Prior Experience Research Articles

Production benefits on encoding are modulated by language experience: Less experience may help.

Several lines of research have shown that performing movements while learning new information aids later retention of that information, compared to learning by perception alone. For instance, articulated words are more accurately remembered than words that are silently read (the production effect). A candidate mechanism for this movement-enhanced encoding, sensorimotor prediction, assumes that acquired sensorimotor associations enable movements to prime associated percepts and hence improve encoding. Yet it is still unknown how the extent of prior sensorimotor experience influences the benefits of movement on encoding. The current study addressed this question by examining whether the production effect is modified by prior language experience. Does the production effect reduce or persist in a second language (L2) compared to a first language (L1)? Two groups of unbalanced bilinguals, German (L1) - English (L2) bilinguals (Experiment 1) and English (L1) - German (L2) bilinguals (Experiment 2), learned lists of German and English words by reading the words silently or reading the words aloud, and they subsequently performed recognition tests. Both groups showed a pronounced production effect (higher recognition accuracy for spoken compared to silently read words) in the first and second languages. Surprisingly, the production effect was greater in thesecond languages compared to the first languages, across both bilingual groups. We discuss interpretations based on increased phonological encoding, increased effort or attention, or both, when reading aloud in a second language.

Domesticating technology: Learning from the use of mobile phone of small women rural entrepreneurs in India during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide lockdowns that followed the same have led to drastic changes in our lifestyles. While the lockdowns marked a global transition to a world of online services and products, the change was neither easy nor smooth for many. From lack of access to technology to the absence of skills to use it, the act of “going digital” was littered with challenges for people across the world. In the South-Asian country of India, this lack of access was further amplified by the presence of a gender digital divide. Among the women from various factions of the society, one such category affected by it was female entrepreneurs from small rural areas in India. These entrepreneurs were cut off from their clientele owing to a nationwide lockdown in the country imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Most of these women had no prior experience with technology (which is mobile phones in their case) but they not only negotiated access but used it to sustain and grow their entrepreneurial endeavors in a short duration of time. This study, through in-depth qualitative interviews with female entrepreneurs from small rural areas in India maps their usage patterns and their negotiations for domesticating mobile phones. The research found that the first two stages of domestication theory (appropriation and objectification) were easier to navigate for the women entrepreneurs, but gender expectations from them made the last two stages of incorporation and conversion challenging.

Investigating Factors Influencing Disaster Preparedness Perception of Nurses in Turkey:A Meta-Analytic Approach.

In contemporary healthcare, the crucial importance of disaster preparedness and response within the nursing profession has gained recognition. Considering the elevated probability of encountering numerous disasters in Türkiye, it is noteworthy that limited research has been conducted in this domain. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the related factors to nurses' disaster preparedness Türkiye through a meta-analysis method. The study was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. We searched the national databases in Türkiye and Web of Science Core Collection. Descriptive studies published in Turkish or English between 01.01.2000-31.12.2021 in Türkiye were included in the study to derive the pooled outputs. A total of nine studies, encompassing a sample size of 3222 nurses, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis' results revealed that gender and prior experience with disasters did not exhibit a statistically significant impact on nurses' disaster preparedness (p>0.05). Conversely, engaging in disaster education programs, familiarizing oneself with disaster plans, and actively participating in disaster drills were found to have a significant positive effect on nurses' preparedness for disasters (p<0.05). However, it is worth noting that the analysis of disaster experience exhibited substantial heterogeneity (I2=85.6%), indicating variations among the included studies. Similarly, the analysis related to reading disaster plans also demonstrated high heterogeneity (I2=77.7%). Based on the available evidence from the meta-analysis, it can be concluded that receiving disaster education, reading disaster plans, and participating in disaster drills have a positive and significant impact on nurses' perception of disaster preparedness.

Pathological complete response in a patient with pleural mesothelioma treated with immunotherapy: a case report

The role of immunotherapy in the multimodal treatment for pleural mesothelioma (PM) is still under investigation, particularly in the preoperative setting. Pathological complete response (pCR) has been previously described after chemotherapy and immunotherapy; however, there is no prior experience reported with immunotherapy alone before surgery. We report the case of a 58-year-old male with biphasic PM treated with immunotherapy, resulting in a major clinical partial response. Following a multidisciplinary evaluation between thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists, the patient underwent surgery with radical intent through a right extended pleurectomy/decortication (eP/D). Histopathological examination of the specimen confirmed a pathological Complete Response (pCR). This case supports the feasibility and potential efficacy of combining preoperative immunotherapy with surgery in the management of advanced PM.

Which horticultural activities are more effective for children’s recovery from stress and mental fatigue? A quasi-experimental study

IntroductionStudies have established the benefits of horticultural therapy and activities for human health and well-being. Nonetheless, limited research has been conducted on the potential restorative advantages and distinctions between different types of horticultural activities in terms of stress reduction.MethodsThis study employed a quantitative research method to investigate the stress recovery benefits of five horticultural activities (flower arrangement, sowing and transplanting seeds, kokedama crafting, pressed flower card making, and decorative bottle painting with dried flowers) and one reference activity (short composition writing) for children. The experiment was conducted in a children’s activity center’s multi-purpose classroom with 48 elementary students aged 9–12 years. The subjects first took a stress test to induce stress and then engaged in horticultural activities for 20 min. Physiological stress was assessed using electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms as feedback indicators. Psychological and emotional changes were determined using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children and Self-Assessment Manikin scales.ResultsThe results demonstrated that horticultural activities greatly reduced physiological fatigue, and their recovery benefits were significantly greater than those of the reference activity. The recovery effects from different horticultural activities were similar across physiological indicators, although flower arrangement and sowing and transplanting seeds exhibited relatively robust recovery benefits. The heart rate and α-EEG-based generalized estimating equation revealed that horticultural activities offered significantly better relative recovery at each time phase of operation than the reference activity, with girls showing a 3.68% higher relative recovery value than boys. Flower arrangement and kokedama crafting offered better physiological recovery for students with prior horticultural experience, and these two activities received the highest scores in terms of positive effects and the “pleasure” dimension. Students believed that participating in horticultural activities resulted in a noteworthy increase in personal confidence and a greater sense of achievement.ConclusionThe study suggests that horticultural activities that involve real and vibrant plants or natural materials and are more attractive have more stress-relieving benefits. We conclude that horticultural activities are beneficial leisure activities that aid in stress relief for children and that it is important to consider the attributes of activities when developing horticultural programs for elementary students.

Content validity of the electronic faces thermometer scale for pain in children: is a picture worth more than a thousand words?

IntroductionEarly recognition of pain in children is crucial, and their self-report is the primary source of information. However, communication about pain in healthcare settings can be challenging. For non-verbal communication regarding different symptoms, children prefer digital tools. The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS) utilizes a universal design with colors, face emojis, and numbers on an 11-point scale (0–10) for pain assessment. The aim of this study was to establish content validity of the eFTS for pain assessments in children.MethodsA mixed methods design was used. The study took place at a university hospital in eastern Sweden, involving 102 children aged 8–17 years who visited outpatient clinics. Participants were presented with 17 pictures representing varying pain levels and asked to assess hypothetical pain using the eFTS. A think-aloud approach was employed, prompting children to verbalize their thoughts about assessments and the eFTS. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics, together with a qualitative approach for analysis of think-aloud conversations.ResultsA total of 1,734 assessments of hypothetical pain using the eFTS were conducted. The eFTS differentiated between no pain (level 0–1) and pain (level 2–10). However, no clear agreement was found in the differentiation between hypothetical pain intensity levels (level 2–10). The analysis revealed that children utilized the entire scale, ranging from no pain to high pain, incorporating numbers, colors, and face emojis in their assessments.DiscussionThe variability in assessments was influenced by prior experiences, which had an impact on the statistical outcome in our study. However, employing the think-aloud method enhances our understanding of how children utilize the scale and perceive its design, including the incorporation of emotion-laden anchors. Children express a preference for using the eFTS to assess their pain during hospital visits.

Patient Satisfaction and Willingness to Continue with Telemental Health Care During and After the Early Period of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A User Survey.

Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and related lockdown periods generated an increase in the use of virtual care for mental health (MH). This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with Telemental Health services (TMH) during first lockdown and factors related to their willingness to continue using this service. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 364 MH outpatients from 9 centers in the Barcelona region (Spain), who received TMH between April 20 and May 22, 2020. We assessed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, prior experience, and familiarity with technologies and satisfaction with TMH. Willingness to receive TMH after the lockdown was measured separately for telephone and videoconferencing. We performed descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate regression models to predict TMH willingness. Results: From 450 patients contacted, 364 were interviewed. Satisfaction with TMH was high (mean 9.24, standard deviation 0.07); 2.47% preferred only TMH visits after lockdown, 23.08% preferred mostly TMH visits, 50.82% accepted some TMH visits, and 23.63% would prefer in-person consultations. Female patients and those having received TMH during lockdown showed higher odds of willingness to receive TMH in the future, while patients unfamiliar with technologies showed lower odds. Concerning TMH through telephone, willingness was more likely in patients living with more persons. Videoconferencing willingness was more likely for people living with depression. Conclusions: TMH was well accepted during the first lockdown and patients were willing to maintain it after lockdown. Low familiarity with new technologies is an important barrier to TMH willingness, which needs to be addressed for appropriate implementation going forward.

Bridging Gaps: Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Handling the Difficulties in Posing Real-World Mathematical Problems

Real-world mathematical problem (RWMP) solving and posing are important aspects of teaching and learning mathematical modelling, as well as developing a mathematization disposition for both teachers and students. Several researchers have explored blockages or difficulties in such modelling processes and in problem posing. However, prior research has identified difficulties that the pre-service mathematics teachers (PSMTs) encountered when they tried to pose a modelling problem by choosing the general topic themselves, as there is little known about possible obstacles that PSMTs can encounter when trying to pose a real-world problem relevant to a given mathematical topic. The current study explored the difficulties encountered by PSMTs in a RWMP-posing activity. The target group was 23 PSMTs with prior experience in mathematical modelling and mathematical problem posing. The findings showed that the PSMTs struggled with: (a) task organization, which involved selecting and understanding mathematical knowledge; (b) specialized content knowledge, which included a lack of real-world knowledge and difficulty in connecting mathematical concepts to real-world contexts; and (c) individual considerations of aptness, which encompassed authenticity, interest, complexity, language, and relevance to task organization. The PSMTs applied various strategies to complete the posing task, such as using problem-posing and solving heuristics, adapting existing problems, sharing and discussing with friends, and considering the perspective of a typical student. The implications of these findings should help in developing preparatory instructional practices for mathematics teachers.

Investigating the impact of remote neuroanatomy education during the COVID-19 pandemic using online examination performance in a National Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Competition.

Neuroanatomy is a notoriously challenging subject for medical students to learn. Due to the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, anatomical education transitioned to an online format. We assessed student performance in, and attitudes toward, an online neuroanatomy assessment compared to an in-person equivalent, as a marker of the efficacy of remote neuroanatomy education. Participants in the National Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Competition (NUNC) 2021 undertook two online examinations: a neuroanatomically themed multiple-choice question paper and anatomy spotter. Students completed pre- and post-examination questionnaires to gauge their attitudes toward the online competition and prior experience of online anatomical teaching/assessment. To evaluate performance, we compared scores of students who sat the online (2021) and in-person (2017) examinations, using 12 identical neuroradiology questions present in both years. Forty-six percent of NUNC 2021 participants had taken an online anatomy examination in the previous 12 months, but this did not impact examination performance significantly (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in examination scores between in-person and online examinations using the 12 neuroradiology questions (p = 0.69). Fifty percent of participants found the online format less enjoyable, with 63% citing significantly fewer networking opportunities. The online competition was less stressful for 55% of participants. This study provides some evidence to suggest that student performance is not affected when undertaking online examinations and proposes that online neuroanatomy teaching methods, particularly for neuroradiology, may be equally as effective as in-person approaches within this context. Participants perceived online examinations as less stressful but raised concerns surrounding the networking potential and enjoyment of online events.

Willingness to work with older adults and related factors in nursing students: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Given the increased demand for health professionals to work with older adults, research on the factors that influence students’ career choices is critical in order to increase the popularity of gerontology. The purpose of this study was to investigate willingness and related factors of undergraduate nursing students to work with older adults. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 579 undergraduate nursing students in Turkiye. The data were collected using the descriptive characteristics form, the 12-item expectations regarding aging scale (ERA-12), Kogan’s attitudes toward old people scale (KAOP), and willingness to work with elderly people scale (WEPS). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The WEPS, ERA-12, and KAOP mean score of the students were 68.57 ± 11.54 (range: 20–120), 59.83 ± 15.09 (range: 0–100), and 142.98 ± 18.63 (range: 34–238), respectively. Expectations regarding aging, attitudes toward older adults, prior experience caring for older adults, and completing an elective geriatric nursing course positively predicted the total score of WEPS. These variables accounted for 14% of total variance of WEPS (R2: 0.137, F: 12.995, p < .001). Age, sex, and academic year also positively predicted the total score of WEPS, but it was not statistically significant. The willingness of nursing students to work with older adults was moderate. To enhance nursing students’ willingness to work with older adults, nursing programs should foster a positive attitude toward older adults and expectations regarding aging. Greater willingness of nursing students to care for older adults will eventually improve the quality of care for the geriatric population.

The Bayesian Range: Simple Methods for Incorporating Bayesian Reasoning into Psychological Research for Psychologists and Psychology Students Unfamiliar with Bayes' Theorem

Bayes' theorem is used to calculate posterior probabilities of an event occurring given that a second event occurs. Advanced Bayesian statistics are now commonly used in psychology, but simpler versions can be adopted by social psychologists and psychology students who have little or no prior experience with Bayes’ Theorem using commonly obtained values. Using the post-hoc statistical power of a study, the selected alpha level for determining significance, and a subjective personal probability for the probability that a null hypothesis is false, it is possible to create a version of Bayes’ Theorem that calculates the probability that a null hypothesis is false given the null hypothesis is rejected. Because the subjective personal probability of the null being false is an estimate, the paper recommends that for novel empirical findings, researchers take one of two approaches to incorporating Bayes’ Theorem. The first is to calculate the posterior probability for a range of probabilities that the null is false. The second is to treat a novel finding as though it is unlikely to be true and give the probability that the null is false a low starting probability. With each replication, the posterior probability can be updated. Such a practice would encourage multiple replications of a novel finding before it can be reported with confidence. The emphasis of the paper is on the ready application of Bayes’ Theorem for non-experts in Bayesian statistics who are more comfortable with traditional significance testing.

Frames as pre-signal context: using a semiotic framing approach to explain how prior experiences shape present interpretations of control signals

Abstract Innes’s “control signals” provides a semiotic perspective for explaining how acts of social control send “signals” about the effectiveness of security mechanisms. A cross-cutting theme infers that “culture and situation matter” in the reception of signals. However, the control signals concept does not explicitly consider the influence that prior experiences may have on present interpretations. Drawing on qualitative research into how members of a residential community perceived control measures within their everyday environment for Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games, this article outlines the importance of the “pre-signalling” context in influencing how control signals are received. Goffman’s “frame analysis” is used as part of a semiotic framing approach to demonstrate that control signals are framed (or pre-signalled) by the history of relations between sender and receiver of the signal (for example, police and residents).

Existential anxiety about artificial intelligence (AI)- is it the end of humanity era or a new chapter in the human revolution: questionnaire-based observational study

BackgroundExistential anxiety can profoundly affect an individual, influencing their perceptions, behaviours, sense of well-being, academic performance, and decisions. Integrating artificial intelligence into society has elicited complex public reactions, marked by appreciation and concern, with its acceptance varying across demographics and influenced by factors such as age, gender, and prior AI experiences. This study aimed to investigate the existential anxiety about artificial intelligence (AI) in public in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThe present questionnaire-based observational, analytical cross-sectional study with a structured, self-administered survey was conducted via Google Forms, using a scale to assess the existential anxiety levels induced by the recent development of AI. The study encompassed a diverse population with a sample size of 300 participants.ResultsThis study’s findings revealed a high prevalence of existential anxieties related to the rapid advancements in AI. Key concerns included the fear of death (96% of participants), fate’s unpredictability (86.3%), a sense of emptiness (79%), anxiety about meaninglessness (92.7%), guilt over potential AI-related catastrophes (87.7%), and fear of condemnation due to ethical dilemmas in AI (93%), highlighting widespread apprehensions about humanity’s future in an AI-dominated era.ConclusionThe public has concerns including unpredictability, a sense of emptiness, anxiety, guilt over potential AI-related catastrophes, and fear of condemnation due to ethical dilemmas in AI, highlighting widespread apprehensions about humanity’s future in an AI-dominated era. The results indicate that there is a need for a multidisciplinary strategy to address the existential anxieties in the AI era. The strategic approach must blend technological advancements with psychological, philosophical, and ethical insights, underscoring the significance of human values in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Comparative Effectiveness of Natalizumab, Fingolimod, and Injectable Therapies in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: A Registry-Based Study.

Patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) typically experience higher levels of inflammation with more frequent relapses, and though patients with POMS usually recover from relapses better than adults, patients with POMS reach irreversible disability at a younger age than adult-onset patients. There have been few randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in patients with POMS, and most available data are based on observational studies of off-label use of DMTs approved for adults. We assessed the effectiveness of natalizumab compared with fingolimod using injectable platform therapies as a reference in pediatric patients in the global MSBase registry. This retrospective study included patients with POMS who initiated treatment with an injectable DMT, natalizumab, or fingolimod between January 1, 2006, and May 3, 2021. Patients were matched using inverse probability treatment weighting. The primary outcome was time to first relapse from index therapy initiation. Secondary study outcomes included annualized relapse rate; proportions of relapse-free patients at 1, 2, and 5 years; time to treatment discontinuation; and times to 24-week confirmed disability worsening and confirmed disability improvement. A total of 1,218 patients with POMS were included in this analysis. Patients treated with fingolimod had a significantly lower risk of relapse than patients treated with injectable DMTs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.83; p = 0.008). After adjustment for prior DMT experience in the unmatched sample, patients treated with natalizumab had a significantly lower risk of relapse than patients treated either with injectable DMTs (HR, 0.15; 95% CI 0.07-0.31; p < 0.001) or fingolimod (HR, 0.37; 95% CI 0.14-1.00; p = 0.049). The adjusted secondary study outcomes were generally consistent with the primary outcome or with previous observations. The findings in the inverse probability treatment weighting-adjusted patient populations were confirmed in multiple sensitivity analyses. Our analyses of relapse risk suggest that natalizumab is more effective than fingolimod in the control of relapses in this population with high rates of new inflammatory activity, consistent with previous studies of natalizumab and fingolimod in adult-onset patients and POMS. In addition, both fingolimod and natalizumab were more effective than first-line injectable therapies. This study provides Class II evidence that patients with POMS treated with natalizumab had a lower risk of relapse than those with fingolimod.

Unravelling the process of idea generation and assessment during the PhD trajectory: A case study approach

AbstractThe three missions of universities are education, research, and knowledge/technology transfer. At the micro‐level of the research and knowledge/technology transfer mission, we position researchers, as individuals who decided to pursue a scientific career in academia, with the PhD as the starting point. While existing literature acknowledges the supervisor's significance during this process from dependency to autonomy, this paper advocates for a closer examination of external factors such as the network, supervisor's experience, and work environment in idea generation. Ideas in this context encompass both curiosity‐driven and entrepreneurial concepts, often evolving from one to the other. Our research builds upon the theory of opportunity identification, drawing parallels between ideas and opportunities. The research asserts that PhD students primarily rely on their networks for idea generation due to limited prior knowledge and experience. Our findings underscore the dynamic interplay between PhD students, supervisors, and networks in the process of idea generation, advancing a comprehensive framework encapsulating the multifaceted influences on the trajectory from idea generation to execution in the context of PhD education. The framework is based on empirical evidence from a qualitative case study comprising 16 PhD students in a European H2020 project in the field of Photonics, illuminating the intricate relationship between supervisors' orientations (entrepreneurial or curiosity‐driven) and the types of ideas generated by PhD students. Practical implications highlight the need for tailored support and resources to foster independent research capabilities among PhD students, considering individual variations in supervisory support and networking opportunities.

Investigating perceptions and attitude toward telenursing among undergraduate nursing students for the future of nursing education: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTelenursing is poised to emerge as a novel healthcare delivery system in the digital age. Hence, understanding nursing students' perspectives and readiness is pivotal for its effective implementation. This study investigated nursing students' perceptions regarding, and attitudes toward, telenursing and the factors that influenced their attitudes based on the technology acceptance model.MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional descriptive approach. The participants consisted of 188 nursing students (first to fourth year) enrolled in the College of Nursing in Korea. Differences in attitudes toward telenursing were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlations between the main variables. Factors that influenced attitudes toward telenursing were analyzed using multiple regression.ResultsOf the participants, 65.4% lacked substantial awareness of telenursing and 19.1% had prior telenursing experience. Although prospects on telenursing indicated that 90.4% had an optimistic view, face-to-face nursing was heavily preferred for both satisfactory and favored healthcare delivery. Many cited the Internet as their source of knowledge, and only 18.6% had received telenursing education. Attitude toward telenursing was significantly more positive among those with experience of telenursing, telenursing observation in clinical practice, and telenursing education exposure. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 67.445, p < .000). Factors, such as perceived usefulness, social influence, innovativeness, and self-efficacy, influenced attitudes toward telenursing.ConclusionsNursing students exhibited a lack of substantial awareness of telenursing; however, they simultaneously displayed a positive outlook. This lack of comprehensive understanding could stem from the absence of formal education in telenursing. Understanding and utilizing the potential of telenursing could be significantly aided by nursing students' education and knowledge. Thus, it is necessary to include telenursing education in the nursing curriculum. The skills and knowledge required for telenursing clinical practice can be developed through telenursing education. Such preparedness will affect nurses’ attitudes and intentions and the quality of telenursing offered to patients in the future.

Initial experience of a single surgeon for safety and feasibility of the Versius Robotic System in robot-assisted cholecystectomy and hernia repair.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and perioperative outcomes of cholecystectomy and hernia repair performed with the Versius Robotic System by a surgeon with no prior robotic surgery experience. A retrospective analysis was conducted on adult patients who underwent cholecystectomy, inguinal, or umbilical hernia repair using the Versius Robotic System between August 2021 and June 2023 et al. Zahra Hospital, Dubai, UAE. A total of 105 patients (mean age 38.9 ± 9.2years) were included. Significant correlations existed between the number of robot-assisted cholecystectomies and the operative metrics. As the number increased, the duration of the total operative (r = -0.755, p < 0.001), docking (r = -0.683, p < 0.001), and console (r = -0.711, p < 0.001) times decreased, indicating improved efficiency with experience. This study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the Versius Robotic System for cholecystectomy and hernia repair, even for surgeons lacking prior robotic surgery experience.

The value of pre-hospital trauma life support courses for medical personnel—a questionnaire study

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to determine the impact that PHTLS® course participation had on self-confidence of emergency personnel, regarding the pre-hospital treatment of patients who had suffered severe trauma. Furthermore, the goal was to determine the impact of specific medical profession, work experience and prior course participation had on the benefits of PHTLS® training.MethodsA structured questionnaire study was performed. Healthcare providers from local emergency services involved in pre-hospital care in the metropolitan area of Zurich (Switzerland, Europe) who completed a PHTLS® course were included. Altered self-confidence, communication, and routines in the treatment of severe trauma patients were examined. The impact of prior course participation, work experience and profession on course benefits were evaluated.ResultsThe response rate was 76%. A total of 6 transport paramedics (TPs), 66 emergency paramedics (EPs) and 15 emergency doctors (EDs) were included. Emergency paramedics had significantly more work experience compared with EDs (respectively 7.1 ± 5.7 yrs. vs. 4.5 ± 2.1 yrs., p = 0.004). 86% of the participants reported increased self-confidence in the pre-hospital management of severe trauma upon PHTLS® training completion. Moreover, according to 84% of respondents, extramural treatment of trauma changed upon course completion. PHTLS® course participants had improved communication in 93% of cases. This was significantly more frequent in EPs than TPs (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis revealed emergency paramedics benefit the most from PHTLS® course participation.ConclusionThe current study shows that PHTLS® training is associated with improved self-confidence and enhanced communication, with regards to treatment of severe trauma patients in a pre-hospital setting, among medical emergency personnel. Additionally, emergency paramedics who took the PHTLS® course improved in overall self-confidence. These findings imply that all medical personal involved in the pre-hospital care of trauma patients, in a metropolitan area in Europe, do benefit from PHTLS® training. This was independent of the profession, previous working experience or prior alternative course participation.

Reciprocity in ambiguous situations: Default psychological strategies underlying ambiguity resolution in moral decision-making.

When deciding whether to reciprocate trust, people are typically strongly influenced by how much trust their interaction partner has originally shown them. If a partner has placed a lot of trust in you, there is a strong motivation to reciprocate, and indeed this factor often outweighs pro-self considerations to maximize one's own financial payout. However, one important unanswered question in this regard is what people decide to do when this prior information is ambiguous; that is, when they do not know for sure exactly how trusting their partner has been. How then do people decide to reciprocate? This study utilizes a novel version of the Trust Game to directly address this question. Here, we develop, and validate, a computational model-based approach to quantify and categorize how participants assessed the trustworthiness of an unfamiliar partner when making reciprocity decisions. We find that participants spontaneously use their prior experience about the trustingness of game partners in general to inform their reciprocity decisions, even when they had the opportunity to strategically assume that their new, unfamiliar, partners were untrusting, and hence could have justified lower reciprocation rates.

Participation in physical activity by adolescents with physical disability: Protocol for a national participation snapshot and Delphi consensus study (“Youth Experience Matters”)

Young people with physical disability experience challenges to being physically active. To attain the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and sustain engagement, it is essential that participation is meaningful and enjoyable. This study aims to describe current participation in PA by adolescents with physical disability in Ireland, and to establish consensus on their priorities for enhancing physical activity participation. A parallel convergent mixed methods study will be undertaken, comprising a national cross-sectional quantitative assessment of PA participation (“Participation Snapshot”) and Delphi consensus study (“Delphi”). Adolescents (n=100) aged 13–17 years with a physical disability will be invited to take part. The Participation Snapshot primary outcome is the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Contextual factors including underlying medical diagnosis, demographics, mobility (Functional Mobility Scale), hand function (Manual Ability Classification System) and health related quality of life (Child Health Utility 9D) will also be collected. The Delphi will comprise two to four survey rounds, until consensus is reached. Round 1 consists of a bespoke survey, designed and piloted with a public and patient involvement (PPI) panel, with open-ended questions and Likert scales inviting contributions from adolescents on their prior experience and ideas to enhance participation. Responses will be analysed using inductive thematic analysis to construct items and themes, which will then be deductively mapped to the “F-words” and the family of Participation-Related Constructs frameworks. These items will be presented back to participants in subsequent rounds for selection and ranking, until consensus is achieved on the “top 10 priorities” for enhancing PA participation. The project team and PPI panel will then co-design dissemination material and identify targets for dissemination to relevant stakeholder or policy groups. The findings will provide a basis for developing interventions aiming to enhance future PA participation for adolescents with physical disability.