Personal Confidence Research Articles

Examining the Role of Social Support for Adolescents from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds in a College Access Program

Prior research has shown that college access programs help to increase college-going for youth from lower-income backgrounds. In addition to increasing college access, these programs also provide social support to youth and impact their academic and non-academic outcomes. Guided by risk and resilience frameworks, the present study examined social support from the college access program as a promotive factor for adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The results indicated that social support was positively associated with personal resources, future college-going, and confidence in academic abilities. Overall, the current findings affirm the importance of investigating social support for adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These findings also have implications for future research related to social support from college access programs.

Barriers and enablers to implementing \u2018DEALTS2\u2019 simulation-based train-the\u2013trainer dementia training programme in hospital settings across England: a qualitative study

BackgroundDespite approaches to provide effective dementia training in acute care settings, little is known about the barriers and enablers to implement and embed learning into practice. We were commissioned by Health Education England to develop and evaluate a new dementia training intervention ‘Dementia Education And Learning Through Simulation 2’ (DEALTS2), an innovative simulation toolkit to support delivery of dementia training in acute care across England. This study aimed to explore barriers and enablers experienced by trainers implementing DEALTS2 and extent to which it impacted on delivery of training and staff clinical practice.MethodsWe conducted twelve one-day DEALTS2 train-the-trainer (TTT) workshops across England in 2017 for National Health Service Trust staff employed in dementia training roles (n = 199 trainers); each receiving a simulation toolkit. Qualitative data were collected through telephone interviews 6–8 months after TTT workshops with 17 of the trainers. Open ended questions informed by the Kirkpatrick model enabled exploration of implementation barriers, enablers, and impact on practice.ResultsThematic analysis revealed six themes: four identified interrelated factors that influenced implementation of DEALTS2; and two outlined trainers perceived impact on training delivery and staff clinical practice, respectively: (i) flexible simulation and implementation approach (ii) management support and adequate resources (iii) time to deliver training effectively (iv) trainer personal confidence and motivation (v) trainers enriched dementia teaching practice (vi) staff perceived to have enhanced approach to dementia care. Trainers valued the DEALTS2 TTT workshops and adaptability of the simulation toolkit. Those supported by management with adequate resources and time to deliver effective dementia training, were likely to implement DEALTS2. Trainers described positive impacts on their teaching practice; and perceived staff had enhanced their approach to caring for people with dementia.ConclusionsTrainers explained individual and organisational barriers and enablers during implementation of DEALTS2. The flexible simulation and implementation approach were key to supporting adherence of DEALTS2. To ensure wider implementation of DEALTS2 nationally, Trusts need to allocate appropriate time to deliver effective dementia training. Future research should measure staff behaviour change, patient perspectives of the intervention, and whether and how DEALTS2 has improved health and care outcomes.

Recovery Following Peer and Text Messaging Support After Discharge From Acute Psychiatric Care in Edmonton, Alberta: Controlled Observational Study.

BackgroundPeer support is an emotional, social, and practical help provided by nonprofessionals to assist others in sustaining health behaviors. Peer support is valued in recovery-oriented models of mental health and is becoming increasingly implemented at the organizational level. Text messaging is a relatively low-cost, high-impact, and easily scalable program that uses existing technology, is devoid of geographic barriers, and is easily accessible to end users.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative peer support system plus a supportive text messaging program on the recovery of discharged patients from acute psychiatric care.MethodsThis prospective, rater blinded, controlled observational study included 181 patients who were discharged from acute psychiatric care. Patients were randomized to one of four conditions: treatment as usual (follow-up care), daily supportive text messages only, peer support only, or peer support plus daily supportive text messages. A standardized self-report measure of recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale [RAS]) was completed at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Descriptive analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance were used to examine the changes in the RAS among the study groups and over the follow-up time points.ResultsA total of 65 patients completed the assessments at each time point. For the overall sample, higher scores were found for the peer support plus text message condition compared with the text message only and treatment as usual condition on several scales (ie, willingness to ask for help and personal confidence and hope) and total score on the RAS, after 6 months of intervention.ConclusionsPeer support plus supportive text messaging seems to result in improved recovery compared with other interventions. It may be advisable to incorporate the two interventions as part of routine practice for patients with psychiatric disorders upon hospital discharge.

Evidence-based programs for older persons in the Americas.

ABSTRACTIn the current context of the aging of populations and the increase in multiple chronic conditions and dependence, it is important that health systems provide opportunities to improve capacities of older adults to enable healthy aging. Opportunities to enhance older adults’ abilities, including self-management, can be offered through evidence-based programs. Such programs have been proven effective in improving individuals’ symptoms and quality of life, often lowering health-care costs. Self-management evidence-based programs can foster the development of personal skills, increase confidence and motivation on self-care, and help individuals to make better decisions about their own health. This special report describes the implementation history of a self-management program in the Region of the Americas, and the barriers to and facilitators of implementation that can serve as examples for evidence-based program dissemination in the Region.

Diseño y evaluación de un modelo de simulación de fractura de pene

ObjectiveTo design and assess a novel penile fracture simulation model for teaching penile fracture repair. MethodsWe used a validated circumcision simulator to create a model. Foreskin for a circumcision was divided into two halves. A transverse slit (“simulated fracture”) was created on one part of the first half of the foreskin (mimicking “tunica”) and was applied over the penile model. A red jelly tablet (“clot”) was placed underneath the cut. A second full-length of foreskin was applied over it to cover the defect. The model was assessed by participants and expert faculty at the Urology Simulation Boot Camp. Evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics V25. The intra-class correlation was calculated using a “One-way random model”. ResultsTwenty-two urology trainees and four experts participated in the evaluation. The majority of trainees strongly agreed (59%, n=13) the model is useful for training with experts similarly agreeing in 75% of cases. The appearance of penile fracture was considered good by both trainees (68%, n=14) and faculty (75%). Overall, the ability of the model to represent a realistic simulation of the task was considered excellent by 23% of participants and good by 64%. Personal confidence after simulation in managing a similar situation was considered high among trainees. The main difficulties reported were related to fascial planes and urethra. ConclusionThis is the first simulation model for penile fracture repair and has demonstrated face validity at a national urology bootcamp.

Quality of Life After Class III Repair Orthognathic Surgery: Five-Year Retrospective Study.

To evaluate the effect of orthognathic surgery on the long-term quality of life of patients with presurgical skeletal Class III and to identify its strongest effect-whether esthetic, social, or functional. In this retrospective cohort study, the subjects were patients after orthognathic surgery for repairing skeletal Class III. Fifty-five patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery from 2013 to 2018 in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department participated in this study. Each participant completed a modified questionnaire used to assess the patient's esthetic, social, and functional abilities after orthognathic surgery. The rate of esthetic improvement in orthognathic surgery patients was 88%. More than four-fifths (81.8%) of the patients reported improvement in their personal and social self-esteem and confidence. Finally, 40.7% of the patients reported functional improvement. No significant differences between male and female patients were found. All but one of the patients recommended orthognathic surgery for patients with similar problems. One in six (17.3%) patients was dissatisfied with the nasal appearance after the surgical procedure, while almost a quarter (21.8%) reported worsening of their mouth opening, and 25.4% reported worsening of TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) symptoms. Analysis of the results revealed no statistically significant pattern connecting preoperative overjet or overbite measures with satisfaction rates. In this study, patient satisfaction with the orthognathic surgical procedure was mostly a result of improvements in facial esthetics, followed by psychological well-being and functional abilities. Most dissatisfaction after the orthognathic surgical procedure was related to nasal appearance, mouth opening, and TMJ complaints.

A Comparative Study of Self Confidence among Tribal and Non-tribal 12th Students

The Research aims to find out the self-confidence among gender, types of ethnicity and types of streams. So, investigator selected three groups are gender second types of ethnicities and last one is types of stream, all groups have 360 peoples. Data were collected from Tapi districts. Scale was use for data collection is personal datasheet and self confidence scale developed by Dr Rekha Gupta in 2005. 2x2x3 factorial design was used and data were analysis by ‘F’ test. Result show, there is significant effect on self confidence among male and female students (A). The Non-tribal student’s self-confidence is better than tribal Students (B). There is significant effect on self confidence among arts, science and commerce students(C). The interaction between gender and types of ethnicities was significant effect on self confidence (AxB). The interaction between Gender and Types of Streams was no significant effect on self confidence (AxC). The interaction between types of ethnicity and types of streams was significant effect on self confidence (BxC). The interaction between gender, types of ethnicity and types of streams was significant effect on self confidence (AxBxC).

Faculty leadership development: A case study of a synergistic approach

Introduction Ongoing leadership development is essential for academic health center faculty members to respond to increasing environmental complexity. At the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, an 8-month program, based on Conger’s leadership development approach emphasizing conceptual understanding, skill building, feedback and personal growth was offered to mid-level faculty charged with developing educational programs, clinical services, and/or research initiatives. We studied how specific learning methods catering to different learning approaches contributed to improving leadership competencies. Methods Session and program evaluations, participant interviews, mentor surveys, and supervisor interviews were used for data collection. Themes were identified through open coding with use of constant comparative methods to help find patterns in the data. Results Readings and classroom modules provided a broadened, holistic understanding of leadership; role plays and action plans helped participants apply and practice leadership skills; self-assessments and feedback from peers and mentors provided specifics for focusing development efforts; and personal growth exercises provided opportunities to reflect and consider fresh perspectives. Anchoring learning methods around a real-time project led to improved leadership competencies and personal confidence as reported by participants, supervisors and mentors. Conclusion A faculty leadership development program that integrates understanding, skill building, feedback and personal growth and connects multiple learning methods can provide the synergy to facilitate behavior change and organizational growth.

Covid-19: emerging needs for unemployed and economically inactive individuals

ABSTRACT This Voices article presents emerging findings from research investigating the consequences of Covid-19 on individuals engaged on employability programmes in the United Kingdom. It outlines the challenges presented by ‘lockdown’ restrictions, as introduced to reduce the spread of Covid-19, on the delivery of employability programmes. Individuals engaged on such programmes experience a wealth of needs that have been compounded by Covid-19, resulting in new, emerging needs relating to personal wellbeing, social isolation, and confidence. Without effective and innovative support, individuals experiencing unemployment and economic inactivity will undoubtedly experience increased inequality; this inequality impacts on family, with individuals experiencing isolation from such, which in turn reduces wellbeing and stimuli, and indeed work, with Covid-19 compounding challenges in securing employment.

Practice on Personal Hygiene Maintenance during Menstruation Cycle among School Girls in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Introduction: Menstruation is the normal and regular process for every woman. It can affect both physical and mental status of the women. The main thing of menstrual period is personal hygiene maintenance. Improper management of personal hygiene maintains can causes infectious disease and causes severe gynecological problems. In Bangladesh, most of the adolescent girls cannot ask any question about their physiological changes to their mother or relative because of their shyness and social stigma. Good hygiene management during menstruation can increase personal confidence, while inadequate management can lead to mentally depression and also hamper in their daily activities. This study was aimed to assess the practice on personal hygiene maintenance during menstruation period among school girls in selected schools of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive type of study was carried out in three randomly selected schools in Dhaka city of Bangladesh with 384 systematic randomly selected adolescent girls. The data were collected from the respondents using semi-structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview, after taking verbal consent form the participants and written consent from their parents and school authority. Data entry and analysis were done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 20 for the analysis. The anonymity and confidentiality of the respondents were maintained strictly and study participants were informed that they can be able to leave the study at any stage of data collection. Findings: The finding reported that nearly 80% (79%) of the respondent use sanitary napkin and among the non-users, 95.2 percent (77) use piece of cloths. The majority (66%) of the respondents change napkin/other materials after 4 hours and 90% take genital care regularly. Almost all (99.5%) the respondents take bath regularly and 99.5 percent wash their hand with soap and water. About 98 percent used to wear clean dresses and 94.5 percent normally take healthy food. Using sanitary napkin was found to be associated with age, parent’s income whereas it was not associated with mother’s educational level. Conclusion: Awareness regarding the need for information about good menstrual practices is very important and should be given to enhance the good level of knowledge and practices. Mass media should also emphasize on health information about menstrual hygiene. Therefore, policy makers and stakeholders should take necessary initiatives to setup health education program to create awareness and practice of good menstrual hygiene among the adolescents. Keywords: Menstrual Hygiene; School Girls; Practice; Dhaka

Virtual Reality as a Reflection Technique for Public Speaking Training

Video recording is one of the most commonly used techniques for reflection, because video allows people to know what they look like to others and how they could improve their performance, but it is problematic because some people easily fall into negative emotions and worry about their performance, resulting in a low benefit. In this study, the possibility of applying a simple VR-based reflection method was explored. This method uses virtual reality (VR) and a head-mounted display (HMD) to allow presenters to watch their own presentations from the audience’s perspective and uses an avatar, which hides personal appearance, which has low relevance to the quality of presentation, to help reduce self-awareness during reflection. An experimental study was carried out, considering four personal characteristics—gender, personal anxiety, personal confidence and self-bias. The goal of this study is to discuss which populations can benefit more from this system and to assess the impact of the avatar and HMD-based VR. According to the results, the individuals with low self-confidence in their public speaking skills could benefit more on self-evaluation from VR reflection with HMD, while individuals with negative self-bias could reduce more anxiety by using an avatar.

Transitioning from university to postgraduate medical training: A narrative review of work readiness of medical graduates.

ContextWork readiness is often described in terms of the clinical competence medical graduates bring to day 1 of internship. Despite being increasingly viewed as a key graduate outcome, work readiness has remained poorly defined.ObjectiveThis narrative review draws on the international literature to explore how different research methods provide differing insight into what constitutes work readiness of medical graduates. From this, we explored contributory factors and developed a conceptual framework to better understand work readiness.MethodsDatabases were searched using the terms including “ready,” “readiness,” “preparedness,” “medical graduates,” “intern,” and “junior doctor.” Information was summarized using a textual description template that included information on study setting, participants, methodologies, limitations, and key result areas (including measures/themes and study conclusions). Consensus discussions between authors led to the naming and understanding of the key themes.ResultsSeventy studies were included in the review. Study participants included final‐year medical students (n = 20), junior doctors early in internship (n = 24), and junior doctors late in internship or postgraduate year 2 and above (n = 23). Most studies explored work readiness through the retrospective self‐report of the students and/or junior doctor participants. Quantitative research methods elaborated on key skills‐based competencies, whereas qualitative research methods provided insight into key contextual and individual characteristics that contributed to preparedness.ConclusionsDifferent research methods provided insight into competencies, as well as individual and contextual aspects, associated with preparedness for practice. The transition from university to clinical practice is significant and requires personal capability and confidence, as well as a supportive training context. Enabling students to engage authentically in clinical environments enhanced preparedness by promoting understanding of role and responsibility. Individual resilience is important, but contextual factors, including provision of adequate support and feedback, can enhance or subtract from feeling prepared. We propose a novel conceptual framework for better understanding work readiness.

Teaching Medical Advances in a Time of Crisis: A Human Microbiome Data Interpretation E-Learning Elective for Medical Students

Medical schools were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the suspension of all in-person educational activities, and leaving clinical clerkships on hold. Emerging medical advances need to be integrated in the undergraduate medical curriculum as evidence continues to evolve regarding their clinical application. Here, we describe an innovative distance-learning elective course developed to keep fourth-year medical students abreast of important scientific advances. Within each module, each successive entry introduced concepts with increasing complexity and included up-to-date literature material to help in the learning progression. Students’ overall satisfaction was high, as the elective helped them gain personal confidence, improved their medical and intellectual skills, increased their curiosity in medical science, and allowed them to analyze scientific literature they did not understand before.

No Façade to Hide Behind: Long-Distance Hikers’ Journeys Through Self and Society

This ethnographic study uses a phenomenological approach to better understand how Appalachian Trail (AT) and Long Trail (LT) thru-hikers create meaning and make sense of their experiences while hiking. Drawing on participant observation and in-depth interviews with 13 hikers, I analyze hikers’ initial reasons for hiking, their reflections while on the trail, and the impacts thru-hiking had on their self-concepts and social lives. Key findings demonstrate how life on the trail contrasts with hikers’ everyday lives in society and thus suggest ways that their experiences on the AT/LT may give insight into nature, community life, personal change, and the process of personal reflection. In particular, this study suggests that long-distance hiking builds personal skills and confidence. Further, this research uses a phenomenological approach as well as the concepts of liminality and communitas to analyze the creation of an alternative trail subculture and new personal identities on the trail, including trail families.

Medical School Applicants’ Online Interviews during COVID-19 Epidemic

Background: For many years, the primary criterion used to select medical school applicants worldwide has been cognitive measures of high school educational attainment. Yet academic assessment alone may not necessarily select the candidates who possess the behavioral or non-cognitive attributes thought important in medical students and doctors: honesty, integrity, flexibility, motivation, willingness to cooperate, managing emotions, self-esteem, control, leadership skills, resilience personal values, confidence, empathy, conscientiousness, and social accountability. There is evidence that significant relationship exists between both cognitive and non-cognitive variables and students’ performance in medical school. The challenge posed by the current pandemic of covid19 is that all admission interviews are now carried out via video.
 Method: In video interviews for admission to our Arabian Gulf University, the applicants were asked standardized questions under four main domains: motivation and commitment to medicine, handling stress and ethical dilemma, social skills, and responsibility as well as self-presentation. Each of these domains was given a Likert score ranging from one to five. Scores 1 and 2 indicated unsatisfactory performance, while scores 3, 4 and 5 indicated fair, good, and excellent, respectively. Each panel member scored each applicant independently. This creates the data bases for statistical analyses.
 Results and Discussion: The feedback from staff and students was so far positive, however, statistical results need a longitudinal follow-up of at least one decade: we do not have statistics showing to what extent the selection criteria for admission have a predictive validity for successfully completing the MD program and performing as a medical doctor.
 Conclusions: Transitioning medical school interviews to a virtual setting beyond the restrictions of COVID-19 would allow eliminating travel expenses and cost saving for applicants.

Results of the Behavioral Health Readiness Evaluation and Decision-Making Instrument Study.

Recent reports have demonstrated behavioral health (BH) system and individual provider challenges to BH readiness success. These pose a risk to winning on the battlefield and present a significant safety issue for the Army. One of the most promising areas for achieving better BH readiness results lies in improving readiness decision-making support for BH providers. The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) has taken the lead in addressing this challenge by developing and empirically testing such tools. The results of the Behavioral Health Readiness Evaluation and Decision-Making Instrument (B-REDI) field study are herein described. The B-REDI study received WRAIR Institutional Review Board approval, and BH providers across five U.S. Army Forces Command installations completed surveys from September 2018 to March 2019. The B-REDI tools/training were disseminated to 307 providers through random clinic assignments. Of these, 250 (81%) providers consented to participate and 149 (60%) completed both initial and 3-month follow-up surveys. Survey items included a wide range of satisfaction, utilization, and proficiency-level outcome measures. Analyses included examinations of descriptive statistics, McNemar's tests pre-/post-B-REDI exposure, Z-tests with subgroup populations, and chi-square tests with demographic comparisons. The B-REDI resulted in broad, statistically significant improvements across the measured range of provider proficiency-level outcomes. Net gains in each domain ranged from 16.5% to 22.9% for knowledge/awareness (P = .000), from 11.1% to 15.8% for personal confidence (P = .001-.000), and from 6.2% to 15.1% for decision-making/documentation (P = .035-.002) 3 months following B-REDI initiation, and only one (knowledge) failed to maintain a statistically significant improvement in all of its subcategories. The B-REDI also received high favorability ratings (79%-97% positive) across a wide array of end-user satisfaction measures. The B-REDI directly addresses several critical Army BH readiness challenges by providing tangible decision-making support solutions for BH providers. Providers reported high degrees of end-user B-REDI satisfaction and significant improvements in all measured provider proficiency-level domains. By effectively addressing the readiness decision-making challenges Army BH providers encounter, B-REDI provides the Army BH health care system with a successful blueprint to set the conditions necessary for providers to make more accurate and timely readiness determinations. This may ultimately reduce safety and mission failure risks enterprise-wide, and policymakers should consider formalizing and integrating the B-REDI model into current Army BH practice.

Rethinking the role of personal connections in the Russian labor market: getting a job as a law graduate in Russia

ABSTRACT This article explores the entry-level legal job market based on a survey of graduating full-time Russian law students fielded in 2016. The findings contradict the prevailing assumptions about the post-Soviet labor market that connections trump experience. They show that law-graduate-respondents placed little value on the contacts of friends and family. Regression analysis confirms that personal self-confidence and experience are much stronger predictors of success on the job market.

Attitudes and Preparedness of Non-Frontline Physicians in Saudi Arabia Toward the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study assesses the attitudes (willingness) and preparedness of non-frontline physicians across different specialties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) toward the management of hospitalized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. This cross-sectional study conducted between April 15, 2020, and May 5, 2020, included 6209 physicians working in KSA. An electronic questionnaire was designed and validated for the assessment of 3 categorical outcome variables, namely, attitudes, confidence, and knowledge levels. Pearson's chi-square test was used for comparing the distribution of the proportions of these 3 categorical variables. Most participants (63.2%) were willing and prepared to treat COVID-19 patients. A significantly large proportion of participants specializing in anesthesiology (78.2%) had higher knowledge levels, followed by those from plastic surgery (71.1%), pediatrics (69.7%), and obstetrics and gynecology (69.1%) (P < 0.0001). Lower confidence levels were found for airway management skills (38.1%), particularly among dermatologists and radiologists. Higher knowledge levels about personal protective equipment (PPE) use and confidence in airway management skills were proportionally related to the level of willingness to participate in COVID-19 patient management. There is an urgent need to train doctors from certain specialties on PPE use and airway management to enable their frontline support of severely ill COVID-19 patients.

The Views and Practices of UK School Librarians in Handling Student Privacy

ABSTRACT This paper reports an online survey of the attitudes and practices of school librarians in the UK toward privacy in their workplaces, a subject that has been little studied to date. The survey examined the librarians’ views of professional body ethical frameworks, their personal confidence in handling privacy issues, and how their practices are affected by the wider school environment. The survey was complemented by semi-structured interviews with six experienced school librarians. The study found high levels of personal confidence and support for CILIP’s ethical framework, but also a desire for more school-specific resources about privacy.

A Placement Replacement Module Developed Through COVID-19: Incorporating Spiral Learning, Case-based Learning and Simulated Pedagogical Approaches

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic changed life across the world at an unprecedented speed, in ways that were unimaginable prior to March 2020. As ‘new normals’ emerge, the impact on everyday life is being realized and some rapid innovations are worthy of review and retaining, such as an occupational therapy student virtual Placement Replacement Module (PRM). The occupational therapy specific module was developed to replace prohibited face-to-face, practice-based education. It was designed to support the consolidation of professional knowledge and facilitate the application of practice-based skills, crediting the students with 120 practice placement hours, as agreed with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). This education innovation, based on a spiral learning approach, delivered over five weeks enabled 30 first year students to engage in a range of on-line placement related activities, incorporating the use of reflective diaries, case-based learning, and simulated practice. The evaluation of student feedback showed that authentic learning activities, immersive feedback, and the opportunity for shared learning can facilitate the consolidation of academic knowledge. In particular, it can help develop professional and therapeutic communication skills and clinical and professional reasoning and build personal and professional confidence. As this is believed to be the first PRM of its kind, the purpose of this paper is to describe the education innovation and share the outcomes that resulted from the student evaluation. Other Higher Education Institutions (HEI) are encouraged to think how similar on-line modules could replace face-to-face occupational therapy placements or be included in knowledge consolidation and preparation for placement.