Professional Credibility Research Articles

Measuring Scholarly Practice in Respiratory Therapists: The Development and Initial Validation of a Scholarly Practice Tool.

Respiratory therapists (RTs) must apply competencies to address the health care needs of the public. Although all competencies are deemed essential, scholarly practice requires that professionals critically assess their practices, integrate evidence-based literature, and enhance the care they deliver to patients. Though scholarly practice is also associated with professional empowerment, role satisfaction, and improved patient care, it is rarely measured. The purpose of this study was to develop, pilot, and generate preliminary validity evidence of a tool designed to measure scholarly practice among RTs. We used DeVellis' nine-step scale development process and exploratory factor analysis to develop the tool. The results of a scoping review and qualitative study were used to generate an item pool and pilot test it with 81 RTs across Canada. The refined tool was tested on a larger sample (n = 832) and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Using principal axis factoring with Promax rotation, we retained 18 items across 4 factors, explaining 56.7% of the variance in the data (31.7%, 10.2%, 8.6%, 6.2%): (Factor 1) professional development and credibility, (Factor 2) elements supporting scholarly practice, (Factor 3) the perceived impact of scholarly activities on practice, and (Factor 4) scholarly practitioner identity and ability. Internal consistency of the final 18-item scale was suitable overall (Cronbach alpha = 0.879) and for each factor (F1 = 0.888; F2 = 0.774; F3 = 0.842; F4 = 0.746). Our results provide preliminary evidence for a scholarly practice tool that can encourage self-reflection and/or foster peer-based reflection. Using the tool with other health care professionals and conducting confirmatory factor analysis could generate additional validity evidence.

Eyes on communication: strategies to facilitate uptake of clinical practice guidelines for implementation of eye-gaze control technology by people with cerebral palsy. A mixed methods study

Guidelines for implementation of eye-gaze control technology by people with cerebral palsy were published in 2021. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators clinicians perceive exist relating to use of these guidelines for eye-gaze control technology, and to explore potential resources that may be developed to support their implementation. A two-phased mixed methods explanatory sequential design was adopted. In phase 1, an online survey containing quantitative and open-ended questions was completed by 97 health professionals and in phase 2 two online focus groups of five clinicians were conducted. The guidelines for eye-gaze control technology were considered helpful for clinicians new to eye-gaze control technology, useful to provide insight into processes for implementing eye-gaze control technology, were flexible, supported clinical reasoning and professional credibility, and were easy to use. However, time to read the guidelines for eye-gaze control technology, and insufficient funding for time to implement the technology were prominent barriers identified in this study. Through the qualitative findings four themes emerged: (1) Complexity of learning to use and implement the guidelines for eye-gaze control technology; (2) Time and resources in short supply; (3) Takes a dedicated team working together; and (4) guidelines for eye-gaze control technology informing practice. Participants in both study phases identified: case studies and video examples; education and training; and practice in implementing eye-gaze control technology, as facilitators to aligning their practice with the guidelines for eye-gaze control technology recommendations and to optimise outcomes.

Acceptance and Use of eHealth in Support and Psychological Therapy for People With Intellectual Disabilities: Two Cross-Sectional Studies of Health Care Professionals.

Acceptance of health care professionals is of paramount importance for the uptake and implementation of eHealth. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is a widely used framework for studying health care professionals' acceptance and actual use of eHealth among general client populations. However, there is limited understanding of the eHealth acceptance of health care professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study aimed to explore the applicability of the UTAUT model toward understanding the acceptance, intention to use, and actual use of eHealth among support staff and therapists working with people with ID. A total of 2 cross-sectional survey studies were conducted among health care professionals from 5 health care organizations for people with ID in the Netherlands in 2018 (n=311) and in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=326). In addition to confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses to evaluate both the original UTAUT model and an extended version, descriptive analysis was used to explore participants' characteristics, acceptance levels, and eHealth usage. Moderator analysis and multiple regression analysis were also used. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated a poor fit for both the original 4-factor UTAUT model and the extended version. An exploratory factor analysis was then conducted, resulting in a more satisfactory 5-factor model after removing 1 item with a factor loading <.40. Internal consistency of the 5 factors ranged from acceptable to good (Cronbach α=.76-.85). Collectively, all factors predicted the intention to use eHealth in 2018 (R2=0.47; F5,305=54.885; P<.001) and in 2021 (R2=0.43; F5,320=49.32; P<.001). Participants scored moderately on all 5 acceptance factors in both 2018 and 2021. Moderator analysis indicated that age and voluntariness influence the relationship between factors that determined acceptance and intention to use eHealth. The findings from 2 cross-sectional studies conducted in 2018 and 2021, using an extended UTAUT model, gave a deeper understanding of eHealth acceptance among health care professionals who work with people with ID.

Insights From the ISASS Webinar Series on Current and Emerging Techniques in Endoscopic Spine Surgery | Part 1: Polytomous Rasch Analysis of Surgeon Endorsement of Endoscopic Discectomy/Foraminotomy, Interbody Fusion, and Importance of Patient Feedback During Surgery.

The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery hosted the first of a series of 4 webinars on endoscopic spine surgery techniques, focusing on end§oscopic discectomy, foraminotomy, instrumented endoscopic fusion, standalone lumbar interbody fusion with innovative materials, and the role of patient feedback in awake procedures. This series aims to share knowledge and discuss the complexities and clinical evidence of modern endoscopic spine surgery. To analyze the level of surgeon endorsement for the presented endoscopic spine surgery techniques before and after the webinar, utilizing polytomous Rasch analysis, and to evaluate the potential for these insights to inform clinical guideline recommendations. A survey was available to 1311 potential respondents during the Zoom webinar, collecting data on surgeon endorsements using a Likert scale. The polytomous Rasch model was employed to analyze responses, considering the complexity of decisions against surgeon expertise, developing a logarithmic measurement scale, allowing objective statistical analysis of categorical variables, highlighting incongruent or out-of-order items vs congruent and in-order items, and driving improvement in clinical guidelines. All 4 topics received higher confidence ratings demonstrated by descriptive statistics, highlighting the webinar's effective role in surgeon education and in identifying ongoing trends in spine surgery. The logarithmic transformation of these data during Rasch analysis showed noticeable shifts in surgeon confidence levels postwebinar, with increased endorsement for transforaminal full-endoscopic thoracolumbar interbody fusion for hard disc herniation and standalone endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion. The Wright plot and person-item map analyses demonstrated that the webinar effectively targeted areas of initial low confidence, significantly impacting surgeons' perceptions. Disordered endorsement thresholds remained in the topics of uniportal transforaminal discectomy/foraminotomy and patient feedback during endoscopic spine surgery, indicating issues in response category discrimination or confounding factors not captured by the survey. Ongoing controversies were highlighted by the influence of confounding factors, stemming from preconceived notions and limited familiarity with high-grade evidence. The first in the 4-part webinar series effectively shifted professional confidence and acceptance of innovative surgical approaches among spine surgeons. Observations indicated a high level of interest in applying the endoscopic surgery platform with other advanced technologies. The polytomous Rasch analysis provided nuanced insights into ongoing trends and areas in need of further clarification. Assessing surgeon confidence and acceptance of endoscopic spinal surgeries using polytomous Rasch analysis. Level 2 (inferential) and 3 (observational) evidence because Rasch analysis provides statistical validation of instruments rather than direct clinical outcomes.

Work-related impacts on doctors’ mental health: a qualitative study exploring organisational and systems-level risk factors

BackgroundProtecting doctors’ mental health has typically focused on individuals, rather than addressing organisational and structural-level factors in the work environment.ObjectivesThis study uses the socioecological model (SEM) to illuminate and explore...

Using self‐management strategies to improve toothbrushing for adults in supported community living

AbstractHygiene is an important area related to personal health and socialization. Regular toothbrushing can prevent painful procedures related to tooth decay and gum disease and reduce bad breath and plaque that may interfere with social and professional acceptance. Unfortunately, many individuals with disabilities do not engage in regular and thorough preventative dental hygiene, placing them at risk for oral disease. Using a multiple baseline design, three participants who independently brushed their teeth but did not brush frequently or thoroughly were taught to self‐evaluate and record using a self‐management (SM) checklist. The findings of this study suggest that SM may be a helpful method for improving the frequency and quality of toothbrushing. Outcomes regarding supporting individuals to achieve maximal independence in these essential life skills are discussed.

Refracting the concept of physician advocacy using the prism of professional resistance

Background Advocacy is a well-established term in the context of medicine and medical education. However, what constitutes advocacy is unclear and at times contested as it can range from relatively anodyne acts of facilitating patient journeys to more substantial acts of non-compliance. As a result, guiding medical learners in establishing advocacy as part of their future practice is a somewhat subjective and variant undertaking. Analyzing advocacy using the emerging concept of professional resistance as an analytic prism can afford better understanding of what advocacy means in a health professions context. Methods The authors employed a concept analysis methodology to explore discourses of advocacy using the concept of ‘resistance’ as a prism. The findings of the study are presented as a series of dyadic tensions that elicit different meanings of advocacy, including the rhetorical uses of the term ‘advocacy’ and ‘resistance’. Results Physician advocacy can be defined in terms of six dyads: scope and scale, goals and intentions, effort and risk, disobedience and confrontation, responsibility and commitment, and consequences and outcomes. Moreover, describing acts or positions as ‘advocacy’ confers legitimacy and authority, whereas describing acts or positions as ‘resistance’ confers doubt as to their ethical and professional credibility even when they refer to the same things. Conclusions By utilizing resistance as an analytic prism to deconstruct advocacy in health professions education, the authors seek to resolve some of the tensions and areas of uncertainty associated with the use of the term ‘advocacy’ in medical education, and to advance new ways of thinking about these two concepts. This is achieved through developing an understanding of advocacy and resistance, not as discrete categories, but as discursive positions, such that there are factors common to both that need to be interrogated to properly understand the advocacy-resistance landscape in medical education.

Patient and Healthcare Professional Satisfaction, Acceptability, and Preference Experiences With Mirikizumab Administration for Ulcerative Colitis: An International Survey.

There is a need to better understand ulcerative colitis (UC) patient and healthcare provider (HCP) treatment satisfaction, acceptability, and preferences. Two international, cross-sectional, web-based surveys were conducted among participants of a phase 3 mirikizumab study (NCT03519945). The questions captured moderate-to-severe UC patients' experience, HCPs' perception of patients' experience, and HCPs' own experience with mirikizumab administration through intravenous (IV) infusions and subcutaneous (SC) injections. Respondents included 93 patients and 42 HCPs from 11 countries. The majority of patients had UC >4 years (74.2%), were bionaive (68%), in remission at the time of the survey (63%). HCPs were primarily from the United States (57%), generally nurses (41%) or gastroenterologists (26%) with ≥6 years of experience in treating UC (57%). Most patients were "very satisfied/satisfied" (IV, 83%; SC, 91%), "completely/somewhat" accepting of mirikizumab administration (IV, 87%; SC, 97%), and agreed that improvement to their UC outweighed any administration dissatisfaction (90%). HCPs' perspectives of patients' experiences were higher: "very satisfied/satisfied" (IV, 93%; SC, 100%); "completely/somewhat" accepting (IV, 90%; SC, 98%). HCPs themselves were "very satisfied/satisfied" (IV, 81%; SC, 95%); gastroenterologists were "very satisfied" (IV, 82%; SC, 82%) more than nurses (IV, 29%; SC, 65%) who were generally at least "satisfied" (IV, 53%; SC, 35%). Two SC and monthly SC injections were "completely acceptable" by the patients (76% and 85%) and per HCPs' perceptions of patients' preferences (69% and 100%). Both patients and HCPs were satisfied with and accepted mirikizumab IV induction followed by monthly maintenance SC injections. UC improvement outweighed any administration dissatisfaction.

Influential Factors in Media Credibility

Humans require information to perform their individual and social activities. Today, it is easier than ever to access a wide range of information. Mass media plays a crucial role in gathering and disseminating messages on various subjects to the public. Media outlets that have established trustworthiness in their operations hold a greater sway over audiences compared to others. In today's competitive media landscape, each media organization must earn and uphold the trust of its audience to ensure its longevity. The accurate delivery of messages through media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and aims to attract audiences while establishing credibility among different media channels. This research aims to identify the factors that can assist media organizations in maintaining and upholding their professional credibility with their audiences. In order to gain the trust of their audience, media outlets can follow these guidelines: -Depicting real-life situations accurately, -Refraining from getting involved in any subject matter, -Remaining unbiased in their activities, -Utilizing reliable sources for news, -The way news is delivered.

Perception of the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Practices Among Healthcare Professionals in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform healthcare practices, but the successful adoption of AI depends on the perception and acceptance of healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess the understanding of AI concepts, recognize the attitude toward AI integration, and identify the barriers to AI adoption among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chengalpattu district, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers to AI adoption. The chi-square test was used to analyze the associations between variables. The majorityof the participants, i.e., 54% (n = 108), had moderate knowledge about AI adoption, while 48% (n = 96) had a low attitude toward it.Barriers to the adoption of AI in healthcare practices among healthcare professionals were low among the majority, i.e., 49% (n = 98), of the participants. A statistically significant association was found between knowledge and attitude (X² = 18.052, df = 4, p = 0.001), i.e., healthcare professionals with moderate knowledge levels had low attitudes toward the adoption of AI. A statistically significant association was also found between knowledge and perceived barriers (X² = 31.235, df = 4, p = 0.00), i.e., healthcare professionals with higher knowledge levels perceived lower barriers to the adoption of AI. The study highlights the need for education and training to improve knowledge, foster positive attitudes, and address the perceived barriers to AI adoption among healthcare professionals. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to enhance the understanding and acceptance of AI in healthcare practices.

Integrating Science Media Literacy, Motivational Interviewing, and Neuromarketing Science to Increase Vaccine Education Confidence among U.S. Extension Professionals.

This article presents an Integrative Model of Sustainable Health Decision-Making and a toolkit to equip U.S. Extension professionals with knowledge and skills to engage in adult immunization education. The objective was to reduce mistrust and increase willingness and confidence toward delivering vaccination education. The model was developed through an explanatory parallel mixed methods design. Data collection included a needs assessment survey, interviews, workshops, and Neuromarketing message testing. The resulting toolkit was pilot tested before final delivery. Four key needs were identified: tailoring trainings based on Extension roles, prioritizing preserving community trust and professional credibility, establishing connections with medical experts, and strengthening Science Media Literacy skills to counter misinformation and communicate emerging science. Correlations among constructs supported an integrated model focused on a professional development core of Science Media Literacy, Motivational Interviewing, and Neuromarketing Science that strengthens communication relationships between priority populations and trusted partners. The model and work described in this article can serve as a general framework for engaging key influencers in communities in communication education intended to promote sustainable well-being, such as increasing vaccine uptake.

Pharmacists' Medication Reconciliation Interventions During Admission and Transfer from an Emergency Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Randomized Pilot Study and Evaluation of Physician and Patient Perceptions.

The study aimed to assess the impact of pharmacist interventions during the transition of care. Medication discrepancies can occur at various levels of transition, such as during admission, the transition from emergency to special wards or from special to general wards, and during discharge. Discrepancies can be detected through the process of medication reconciliation. The objective of the study was to compare discrepancies among patients exposed to pharmacist intervention groups and those who were not and assess the perception of healthcare professionals and patients towards integrating pharmacists in the transition care process. A pharmacist-led interventional study was conducted for six months on patients above 18 years of age and either sex who were admitted to the emergency department, had chronic diseases, and subsequently transferred to another department (any). The patients were randomized into intervention and control groups. The pharmacist performed a medication reconciliation and medication review to identify discrepancies in every transition in both the groups, and then reported to the treating physician to resolve in the intervention group. Among the 73 patients recruited in the study, 152 discrepancies were identified. The total discrepancies observed in the control and intervention groups were 78 (51.3%) and 74 (48.6%), respectively. The majority, 35.53%, were found during the transition from emergency to special wards. The physician, upon pharmacist recommendations, accepted and resolved 48 discrepancies in the intervention group. The healthcare professional acceptance rate of pharmacist interventions was 64.86%. The transitions of care are at risk for errors due to medication discrepancies, and pharmacists could potentially identify and resolve discrepancies. Healthcare professionals and patients reported to be satisfied by the involvement of clinical pharmacists in the healthcare team.

Influencing on police-community relations: an empirical study based on the OIC three-dimensional model

The establishment of harmonious police-community relations is a important factor in advancing the modernization of public security endeavors, linked to the exercise of authority, value orientations, and the core mission of law enforcement agencies. The OIC model considers police professional prestige, image, and credibility. Utilizing the OIC three-dimensional model as a foundation, this study examines the intricate mechanisms and explanatory frameworks underlying the relationship between police professional prestige, police image, police law enforcement credibility, and police-community relations. This study surveyed police officers and citizens in X city. Through a comprehensive questionnaire survey and rigorous data analysis, the study reveals several noteworthy findings: (1) police professional prestige has a significant positive predictive effect on police-community relations; (2) police image plays a partially mediating role between police professional prestige and police-community relations; (3) police law enforcement credibility plays a partially mediating role between police professional prestige and police-community relations; (4) police image and police law enforcement credibility can play a chain mediating role between police professional prestige and police-community relations; (5)police image and police law enforcement credibility jointly play a sequential mediating role, bridging the gap between police professional prestige and police-community relations. Based on the OIC three-dimensional model, the study proposes feasible countermeasures and theoretical references for closer police-community relations from the aspects of comprehensive cognition, objective reality and mediated communication.

Analysis of the Current Situation of Teaching Intention among Non- Normal English Majors in Henan Province

This paper is based on the actual situation of non-normal English major students in Henan Province, drawing on the theory of technology acceptance model and constructing a structural equation model, aiming to explore the key factors and their interrelationships that affect the willingness of non-normal English major students to teach. Through empirical research, it has been found that non-normal English majors have a generally weak willingness to engage in the education industry. This is mainly attributed to the decline in professional social credibility caused by individual teacher misconduct, as well as the sharp decrease in the number of English training institutions under the double reduction policy, which brings many difficulties for graduates to seek employment. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes a series of targeted suggestions to provide reference for optimizing the allocation of educational resources and promoting the sustainable development of the education industry.

Body Type and Body Dissatisfaction in Instagram Posts by Dietetics and Nursing Students

Students in health professions seeking to establish professional credibility through their appearance could be at greater risk of body dissatisfaction. Instagram posts featuring #rd2be (n = 865) or #nursingstudent (n=1610) were reviewed for body type and body image messages. A greater proportion of #rd2be posts contained images of thin or muscular bodies and text with body image–related messages than #nursingstudent posts. Posts with #nursingstudent had a higher prevalence of text expressing dissatisfaction with weight, fat, or muscle than posts with #rd2be. Results suggest that nursing and dietetics students may grapple with body image while establishing their professional identity.

Opinion, Use and Knowledge About Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Spain: A National Survey of Mental Health Professionals.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method of neuromodulation with heterogeneous usage between countries, which may be potentially influenced by healthcare professionals' opinions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, acceptability, and attitudes of mental health professionals in Spain towards TMS. A cross-sectional multicentric study was conducted using an online survey, with 219 participants including psychiatrists, psychologists, and residents. Nearly 100% of participants correctly answered theoretical aspects related to the rationale and indications of TMS. Although only 55% considered TMS effective, 80% would refer patients if TMS were available at their workplace, and 74% would undergo TMS if experiencing depression. 85% believed neuromodulation training should be increased in residency, and 73% demanded TMS inclusion in public hospitals. Teaching staff and psychologists defined TMS as a last resort (p = 0.03 and 0.045). Both disagreed on its ease of use (p < 0.001) and patient referral (p = 0.01), considering an impact on the therapeutic bond (p = 0.029). Previous TMS training, clinical experience, or availability of TMS at the workplace, were associated with better knowledge, a higher perception of efficacy and utility in treating resistant patients (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, surveyed mental health professionals in Spain demonstrated good knowledge of the technique and positive opinions regarding its utility. Findings emphasized limited clinical experience of the sample, a call for training programs, and the demand for the inclusion of TMS in the portfolio of Spanish public hospitals.

Knowledge and attitude towards the acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Morocco

&lt;b&gt;Objectives:&lt;/b&gt; To assess the knowledge and acceptance of health professionals in the southern region of Morocco in relation to the anti-COVID-19 vaccines.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; This cross-sectional observational study will make it possible to assess the state of knowledge and acceptance of the vaccine against COVID-19 among health personnel in the prefecture of Agadir Idaoutanane, and to determine the factors influencing them, thanks to a self-administered questionnaire. Vaccine acceptance was determined by individuals who opted for vaccination willingly.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; A total of 390 health professionals participated in this study. According to the results, there is a predominance of the female sex with a percentage of 63.2% and a sex ratio equal to 0.57. In addition, more than half of the health personnel participating in this study were between the ages of 20 and 30. 365 health professionals (93.3%) were vaccinated against COVID-19 of which 53.1% chose to be vaccinated of their own free will. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, and the question of the development of immunity to COVID-19 are significantly associated with vaccine acceptance.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; These observations are worrying insofar as health personnel have frequent and prolonged contact with patients. Hence the importance of improving their state of knowledge and positively impacting their acceptance of anti-COVID-19 vaccines in order to influence the attitude of their patients and the rest of the population.

Reasserting Local Politics: The East Riding ‘War Ag’ during the Second World War

The success of the County War Agricultural Executive Committees (CWAEC), known colloquially as ‘War Ags’, during World War Two has been well documented, but how they were affected by local political culture has received little attention. This study examines the East Riding’s ‘War Ag’ and demonstrates that by using the county’s existing political mechanisms, implementation of the government’s war time agricultural strategy was both rapid and efficient. At the outbreak of war, the landed classes and experienced farmers held significant power within the East Riding County Council, a position which was different from many other authorities where such power was in decline. Upon formation the majority of those assigned to the ‘War Ag’ were from this cohort, including its chairman. Crucially their established power base, coupled with their professional credibility, allowed them to commence implementation quickly. Their success was not a given, because at the outbreak of war the morale of the county’s farmers was low, and their relationship with government strained and distrusting. However, they quickly adapted to the nation’s needs, adopting modern practices which resulted in increased efficiencies and profitability, both of which continued into the post war era.

Consumer Perspectives on Improving Hearing Aids: A Qualitative Study.

Hearing aids play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of hearing loss, yet their adoption and consistent usage remains suboptimal. Understanding the hearing aid needs of individuals with hearing loss is important to support uptake, use, and outcomes. The current study describes users' perspectives on how hearing aids can be improved. A cross-sectional, qualitative, content analysis design was used for an open-ended question from an online survey, exploring user perspectives on hearing aid improvements. Participants were adult hearing aid users in the United States, surveyed from the HearingTracker and Lexie Hearing user database. A total of 628 participants (Mage = 66 years) were surveyed. The majority of participants used bilateral, behind-the-ear hearing aids that were obtained either through a hearing health care professional or online. Three domains, highlighting areas for hearing aid improvement, were identified. (a) The hearing aid features domain described user issues surrounding physical appearance and fit, general features, streaming, battery functionality, adjustments, smartphone applications, and hearing aid-related accessories. There was dissatisfaction with aesthetics and functionality, with a notable desire for improvements in physical appearance and fit (n = 161), and features to improve self-efficacy. (b) The sound quality domain described user issues surrounding sound perception and difficult situations. Participants highlighted unmet needs for clarity, especially in noisy environments (n = 143). (c) The service-delivery domain described user issues surrounding audiology services and general satisfaction, with criticisms centered on the high cost of hearing aids (n = 193) and the credibility of hearing health care professionals. Hearing aid users appreciated current technological advances but expressed a need for improvements, to better align devices with their requirements. Key areas included physical aesthetics, user control over device adjustments, sound clarity, cost accessibility, and trust between the user and hearing health care professional. Future designs should focus on features enhancing user autonomy and self-efficacy.

Acceptability of dental students and professionals concerning child behaviour management techniques: Systematic review.

During child dental treatment, different behavior management techniques (BMTs) are applied and it is important to understand the possible discomfort in the operator. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the acceptability of dental students and professionals concerning BMTs applied with paediatric dentistry patients. A systematic search was conducted, following the PEOS strategy: Population (P) - dental students/professionals (S); Exposure (E) - BMTs preconized by the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Outcome (O) - proportion of BMT acceptance; and Study design (S) - observational studies based on data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS (Lilacs/BBO), Cochrane, and Open Grey databases up to September 2021. The eligible studies were submitted to data extraction and to the evaluation of methodological quality, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated by GRADE. The search retrieved 710 articles; a total of 21 fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were used for qualitative analysis. Among the undergraduate students and dentists, the most accepted techniques were tell-show-do and positive reinforcement, while paediatric dentists preferred the tell-show-do technique and dental professionals with graduate degrees preferred sedation using nitrous oxide and positive reinforcement. The least accepted technique was protective stabilization. Seven students presented a low risk for bias, while 14 presented a high risk. The certainty of evidence was classified as very low. Although the basis of available certainty of evidence is scarce and with a considerable risk for bias, it is still possible to conclude that the more accepted techniques were based on communication.