Professional Challenges Research Articles

Benefits, Risk Factors and Cognitive Insights for Improving the Well-being of Minors in Greek Foster Care.

This research paper presents a holistic analysis of the foster care system in Greece, exploring its historical evolution, legal nuances, practical concerns, and the recent legislative reforms aimed at improving the well-being of minors in foster care. The study examines various types of foster care arrangements—kinship, non-relative, and professional fostering—highlighting their impact on the psychological, social, and cognitive development of children. It underscores the crucial role of foster families and social workers in providing a conducive family environment, while also cataloging the potential drawbacks of the system, including professional intervention challenges, emotional and social strain on the children, and gaps in the fostering infrastructure. By comparing the Greek fostering institution with systems in France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Ireland, the paper identifies unique challenges and best practices, contributing to an understanding of international foster care dynamics. The research also delves into the intricacies of adoption versus fostering, detailing the emotional and legal commitments involved. Furthermore, the paper integrates insights from related studies on trauma, mental health, and educational neuroscience, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on the needs of foster children. It illustrates the promising strides made by initiatives like the Child Guarantee program to fight poverty and exclusion, emphasizing the need for targeted policies and legislative action. Toward its conclusion, the research accentuates the call for ongoing interdisciplinary studies, policy refinements, and improved professional training within Greek child welfare systems. It presents a compelling case for robust, trauma-informed care frameworks and legislation designed to secure the best outcomes for vulnerable children in foster care.

Problems of educating students in modern universities of Kyrgyzstan

Relevance. In the context of rapidly changing socio-cultural and economic conditions in the country, the study of the problems of students� education is important for the development of effective strategies that promote the adaptation of young people to modern challenges.Purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors of influence on upbringing in the educational environment of Kyrgyzstan.Methodology. The following methods were used in the research process: analysis, comparison, generalization, survey.Results. They contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the problems of education, identifying the main trends and challenges. In the course of the study, it was determined that modern universities in Kyrgyzstan face a variety of problems in the education of students. It was found that these problems affect various aspects of students� learning activities, including their lack of attention to ethics and moral values, the lack of an effective system of interpersonal relations between teachers and students, as well as insufficient development of independent work and critical thinking skills, which affects their adaptation in society and professional growth. The article emphasizes the importance of the role of teaching personality in the educational process. The study examined the impact of modern technologies on teaching and educational methods and presented examples of successful practices and approaches in the education of students. The study identified key areas for improving the educational process and effectively supporting students. The findings demonstrate the complexity of the problem and emphasize the need for a systematic approach to its solution.Conclusions. The practical value of the study lies in providing a basis for the development of effective strategies and programmes aimed at improving the educational process and the formation of personal qualities necessary for the successful adaptation of students to modern socio-cultural and professional challenges.

A Systematic Review of Professionals’ Knowledge and Perceptions on Child Trafficking

ABSTRACT Child trafficking is a complex and multifaceted crime, representing a challenge for professionals who work daily to protect its victims. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations to understand the knowledge and perceptions of professionals who work with child trafficking victims. Our search yielded 21 articles for inclusion in the review. The samples consisted of social, justice, healthcare, and education professionals, as well as stakeholders and/or other professionals. The results were organized into the following themes: qualifications and professional experience that may influence knowledge and perceptions; knowledge and perceptions about the victimization process, the impact of victimization, the judicial process, and professional practices; and a lack of knowledge about the subject, specifically regarding the definition of child trafficking, risk and vulnerability factors, the scale and prevalence of the phenomenon, victimization dynamics, the legislative and policy framework, and professional practices. The findings suggest that organizational policies and practices should prioritize investing in training specialized professionals, not just in recognizing the phenomenon but also in delivering practices that focus on meeting the needs of the victims. This study will hopefully inform the development of awareness and training programs based on the needs and challenges faced by these professionals.

Exploring Graduate Students’ Experiences in a College of Agriculture

The past two decades have seen an overall increase in the number of students pursuing a graduate degree in the United States. Gaining a more nuanced understanding of how graduate students navigate the academic, personal, and professional challenges of post baccalaureate education will help programs better support them and ensure student success. With validation theory serving as the theoretical framework, the purpose of this study was to explore the graduate student experience within a college of agriculture at a southwestern university. This study focused on three aspects: resources students use, challenges they have experienced, and additional needs for support. Data for this phenomenological study were collected using focus groups with 24 students. Analysis of the data found students utilized a variety of resources including online content and peers. Another emergent theme recognized the significant role communication plays between faculty members and students. The final theme focused on solutions to support better communication and collaboration efforts. Several specific recommendations are provided to improve how validated graduate students feel in their academic pursuits. Future research should gather faculty perspectives to help shape professional development opportunities that would create enhanced graduate student mentoring.

Perceptions of professional challenges by emergency medical services providers: a qualitative content analysis study

IntroductionEmergency medical services (EMS) providers encounter a variety of challenges due to the unpredictable, uncontrollable, and dynamic conditions in the pre-hospital field. This study explored the perceived professional challenges among EMS providers.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted using a qualitative research approach and the method of content analysis. Eighteen EMS providers were purposively selected from EMS stations in Hamadan, Iran. The collected data were then analyzed based on the Granheim and Lundman's method.ResultsBased on data analysis, five categories and one theme were identified. The extracted theme was professional challenges. The five categories were as follows: Ineffective policies; multicultural and multidisciplinary factors; ambulance dispatch route problems; legal issues; and abuse against the emergency medical servicesConclusionIn general, it has been found that EMS providers encounter numerous and complex professional challenges during their work. EMS managers can utilize the findings of the present study to develop strategies for reducing the professional challenges faced by EMS providers. By doing so, they can improve the quality of care in the prehospital field.

Weekly Programming of Hamstring-Related Training Contents in European Professional Soccer.

Hamstring injuries in soccer continue to be a challenge for professionals who work with soccer players daily. Although its origin is multifactorial, the proper management of neuromuscular fatigue during the training microcycle is a very important factor to consider. There are no clear guidelines regarding the weekly distribution of certain exercises that demand the hamstrings. The main objective of this study was to describe the usual training practices of professional European soccer teams. An international observational survey design was applied to some of the strength and conditioning coaches of professional soccer teams. The survey included different neuromuscular demanding exercises for the hamstrings. For each exercise, the strength and conditioning coaches had to respond in relation to their frequency of use and timepoint depending on the day of the weekly microcycle. Although there is no strong consensus in this regard, there does seem to be a trend when applying certain exercises, especially on the days matchday-4 and matchday-3.

The significance and challenges of turnover and retention of millennial professionals

PurposeThis paper aims to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the millennial literature, highlighting the significance and challenges of millennial professionals, their reported high turnover and the various recommendations designed to engage and retain them.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated review approach was applied to synthesise contemporary peer-reviewed articles, supplemented by legacy and grey literature and relevant book chapters, to comprehensively explore and construct a cohesive overview of the current research on the millennial workforce.FindingsWithin the wealth of available information, examining the various studies on millennial turnover reveals diverse theories, evidence and opportunities for advancement, underscoring the necessity for more robust empirical studies. The investigation identified three overarching retention strategy themes: (1) intergenerational conflict management, (2) workplace adaptations and (3) solutions rooted in a protean career orientation. In alignment with protean career concepts, coaching shows promise as an underexplored option.Practical implicationsThis article holds practical significance by offering researchers a comprehensive and cohesive overview of the millennial literature. Additionally, it gives organisations a novel perspective on the crucial role coaching can play in engaging and retaining millennial employees.Originality/valueThe increased focus on retaining millennial workers in recent decades has spurred a proliferation of articles and books on this subject. However, this body of research remains fragmented, lacking an overview that provides a clear picture of its current state. This review aims to bridge this gap.

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT AS CORRELATES OF JOB PERFORMANCE AMONG NON-TEACHING STAFF OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN BENUE STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING

The study investigated how family, friends and colleagues' support as correlates with job performance of non-teaching staff of public universities in Benue State for counselling implications. The study adopted a correlation research design. The population comprises 2,703 non-teaching staff from three public universities in Benue State: Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue State University in Makurdi, and the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo. The sample size for the study was 348 non-teaching staff. The sample was selected using proportionate stratified and accidental sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “"Family Support, Friend's Support, and Colleagues' Support, and Job Performance Questionnaire" (FSFSCSJPQ). The questionnaire was validated by experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was established using Cronbach Alpha method which yielded coefficients of 0.81 and 0.84 for sections A and B respectively. Data collected for the study were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The study's findings revealed that there is a high positive relationship between family support and job performance of non-teaching staff of public universities in Benue State, and that the relationship was significant. It was also found that, friends’ support and colleagues’ support had a high and significant positive relationship with job performance of non-teaching staff of public universities in Benue State. The study concluded that support networks, including family, friends, and colleagues; significantly contribute to the enhanced job performance of non-teaching staff in public universities in Benue State. Recommendations were made that public universities should organize employee assistance programs and workshops on communication and interpersonal skills using counsellors as facilitators to help build and maintain support networks and public universities in Benue State should establish or expand Counselling services for their non-teaching staff that can address both personal and professional challenges that may affect their job performance.

The factors influencing patient safety management as perceived by emergency department nurses: A qualitative study.

One of the most important, unpredictable and stressful areas in hospitals is the emergency department (ED) where seconds are crucial for providing immediate care and saving the patients' lives. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the factors which impact the patient safety management as perceived by the ED nurses in Southern Iran. This is a qualitative, descriptive study. The participants were 23 ED nurses selected via purposeful sampling who were asked to take part in an interview. Data were collected using semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews and analysed via content analysis. Analysis of the qualitative data yielded 4 themes and 12 subthemes. The four main themes were: negligence of safety standards and standard precautions, disregard of ethical principles, professional challenges and inefficient organizational management.

Nursing institutions' professors' perception and distant education experience during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The nursing profession represents a demanding and challenging profession with a purpose to keep up with the evolving health-care demands of the population. The purpose of this study is to assess nursing institutions' professors' previous experience about information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their perception of distant education during the pandemic lockdown. This present is a cross-sectional study among participants n = 249 recruited from all academic staff (N = 694) of 23 higher institutes of nursing professions and health techniques in Morocco. The Chi-square test for independence (χ2) and adjusted Z scores were used as a data analysis method to assess the association between the professors' education levels and ICT experience. A significant association [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 19.510, P < 0.001] was revealed between professors' education level and taken training related to ICT in education; significant few professors (16; 9.3%) reported that taken training session [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 8.940, P = 0.003] belonged to the bachelor degree group. In matters of perception, a few proportion (10%) reported that using technology effectively belonged to the bachelor and low education background group. The findings showed that having previous experience in teaching remotely and training related to the ICT was significantly associated with a higher education background. Moreover, professors with higher degrees agreed that distant education could be an alternative to face-to-face course during quarantine.

Workforce Characteristics, Work Satisfaction, Stress, Burnout and Happiness of Early Career Music Therapists in the United States

As part of a larger, multi-step survey, 507 early career music therapists in the United States completed a series of 26 survey questions that focused on their work lives, stress, burnout and happiness. Descriptive analysis of responses to these questions suggest the majority of these early career professionals were satisfied with their jobs and work conditions, and worked in ways they found fulfilling and meaningful. However, these data also suggest a number of challenges for early career professionals that included low salary satisfaction, high stress and burnout, and overall lower happiness than music therapists with more work experience. In particular, low levels of access to supervision and support for continuing education suggest that some early career music therapists may not be receiving the professional support they need to grow and thrive. Recommendations, along with focus areas for additional research, provide a lens through which these concerns may be addressed.

A Gender-Affirming Approach to Fertility Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients

Although many transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people express a desire to become parents, providing quality counseling that encompasses patients' short-term and long-term fertility options often represents a challenge for health care professionals. Fertility care (from preservation to restoration or assisted reproduction or both) has a low uptake in the TGD population, with barriers including financial cost, concerns regarding health care professionals’ biases, and patient misconceptions or lack of awareness of fertility outcomes. Fertility care is particularly important for the TGD population, because gender-affirming hormone therapy can negatively affect fertility. Despite this importance, existing guidelines and research on this subject are limited. This article summarizes the currently available fertility care options for TGD patients and provides our clinical opinion on their best provision. We highlight that it is essential for health care professionals to provide TGD patients with holistic counseling to facilitate informed decision making about their reproductive health before initiating gender-affirming therapy. Fertility counseling should outline the options available for the patient, keeping their needs and preferences at the center of the conversation while advising on the associated risks and financial costs.

The challenges of nursing care for patients with lumbar discectomy: A qualitative study.

Patients with lumbar disc surgery experience many different problems during their hospital stay. Nurses also face different challenges in providing care to them. Nonetheless, no study has yet specifically addressed these challenges to the best of our knowledge. This study aimed at exploring the challenges of nursing care for patients with lumbar discectomy. This qualitative study was conducted in 2022 using content analysis. Eight nurses, three patients with lumbar discectomy, and one physician were purposively selected from the neurosurgery wards of the hospitals affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data analysis and the content analysis method recommended by Elo and Kyngas was used for data analysis. The main phases of this method are open coding, grouping, categorization, and abstraction. The MAXQDA 10 software was employed to facilitate data management. Data collection continued to reach data saturation. The challenges of nursing care for patients with lumbar discectomy were categorized into eleven subcategories and three main categories, namely dominant routine-based practice in the healthcare system, futile attempt for team-based care, and shortages as a major barrier to quality care. There are different personal, professional, financial, structural, and organizational challenges in nursing care for patients with lumbar discectomy which can negatively affect postoperative patient recovery.

Experimental Study on the Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on Soil Physical Properties and Microstructure Evolution

Soil heavy metal pollution poses a formidable challenge for environmental protection professionals. This study delves into the impact of zinc and lead pollution on the particle size distribution, liquid-plastic limit, permeability, shear strength, and other pertinent physical and engineering properties of clay. The alterations in the microstructure of soil contaminated by heavy metals were scrutinized using a scanning electron microscope. The findings reveal that as the concentration of heavy metals in contaminated soil rises, there is a concurrent decrease in the liquid limit, plasticity index, and silt content. This, in turn, leads to the deterioration of the original fluidity and plasticity of the soil, accompanied by a reduction in fine particles. Resistivity tests indicate that an escalation in water content results in a decrease in resistivity, an increase in porosity leads to an increase in resistivity, and an elevation in the concentration of heavy metals precipitates a sharp decline in resistivity due to the heightened conductivity of heavy metal ions. Heavy metal pollution induces structural changes in the soil, particularly in pore size, thereby influencing the permeability coefficient.

Improving Adolescent Psychosocial Assessment through Standardized Patient Simulation: An Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiative.

Adolescent suicide and mental illness have increased at alarming rates. Healthcare professionals report a lack of skill and confidence in obtaining adolescent histories and managing confidential care due to limited training in residency. Nursing professional development practitioners face challenges of adequately preparing interdisciplinary healthcare providers to assess, identify, and intervene at all points of contact with adolescents. To increase the confidence in clinical communication skills and clinical competency, and to increase the number of social work referrals related to modifiable risk factors for adolescent patients, a Texas pediatric tertiary care center utilized standardized patient (SP) methodology to supplement traditional clinical experiences with communication-focused education based on the Home, Education, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicidality, and Safety (HEEADSSS) interviewing. This quality improvement (QI) pilot demonstrated the benefits of utilizing standardized patient methodology in communication-focused education based on the HEEADSSS interviewing. Following the SP simulations, confidence in clinical communication skills increased by 13%, clinical competency in performing comprehensive psychosocial interviews increased by 11%, use of HEEADSSS increased by 64%, and social work referrals increased by 89%. This interdisciplinary SP interviewing simulation pilot was beneficial in improving the 36 physician and nursing residents' ability to conduct psychosocial assessments for risk factors of suicidality among adolescents.

Multiculturalism in teacher training: the Israeli case

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been an increased interest in multiculturalism in teacher training around the world. This qualitative study examined Arab Bedouin preservice teachers’ (PSTs) experience teaching in a Jewish school in times of political and social tension in Israel. Data from 30 PSTs were collected through semistructured interviews, reflective diaries, and questionnaires. Analysis of the findings reveals a complex multidimensional picture of professional, personal, and cultural challenges and opportunities that the PSTs faced. The findings show the experience of teaching in a multicultural environment within the framework of the teacher training programme in optimistic light.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) serological and molecular patterns in dogs with viral gastroenteritis from southern Brazil.

Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe systemic disease with gastroenteric symptoms in dogs, particularly in young puppies. Originating from the feline parvovirus in the late 1970s, it swiftly propagated globally, instigating a pandemic in dogs. Despite vaccination advancements, CPV-2 remains a substantial challenge for veterinary professionals and pet owners. This study aimed to contribute knowledge about the current situation of CPV-2 among dogs in southern Brazil. In this study, the sera of 125 dogs (mostly with gastroenteritis symptoms) were screened for antibodies against CPV-2 and their faeces for the virus itself. The results showed that 40% (50/125) of dogs were infected with CPV-2. Most animals (65.5%) had previously been exposed to CPV-2 (with serotitres equal or above 1:40), and only 37.6% had protective antibody titres equal or above 1:80. The findings have also demonstrated that vaccination against CPV-2 significantly reduced the risk of infection, with positive cases decreasing from 56.9% (unvaccinated) to 2.0% (fully vaccinated). Furthermore, the prevalence of CPV-2 decreased as dogs aged, with younger dogs and those with an incomplete or non-existent vaccination history at the highest risk of infection. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insight into the prevalence and risk factors associated with CPV-2 infection in dogs in southern Brazil, thereby providing valuable knowledge for the improvement of veterinary care and pet health.

Investigating the Incidence of Dyslipidemia among Brazilian Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) has always been a challenge for health professionals in relation to glycemic control. Increased body fat has been related to a worsening of the lipid profile and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia in this population, leading to negative repercussions on the control of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate the distribution of lipid levels and the presence of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents with T1DM. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 81 individuals of both sexes (4-19 years) diagnosed with T1DM. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected, in addition to data on physical activity level, sexual maturation stage, and insulin administration regimen. Lipid levels were categorized as normal, borderline, and elevated, and the presence of dyslipidemia was diagnosed by the presence of one or more altered lipid parameter. We noted a prevalence of dyslipidemia in 65.4% of the participants when considering borderline lipid values. Of those, 23.5% had one altered lipid level, and 42.0% had two or more. The main altered lipid levels were total cholesterol and triglycerides, followed by non-HDL-c. The main factor associated with the worsening of lipid levels was the increase in HbA1c. Sex had a significant effect on the levels of TC, HDL-c, and ApoA-I. The results of this study reinforce the need to monitor lipid profile in children and adolescents with T1DM, as well as the importance of early intervention in treating dyslipidemia, especially in patients with poor glycemic control.

Historien som betydningsfuld i udforskning af en nutidig sundhedsfaglige problemstilling

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how historical fieldwork can make a significant contribution to exploring a contemporary health professional issue. The article is based on my Ph.D. thesis: "It is not our patient - a cultural-theoretical and cultural-historical analysis of the importance of the organization of the hospital system for the hospitalization of old medical patients using Holbæk Hospital as an example", which among other things includes historical fieldwork to explore the current health care professional challenge. The article briefly presents the Ph.D. project's research question, theory, method and analysis, as a background for subsequently exploring how historical fieldwork has been tackled, as well as examples of how historical exploration has made a valuable and significant contribution. Finally, there is a summary of the key points of the article

Scientific foundations of assessment of future social pedagogue�s willingness to pedagogical activity

Relevance. The relevance of the research is conditioned upon the need to assess the compliance of social pedagogues� training programmes in Kazakhstan with modern professional challenges. Purpose. This research is designed to identify the content of educational programmes and to identify the relationship between the level of training of future social pedagogues and their effectiveness in pedagogical activities. Methodology. The leading method of research on this problem was a survey and interviews. In addition, the following methods were used: system analysis, logical analysis, method of comparison, synthesis, deduction and classification. Results. The research presents the theoretical foundations that disclose the essence and significance of social pedagogy for modern society. It provides information about the training of social pedagogues in Kazakhstan and describes the most important aspects of training students in this specialty. It also reveals the specific features of social pedagogues' work in Kazakhstan, including the multicultural environment, the development of a professional network, adaptation to changing social situations, and cooperation with other professionals. Additionally, the research identifies and justifies various approaches to defining the profession. Conclusions. The research disclosed the true attitudes, opinions and experiences of students of social pedagogy, and obtained valuable feedback from experienced specialists in this field. The materials of the research can be used to improve the educational programmes of educational institutions in Kazakhstan that train specialists in the field of social pedagogy. Keywords: quality of higher education; professional competences; didactics; innovative teaching methods; education actualisation; educational programmes