Practical Tips Research Articles

Healthcare professional perspectives on improving inter-pregnancy care after a baby loss for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Women with diabetes (WWD) (type 1 and type 2) are around four times more likely to experience baby loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination of pregnancy for medical reasons. Many WWD become pregnant again soon after loss. This study aimed to explore healthcare professional perspectives on improving inter-pregnancy care for WWD after baby loss, as they play a crucial role in facilitating access to support for WWD to prepare for subsequent pregnancy. Eighteen healthcare professionals recruited through social media and professional networks between November 2020 and July 2021 participated in a semi-structured remote interview. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: (1) supporting WWD who want to become pregnant again after baby loss; (2) recognising multiple hidden burdens in the inter-pregnancy interval after loss; (3) discontinuities and constraints in inter-pregnancy care. Most participants tended to assume WWD wanted time and space before thinking about pregnancy after loss, so they did not routinely broach the subject. Participants reported receiving little or no training on managing sensitive conversations. Care provision varied across providers, and unclear referral pathways were challenging to navigate. Participants reported concerns that not all healthcare professionals knew how to mitigate pregnancy risks. It is unclear who is responsible for supporting WWDs preconception health between baby loss and subsequent pregnancy. Healthcare professionals may be reticent to initiate conversations about pregnancy for fear of causing upset or distress. Future research is required to scope out ways to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and practical tips on sensitively raising the topic of subsequent pregnancy.

Peer-to-Peer Phone Calls and Letters Appealing Insurance Denials of Service: Practical Tips and Resources

The approval of radiation oncology care by insurance companies is burdensome for providers. In this topic discussion, we attempt to provide practical recommendations for how to deal with peer-to-peer phone calls as well as how to improve the timeliness and quality of subsequent letters of appeal.

Providing antiracist cognitive-behavioral therapy: Guidelines, tools, and tips

This article addresses gaps in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) when it comes to integrating racial issues that affect racialized patients’ mental health. Traditional adaptations of CBT focused on social, religious, and linguistic challenges but neglected the critical aspects of interpersonal, institutional and systemic racism, internalized racism and complex racial trauma. This oversight has resulted in less effective outcomes for racialized individuals. The article proposes clear, applicable guidelines for clinicians to provide anti-racist CBT interventions. They cover clinical self-development, re-design the CBT triangular (thoughts, feelings, behaviors) theoretical framework, provide practical tools and tips to facilitate antiracist CBT interventions. Clinicians are encouraged to engage in self-assessment to understand their own racial biases and develop competencies to address racial issues and dynamics in therapy. CBT theoretical framework is re-envisioned to include environmental factors that impact the lives of racialized people, acknowledging the pervasive effects of racism on mental and physical health. The article also highlights the importance of creating a culturally safe therapeutic environment for racialized children, adolescents, and families, and emphasizes the need for specialized training to effectively serve these groups. The proposed guidelines aim to transform CBT practice, increase confidence of racialized individuals in mental health care, and ultimately decolonize CBT interventions.

The Impact of Leadership Succession on Employee Retention: An Analytical Study

This article explores the vital relationship between management succession and employee retention within companies. It begins by using defining management succession and outlining its significance in retaining organizational stability and continuity. Employee retention is examined as an essential issue for organizational success, specifically in competitive commercial enterprise surroundings wherein talent is a key asset. Methodologies used in reading this relationship are discussed, imparting insights into quantitative and qualitative techniques hired within the studies. Two in-depth case research are supplied: the primary examines the effect of CEO succession on worker retention in a Fortune 500 employer, whilst the second one makes a specialty of the role of succession planning in fostering supportive work surroundings that encourage worker loyalty. Best practices for management succession planning are mentioned, supplying practical tips for companies striving to improve retention fees. The article additionally addresses the demanding situations and limitations associated with imposing powerful succession strategies. By highlighting these interconnected themes, they take a look at targets to provide precious insights for leaders and HR practitioners searching to enhance employee retention through strategic management transitions. Keywords : Leadership succession, Employee Retention, Management Transition

Removal of uncemented components: hope for the best, prepare for the worst-technical tips and tricks.

Removing well-fixed uncemented components can be challenging. With thoughtful surgical planning, appropriate surgical instruments, and proper surgical techniques, most implants can be removed expeditiously with little bone loss and minimal impact on the subsequent reconstruction. Preoperative planning is one of the most essential steps to remove uncemented implants. Obtaining previous surgical records, although tedious, should always be attempted preoperatively to determine if specific instruments will be required and to help anticipate which steps may need special attention. These include the presence of ceramic or metal bearings and the presence of acetabular screws or stem collars. Without proper preparation and available tools, the removal of implants can negatively impact the subsequent reconstruction and patient outcomes. We will describe techniques and practical tips for removing uncemented stems from the top (intramedullary) or transfemoral using an extended trochanteric osteotomy. We will also describe techniques and tools to remove uncemented acetabular shells efficiently. Case examples will highlight these clinical situations where careful planning is necessary and potential problems that may be encountered with the recurring theme of preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. We have also included cases such as removing well-fixed cementless collared stems, broken stems, and fully coated stems.

Smart Nutrition for a Golden Generation: Nutrition Education for Mothers of Toddlers

Optimal nutrition during early childhood is crucial in supporting the overall growth and development of children. This period is known as the golden age, during which brain and physical development occur very rapidly. Therefore, nutrition education for mothers of young children is a vital step in ensuring that future generations grow up to be healthy and intelligent individuals. Knowledge about the nutritional needs of young children, the proper way to provide complementary feeding (MP-ASI), and the prevention of malnutrition are the main focuses of this education. This article also presents various essential nutrients needed by young children and practical tips for mothers in providing MP-ASI. The Community Service Program (PKM) was held at the Nurtiana Ginting Clinic, Serdang Bedagai Regency, on May 4, 2024, involving 18 participants. The primary goal of this PKM is that with good nutrition education, it is hoped that mothers will become more skilled in providing healthy and balanced meals, thus supporting the creation of a healthy and intelligent golden generation. Adequate knowledge will help mothers make the right decisions regarding diet and food choices, ultimately supporting the creation of a healthy, intelligent, and highly competitive golden generation. Nutrition education also plays an important role in preventing various health problems that can arise from nutritional deficiencies or excesses, thereby significantly improving children's quality of life.

Safe Tractor Operations: Road Safety for Tractors and Farm Machinery

The Safe Tractor Operations series contains six articles devoted to tractor safety. This publication discusses practical tips to help prevent collisions involving tractors and other farm machinery on public roads. Written by Serap Gorucu, Carol J. Lehtola, and Charles M. Brown and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2024.

Leave Your Footprint

Abstract—“Leave Your Footprint” is a website dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and sustainable living practices. The website serves as a platform for individuals and organizations to share ideas, resources, and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and fostering positive change. Through articles, guides, and community forums, Leave Your Footprint educates visitors on various eco-friendly practices, such as recycling, reducing energy consumption, and supporting conservation efforts. Additionally, the website features interactive tools and calculators to help users assess their carbon footprint and track progress towards sustainability goals. By empowering individuals to take action and make informed choices, Leave Your Footprint aims to inspire a collective effort towards building a more sustainable future for our planet. At its core, Leave Your Footprint serves as an educational hub, providing visitors with informative articles, guides, and multimedia content on various aspects of sustainability. Topics covered include renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, eco-friendly transportation, sustainable agriculture, and much more. These resources are carefully curated to offer practical tips, insights, and actionable steps that individuals can incorporate into their daily lives to live more sustainably Keywords – Sustainability, Environmental awareness, Community engagement, Resource conservation, Eco-conscious consumerism, Energy efficiency, Social impact, Eco-friendly products.

A critical reflection on using the Patient Engagement In Research Scale (PEIRS) to evaluate patient and family partners' engagement in dementia research.

Research involvement of people with lived experiences is increasing. Few tools are designed to evaluate their engagement in research. The Patient Engagement In Research Scale (PEIRS) is one of the few validated tools. Our team employed the PEIRS with patient and family partners with lived experiences of dementia every 6 months in a two-year telepresence robot project. This reflection paper reports our self-study on key learnings and proposes practical tips on using the PEIRS to evaluate patient and family partners' engagement in dementia research. It is the first to document a case using the PEIRS multiple times in a dementia research project. Guided by Rolfe et al.'s reflective model, we conducted three team reflective sessions to examine the team's experiences using the PEIRS to improve and evaluate patient and family partners' engagement in the research. We also reviewed our meeting notes and fieldnotes documented in the research journal. A reflexive thematic analysis was performed. The team identified three key learnings: the values of using the PEIRS survey, the adaptations, and the factors influencing its implementation as an evaluation tool. Using the PEIRS provided significant benefits to the project, although some patient and family partners felt it was burdensome. The evaluation tool was enhanced with emojis and comment boxes based on suggestions from patient partners. The emojis introduced an element of fun, while the comment boxes allowed for personalized responses. Several factors influenced the PEIRS tool's effectiveness: the interviewer's identity, the confidentiality of responses and follow-ups, the timing and frequency of using the tool, and the presentation of the evaluations. These learnings led to the development of six practical tips,-"ENGAGE": Enjoyable and fun process, Never impose, Get prepared early, Adapt to the team's needs, Give people options, and Engage and reflect. With the emerging trend of including people with lived experiences in dementia research, there is a need for ongoing assessment of engagement from both patient and family partners and the research team strategies. Future research can further explore survey logistics, co-development of evaluation tools, and the use of tools with people living with dementia.

Reflections and practical tips from co-producing an intervention with neurodiverse children, their families, and professional stakeholders

Transdisciplinary co-produced health research and co-designed interventions have the capacity to improve research quality and the relevance, acceptability, and accessibility of healthcare. This approach also helps researchers to address power imbalances to share decision-making with service-users and the public. However, this growing methodology is currently difficult to appraise and develop as detailed sharing of practice is limited. The ‘CO-production of a Nature-based Intervention For children with ADHD study’ (CONIFAS) aimed to create a novel intervention with and for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using co-production and co-design methodologies. This knowledge exchange paper will be of benefit to researchers with aspirations to undertake co-production, especially in the context of working with under-represented groups. Critical reflection on the use of co-production identified that every attempt was made to adequately resource the co-production, share power, value diversity, and develop trust. The team reflected that the re-conceptualisation of the role of the researcher in co-production can be challenging. Whilst the use of models of co-production provides a framework for study development, designing and running the specifics of the workshops, as well as how to effectively engage co-researchers in an equitable way, came from utilising clinical skills, networking, and creativity. These methods are particularly pertinent to involving neurodiverse children and their families who are under-represented in participatory research and in need of bespoke health interventions.

Practical Tips for Paediatricians: When is an eye turn more than just an eye turn.

Practical Tips for Paediatricians: When is an eye turn more than just an eye turn.

The Structural and Functional Analysis of Cleft Sentences in English Linguistics.

Cleft sentences are essential syntactic constructions in English that emphasize specific elements by dividing a sentence into two clauses. This article explores their structural and functional aspects, demonstrating how cleft sentences enhance clarity, focus, and information structuring in various contexts, such as literature, journalism, and everyday conversation. The study also highlights the implications for teaching English as a second language and provides practical tips for learners. Through detailed examples and comparative analysis, this comprehensive examination underscores the importance of cleft sentences in effective communication.

AI-powered automated item generation for language testing

Abstract Although automated item generation has gained a considerable amount of attention in a variety of fields, it is still a relatively new technology in ELT contexts. Therefore, the present article aims to provide an accessible introduction to this powerful resource for language teachers based on a review of the available research. Particularly, it will give a brief introduction to different types of automated item generation approaches, provide a summary of previous ELT studies on this technology, and introduce three different AI-powered tools, along with practical tips for ELT practitioners. We conclude by calling for more empirical research on automated item generation from the ELT community and encouraging language teachers to take an interest in this technology themselves.

Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience: Tips for Mentees

This third publication of the Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience series focuses on the experience of the mentee. This article aims to serve as a resource for mentees who are seeking tips and support as they work with their mentors in academia and beyond. This publication describes the role of the mentee and provides practical tips that can be applied in any setting. Written by Debra M. Barry, Heather Nesbitt, and Heather McAuslane, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, June 2024.

Enhancing Model Fit Evaluation in SEM: Practical Tips for Optimizing Chi-Square Tests

This paper aims to advocate for a balanced approach to model fit evaluation in structural equation modeling (SEM). The ongoing debate surrounding chi-square test statistics and fit indices has been characterized by ambiguity and controversy. Despite the acknowledged limitations of relying solely on the chi-square test, its careful application can enhance its effectiveness in evaluating model fit and specification. To illustrate this point, we present three common scenarios relevant to social and behavioral science research using Monte Carlo simulations, where fit indices may inadequately address concerns regarding goodness-of-fit, while the chi-square statistic can offer valuable insights. Our recommendation is to report both the chi-square test and fit indices, prioritizing precise model specification to ensure the reliability of model fit indicators.

The recipe for success in creating frictionless customer journeys

Customers now demand seamless experiences across all points of contact. To deliver on this expectation, organisations need a reliable marketing architecture for accurate omnichannel customer journey analysis. This allows them to identify and eliminate friction points that hinder customer satisfaction. However, disparate channels of data often utilise different customer identifiers, creating a challenge in unifying data for comprehensive analysis. By focusing on a strong customer identity strategy and leveraging technological advancements to seamlessly combine data at the individual level, organisations gain an advantage in crafting consistent and frictionless customer experiences. This approach follows a specific recipe, with key steps to identify and remove friction points. Professionals involved in creating or measuring omnichannel experiences will find valuable insights and practical tips within this paper, along with learnings from renowned customer-centric companies like Uber, Netflix and Amazon. Delivering consistently exceptional customer experiences allows companies to command premium prices, build long-term brand loyalty and solidify their reputation as truly customer-focused organisations.

FURst Aid: Advancement opportunities from hybrid public outreach series

FURst Aid is a series of free, hybrid events for animal lovers. Attendees learn practical first aid and preventative care skills from a diverse pool of experts at the Oregon State University (OSU) Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine (CCVM) to help them look after their furry friends. This case study will cover how the FURst Aid series offers public outreach, engagement and service, as well as continuing education to professionals (including CCVM alumni). It will also elaborate some practical tips and lessons learned for offering a successful hybrid event series. Though produced by a small advancement team and on a tight budget, the series yields great results and reaches a wide spectrum of audiences. By offering all events free of charge, economic barriers to the public's participating in and receiving benefits from this service are greatly reduced. From an advancement perspective, the series has enabled the college as well as the OSU Foundation to engage with a strategically important community for marketing, alumni relations and fundraising efforts. Readers will learn how to tap into their own experts to engage their own core communities, and considerations to plan, advertise and deliver a hybrid event series.

USING AUTHENTIC MATERIALS TO DEVELOP STUDENTS’ CRITICAL READING ABILITY

This article uncovers the potential of authentic materials, such as real-world texts, materials and resources, in developing students' critical reading abilities. It argues that traditional textbook-based approaches often fail to engage students in meaningful ways and lack the complexity and relevance required for fostering critical thinking skills. The article examines specificstrategies for incorporating authentic materials into the classroom, highlighting their effectiveness in motivating students, promoting deeper understanding of content, and developing essential critical reading skills such as analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. The benefits of using authentic materials for various subject areas and age groups are discussed, alongside practical tips and resources for educators.

Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience: Tips for Mentors

This second publication of the Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience series is intended to serve as a resource for mentors who are seeking tips and support as they work with mentees in academia and beyond. This publication describes the role of the mentor and provides practical tips that can be applied in any setting. Written by Debra M. Barry, Heather Nesbitt, and Heather McAuslane, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2024.

Communicating Clear Guidance: Advice for Generative AI Policy Development in Higher Education

This article presents the ongoing conversation about generative AI guidance and policy in higher education. The article examines syllabus policies, including analyzing sentiment, emotion, and common themes in GenAI policies. Findings show that policies should be audience-focused, clearly written, and grounded in strategies to promote ethical AI use in academia and the workforce. Practical tips for policy writing and sample policies are provided.