and limited support systems, compounded by social stigma, financial constraints, and inadequate preparation. To enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities, it is essential to implement comprehensive teacher training on inclusive strategies, adapt curricula to diverse learning needs, and establish robust orientation programs. Increasing funding for assistive technologies, combating social stigma with anti-bullying policies, and improving peer support networks and accessible transportation will further support these students’ integration and development and consequently enhance learning

“Confident, Supportive, and Capable”: A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

“Confident, Supportive, and Capable”: A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

Social Media in Higher Education: A Study on Use of Social Media by New Entrants at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, SRI LANKA, during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The transition to online education prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on educational institutions globally, especially in developing countries. The absence of formal online learning management systems (LMS) in many of these institutions presented significant challenges. In response, many educators and higher educational institutions turned in to social media platforms and other digital tools to continue providing education and support the learning process. The present study attempts to understand social media behaviour of new entrants to the faculty of Dental Sciences of University of Peradeniya, more specifically for fulfilling their information need related to academic programs during the CORONA outbreak. The study was carried out at the Faculty of Dental Sciences during the library orientation program for new entrants. Although 117 undergraduates registered with the dental library for the academic year 2022/2023, only 112 students participated in the survey. An online questionnaire made with Google Forms was administered among the research sample.According to key findings, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Research Gate were the most popular social media platforms used by Dental Science new entrants for the purpose of academic information during the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, 65% of them had been used these online platforms as a tool of searching scientific and academic information related to their academic programs. There were some positive impacts of using social media for academic purposes. One significant benefit was that social media helped them to maintain better relationships with their peers during the CORONA pandemic, facilitating peer support and collaboration etc. However, the students have perceived some negative impacts of social media as well i.e. students found social media to be quite time-consuming. Despite the potential of educational benefits of social media, the study indicated a gap in awareness and utilization of them for academic purposes. A significant proportion of students, about 35%, were not aware of the educational potential of social media. The majority of respondents appeared to prioritize using social media for entertainment rather than accessing educational content or utilizing academic features available on these platforms. On top of these findings, it can be recommended that educational institutions and policymakers in Sri Lanka consider strategies to harness the educational potential of social media for undergraduates. By raising awareness and encouraging the use of social media for academic purposes, they could enhance the learning experience and make better use of digital tools to support education in the context of ongoing and future disruptions.

Navigating New Terrain: Exploring Orientation Programs For New Academic Staff and Their Experience

Commencing a new job can instigate anxiety, especially for those without prior work experience. The excitement of a fresh employment endeavour may coincide with feelings of discomfort, stemming from unfamiliar expectations. A comprehensive overview and understanding on orientation programs for new staff can play a crucial role in facilitating their adaptation, fostering departmental understanding, fostering colleague connections, and grasping job essentials. This research seeks to assess orientation activities carried out for new academic staff joining the faculty by the management while investigating the orientation program experience of recently onboarded staff members with less than six years of experience in one of the language academies in a public university in the Klang Valley. An interview and survey were conducted and revealed notable areas of concern including employee benefits, performance expectations, departmental and faculty structures, policies and procedures and training development. The findings delineated key areas of concern as a foundational framework to be concentrated by the management during future faculty staff recruitment. This study also highlights the need to develop a tailored orientation kit for new onboarding staff to the faculty.

Privacy Awareness and Social Media: Personal Data Protection among Facebook** and Instagram** Users

This study investigated the level of awareness of personal data protection among Facebook** and Instagram** users. The research evaluated the number of Facebook and Instagram users who have taken precautions to secure their personal data, why they did so, and the identification of regulatory authorities responsible for data protection in Nigeria. The Privacy Calculus Theory was used as the theoretical framework. The survey research design was used for this study, with the web-based questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. A sample size of 396 was drawn from the student population at the University of Port Harcourt. The data were analyzed in tables using frequency and percentage. The results indicated that users are strongly aware of the significance of safeguarding personal data on Facebook and Instagram. The users acknowledged implementing precautionary steps to safeguard their personal data. However, they still need to determine the specific agencies and regulatory entities accountable for ensuring the safety of personal data. In order to tackle this problem, the study recommended that the University management and student bodies should organize specific educational workshops to promote understanding of the pertinence of safeguarding personal data on social media platforms (Solove, 2021), create easily accessible materials and guidelines on the University of Port Harcourt portal designed for social media users, outlining the best methods for protecting personal data, including personal data protection awareness in its orientation programs and student events and also set up a system for reporting potential data breaches and offer assistance to affected users. ** – A social network owned by “Meta”, which is recognized as extremist in Russia

Towards a Better Transition to University: A Student-Centric Welcome Day for the New Undergraduate Students in a Mathematics Department

This case study delves into a Welcome Day event organised by the Department of Mathematical Sciences at a UK university for the incoming first year students in the department. This report reflects some of the practicalities and the evaluation of the event. The event, primarily focused on student engagement activities along with reduced amount of traditional presentations, was aimed at facilitating peer networking and smoothing the transition from school to university, hence nurturing a sense of belonging within the student community. The structure of the event was crafted to align with the department's unique ethos, with an emphasis on activities that resonate with the field of mathematics. Evaluation of the event is done based on the responses from the students during the event via an online questionnaire. The event not only demonstrated high levels of student satisfaction but also served as a good example of department-specific orientation programs. These localized events can complement university-wide initiatives, offering a more tailored setting for new students to acclimate to their specific academic environment. This paper has the prospect to guide others and to reinforce the notion of seeking to tailor welcome days to match the needs of new cohorts.

Enhancing Hospital Reimbursement Through a Pediatric Surgery Resident Orientation Program: A Focus on Accurate Diagnosis Code Documentation for Acute Appendicitis

BackgroundThe usage of specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes significantly influences hospital reimbursement compared to non-specific codes. This study hypothesized that a formal orientation program for pediatric surgery residents would enhance the selection of accurate and specific diagnosis codes for acute appendicitis such as K35.30 for “Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis” rather than K35.80 for “Unspecified acute appendicitis,” thereby improving hospital reimbursement. MethodsWe implemented a comprehensive orientation for pediatric surgery residents at our institution in late 2020, a component of which emphasized the importance of having specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic appendectomy billing data for pediatric patients, comparing the use of specific versus unspecified diagnosis codes and associated hospital reimbursement rates before (2020) and after (2022) the program's initiation. Patients without payment were excluded. Statistical significance was determined by a two-tailed p-value of ≤0.05. ResultsAnalysis of 267 patient records showed a significant increase in the use of the specific diagnosis code (K35.30) from 3.6% in 2020 to 87.5% in 2022 (p < 0.0001). Adjusted for inflation and billing changes, mean hospital reimbursement per case increased by $661 (from $4414 to $5,075, p = 0.027), totaling an additional $84,616 in 2022, just for a single subset of appendicitis patients. ConclusionsA targeted resident orientation program significantly improves the use of specific ICD-10 codes for acute appendicitis, leading to increased hospital reimbursement. Such programs represent a valuable approach for enhancing the financial outcomes of pediatric surgical care while reinforcing the importance of accurate medical documentation. Study DesignRetrospective. Level of EvidenceIII.

Evolution of Postpandemic Nurse Orientation Through an Academic-Practice Partnership.

An academic-practice partnership engaged in redesigning the postpandemic orientation process for newly hired nurses in a large academic health system. Results from needs assessments and collaboration efforts informed the orientation program redesign, and the National Implementation Research Network framework guided project development. The orientation redesign aimed to enhance efficiency, readiness for unit-specific orientation, and stakeholder satisfaction. This article highlights strategies for fostering successful academic-practice partnerships in addressing nursing workforce challenges postpandemic.

Investigating factors associated with operating room nurses’professional transition in Singapore health system

Background: The nursing workforce in Singapore has been highly depended on foreign nurses to fill its nursing shortfalls. The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has further exacerbated issues of global nursing shortage onto the Singapore nursing workforce. This was reflected by the recent 1,500 healthcare workers, which included nurses, that have left the workforce entirely in the first half of 2021 due to the physical toll such pandemics had on the healthcare workforce. Within the operating room units, similar insights behind the nursing shortfall globally have been discussed in the extant literature. This issues however, lacked exploration in Singapore nursing context. The quintessential question was to understand the associating factors of nursing induction programmes on new nurses transitioning into their operating room unit. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with nursing professional transition in the operating room units in Singapore health system. Design: The research used a cohort study design with a descriptive self-administered quantitative survey administered to obtain data. The researcher developed the self-administered quantitative survey titled the ‘Impacts on Operating Room Nurses with Transitional Support Programmes’survey. Results: At the time of the study, 91 of 96 responses received met the inclusion criteria. Respondents came from across majority of operating room units in Singapore. 75.3% (n = 75) of respondents had worked in their operating room unit for less than two years.13 questions from the self-developed survey were used to identify relationships that existed between variables that affected operating room nurses in Singapore because of the IP they received. The Spearman correlation test reflected 3 majors factors associated with nursing induction programmes on new nurses transitioning in the operating room units. These include lack of adaptation time, facilitators guidance and topic and skills insufficiency leading towards challenges reaching competence. Conclusions: The findings of this quantitative study called for the review of the contents outlined in existing operating room nursing induction programmes in Singapore. While the survey respondents mainly acknowledged that they were satisfied with their orientation programmes, responses in the survey outlined those nurses’ faced challenges with knowledge and skills acquired during their induction programme that affected their initial transition to practice in the operating room.

Patterns of utilization of advanced practice providers in reproductive endocrinology: a 2023 national survey

ObjectiveTo evaluate the current utilization of advanced practice providers (APPs) within the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). DesignCross sectional. SubjectsA total of 201 APPs surveyed through the American Society of Reproductive Medicine APP Professional Group. ExposureAnonymized online survey. Main Outcome MeasuresDemographics, scope of practice and responsibilities, and training and onboarding. ResultsRespondents were primarily Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs, 26.4%), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNPs, 33.3%), or Physician Associates (PAs, 29.8%). Two-thirds (67.4%) reported that their scope of practice is limited by their employer or practice, 43.5% by state restrictions, and 25.2% by insurance. Survey respondents reported that 44.4% of their time at work is dedicated to performing procedures and scans and 30.6% to conducting consults and follow-ups. The most commonly reported duties were physical exams (88.6%), intrauterine inseminations (IUI; 86.6%), saline sonohysterograms (79.6%), endometrial biopsies (76.6%), ultrasounds (74.6%), and problem visits such as for pain, cysts, and bleeding (73.1%). The majority of survey respondents (61.7%) reported having autonomy in deciding protocols and treatment options for patients in their practice. Respondents described their onboarding training as including observation/on-the-job training (94.0%), independent reading of texts and journals (66.7%), ASRM online courses (45.3%), formal orientation (34.8%), and practice-organized training programs (29.4%). ConclusionsAPPs are highly trained members of the care team, but continue to be underutilized within the field of REI. Improvements in educational resources and/or use of a formalized program to train APPs to their full scope of practice may help increase clinic efficiency and improve patient access to care.

An Analytical Study of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding NEXT among the Medical Students of G.S. Medical College, Hapur, U.P., India

The National Exit Test (NEXT) is a newly introduced licensing examination in India, aiming to standardize medical education and ensure quality assurance. There is no clarity regarding NEXT among MBBS students. To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students regarding NEXT and identify areas for improvement. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 medical students of different batches using a pretested questionnaire, with a response rate of 100% (200 respondents). The study revealed significant gaps in knowledge (36% aware of NEXT resources) and preparedness (32% joined preparatory classes), with students expressing uncertainty and negativity towards NEXT. The study highlights the need of clear guidelines , targeted interventions, including orientation programs and standardized preparation resource material to support students in navigating the challenges of NEXT

Evaluating the Efficacy of Venous versus Arterial Grafts in CABG: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

Background: Angiography of the coronary arteries is the most noninvasive advanced method of establishing graft patency post-coronary artery bypass grafting. The emergence of multi-slice computed tomography has opened a wide avenue for fast imaging around coronary angiography, with a featured scan time of 0.25 seconds, up to 32-slice detection, and multirow detector arrays, which are very important for quick evaluation. Methods and Results: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional case series that involved 56 individual patients who underwent CABG in the Erbil Cardiac Center. Clinical and radiological evaluations were carried out to evaluate arterial and venous grafts' patency, considering the sociocultural pattern of the individual, type of conduits used, and patency in relation to multiple risk factors. The patency of arterial grafts was 84.9%, while that of venous was 61.9%. Features like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, exercise, and dietary restriction were shown to have a significantly associated vessel occlusion with a P-value of less than 0.05%. Conclusion: The results of our study also confirm that arterial grafts have far better patency rates than saphenous vein grafts (SVG) in coronary artery bypass grafts. Contributory factors for graft occlusion are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, double antiplatelet therapy, and smoking habits. There is also suggestive evidence that dietary and exercise modification in the patient orientation program would improve the long-term outcome of patients after CABG.

One size doesn’t fit all: how different types of learning motivations influence engineering undergraduate students’ success outcomes

BackgroundMotivation is the inherent belief to guide students learning goals and behaviors to make continuous efforts and strengthen learning outcomes. Previous research reported the positive impacts of learning motivation on student success, but there have been limited efforts in systematically and structurally studying different types of motivations and their impacts on students’ success in engineering education. The current study contributes to the literature by systematically examining two important types of motivations and their influences on undergraduate engineering students in a theoretically grounded manner while using an advanced analytical approach.MethodsThe current study conducted a cross-sectional survey with undergraduate engineering students (n = 514) from 18 different schools across nine U.S. states. The survey assessed students’ self-report scores on six types of motivations to study developed based on formative research and the current literature and then collected students’ self-reported learning outcomes, current GPA, university satisfaction, engineering program satisfaction, and individual demographic factors. The data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling.ResultsThe results showed that motivations related to family, personality, and academic expectations were consistently positively associated with all measured students’ success outcomes; motivations related to educators were associated with all four outcomes but student GPA; motivations related to course contents were associated with learning outcomes and student GPA; and motivations related to peers did not predict any of the four measured students’ success outcomes.DiscussionWe explain some of the unexpected results with further literature that examines engineering culture and ecology. We also make recommendations related to cognitive training, tailored engineering education, peer culture interventions, and family orientation programs.

AI Application (ChatGPT) and Saudi Arabian Primary School Students’ Autonomy in Online Classes: Exploring Students and Teachers’ Perceptions

In education, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has presented opportunities to transform the dynamics of online learning. This study investigated the impact of an AI-powered application, namely ChatGPT, on the autonomy of Saudi Arabian primary students participating in online classes. It also explored how the implementation of Chat GPT influenced Saudi Arabian primary students’ autonomy. In this mixed-methods study, a quasi-experimental design assessed the impact of ChatGPT on learner autonomy among 250 Saudi Arabian primary students from six primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics and t-tests, while the qualitative data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis. To ensure coding reliability, 20% of the codes were independently reviewed by an external coder, with a 94% inter-coder agreement coefficient reached through consensus. Findings revealed that ChatGPT significantly affected the participants’ perceptions of autonomy and its different dimensions. Qualitative data showed that AI-powered applications contributed to the students’ autonomy in 10 different ways. Participants also mentioned that AI-powered apps might have some negative consequences. This study has theoretical implications for redefining learner autonomy in the digital age and calls for the exploration of many facets of autonomy. Practical applications from this study include strategic integration of AI into online education, data security, and the need for orientation programs.