Professional Activities Research Articles

The state of Continuing Professional Development in East and Southeast Asia among the medical practitioners

Introduction: Continuing medical education and continuing professional development activities (CME/CPD) improve the practice of medical practitioners and allowing them to deliver quality clinical care. However, the systems that oversee CME/CPD as well as the processes around design, delivery, and accreditation vary widely across countries. This study explores the state of CME/CPD in the East and South East Asian region from the perspective of medical practitioners, and makes recommendations for improvement. Methods: A multi-centre study was conducted across five institutions in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. The study instrument was a 28-item (27 five-point Likert scale and 1 open-ended items) validated questionnaire that focused on perceptions of the current content, processes and gaps in CME/CPD and further contextualised by educational experts from each participating site. Descriptive analysis was undertaken for quantitative data while the data from open-ended item was categorised into similar categories. Results: A total of 867 medical practitioners participated in the study. For perceptions on current CME/CPD programme, 75.34% to 88.00% of respondents agreed that CME/CPD increased their skills and competence in providing quality clinical care. For the domain on pharmaceutical industry-supported CME/CPD, the issue of commercial influence was apparent with only 30.24%-56.92% of respondents believing that the CME/CPD in their institution was free from commercial bias. Key areas for improvement for future CME/CPD included 1) content and mode of delivery, 2) independence and funding, 3) administration, 4) location and accessibility and 5) policy and collaboration. Conclusion: Accessible, practice-relevant content using diverse learning modalities offered by unbiased content providers and subject to transparent and rigorous accreditation processes with minimal administrative hassle are the main considerations for CME/CPD participants. Keywords: Medical Education, Health Profession Education, Continuing Professional Development, Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation

Sowing the seeds of sustainability: the curriculum shift in agrarian technician training

Sustainability and rural development stand at the forefront of addressing pressing global challenges, from environmental degradation to social inequality. As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the role of education in shaping the perspectives and actions of future professionals in agrarian and rural sectors becomes paramount. This study explores the integration of sustainability principles within the curriculum of the Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the State Agricultural College of Toledo (CAET), located in the municipality of Toledo, Paraná, Brazil. By juxtaposing the curriculum's emphasis with students' perceptions of sustainability discussions across various disciplines, the investigation reveals a strong association between agriculture and sustainability. Agriculture emerges as the most frequently mentioned discipline among students, with agroecology closely following, underscoring its significance in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, disciplines like Horticulture, Environmental Management, and Soils also receive notable mentions, suggesting their roles in addressing sustainability challenges within the agricultural sector. Interestingly, despite the curriculum not explicitly predicting the connection between certain disciplines, such as Horticulture, and sustainability topics, the teaching approach adopted by instructors appears aligned with sustainability conversations. However, a discrepancy exists between the perceived importance of sustainability discussions in core disciplines and their actual occurrence, suggesting a potential gap in integration by teachers. Addressing this gap may require investing in targeted education and training for teachers to ensure a more comprehensive incorporation of sustainability principles across all disciplines. This study highlights the need for a more deliberate and holistic approach to embedding sustainability in agrarian education, ensuring that future professionals are well-equipped to drive sustainable rural development.

German minority in urban space of a textile manufacturing centre: The case of 19th century city of Łódź

German settlement in Poland has been the subject of numerous studies. The causes and determinants of migratory movements have been discussed extensively, while little attention has been paid to the spatial aspects of the phenomenon. The aim of this study, which is part of geographical and historical research, is to determine the size of the influx of migrants of German nationality into the rapidly developing textile production centre of Łódź in the 19th century, as well as the geographical origins and distribution of this nationality group in the urban space. These considerations are complemented by the identification of key issues related to the social integration and assimilation processes of the German minority. In the first half of the 19th century, the influx of skilled labour, almost entirely recruited from the German population, conditioned the development of the textile industry in Łódź. It also had a key influence on the demographic development of Łódź, which soon became the largest centre of textile production in Poland. In subsequent decades, there was a tendency among German immigrants towards separation in the sphere of professional and social activities, but already by the end of the 19th century the German community settled in Łódź was diverse in terms of the sense of nationality. In addition to a certain proportion of the immigrants who were already Polonised, there were persons declaring German nationality, as well as those undecided about the issue.

Personalization of Professional Development of Teachers in Formal and Informal Professional Development

Introduction. The article considers the problem of improving the professional development of teaching staff in terms of their involvement in continuing education, including through inclusion in formal and informal professional development. On the basis of the revealed contradictions, the problem of research is determined: how to personalize the professional development of teachers (including young teachers) in formal and informal professional development. The purpose of the study is to empirically test the effectiveness of the personalized professional development program for teachers in formal and informal professional development. Methodology. The experimental search work was carried out on the basis of the Information and Methodological Center in Verkhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk region in the period 2021–2023. The target audience of the study is young teaching staff. Results. Approbation of the 2022/23 academic year program (compared with the 2021/22 academic year program), personalized education for young teachers of general education organizations was successful, there is an increase in the competence of young teachers in the field of professional activity in comparison with the results of primary diagnostics. Conclusion. The authors note that the process of personalizing the professional development of teachers in formal and informal professional development is effective with the developed program in the aspect of continuous professional personalized education of teachers of general education institutions based on the integration of a system-activity, personally-oriented and environmental approach.

Formation of Aesthetic Taste in Students of Professional Educational Organization by Means of Decorative and Applied Art

Introduction. The current stage of development of Russian society is characterized by global socio-economic changes that have caused instability in public life, a crisis of society and its main institutions, the destruction of spiritual ideals, which has led to a decrease in the level of morality and spirituality of young people, the level of formation of aesthetic taste. Therefore, the problem of lack of aesthetic tolerance is relevant, which can lead to negative phenomena in society, indifference or an aggressive attitude towards complex aesthetic phenomena that require intellectual perception. The purpose of the study is to develop and theoretically substantiate a didactic model for the formation of students’ aesthetic taste in an educational environment through the means of arts and crafts and to experimentally test its effectiveness. Methodology. To solve the problems, the following research methods were used: theoretical: ascent from the abstract to the concrete, idealization (creation of an ideal object) as a thought experiment; empirical: observation, pedagogical experiment, study of the results of artistic and creative activities of students. Research instruments are the tools that were used to collect and analyze data. We used the following tools: survey (using the survey we found answers to a number of questions that were developed for a specific group of students); an interview that helped gather information about students’ knowledge of arts and crafts; observation – this tool was used to study human behavior in various situations We studied the level of practical skills of students in the implementation of aesthetic ideas when performing an object of decorative and applied art using the association of a picture, which reflects the national idea, historical symbols and connotations – traditions and rituals, epics in the form of traditional shapes and colors, simple symbols, decorative folklore images. Based on the results obtained, in the course of empirical research, we have developed training programs for in-depth mastery of content in the disciplines “Technology” and “Fine Arts”. The thematic curriculum includes the following sections: 1. Russian art of the 18th–20th centuries. in the works of artists (I. E. Repin, M. P. Botkin, A. G. Venetsianov, P. P. Vereshchagin, etc.). 2. History of Russian culture in epics, fables, poems and fairy tales. 3. Russian decorative art. 4. Ornament as a form of Russian philosophy. 5. Ornament in the works of Khokhloma masters. 6. Ornament of Siberian carpets. 7. Understanding of beauty in Russian painting. 8. The property of Russian literature. Results. As a result of the study, a didactic model for the formation of aesthetic taste of students in the educational environment of a college was developed. The experiment confirmed the effectiveness of the developed curriculum and the identified pedagogical conditions that contribute to the most effective formation of aesthetic taste among students of a professional educational organization through the means of decorative and applied arts. Methodological products were adapted to the conditions of the Chelyabinsk Pedagogical College No. 1. After analyzing the problems identified within the framework of the study, programs for the academic disciplines “Fine Arts and Technology” and methodological recommendations for the formation of artistic and aesthetic taste through the means of decorative and applied arts were developed and implemented into the educational process of designers. Conclusions. The developed curriculum, being part of the educational process at aesthetic faculties, contains specific proposals for improving the training of specialists. Particular attention is paid to tasks for students specializing in painting. This allows us to enrich the experience of implementing creative projects and create aesthetically pleasing products of modern design. The methodological products developed during the study can be used in the professional activities of teachers of vocational training in secondary vocational education organizations.

Research and Creative Activity in the Design Field: Intersections of Science, Art, and Engineering

Abstract This case study assesses the development of research competence among graduate design students through a Ukrainian–Chinese English-language remote learning program. The quasi-experimental study included one group of 19 students who enrolled in the course, titled “Research Methodology and Modern Technology of Design Activity.” The extent to which the course improved their confidence in using the English language and their self-assessed readiness to engage in professional activities at the intersection of science, design, and engineering were used as the outcome measures. After 3 weeks of the program, all students reported improved readiness to participate in the scientific community through the English language, demonstrating their ability to perform research and creative activity in the field of design.

The potential for using entrustable professional activities in assessing optometric clinical competence.

Qualifications required to practise optometry seek to provide assurance that those completing them have the necessary competencies to be safe and effective clinicians. Often, this assurance is gained via high stakes assessments such as objective structured clinical examinations. This paper introduces entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as a potential alternative approach to assessing optometric clinical competence. Entrustable professional activities are defined in the context of optometric practice and the potential advantages and challenges of using them are outlined.

Innovative performance-based remuneration model for oncologists: Balancing productivity with quality of care in a Brazilian healthcare setting.

e23089 Background: Traditional fee-for-service (FFS) models in oncology often lead to biased healthcare delivery, prioritizing quantity over quality of care. Our objective was to develop and implement a comprehensive remuneration model for oncologists in Brazil that emphasizes both productivity and quality in patient care. Methods: The '4E' model forms the basis of our remuneration strategy. 'Effectiveness' measures clinical productivity through patient consultations, treatments, and participation in multidisciplinary activities. 'Structure' evaluates academic credentials and scientific contributions, 'Efficiency' examines adherence to clinical and administrative protocols, and 'Excellence' assesses quality interactions with patients and healthcare systems. These elements provide nuanced bonus adjustments to the effectiveness score, facilitating a balanced and comprehensive compensation approach. Adapted to various healthcare settings, the model accommodates different budgeting methodologies. Results: Implemented in February 2020, the model has led to significant improvements in service delivery. Between May 2020 and August 2023, consultations in private services increased by 36.8%, and patient numbers grew by 42.2%. The financial impact was notable, with more than a doubling of revenue, reflecting the model's success in enhancing both the volume and quality of healthcare provision. Conclusions: This multi-level remuneration model offers a comprehensive, ethical approach, aligning physician compensation with a broad range of professional activities and responsibilities. It demonstrates potential for enhancing healthcare delivery quality while ensuring financial sustainability. However, a limitation of our study is the lack of longitudinal quality measurement, an aspect we aim to address in future research. This suggests the model's replicability in diverse global oncology settings and underscores its relevance in the current healthcare landscape.

Bringing the field into the lab: a novel virtual reality outdoor march simulator for evaluating cognitive and physical performance

Soldiers, athletes, and rescue personnel must often maintain cognitive focus while performing intense, prolonged, and physically demanding activities. The simultaneous activation of cognitive and physical functions can disrupt their performance reciprocally. In the current study, we developed and demonstrated the feasibility of a virtual reality (VR)-based experimental protocol that enables rigorous exploration of the effects of prolonged physical and cognitive efforts. A battery of established neurocognitive tests was used to compare novel cognitive tasks to simulated loaded marches. We simulated a 10-km loaded march in our virtual reality environment, with or without integrated cognitive tasks (VR-COG). During three experimental visits, participants were evaluated pre- and post-activity, including the Color Trail Test (CTT), the Synthetic Work Environment (SYNWIN) battery for assessing multitasking, and physical tests (i.e., time to exhaustion). Results show that Strong or moderate correlations (r ≥ 0.58, p ≤ 0.05) were found between VR-COG scores and scores on the cognitive tests. Both the SYNWIN and CTT showed no condition effects but significant time effects, indicating better performance in the post-activity assessment than in the pre-activity assessment. This novel protocol can contribute to our understanding of physical-cognitive interactions, since virtual environments are ideal for studying high performance professional activity in realistic but controlled settings.

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.

Collaborative projects: sustainable development and risk management in the corrugated cardboard industry

The high costs of environmentally responsible and socially just approaches are some of the factors that hinder the implementation of sustainable projects in the industrial sector. However, upstream collaborative integration in the corrugated cardboard industry in southeastern Brazil is a reality. In this context, this study aimed to highlight the structure of a collaborative sustainable project in the context of the corrugated cardboard industry, to analyze ESG risk management in the corrugated cardboard industry in the Southeast Region of Brazil, the relationship between ESG risk management and social responsibility in corrugated cardboard industries, the strengths and weaknesses of risk management models in use by the consulted participants, and to propose innovations regarding risk analysis, applicable in sustainable projects with a collaborative bias. The methodology adopted was the case study, with consultation with managers in professional activity in the industrial sector, corroborated by document analysis and systematic review of the literature. We identified preliminary risk analysis (PRA) and failure mode analysis (FMEA) as key practices used by managers in the corrugated paper industry in the region. These practices are insufficient in the convergence of objectives, engagement with the community, and extension of the lifecycle of products and processes. Our findings show that the sustainability of a project may be an extension of the risk analyses carried out in the initial phase, mainly about strategic decision-making and the operationalization of investments. Without bias to the need for risk analysis, the life cycle analysis is also an effective way of highlighting the critical factors, weaknesses, and strengths of a sustainable project. The study indicates the so-called GUT matrix approach (gravity – urgency – tendency) as the most suitable for innovation in risk analyses oriented towards sustainable projects in the analyzed sector.

Faculty development to design effective online courses: Responding to requirements

Since the pandemic, the importance of faculty development has been taken much more attention and has gone from being an ‘expectation’ to a ‘requirement’. Therefore, universities have started to step toward faculty development, which is also necessary. A wide variety of professional learning activities has been used for faculty development purposes in universities, but the research examining its effectiveness is limited. Our goal is to investigate the experiences of faculty from diverse backgrounds regarding technology-based, high-quality professional development programs in terms of their effectiveness. The faculty working at a foundation university participated in high-quality professional development programmes implemented in this study. The data were collected through focus group interviews. Using a qualitative methodology, we have found that faculty improved their knowledge and skills in designing and teaching online courses, with some faculty even reporting active use of what they have learned in their class and finding it valuable and effective. Program features such as feedback, facilitation, and best examples are helpful for having faculty grow pedagogically. The faculty has demonstrated that they can participate in learning activities that are meaningful to them in their daily lives. For the professional development programmes designed for the faculty to be effective in future studies, it is recommended that the programmes should be designed in a meaningful way for the faculty. Received: 3 November 2022Accepted: 5 February 2024

Self-locking tenotomy of the long head of the biceps: What is the benefit?

Tenotomy and tenodesis of the biceps are the surgical techniques used to treat pathology of the long biceps. Between the proponents of the two techniques, the superiority of one over the other is still debated. The Popeye sign is often cited to the disadvantage of tenotomy. The aim of our study is to report on our experience using a self-locking tenotomy and its impact on Popeye's sign, and to assess our functional results. This is a retrospective study of 53 shoulders treated for long biceps tendinopathy, isolated or associated with a rotator cuff tear. All patients underwent surgery at the AILE 4 orthopedic department of the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca over a period of five years, and were reviewed at least six months later. A self-locking tenotomy was performed in all patients. The mean age at surgery was 58 years. Popeye's sign was observed in five patients and was well accepted in four patients. Constant-Murray scores improved significantly by an average of 25 points. Satisfaction was over 90%. Professional and sporting activities were resumed in all patients. We highlight the value of the self-locking tenotomy as a simple, rapid, reproducible, effective and low-cost arthroscopic technique, ensuring a tenodesis effect by reducing the rate of appearance of Popeye's sign.

Онлайн-обучение как фактор профессиональной мобильности граждан

Modern societies that are making or have already made the transition to a post-industrial socio-economic reality are characterized by a higher level of social mobility of citizens. One of the types of social mobility is professional, which entails citizens’ ability to change and transform their professional statuses. Education stands as one of the most crucial channels shaping the workforce and the level of professional mobility. The article demonstrates that the Russian Federation is a country with a relatively high level of social mobility. Access to education in Russia is also high for the majority of socio-demographic and economic groups. However, there exists a strong demand for professional mobility among many citizens, driven by various reasons such as dissatisfaction with leadership, lack of prospects for financial growth, poor staff, and others. The present study has shown that many citizens often change or at least think about changing their professional activities. The main idea of the article lies in the proposition that the rapidly growing market of online education in recent years is one of the significant institutions increasing the level of professional mobility. The problems and prospects of online education from the point of view of its impact on professional mobility are considered. In conclusion, it is evident that online education plays a pivotal role in enhancing the professional mobility of citizens in modern societies. The accessibility and flexibility offered by online learning platforms cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of individuals seeking to advance their careers or transition into new professional domains. However, while online education presents promising opportunities for professional growth, its efficacy and impact on long-term career trajectories warrant further empirical investigation. Nonetheless, it is imperative for policymakers and educational stakeholders to acknowledge the transformative potential of online learning and devise strategies to harness its benefits for fostering a more dynamic and agile workforce in the evolving socio-economic landscape.

Coaching Approach as a Sustainable Means of Improving the Skills of Management Students

The impetus for the development of coaching as a professional managerial activity is based on the needs and requirements of a modern sustainable society. This paper aims to explore the awareness of academic students about the coaching approach and to formulate recommendations for its application in the academic environment so that students are prepared for the requirements of practice. This article focuses on the views of experts in the field of the coaching approach as a means of improving communication in the academic environment, characterizes communication skills and the coaching approach, and describes coaching models and their benefits and barriers. This research aims to survey the awareness of the coaching approach among college and university students in Slovakia and the possibilities of its application in the academic environment. The primary research was carried out by the inquiry method with 689 students. An evaluation of the questionnaire and a statistical evaluation of the established hypotheses and assumptions concerning the coaching approach were conducted. According to the survey, 468 students, representing 68% of respondents, had knowledge about coaching. Furthermore, 68% of students had or have doubts about achieving their goals during their studies. According to the results of the survey, only 24% of students had experience with coaching. Cooperation with a coach was regarded as beneficial for 76% of the students who had already experienced coaching lectures who took part in the survey. The proposition of the students was the implementation of the subject “Foundations of coaching”, which could be offered to be taught to all students at the University of Zilina, Slovakia. The students of managerial fields would benefit by enhancing their leadership skills and providing support to their working teams, completing their final thesis, searching for professional job opportunities, and also coping with everyday life and stressful situations. Finally, we suggest the organization of introductory full-day workshops in specific areas of coaching for students of management, who are future managers. This will help to raise the awareness of the coaching approach at the University of Zilina in cooperation with the Counseling and Career Center and its activities.

O Ryszardzie Przelaskowskim (1903-1971) z powodu 50. rocznicy jego śmierci

The commencement of a series of lectures in 2022 under the name “Konarski Lecture” as well as the reedition of the Polish-English version of Kazimierz Konarski’s textbook “Modern Polish Archival Science and its Purpose” raise the question about the continuation of commemorating prominent Polish archivists. One of the figures worth paying attention to is Ryszard Przelaskowski (1903-1971), the author of “Schedule of Internal Work in Modern Archives” (1935), which was translated into English already in 1940. Ryszard Przelaskowski’s transition in 1939 from working in the archive to working in the library resulted in a change in his research interests. Przelaskowski left a series of essays in the field of librarianship in which he pointed out the connections and similarities between archival science, library science and museology as information sciences. The author of this article, in a dissertation published in 2010, drew attention to Przelaskowski’s pioneering approach in this area. Later, in-depth studies by Klaudia Leśniewska (Jędrzejewska) and Monika Cołbecka confirmed this thesis. The author postulates the need to develop a comprehensive scientific monograph of Ryszard Przelaskowski’s scientific and professional activity. This is particularly important in the era of a renewed sense of fundamental unity among archives, libraries and museums, as well as the need to include this unity in scientific theory.

Defining a set of teaching EPAs tailored to an undergraduate medical curriculum using a modified Delphi approach

BackgroundThe concept of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) has recently been extended to operationalize professional tasks in teacher training and faculty development in health professions education. The aim of this study is to report on the process and results of defining a set of teaching EPAs (t-EPAs) tailored to the local characteristics of a particular undergraduate medical program.MethodsThe undergraduate medical program at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is competency-based, integrates thematic modules and spans 6 years. A writing team identified teaching EPAs based on the program’s study regulations and drafted content descriptions with titles, specifications and knowledge, skills and attitudes. Content validation involved a modified Delphi procedure with a systematic, iterative interaction between a panel of content experts consisting of purposively selected educators and physicians from our faculty (n = 11) and the writing team. The threshold for a consensus was an agreement of 80% of the participants.ResultsAfter two Delphi rounds, a consensus was reached regarding the teaching activities to be included and their content descriptions. The response rate was 100% in both Delphi rounds. The Delphi results include the content descriptions of a total of 13 teaching EPAs, organized into the two overarching EPA domains of classroom-based (n = 10) and workplace-based (n = 3) activities. Tailoring the classroom EPAs to small group teaching and the workplace EPAs to supervising medical students led to several distinct EPAs. Another feature was the development of 2 teaching EPAs for interdisciplinary teaching.ConclusionsIn systematic, Delphi-based process, we defined a set of 13 distinct teaching EPAs tailored to a specific undergraduate medical program that cover the core teaching tasks for faculty in this program. Our report on the principles of the process and the results may guide other medical schools and educators in defining and tailoring teaching EPAs according to their contexts.

A Methodology to Introduce Sustainable Development Goals in Engineering Degrees by Means of Multidisciplinary Projects

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) reflect the relevance that sustainability is gaining in our societies. Including sustainability-related topics in university curricula requires the revision of the contents, teaching/learning strategies and assessment techniques. Although engineering degrees are starting to introduce them, it may become complex to design significant educational experiences. This partly comes from the fact that sustainability is a highly multidisciplinary issue but, currently, the knowledge is compartmentalised into subjects. In this challenging scenario, concrete activities are required for students to better internalise sustainability issues. This work aims to present a methodology that guides academic staff to materialise the design of sustainability-related multidisciplinary activities. Since the designers of new activities may benefit from knowledge of similar experiences, this article describes one implementation throughout eight subjects within the Bachelor’s degree on Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering at UPV/EHU. The analysis and optimisation of the thermal comfort and energy consumption in the Faculty building became the common thread to design an educational itinerary that covers several subjects along all academic years of the degree, making use of active methodologies. The problem is analysed for every subject from different perspectives. Two questionnaires, carried out before and after the activities, were used for analysing the perception of the students after the activities. Results proved that the multidisciplinary project raised awareness about the SDGs and allowed students to visualise how to apply the acquired skills in problems close to their experience. As a result, more students considered sustainability as a possible future professional activity.

A multi-method approach to drafting candidate entrustable professional activities for a general internal medicine residency programme.

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are units of concrete daily clinical tasks that trainee physicians should be able to handle with increasing autonomy during their postgraduate training. EPAs are gaining international recognition as an essential component of competency-based medical training programmes. The process of developing EPAs for a nationwide training programme is complex and requires an in-depth understanding of EPAs as a concept and good knowledge of appropriate development processes. This article provides a detailed description of the methodology and results of a multi-step approach for developing a list of candidate EPAs for Switzerland's postgraduate training programme in general internal medicine (GIM). We took a multi-step approach including a systematic review of international literature, four national focus groups, a national consensus process using a RAND appropriateness method, and a quality check of the selected candidate EPAs using EQual criteria. These steps generated a final list of 247 candidate EPAs in general internal medicine that were submitted for the national consensus process. After two rounds of rating, experts agreed on the appropriateness for general internal medicine postgraduate training of 225 candidate EPAs. Twenty-two were deemed inappropriate, and disagreement persisted only for two EPAs. This multi-step programme is one of the few describing in detail the process of developing a list of EPAs and providing evidence of validity at each step. The clinical breadth of our candidate EPAs, together with the detailed description of our methodology, could serve as a useful starting point from which medical education specialists or clinicians could develop or revise applicable lists of EPAs, particularly for postgraduate training programmes in either general internal medicine or family medicine.

Physical and Psychological Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers, Including End of Life Care Providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused unprecedented distress in the community but has also resulted in significant physical and psychological exhaustion among healthcare workers (HCWs). This exhaustion could potentially lead to serious effects on our healthcare system. The aim of this study was to gain more insight on the effect of COVID-19 on burnout among oncologists and other healthcare professionals at a large academic center. A 10-minute electronic questionnaire was distributed to actively employed physicians, APRNs, and PAs affiliated with the University of Miami. The survey encompassed a range of personal and professional characteristics, including stress related to COVID-19. The survey was distributed to a total of 739 HCWs, with 182 respondents (24.6%) completing the entire survey. The impact of the pandemic on these professionals included increased workload (59.5%), reduced leadership opportunities (32.2%), job insecurity (28.6%), and rescheduling of professional activities (22.2%). Out of the 182 respondents, 70 were primarily from the fields of Oncology and Palliative Care. Several factors have contributed to increased physical and psychological stress among HCWs, such as extended working hours, sleep deprivation, job insecurity, the shift to telemedicine, the risk of contracting the virus and endangering their families, lack of childcare options, and the added pressure of homeschooling. This study serves as a foundation for more comprehensive research aimed at elucidating and guiding the development of wellness programs crucial for the overall well-being of HCWs.