Professional Activities Research Articles

Librarians, archivists, and museum professionals’ role perceptions and cross sectoral collaboration – Signs of convergence?

Public libraries, archives, and museums have identifiable differences related to their founding missions and play many roles in today’s cultural sector and broader society, yet LAM institutions’ professional activities appear very similar. Moreover, increased digitization of LAM collections allows for increased collaboration and convergence across the institutions, and the merging of L, A, and M education at the tertiary level nurtures a common professional knowledge base. How are the LAM professions developing in relation to each other; are they growing together or apart? This paper analyzes questionnaire responses reflecting European LAM professionals’ perceptions of their roles as cultural professionals and how this influences their likelihood to collaborate with others in the LAM sector. Collaboration is prevalent between the three types of professionals studied. Forty-six percent of librarians confirm that they collaborate with archives and/or museums, 60% of archives report collaborating with libraries and museums, and 73% of museologists collaborate with libraries and/or archives. LAM professionals perceive their roles as distinct and closely tied to the core of their social mission. There are various factors influencing collaboration among Library, Archive, and Museum (LAM) professionals.

Professional activity and experience after a residency training program in ObGyn: A 10-year analysis.

To describe the profile and professional trajectory of the obstetrics and gynecology (ObGyn) graduates over the past decade, at a referral university hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing a survey that targeted graduates of the ObGyn residency program from the last decade, asking about demographics, medical undergraduate, residency details, post-residency trajectory, satisfaction levels, and social media usage. A descriptive analysis was performed. Comparative analyses, including gender-based differences, were assessed using chi-squared or Fisher exact tests (P < 0.05). Among 126 graduates, 84 agreed to participate (66.67%), predominantly comprising females with an average age of 33 years. Most identified themselves as white. The majority had pursued their undergraduate studies at the same institution (78.6%) and subsequently acquired specialized titles in ObGyn from the national society. Most of them were employed in both public and private sectors (71.08%). Male graduates held the majority of medical shifts in obstetrics. A significant gender-based salary discrepancy was noted, favoring males. More than half of the professionals utilized social media for work-related purposes. Many expressed the necessity for supplementary education beyond public health, particularly career management. The findings highlight a predominance of female and white individuals among the graduates. Overall, graduates expressed contentment with their education and professional engagements. A gender-based income disparity was identified, favoring male graduates. Studies like this can provide insights for improving medical residency education.

Working conditions and health status of employees of individual law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation

Introduction. The health of employees of the Russian law enforcement agencies is one of the factors of the success of their professional activities. The activities of law enforcement officers often take place in an extreme situation, due to the suddenness of emergency situations, lack of time to make decisions, a high degree of responsibility for the lives of other people, and the intensity of physical and psycho-emotional overloads. Therefore, at present, the problem of professional health of employees of law enforcement agencies is attracting attention. The study aims to assess the factors of professional activity and health status of employees of individual law enforcement agencies of the Kaliningrad region. Materials and methods. Using the random sampling method, the researchers formed three groups from among employees Using the random sampling method, the researchers formed three groups from among employees of the internal affairs bodies and the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops who are on medical care at the Federal Medical Institution "Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Kaliningrad region." The experts analyzed the registration form No. 025/u (medical card of a patient receiving outpatient medical care) of these groups of employees of individual law enforcement agencies of the Kaliningrad region. Results. Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and injuries are the dominant pathology of employees of the law enforcement agencies of the Kaliningrad region who are on medical care at the Federal Medical Institution "Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Kaliningrad region." Along with acute respiratory diseases, which most often lead to temporary disability, the above pathology causes a prolonged absence of employees in the relevant units, which makes it difficult to fulfill the assigned service and combat tasks to ensure law and order. Conclusion. Extreme factors of service in the vast majority of cases have a negative impact on the health of persons performing service and combat missions. The dominant pathology of employees is chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and injuries.

Appropriateness of intended antibiotic prescribing using clinical case vignettes in primary care, and related factors

Background Factors associated with the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in primary care have been poorly explored. In particular, the impact of computerised decision-support systems (CDSS) remains unknown. Objectives We aim at investigating the uptake of CDSS and its association with physician characteristics and professional activity. Methods Since May 2022, users of a CDSS for antibiotic prescribing in primary care in France have been invited, when registering, to complete three case vignettes assessing clinical situations frequently encountered in general practice and identified as at risk of antibiotic misuse. Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing was defined as the rate of answers in line with the current guidelines, computed by individuals and by specific questions. Physician’s characteristics associated with individual appropriate antibiotic prescribing (< 50%, 50–75% and > 75% appropriateness) were identified by multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Results In June 2023, 60,067 physicians had registered on the CDSS. Among the 13,851 physicians who answered all case vignettes, the median individual appropriateness level of antibiotic prescribing was 77.8% [Interquartile range, 66.7%–88.9%], and was < 50% for 1,353 physicians (10%). In the multivariate analysis, physicians’ characteristics associated with appropriateness were prior use of the CDSS (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.56–1.87), being a general practitioner vs. other specialist (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.20–1.49), working in primary care (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.02–1.27), mentoring students (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.21) age (OR = 0.69 per 10 years increase, 95% CI 0.67–0.71). Conclusion Individual appropriateness for antibiotic prescribing was high among CDSS users, with a higher rate in young general practitioners, previously using the system. CDSS could improve antibiotic prescribing in primary care.

Thermal and functional condition of microbiological laboratory workers when using personal protective equipment against biological factors

Introduction. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) against pathogenic biological agents (PBA) by medical workers in microbiological laboratories is a mandatory requirement for infectious safety, however, low or absent air and vapor permeability of these PPE and their elements can contribute to disruption of the functional and thermal state. The aim of the study is a physiological and hygienic assessment of PPE against pathogenic pathogens based on indicators of the thermal state of the body when modeling the professional activities of microbiological laboratory workers. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the laboratory of personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health on 12 practically healthy individuals — male and female medical workers while simulating work activities and sanitary and epidemiological requirements for a microbiological laboratory. Results. The values of skin and body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation levels obtained in the dynamics of the study made it possible to determine the degree of stress in the thermal and functional state of the body of medical workers. The indicators obtained during the experiment were assessed in accordance with current regulatory documents. A number of thermal state indicators obtained during the study had statistically significant differences from their initial values at p&lt;0.05. Conclusions. When using personal protective equipment against pathogenic pathogens under comfortable microclimatic conditions, an increase in some criterion indicators of the examined individuals was noted, in particular to the upper limit of permissible values of thermal state, which indicates the leading influence of PPE on the thermoregulation of the body and necessitates a reduction in the process of production activities and requires limiting the maximum duration of a work shift under given conditions is three hours, followed by a break to restore the thermal state and water-salt balance. Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with ethical principles and norms, an extract from the minutes of the meeting of the local ethics committee No. 9 dated 11/23/2022 was obtained.

Physiological and hygienic assessment of a multilayer set of personal protective equipment against low temperatures made using membrane materials

Introduction. Advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) against low temperatures is a high–tech product created using the latest achievements of science, design designs, ergonomic, aesthetic solutions that determine its thermal protection properties. The use of membrane materials in PPE from low temperatures allows them to combine low weight and high thermal protection properties, low air permeability and sufficient vapor permeability necessary to ensure heat and moisture exchange between humans and the environment. The study aims to determine the thermal protection properties of various sets of multilayer workwear and indicators of heat and moisture exchange of volunteers when modeling professional activity at low air temperature. Materials and methods. The authors have conducted a study in a microclimatic chamber with the participation of six practically healthy male volunteers. The researchers have determined the thermal protection properties of multilayer workwear of various configurations in accordance with GOST R 12.4.185-99 and MUK 4.3.1894-04. As test samples, they have used pipes of three different configurations to protect against low temperatures, wind, water, general industrial pollution and mechanical influences, as well as short-term exposure to open fire. The assessment of heat and moisture exchange indicators of various PPE configurations was carried out by specialists when modeling work activities with measurements of the relative humidity level in the layers of the kits and the level of accumulated moisture in each element of the PPE. Results. The authors have determined the values of thermal insulation of the studied materials and the scope of their application. To assess heat and moisture exchange, two samples of PPE were selected, made using membrane and cotton fabrics with similar thermal insulation values. The analysis of the results of studies of moisture exchange indicators showed a slightly lower efficiency of moisture evaporation of the control sample. The indicator of the relative humidity of the air under the shelter space and between the layers of the package of materials and clothing has shown its informative significance for assessing the effectiveness of moisture transfer from the surface of the human body to the environment. Conclusion. The results of a physiological and hygienic assessment of a set of multilayer clothing made of membrane materials have shown that various combinations of its constituent elements make it possible to create kits that provide adequate protection for an employee in a wide range of air temperatures and wind speeds. The use of membrane materials in combination with structural elements (ventilation openings) provides a more efficient transfer of moisture from the skin surface to the external environment, as evidenced by the values of the relative humidity index of the air under the clothing space and between the layers of clothing. Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethical committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (Minutes of the meeting No. 6 dated 07/20/12)

Self-Perceived Assessment Skills and Professional Learning Priorities of Filipino Secondary Science Teachers in Flexible Instruction Delivery

As a context-dependent process, the role of assessment in the practice of flexible instruction delivery during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic paved the way to rethink teachers’ assessment practices that respond to the demands of the context. This further forced teachers to capacitate themselves with the new platforms for assessing students’ learning and engagement. This descriptive study aimed to delineate Junior High School science teachers’ perceived assessment skills and professional learning priorities and preferences in the areas of assessment in flexible instruction delivery. Results uncovered that they generally perceived themselves as proficient in all the surveyed assessment skills and responsibilities, having the foundation of assessment dealing with the traditional nature of assessment strategies and their purposes, as the area in which they are more skilled. Regarding professional learning priorities on assessment, they deduced moderate interest in integrating and communicating assessment practices and aligning current assessment theories, principles, and practices. This further implies that they pay interest not only in learning the contemporary approaches to assessment but still the traditional tasks and responsibilities associated with it. In the delivery of professional learning activities, professional development activities in person are still the most preferred mode.

Identifying professional and pedagogical deficiencies of a medical university teacher

In this article, the authors presented certain results of a study devoted to identifying deficiencies in the psychological and pedagogical activities of medical university teachers. A definition is given to the concept of professional deficits as a lack (limitation) in professional competence that prevents the effective implementation of professional actions. The purpose of this work was to describe the areas of professional deficits of teachers of higher medical schools. In the article, the authors tried to answer the questions: How ready are the teaching staff of a medical university for changes in the higher education system? What professional deficiencies most often arise among teachers and how to deal with them? A number of studies conducted at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology of Further Education indicate that university teachers have a number of professional deficiencies. The reasons for these deficits are varied, since the work experience of teachers, areas of professional deficits, etc. vary. The work was based on regulatory documents, such as “Strategic priorities in the implementation of the state program of the Russian Federation “Development of Education” until 2030.” Professional deficits were examined in five main areas of professional pedagogical activity: scientific-theoretical, methodological, psychological-pedagogical, communicative and general pedagogical. Research on deficits in these areas has been conducted and analyzed. Professional deficits were identified through a sociological survey of teachers in offline and online formats using a specially created questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed using tools from various areas of psychological and pedagogical knowledge. The set of these deficits is unique for each teacher. No teacher is immune from professional difficulties: both young and experienced teachers face them. Professional pedagogical deficits depend not only on the personal characteristics and developed competencies of the teacher, but also on the developing educational environment in which he is located. Purposeful work in this direction will help to overcome professional deficits. This activity is carried out by the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology of Further Education during advanced training and professional retraining of university teachers.

Theoretical and practical approaches to improving the physical training of participants in the educational process

Introduction. Future specialists must possess not only excellent knowledge of the chosen specialty, but also be well physically prepared, understand the role of physical culture in human development, possess practical skills and abilities that ensure good health and good working capacity. The goal is to reveal the main methodological principles and means of ensuring the optimal level of physical training of students. Research results. The problem of improving the physical training of students is highlighted, the relevance of this problem at the current stage is indicated. The goal is outlined, which consists in substantiating the main methodological principles and means of ensuring the optimal level of physical training of participants in the educational process. It is noted that the effectiveness of many types of future professional activity depends significantly on physical training, which is aimed at developing and maintaining the mental and physical qualities of an individual at an optimal level. The need not only for the formation of physical readiness of future specialists, but also for improving their health and working capacity has become acute. The structure of physical training is revealed, in particular its three blocks: physical education, student sports and active leisure. The content of the classes is characterized, in particular, sets of exercises of the introductory, main and final parts of the training class are given. Conclusions. Physical training is primarily aimed at developing and maintaining the mental and physical qualities of the individual at an optimal level, strengthening health and increasing work capacity.

Features of the impact of production factors on the processes of premature aging and changes in biological age

The purpose of the study is to assess the role of production factors in the development of premature (accelerated) aging and changes in biological age (according to a literature review), to analyze risk factors and mechanisms that trigger the processes of premature aging and changes in biological age, in order to prevent these processes – taking a set of measures to prevent occupational diseases of all categories of the population. Material and methods: In the analysis of risk assessment of premature (cellular) aging and changes in biological age under the influence of harmful production factors, methods of hygienic diagnostics and theoretical research were used: formalization, generalization, comparison, system analysis. The object of the study was the material of scientific papers on the study of the influence of harmful production factors on the processes of cellular aging and biological age. The results and their discussion. The study determined a direct relationship between the influence of production factors on the health of the labor contingent, lifestyle and functioning of the health-saving system. The conducted research will allow a deeper understanding of the processes leading to a change in biological age and the development of premature aging by analyzing the influence of factors of the production environment, socio-economic, environmental and other conditions affecting the health and life expectancy of the working contingent. Conclusion. The leading role of preventive measures in maintaining professional performance and prolonging the life of the labor contingent is determined. The study of the processes leading to the prevention of changes in biological age and the launch of mechanisms of premature aging of the working contingent will contribute to their long-term professional activity and creative longevity.

Co-designing Entrustable Professional Activities in General Practitioner’s training: a participatory research study

BackgroundIn medical education, Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) have been gaining momentum for the last decade. Such novel educational interventions necessitate accommodating competing needs, those of curriculum designers, and those of users in practice, in order to be successfully implemented.MethodsWe employed a participatory research design, engaging diverse stakeholders in designing an EPA framework. This iterative approach allowed for continuous refinement, shaping a comprehensive blueprint comprising 60 EPAs. Our approach involved two iterative cycles. In the first cycle, we utilized a modified-Delphi methodology with clinical competence committee (CCC) members, asking them whether each EPA should be included. In the second cycle, we used semi-structured interviews with General Practitioner (GP) trainers and trainees to explore their perceptions about the framework and refine it accordingly.ResultsDuring the first cycle, 14 CCC members agreed that all the 60 EPAs should be included in the framework. Regarding the formulation of each EPAs, 20 comments were given and 16 adaptations were made to enhance clarity. In the second cycle, the semi-structured interviews with trainers and trainees echoed the same findings, emphasizing the need of the EPA framework for improving workplace-based assessment, and its relevance to real-world clinical scenarios. However, trainees and trainers expressed concerns regarding implementation challenges, such as the large number of EPAs to be assessed, and perception of EPAs as potentially high-stakes.ConclusionAccommodating competing stakeholders’ needs during the design process can significantly enhance the EPA implementation. Recognizing users as experts in their own experiences empowers them, enabling a priori identification of implementation barriers and potential pitfalls. By embracing a collaborative approach, wherein diverse stakeholders contribute their unique viewpoints, we can only create effective educational interventions to complex assessment challenges.

Implementing Entrustable Professional Activities in Pediatric Fellowships: Facilitating the Process.

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) will be used for initial certification by the American Board of Pediatrics by 2028. Less than half of pediatric fellowships currently use EPAs for assessment, yetall will need to adopt them. Our objectives were to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of EPAs to assess pediatric fellows and to determine fellowship program directors' (FPD) perceptions of EPAs and Milestones. We conducted a survey of FPDs from 15 pediatric subspecialties. EPA users were asked about their implementation of EPAs, barriers encountered, and perceptions of EPAs. Nonusers were queried about deterrents to using EPAs. Both groups were asked about potential facilitators of implementation and their perceptions of Milestones. The response rate was 65% (575/883). Of these, 344 (59.8%) were EPA users and 231 (40.2%) were nonusers. Both groups indicated work burden as a barrier to implementation. Nonusers reported more barriers than users (mean [SD]: 7 [3.8] vs 5.8 [3.4], P < .001). Both groups identified training materials and premade assessment forms as facilitators to implementation. Users felt that EPAs were easier to understand than Milestones (89%) and better reflected what it meant to be a practicing subspecialty physician (90%). In contrast, nonusers felt that Milestones were easy to understand (57%) and reflected what it meant to be a practicing subspecialist (58%). Implementing EPA-based assessment will require a substantial investment by FPDs, facilitated by guidance and easily accessible resources provided by multiple organizations. Perceived barriers to be addressed include FPD time constraints, a need for additional assessment tools, and outcomes data.

Assessing readiness: the impact of an experiential learning entrustable professional activity-based residency preparatory course

ABSTRACT As medical schools move to integrate the Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency (EPAs) into curricula and address the transition from student to resident, residency preparatory courses have become more prevalent. The authors developed an experiential learning EPA-based capstone course for assessment to determine impact on learner self-assessed ratings of readiness for residency and acquisition of medical knowledge. All fourth-year students from the classes of 2018–2020 completed a required course in the spring for assessment of multiple EPAs, including managing core complaints, performing basic procedures, obtaining informed consent, and providing patient handoffs. Learners selected between three specialty-based parallel tracks – adult medicine, surgery, or pediatrics. Students completed a retrospective pre-post questionnaire to provide self-assessed ratings of residency preparedness and comfort in performing EPAs. Finally, the authors studied the impact of the course on knowledge acquisition by comparing student performance in the adult medicine track on multiple choice pre- and post-tests. Four hundred and eighty-one students were eligible for the study and 452 (94%) completed the questionnaire. For all three tracks, there was a statistically significant change in learner self-assessed ratings of preparedness for residency from pre- to post-course (moderately or very prepared: adult medicine 61.4% to 88.6% [p-value < 0.001]; surgery 56.8% to 81.1% [p-value < 0.001]; pediatrics 32.6% to 83.7% [p-value 0.02]). A similar change was noted in all tracks in learner self-assessed ratings of comfort from pre- to post-course for all studied EPAs. Of the 203 students who participated in the adult medicine track from 2019–2020, 200 (99%) completed both the pre- and post-test knowledge assessments. The mean performance improved from 65.0% to 77.5% (p-value < 0.001). An experiential capstone course for the assessment of EPAs can be effective to improve learner self-assessed ratings of readiness for residency training and acquisition of medical knowledge.

HEART FAILURE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, ITALIAN VALIDATION OF THE "NEED ASSESSMENT TOOL: PROGRESSIVE DISEASE – HEART FAILURE" (NAT: PD–HF)

Abstract Palliative Care in Heart Failure cardiology setting is still a demanding topic and lacking of clear indications regarding which patients should be referred to palliative care is an actual issue, as confirmed by a systematic review of international literature. Assessment tools facilitate the identification of patient needs and guide the actions of healthcare professionals to address them. Some existing tools described in literature were used with non–cardiological patients, but they cannot be applied to Heart Failure as they are incomplete and investigate non–specific aspects of the disease. Two recent systematic reviews indicate that the most comprehensive and specific tool for Heart Failure patients is the "NAT: PD–HF." The "NAT: PD–HF" has already been translated and validated from English to Dutch and German, but an Italian validation is still missing in literature. It is a quick and easy–to–use tool consisting of four sections that assess the patient’s well–being and quality of life, the caregiver‘s ability to provide assistance and support, both patient’s and caregiver’s needs and requests and any critical element that, if present, would justify a specialist palliative evaluation. Therefore, with prior authorization from the original authors, we proceeded with the translation and transcultural validation of the tool. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of Bologna in April 2023. We are currently at the final phase of the protocol, namely testing the tool on the target population by the professionals involved in the care process. The purpose of transcultural validation is to provide the Italian scientific community with the "NAT: PD–HF" tool: throw its incorporation into the medical records of Heart Failure Patients receiving care in the territorial setting, we aim to increase the use of palliative cares and, consequently, the quality of life of patients and caregivers, as demonstrated in the original study.

Legal restrictions are a specific method of legal regulation

The analysis of scientific sources provides grounds to assert that legal regulation is the regulation of social relations carried out through law and the entire set of legal means. The concept of «regulation» (from Latin regulo - rule) implies organization, adjustment, and bringing something into conformity with something else. In our view, to regulate means to define the behavior of individuals and their collectives, to direct their functioning and development, to provide certain limits, and to organize them purposefully. Alongside this, some scholars relate the term «regulation» solely to law as a system of norms and some other specific legal phenomena (legal relations, acts of law implementation). They disagree with the existing understanding of the regulation of social relations as the rigid and authoritative norming by the state and law, as, in their opinion, the category of «regulation» is not synonymous with coercion, rigid, and authoritative prescription. The legal norm establishes only a model of relations in which social interests must be correlated with the interests of society members, and alongside this, law widely uses such means of influencing people’s behavior as stimulation, encouragement, granting rights, etc. It is argued that to transition to the definition of legal regulation, it is necessary to refer to the theory of law, which provides explanations for the concepts of «legal influence» and «legal regulation». Legal influence is considered a broader concept, as it includes the normative-organizational influence on social relations not only through a system of special legal means (those that directly regulate these relations - legal norms, legal relations, acts of implementation and application of law), but also through other legal phenomena – legal consciousness, legal culture, legal principles, law-making process, etc. A proposed definition states that legal regulation is the authoritative influence on social relations carried out by the state through all legal means for the purpose of their organization, establishment, protection, and development. Besides such (regulatory) influence, law also exerts a spiritual-ideological influence on individual and social consciousness (both in the process of legal regulation and beyond). «Restrictions» and «prohibitions» as legal categories have been analyzed. The etymology of the words «restriction» and «prohibition,» their relationship to each other and to adjacent and synonymous concepts, have been explored, and an original interpretation of the content and essence of these concepts has been proposed. A number of features characterizing restrictions and prohibitions as legal categories have been identified (defined in normative legal acts; established to prevent potential abuses of law; associated with a «narrowing» of an individual’s legal status; presuppose a specific model of behavior, specifically restrictions entail active behavior, meaning to do only what is defined within limits; prohibitions entail passive behavior, meaning to refrain from doing prohibited actions; they perform a protective function in social relations; non-compliance with them is accompanied by a negative response from the state. The concept, characteristics, classification, and a systematic analysis of restrictions and prohibitions as means of legal regulation have been defined. Based on the analysis of dictionary, reference, encyclopedic literature, as well as specialized legal sources, the article formulates original definitions of «restriction». The specificity of these particular restrictions and prohibitions lies in their special area of application (they apply to individuals when exercising their powers within the civil service); they apply to specific subjects (directly to individuals who have the legal status of civil servants); their application is determined by a special purpose; they are characterized by specific, comprehensive normative legal regulation; their application is ensured by state coercion. Distinctive features inherent to restrictions and prohibitions in the field of legal regulation have been identified: individual character; preventive nature; limiting aspect; coercive nature; the presence of a special subject; connection to professional activity; relation to delict norms, and their essence has been explained. The normative basis for defining and applying restrictions and prohibitions as means of legal regulation has been characterized (substantive legislation, procedural legislation, sub-legislative normative legal acts). A classification of restrictions and prohibitions has been conducted, and it is proposed to conditionally divide them into three groups (personal, property, and mixed).

Key Elements of Safety Culture

Security is one of the most important aspects in various spheres of society. In everyday life, a person is obliged to independently make certain choices in favor of his safety. But in professional activities, the employer is responsible for his safety. The employer is obliged to provide safe working conditions for employees at their workplaces and to immediately take certain measures if these conditions do not comply with safety regulations. This is stated in Article 214 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. An important element of ensuring safety in an organization is safety culture. According to the International Labor Organization, there are 340 million occupational accidents every year, and the main reasons include a poor safety culture and neglect of occupational safety and health standards.

Action research and professional development in schools

This article examines practitioner action research in schools and how action research can enhance practice and generate knowledge through partnerships between academia and the education sector. In 2020, revisions to the Norwegian curriculum for primary and secondary education introduced guidelines for professional work. The changes in the curriculum framework entail teachers’ collaboration in knowledge production - utilizing research and their own experiences in the process. This changed the formal role of teachers from transmitting established knowledge to producing knowledge in professional development and research activities. The new regulations can be related to traditions within practitioner action research. The article explores how action research can be used as a methodological framework in the professional work of schools. The starting point for the article is a thematic analysis of reflections from an action research project named Deeper Learning – How?, in which six schools participate in developing a model for unit planning. Structured interviews were conducted with members of school development groups in the schools every six months over 3.5 years, totaling seven interviews per school. The participants' reflections on their professional work serve as the empirical basis for the article. Results from the thematic analysis demonstrate that participants employed the action research process as a methodological tool to cultivate new insights and enhance practice. These reflections enrich the schools' comprehension of their educational practices and lead to measures for improvements, actions, and change. The results also highlight that proactive leadership, agreed-upon measures, teamwork, and a consistent rhythm in professional work are vital for educational practice development and knowledge production.

Morton's Metatarsalgia: The Current State of the Issue

A typical complaint with Morton's neuroma is a burning paroxysmal pain in the area of the plantar surface of the metatarsal bones with irradiation into the III interdigital space, which forces the patient to take off his shoes and massage the foot in the most inappropriate situations. Given that women are mostly ill, clinical manifestations reduce the quality of life of patients, limit their daily professional and work activities. The paper presents the etiology, pathogenesis and clinical picture of this disease, diagnostic features. A radical method of treatment is surgery, which is relatively simple in technique and consists in dissecting the tissues that compress the nerve and creating optimal conditions for the nerve trunk, preventing its subsequent traumatization.

Private practice dietetics: A scoping review of the literature.

Private practice is one of the most rapidly growing, but under-researched employment sectors for graduate dietitians in Australia, limiting evidence-based workforce development. This scoping review examines existing international literature to gain an understanding of the current private practice workforce size, distribution, demography and workforce development considerations, including competencies, supply and demand, remuneration and professional development activities. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, EMCARE, PsycInfo (Ovid) and grey literature were systematically searched in August 2023 using key search terms to identify studies for inclusion. Articles were included if they related to private practice dietetics and described an aspect of workforce. Original research, government and organisational reports,statements of practice and websites providing governmental or organisational statistics were included. A directed content analysis and qualitative constant comparison technique were used to deductively map intelligence sources against a workforce development framework. A gap analysis was also conducted to provide a focus for future workforce development research. A total of 72 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources were included, with 65% of the studies being Australian-based publications. Private practice dietetics research interest has increased in the last decade. Despite a breadth of published sources, this review found little published data on workforce size, distribution, demography, supply, demand, continued professional development and remuneration, indicating a significant gap in the evidence base. Existing literature focuses on workforce challenges and barriers, the work of private practice dietitians, with limited exploration of competency requirements for graduate private practitioners. The literature on the private practice dietetics workforce is lacking worldwide, which constrains evidenced-based workforce development initiatives. Workforce development research across all workforce aspects is warranted to address current evidence gaps.

Enhancing Workplace Safety through Personalized Environmental Risk Assessment: An AI-Driven Approach in Industry 5.0

This paper describes an integrated monitoring system designed for individualized environmental risk assessment and management in the workplace. The system incorporates monitoring devices that measure dust, noise, ultraviolet radiation, illuminance, temperature, humidity, and flammable gases. Comprising monitoring devices, a server-based web application for employers, and a mobile application for workers, the system integrates the registration of workers’ health histories, such as common diseases and symptoms related to the monitored agents, and a web-based recommendation system. The recommendation system application uses classifiers to decide the risk/no risk per sensor and crosses this information with fixed rules to define recommendations. The system generates actionable alerts for companies to improve decision-making regarding professional activities and long-term safety planning by analyzing health information through fixed rules and exposure data through machine learning algorithms. As the system must handle sensitive data, data privacy is addressed in communication and data storage. The study provides test results that evaluate the performance of different machine learning models in building an effective recommendation system. Since it was not possible to find public datasets with all the sensor data needed to train artificial intelligence models, it was necessary to build a data generator for this work. By proposing an approach that focuses on individualized environmental risk assessment and management, considering workers’ health histories, this work is expected to contribute to enhancing occupational safety through computational technologies in the Industry 5.0 approach.