Professional Educational Opportunities Research Articles

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

‘Nursing Care Pain Management Program’ for children with cancer: novel views by a qualitative study

Background & objective: Pain management is always a practical challenging issue in pediatric oncology. Nurses should be fortified with essential knowledge, attitude, and skills according to required standard.
 This study aimed to develop a nursing care pain management program in children with cancer.
 Methodology: This qualitative study will be conducted through two phases of interviewing and modified Delphi to develop a pain management nursing care program in children with cancer.
 Results: Three main categories (nursing, pediatrics’ parents, and health care organizations related factors) were achieved in qualitative phase as the base of initial pain management nursing care needs and Delphi technique revealed the contents in 13 pain management items.
 Conclusion: The development of a pain management nursing care program provides professional educational opportunities for optimal pain management in children with cancer.
 Key words: Children; Cancer; Nursing Care; Pain; Pain Management Program; Qualitative Study
 Citation: Naseri N, Irajpour A, Shamsi A. ‘Nursing Care Pain Management Program’ for children with cancer: novel views by a qualitative study. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(1):10−19; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i1.2375
 Received: July 03, 2022; Reviewed: February 10, 2023; Accepted: April 04, 2023

An exploratory mixed-methods evaluation of continuing education opportunities related to the care of sexual and gender minority patients from ACPE-accredited providers.

The objective of this analysis was to describe trends in continuing education opportunities for pharmacy professionals across the US related to the care of sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients. Continuing education programs offered by Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited providers from 2012 through 2022 were identified by searching the ACPE database for titles containing SGM terminology. Data including ACPE provider classification, activity type, format, audience, ACPE topic designator, interprofessional accreditation, contact hours, and learning objectives were collected. Content analysis was used to categorize activities. Following removal of duplicates and non-SGM-focused programming, 726 programs were identified. The most commonly observed program characteristics included a live format (67.6%, n = 491), a pharmacist audience (77.1%, n = 560), knowledge-based activities (90.8%, n = 656), a college or school of pharmacy provider (21.6%, n = 157), an ACPE topic of pharmacy administration (50.6%, n = 367), and a focus on pharmacy rather than interprofessional audiences (87.1%, n = 632). The median program length was 1 hour (interquartile range, 1-1.25 hours). The qualitative analysis identified programs focused on topics of gender-affirming care (pharmacotherapy) (32.1%, n = 233), general SGM (26.7%, n = 194), gender-affirming care (nonpharmacotherapy), sexually transmitted infections (7.2%, n = 52), and health disparities (3.9%, n = 28). Advancement has occurred in the number of available continuing pharmacy education programs focused on the care of SGM patients. Further information regarding specific content and effectiveness of continuing education is necessary to determine strategies to better prepare pharmacy professionals to care for this growing patient population.

Career decisions and aspirations of early-career nurses: Insights from a qualitative interpretative description study.

To explore the career decisions and aspirations of early-career registered nurses in New Brunswick, Canada. A qualitative study using an interpretive description approach was conducted. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of nurses (n = 22) currently working in New Brunswick, Canada, with up to 5 years of experience from February to April 2022. Participants described diverse career paths and aspirations. Personal factors affecting these included the desire for meaningful work, career satisfaction, work-life balance, spending time with family, working in a preferred location, and finances. Professionally, working conditions were the dominant factor influencing early-career nurses' career decisions and aspirations. Participants described how short staffing, safety, support, and scheduling influenced their day-to-day work, mental and physical health, job and career satisfaction, and intent to leave. The findings highlighted the abundant and diverse career opportunities available to nurses early in their careers. Early-career nurses are interested in finding nursing positions with a high degree of person-job fit and value opportunities for ongoing professional education and growth. This study in New Brunswick, Canada, explores early-career nurses' career decisions and aspirations during nursing shortages and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of person-job fit. Recommendations include improving working conditions and career pathways to enhance the sustainability of the nursing profession. Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). No patient or public contribution.

Cannabis vaporisation: Understanding products, devices and risks.

Vaporisation is a common method of cannabis administration. Inconsistent terminology and jargon regarding vaporisation has led to confusion. The increasing public interest and access to cannabis, combined with possible safety concerns associated with certain cannabis vaping products, warrants improved consumer and public and health care professional knowledge. To improve this knowledge, we conducted a review of the common terminology, regulatory status, products and device types related to cannabis vaporisation. Cannabis vaporisation devices can be separated into nine types. While vaporisation reduces respiratory risks associated with cannabis combustion, not all vaping products and device types carry the same level of safety. Metered dose inhalers and dried product vaporisers present the lowest safety risk due to a lower risk of toxin exposure and the use of lowertetrahydrocannabinol potency products. As both vaping and cannabis use increase in popularity, focusing on accurate health education will help facilitate health promotion to encourage lower risk use. The current lack of understanding on risk differences between types of cannabis vaporisation is a missed opportunity for harm reduction. Increased opportunities for public health and health care professional education on different cannabis vaporisation devices and associated risks are warranted. Improvements to health warning labelling may also be beneficial. Not all cannabis vaporisation devices and products carry the same level of risk. A better understanding of risk differentiation is needed among consumers and health professionals. Continued research, policy development and health education can lead to safer cannabis vaporisation.

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Health Consequences of Climate Change: Continuing Education Opportunities for Health Professionals in the United States.

Climate change is a looming public health challenge. The health consequences of climate change are increasingly recognized as contributing to negative health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The education of health professionals in academic programs and continuing education in clinical practice settings is critical in today's world. The Association of American Medical Colleges and the National League for Nursing, among other organizations, have urged academic programs to include the impact of climate change on health in health professions education and have started to integrate it into curricula. However, health professionals educated over the past several decades have received little content related to the deleterious impact of climate change on health. Therefore, continuing education programs addressing the health consequences of climate change are being developed to fill the gap in health professions education globally. This review study explicated the available continuing education opportunities for public health professionals and health care providers related to the health consequences of climate change. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(12):561-566.].

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Challenges and Opportunities for Physical Therapist Education Research: Results From an American Council of Academic Physical Therapy Needs Assessment Survey

Introduction. The physical therapy (PT) profession has cited a need for education research, yet the needs of researchers are not fully understood. Furthermore, there continues to be a limited understanding of where resources are most needed to support and advance education research. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and opportunities for education research to support PT faculty. Review of Literature. Scholarly productivity may be related to the attainment of an academic doctoral degree, research culture within an institution, and faculty time devoted to research. There is a lack of knowledge about what factors relate to the production of education research and the types of support needed for education researchers. Subjects. Two hundred sixteen PT education researchers. Methods. An open survey invitation was sent through email through the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy newsletter. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors that were associated with scholarly productivity of education researchers in PT. Open responses to a question regarding needed resources for engagement in education research were qualitatively analyzed. Results. The multiple regression analysis yielded a large effect (R2 = 0.31), demonstrating that faculty years of experience, faculty rank, and having an academic doctoral degree were correlated with scholarly productivity. “Faculty time/workload” was considered “very important” or higher to the production of education research by 87% of respondents. This item was rated of highest importance on the survey. Mentorship was considered the most important external resource, with 69% of respondents rating it as “very important” or higher, whereas “other personal commitments (ie, family care, household management, other community-related volunteer commitments)” was the most important personal factor (rated by 70% of the respondents as “very important” or higher). Open-ended responses further suggest that institution logistics, appropriate dissemination venues, and funding are areas of need to foster success in engaging in education research. Discussion and Conclusion. Results highlight challenges and opportunities for resource investment in education research. Among these are time and funding. Existing professional networking and educational opportunities need to be continually evaluated for their effectiveness. Further development should focus on mitigating these barriers while considering the logistics of the researcher's institution.

Ecosystem services in postsecondary and professional education: an overview of programs and courses

ABSTRACT Postsecondary and informal professional educational opportunities have increasingly become an important mode of supporting the understanding, dissemination, and application of ecosystem services (ES). The development of professional activities and group characteristics (e.g. a shared vocabulary, common objectives, dedication of time) together with teaching and education are instrumental for the institutionalization of new ideas, concepts, and disciplines in society. Integrating ES into postsecondary and professional education can help us to understand complex human-environment interactions and shape policy towards greater socio-ecological sustainability. This study analyzes the current status of ES-related programs and courses offered at the postsecondary and professional levels around the world. We collected data in English on these opportunities in mid-2020 using Internet searches, crowdsourcing techniques, and personal knowledge and discovered 20 degree-granting programs and 112 courses focused on or related to ES. Our analyses suggest that most ES education is uncoordinated and aimed at graduate students (master’s or doctorate level), but is also interdisciplinary with an emphasis on ES as a plural concept. We argue that the continued evolution and application of ES depends on the concept’s integration into postsecondary and professional education and that more attention should be paid to these modes of knowledge sharing and building. Our analysis adds to the current understanding of the available formal and informal opportunities for learning about ES and provides a lens by which we can envision new pathways for increasing the reach and effectiveness of ES education and training.

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Perceived Determinants of Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures among Laboratory Personnel as per the Staff in Bomet County, Kenya

Laboratory errors are a major burden in health care systems. To reduce laboratory errors and increase laboratory quality, international health organizations such as the World Health Organization developed laboratory quality management systems (QMS). One of the QMS essentials (Documents and Records) contains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs are step-by-step instructions that laboratory personnel use as a guide in performing laboratory procedures. Thus, adhering to SOPs ensures consistency, accuracy, and quality of laboratory procedures, thereby increasing laboratory data quality and reducing errors. However, studies in Kenya have shown low percentage results in evaluating documents and records, which means low adherence to SOPs. This study aimed to identify the determinants of adherence to SOPs. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in two conveniently selected hospitals (Tenwek Mission Hospital and Longisa County Referral Hospital) in Bomet County, Kenya. Four focused group discussions and eight key informant interviews were done. Based on the objectives, collected data were analyzed using manual coding and thematic analysis. The study identified themes that determine adherence to SOPs which mainly are the working environment, and factors that promote adherence to SOPs are professional education, leadership factors, and work environment. Key areas that needed intervention on SOPs adherence are personal reasons, professional education, and quality equipment. Professional education and leadership have been suggested for the sustenance of intervention. Recommendations to hospitals to increase opportunities for professional education and to increase the number of staff to help lower workload are made.

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Barriers and Strategies for Successful Implementation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: A Scoping Review

IntroductionImplementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) with maternal and/or neonatal services in all health care facilities is valuable to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and the well-being of young children. It is essential to identify challenges that hinder the successful implementation of BFHI and explore strategies to overcome those barriers to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices of mothers all over the world.MethodsA scoping review of evidence-based literature was undertaken. A total of 44 articles on BFHI published globally between the years 2000 and 2021 were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe barriers to the successful implementation of the BFHI include the absence of clearly stated policies on breastfeeding, lack of uniform understanding of BFHI, insufficient support and resources, disagreements/lack of collaboration among health care professionals, maternal circumstances, and hospital routines and practices. The strategies for successful implementation of BFHI include health care providers’ leadership, teamwork/collaboration, adequate staffing and financial resources, education, mentoring and skills training opportunities for healthcare professionals, continuous monitoring of the BFHI steps, compliance with every step of BFHI, mother-centred approach, and regulation on marketing and sale of breastmilk.ConclusionsGThe role of multi-layered interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership-based approach is critical in minimizing barriers and promoting the successful implementation of BFHI in all healthcare settings.

Tobacco Use Among Dental Students in Morocco: Opportunities for Professional Cancer Education.

The study aimed to evaluate tobacco use, attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions about tobacco control policies and smoking cessation counseling among dental students in Morocco. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dentistry Faculty of the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences of Casablanca, using the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) tool. Participants completed a self-administered survey questionnaire, including information on socio-demographic characteristics, tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, attitudes, behavior and cessation, curriculum, and training. A total of 426 dental students were included in the study. Over 15% of the participants were current smokers, and 31.2% had tried smoking at least once. About 29.3% reported having been exposed to secondhand smoke in family settings and 49.5% in other environments. The majority of the students had felt that health professionals were role models for their patients. However, only 20% had felt they had received formal training in smoking cessation approaches. More than 70% of smokers had tried to quit smoking in the past year; however, only 41.7% reported having received help or advice. It is crucial that education and public health officials join efforts to plan and carry out programs aimed at training dental students in evidence-based cessation counseling methods, in order to change their own smoking behavior and assist their future patients. Improving dental school curriculums with regard to tobacco use prevention and cessation is also a powerful means of alleviating the national burden of cancer.

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Professional Educational Opportunities

Assessment of Digital Technology Adoption and Access Barriers Among Agricultural Service Providers and Agricultural Extension Professionals

HighlightsAgricultural service providers and Extension professionals were surveyed on technology use and barriers.Data privacy and security and hiring qualified IT staff are barriers in the industry.Surveys point to major opportunities for digital agriculture professional development and education. Abstract. As agriculture becomes an increasingly data-driven sector, it is important to understand the technology use and barriers by the service providers who work closely with producers. This is especially important as these individuals can serve as drivers for technology adoption by farmers and ranchers. Although many surveys have looked at technology adoption by producers, little data on agricultural industry service providers exists. Surveys of Extension Professionals (EP) in Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and several categories of Agricultural Service Providers (ASP) in Wisconsin were administered in 2018 to determine satisfaction with internet service and to learn more about information and technology usage and potential barriers to its adoption within the industry. In addition, follow-up informational telephone interviews were conducted with 13 Wisconsin EP. A paper survey was administered to ASP, which had a response rate of 35% (N=462). A similar online survey was administered to EP having an estimated 23% response rate (N=223). The frequency of transmission of data, information, and recommendations was high but specialized for both groups with more frequent use in crop production versus livestock (including dairy). The most commonly-cited barriers associated with the adoption of digital technologies by ASP were related to attracting and hiring well-qualified IT employees, training for both employees and clients, and data security. While data security was a commonly cited barrier, 16% of ASP worked for companies that did not have written policies on data privacy. ASP and EP consider their clients to be adept at using text messages, images, maps, and smartphones. They do not consider their clients to be skilled in their use of digitally accessed and used financial statements, spreadsheets, or laboratory analysis reports. Additional training should be better focused on these areas for ASP and EP which would allow them to be more effective in educating producers and to better realize the value associated with more thoughtful and widespread digital technology adoption. Keywords: Agricultural data, Agricultural service provider, Extension professional, Internet access, Technology adoption, Technology barriers.