Profession In Europe Research Articles

Investigation of the hospital pharmacy profession in Europe

ObjectiveFrom 1995, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has regularly investigated the progress of the hospital pharmacy profession in Europe, and identified key barriers and drivers of this. The...

Perfusion education and training in Europe anno 2023.

Background: In the absence of uniform European regulations, there have been many differences in the training of perfusionists across Europe. Furthermore, there has been no uniform or single European accreditation of the profession. One of the objectives of The European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (EBCP) is to standardise and monitor training of perfusionists across Europe whilst offering support in accordance with national regulations. This goal is particularly imminent as there have been numerous newly founded National perfusion societies, particularly from Eastern European countries, which are now established members of EBCP.Purpose: In this article, we provide an updated overview or'snapshot'of current European perfusion training programs that were accessible in 2022. Nationally acquired data refers to 2022unless stated otherwise. The last overview of Perfusion education in Europe was reported over 15 years ago including 20 countries.Research Design: For this report thirty-two national EBCP delegates plus representatives from Austria were contacted at the beginning of 2023 to complete a pro forma questionnaire about their national perfusion training programmes. The data has been summarized in this article and five additional derived parameters were calculated.Results: We received responses from 31 countries, providing specific national training characteristics which are summarized, listed and benchmarked by country in this article.Conclusion: There have been several national and supranational initiatives towards the recognition of perfusion as a profession in Europe, however so far without success for the majority of countries. For this reason, it remains essential for EBCP, as the only European professional perfusionist body, to define education standards and competencies for perfusionists and to monitor training by accreditation of dedicated perfusion schools across Europe.

Thirty-years of genetic counselling education in Europe: a growing professional area.

Genetic counselling education and training in Europe spans a continuum of 30 years. More master programs are opening due the demand for qualified genetic counselors. This report describes the evolution of training in Europe and the current state of genetic counselling training programs. Directors of master programs in Europe were invited to complete an online survey describing their program, including year of commencement, course duration, number of students and frequency of intake and number graduating. Results of the survey were presented at a closed meeting at the European Society of Human Genetics conference in 2022 along with a facilitated stakeholder engagement session in which 19 professionals participated to understand the challenges in delivering genetic counselling education in Europe. A total of 10 active programs exists in Europe with the first training program starting in 1992. The majority of training programs have a 2-year duration, with just over half of programs having an annual intake of students. Up to May 2022, 710 students have graduated from genetic counseling training programs across Europe. Of these, 670 students graduated from European Board of Medical Genetics-registered programs. Arranging clinical placements, clinical and counseling supervision of students, research collaboration for MSc research projects and incorporating genomics into the curriculum were identified as current challenges for genetic counseling education. Genetic counseling is still a developing profession in Europe and this historical and current view of the European genetic counselor pathways, allows for educational and professional standards to be examined as the profession evolves into the future.

The Erosion of Teachers’ Salaries and its Impact on the Attractiveness of the Teaching Profession in Europe

The Erosion of Teachers’ Salaries and its Impact on the Attractiveness of the Teaching Profession in Europe

Characteristics, Opportunities, and Challenges of Osteopathy Based on the Perceptions of Osteopaths in Austria: Qualitative Interview Study.

There are no uniform regulations for the osteopathic profession in Europe. It is subject to country-specific regulations defining who shall be allowed to practice osteopathy and which qualification shall be required. In recent years, legal regulations have been established in several European countries for the profession of osteopathy; however, these are also still pending for Austria. Currently, physiotherapists and physicians with osteopathic training are practicing osteopathy in Austria. This study aims to examine the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of osteopaths in Austria. Guideline-based interviews with osteopaths (N=10) were conducted. The different research questions were examined using a qualitative content analysis. The study provided a differentiated insight into the professional situation of osteopaths in Austria. The most important result was that all interviewees unanimously supported a legal regulation of their profession. However, owing to their different professional self-image-on the one hand, individuals working on a structural basis, and, on the other hand, individuals working on a cranial or biodynamic basis-they were able to imagine a uniform professional regulation only to a limited extent. Additional topics for the interviewed osteopaths in Austria were the quality assurance of training and the urgent need for scientific research. Furthermore, the study also dealt with the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily practice and on education and training in osteopathy. This study is a pioneering study with regard to systematic basic research on osteopathy in Austria. The obtained results and the newly acquired research questions not only have the potential to serve as a basis for further studies but also provide insight into the working and professional situation of osteopaths in Austria for universities, schools, professional associations, politics, and-last but not least-all interested parties. RR2-10.2196/15399.

EFOMP Malaga Declaration 2023: An updated vision on Medical Physics in Europe

In 2006, the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP) adopted the “Malaga Declaration”. The declaration asserted the fundamental role of Medical Physics professionals in the radiation protection of patients, workers, general public, carers and comforters and research participants in hospitals. However, since that time the Medical Physics profession has evolved in Europe and new regulations and documentation have been issued, such as directive 2013/59/Euratom and the “European Guidelines on Medical Physics Expert” (RP174). EFOMP has published updated core-curricula and strived towards the recognition of the profession at the European level. In view of this, an update of the original Malaga Declaration was deemed necessary, to define the future vision that will guide the actions of the Federation in the years to come. This Declaration, which has been approved by the national member organizations of EFOMP in April 2023, is much broader than the original Malaga version. This is expected considering the rapid evolution of medical device technology over the last 17 years. The Radiation Protection Expert in hospital settings should be an MPE, since the latter has the highest level of radiation protection knowledge and training. Given the passion and energy that animated the debate, which led to the updating of the Malaga Declaration, we are confident that it represents a solid basis for the development of our profession in Europe which is in consonance with the aspirations of us all.

European Jewish dermatologists who came to New South Wales, Australia, as a consequence of National Socialism: Challenges and contributions.

The period of National Socialism (1933-1945) had a seismic impact on the medical profession in Europe and beyond. This study aimed to identify Jewish dermatologists who fled Europe as a result of National Socialism and migrated to the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), to document their struggles, and to describe their contributions to dermatology. Five dermatologists who survived the horrors of Nazism and migrated to NSW were identified. Frederik Goldschlag (1893-1973), Richard Kantor (1886-1954), Isidor Knossew (1898-1965), Emil Milder (1902-1973), and Emery Kocsard (1912-2005) arrived in NSW during the period of 1938 to 1951. Myriad contributions were made to dermatology. The challenges confronted by refugee dermatologists did not cease with the end of National Socialism. On reaching Australia, university and medical board barriers and the country's strong British affiliation posed further difficulties for many refugee doctors from the European continent. The study complements previous research on the exodus of dermatologists from Europe to countries other than Australia as a result of National Socialism. The study also prompts sober reflection about the losses suffered by dermatology, alongside other branches of medicine, through Nazism and the Holocaust.

Evolution of social work and other aid professions in Europe in the 20th and 21st centuries: towards a new professionalism of aid practices

The 20th century European welfare states appeared as the final products of all public activities undertaken to solve the 19th-century social issue. The welfare states’ infrastructure is founded on three main pillars: regulated labour markets, social transfers organized within social security systems and social services provided by specialists representing the variety of helping professions. In the 21st century the main field of social investment are social services and the role of professional helpers as agents of the well-being distribution is raising up. At the same time the framework of professional helping practices is reshaped due to evolution of social policy, changes of needs and expectations of citizens. The direction of ongoing changes is driven by such ideas as community-centred approach, personalization of support, concept of double empowerment (empowering both: social services users and deliverers), work on capabilities, cooperation between specialists representing the variety of helping professions and mutual consideration of competence. A special role in forming the new professionalism of helping practices is to be played by social work due to its special position among helping professions.

From Roots to Research: A Research Strategy for the Naturopathic Profession in Europe

Naturopathy is a traditional medicine system originating in Europe and is practiced in 108 countries worldwide, representing the most geographically diverse traditional medicine in the modern era. However, the European roots of the naturopathic profession are still prevalent, with just over half of the international population of naturopathic practitioners in European countries. Despite the history and size of the naturopathic profession in Europe, only 8.8% of the more than 2000 peerreviewed research publications produced by naturopathic researchers in the last 30 years are based on studies conducted by researchers in Europe. In 2019, representatives from the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) European Regional Group met in Lyon, France, to develop a strategy for naturopathy research in Europe. Attendees represented naturopathic organizations in France, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. The outcome was a co-designed strategy based on shared ideas and goals, linked to implementation activities. The goals for the first four years were: (1) Establish research capacity through research training and infrastructure; (2) Strengthen research training and infrastructure; (3) Secure continued research capacity through formalized research training in naturopathic courses; (4) Establish research-sustainability through university-level naturopathic education. While the COVD-19 pandemic has delayed the timeline of initiating this strategy, the priorities, goals, and planned activities remain the same for the WNF European Regional Group. The strategy not only reflects a vision for the future of the profession in Europe, it also reflects an acknowledgement that the European naturopathic community is not only the custodian of the historical roots of the global naturopathic profession but also has an important role to play in its future.

Empirical Evidence on the Development and Digitalization of the Accounting and Finance Profession in Europe

The objective of this research was to evaluate the development and digitalization of professional services in the field of accounting and finance, as well as to calculate and compare several indicators of the development of the profession in each European country. We also sought to identify the factors that drive the development of the accounting and finance profession at the international level. We collected rich information on 337 professional associations in 40 countries in Europe. Using this dataset, 20 accounting and finance services and 14 membership services and benefits provided by professional associations were identified. Digitalization of the profession is a prominent membership service, but also a characteristic of country competitiveness. The results of the intergroup analysis showed that high-income countries have a significantly larger number of professional associations and services compared to middle-income countries. Furthermore, the accounting and finance profession in high-income countries covers a larger number of accounting and membership services. The size of the population and the competitiveness of the national economy are the main predictors of the development and digitalization of the accounting and finance profession in a country. This research has implications for professional associations and national regulators in reducing disparities between European countries on the matter of accounting education and service quality. The scale of this research can provide institutional actors with a holistic perspective on the accounting and finance profession at the national and international level.

Editorial: The diversification of the teaching profession in Europe and beyond. Ambivalences of recognition in the context of (forced) migration

The topic of teacher diversification relating to migration has come to the fore in recent years in many European countries and beyond. This Special Issue focuses on the ambivalent structures of recognition in national school systems regarding the situation of international teachers on the one side, as well as teachers with a family migration history on the other. Addressing these teachers’ experiences of migration discourses and structural barriers in the respective societies, without framing them as ‘the other’ teachers, is central to the intertwining of the teaching profession and migration. First, the topic of teacher diversification is introduced as a policy issue on a European level as well as on a national level in European countries. Second, recognition as an ambivalent theoretical concept is presented. Third, we use this perspective to point out dimensions of ambivalence of recognition for migrant teachers that become visible in the research presented in this Special Issue from Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland: formal (non-)recognition of professional certificates and experiences of international teachers, social recognition and misrecognition as well as recognition as a (powerful) practice of subject constitution in the context of migration research.

Diversification of the teaching profession in Europe and beyond: Ambivalences of recognition in the context of (forced) migration

Diversification of the teaching profession in Europe and beyond: Ambivalences of recognition in the context of (forced) migration

Occupational health and safety in agriculture - a brief report on organization, legislation and support in selected European countries.

Agriculture and forestry are among the most dangerous professions in Europe, with a high level of accidents affecting the sustainability and viability of the sector. International conventions, EU directives and national legislation build the fundamental basis for prevention. The aim of the study is to describe and categorize national mechanisms of occupational safety and health (OSH) for agricultural workers in Europe, to assess the extent of implementing safety regulation, the body in charge, and to give examples of health and safety initiatives. Results of a questionnaire-survey on basic safety regulations on farms sent by e-mail to the representatives of 30 participating European countries in the context of the Sacurima COST action network (CA 16123) are presented. Due to the complexity, only selected countries are described in this study highlighting the regulative bodies, occupational health services or specific training offers, as well as the complexity of the mechanisms. One of the most serious issues and deficits of EU OSH regulation is the exclusion of self-employed farmers who compose nearly 90% of the farming population. This leads to serious under-reporting of accidents, and because one of the most common measures for the performance of health and safety initiatives are the injury and ill health statistics, better registration systems are urgently needed in almost all countries as a basis for preventive efforts. The results of the study provide a basis for raising awareness about the current OSH systems in Europe, and the importance of developing sector specific OSH strategies. The proposed activities should assist in tackling high accident rates and poor occupational health for self-employed farmers.

Meetings and Congresses

Meetings and Congresses

Geology, the regulated discipline and profession in Europe

Geology, the regulated discipline and profession in Europe

Looking back and looking forward: 20 years of European Political Science serving the political science community in Europe and beyond

Anniversaries are milestone events. They invite those involved to celebrate their achievements, but also reflect about the past, present and future. The 20th anniversary of European Political Science (EPS) is such a landmark. It marks a success story; the development from a news style magazine to a major political science journal. Over the past 20 years, EPS has developed into an outlet in which political scientists exchange about their profession, best practices in teaching and learning, as well as shared authoritative research. We have shaped many professional discussions such as debates about gender equality or the relevancy of political science and have become an authoritative voice in the deliberations of innovative teaching techniques such as simulations or role plays. And in our research section, we have covered the big events in Europe and beyond such as the War in Iraq, Brexit and the European Refugee Crisis. We can be proud of what we have achieved in the past 20 years. However, we are not without challenges, which include among others practicing greater diversity in terms of authorship and the types of articles we publish. This anniversary issue is a first step in this direction. By discussing the political science profession in Europe and beyond, it includes a balance of authors from different parts of Europe and the world, a gender balance in contributors and, above all, it raises some of the largest challenges we, as a discipline, will have to tackle in the next 20 years. These include academic freedom, inequalities in the profession and the relevancy of political science as a discipline.

Architects in Europe: Models of Professionalisation and Potential Implications for the Planning Profession

Data from the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) show a very inhomogeneous distribution of architects among European countries, for example, high numbers of architects in Italy and Germany versus low numbers in the UK and France. These discrepancies cannot be explained by differences in the domestic construction markets. This paper reviews models of professionalisation to explain the heterogeneity among European architects and shows potential implications for the planning profession in Europe. We analyse the 2018 ACE data for the five European countries with the strongest labour markets for architects. Our findings led to three main conclusions: Firstly, such models of professionalisation add to an understanding of statistical data on architects in Europe. Secondly, a better understanding of the statistical data requires more than a single theory. Thirdly, as to the planning profession, the standard process model of professionalisation may work well for the UK, but not for the other European countries.

Challenges in developing the academic profession in the Western Balkans

AbstractIn this paper, we explore the developmental challenges facing the academic profession in Europe and especially in some Western Balkan countries, Croatia and Slovenia. First, we look at how the higher education environment determines key changes to the academic profession: expectations to demonstrate professional expertise, internationalisation, segmentation, and precarity. While these processes are mainly considered from the above perspective, we also examine the work of academics from within. Second, we discuss aspects of academic tasks, challenges of synchronising academic work with performance measures, intensification of work and expansion of bureaucratic tasks. Building on these perspectives, we introduce a qualitative pilot study that tests how these general trends described in the literature may be applied to given situations in five countries of former Yugoslavia: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo. Although these countries cover a relatively small geographical area, the differences among them with respect to the economy, society and politics are important. Our findings suggest that problems accumulating in academic work in Slovenia and Croatia were in almost all of the surveyed aspects less problematic than in the three other observed countries.

ПРОБЛЕМИ ФОРМУВАННЯ УПРАВЛІНСЬКОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ ФАХІВЦІВ ФІЗИЧНОЇ КУЛЬТУРИ В ПЕДАГОГІЧНІЙ ТЕОРІЇ ТА ПРАКТИЦІ

Докорінні зміни, що відбуваються в країні протягом останніх десятиріч, не могли не знайти своє відображення і в тенденціях розвитку сучасної парадигми освіти. Зміни в суспільстві, мислення людей значно змінили сутність професійної діяльності викладачів фізичної культури і спорту та, водночас, накладають певний відбиток на сам процес підготовки таких спеціалістів. Отже, цілком логічним постає питання щодо змін у системі підготовки вчителів фізичної культури та формування у них управлінської компетентності в педагогічній теорії та практиці.У статті здійснено аналіз і розглянуто тенденції становлення сучасної парадигми освіти з точки зору висвітлення проблем формування управлінської компетентності фахівців фізичної культури в педагогічній теорії та практиці. Аналіз розглянутих наукових праць та досвід і знання, почерпнуті з іншої наукової літератури, дозволяють зробити висновок, що нам потрібна така гуманістична освітня парадигма, що зможе максимально вичерпано вирішити існуючі протиріччя, що нами виявлені.За логікою нашого дослідження ми також з’ясували вимоги до фахівців фізичної культури і спорту. Для цього розглянули перелік дескрипторів рамки кваліфікацій по цій професії в Європі, вимоги Національного довідника кваліфікаційних характеристик, національну рамку кваліфікацій, посадові обв’язки осіб майже дванадцяти спеціалізацій з Довідника кваліфікаційних характеристик професій працівників, що відповідають спеціальності “Фізична культура і спорт”. Фахівці фізичної культури і спорту можуть бути призначені на одну з розглянутих нами посад по закінченню навчання.Як висновок можемо зазначити, що вирішення виявлених протиріч дозволить підготувати висококваліфікованого, компетентного фахівця фізичної культури і спорту. А педагогічне моделювання процесу підготовки, перегляд існуючої системи підходів щодо методик та технологій навчання, розробка критеріїв оцінювання і виявлення та реалізація необхідних педагогічних умов значно полегшать саму підготовку.

From female computers to male comput♂rs: Or why there are so few women writing algorithms and developing software

Software development is one of the few professions in Europe and the USA from which women are disappearing. Current explanations range from unproven assumptions that women cannot write algorithms to insights into the misogynistic culture of this profession. This article argues these explanations are inadequate, and illuminates how forms of masculinity constituted within software development put women in the ambivalent position of being either female or a coder, but not both. Using a poststructural theoretical position to analyse materials from a qualitative, interview-based study, we identified three constitutive ontologies of the person circulating within the profession. The Comput♂r is presumptively male and can merge with the machine, although a subset, Geeks, cannot demerge from it. The Human, presumptively female, can communicate with people but not the machine. The Ideal developer claims the best of both, that is, adept at writing algorithms and communicating with people. These ontologies are informed by a theory of the body circulating within software development whose norms are unattainable by women. Female bodies are envisaged as ‘flesh’, and male bodies as a futuristic merger of body and machine. This Janus-faced theory excludes female developers from practising their profession.