Professional Environment Research Articles

A randomized controlled trial for self-advocacy intervention in college students with disabilities.

People with disabilities often achieve lower educational attainments and face worse employment outcomes compared to the general population, a disparity partially due to the insufficient development of self-advocacy skills in academic and professional environments where targeted interventions are limited. This study designed and evaluated a 6-week self-advocacy program (SAP) enhanced with solution-focused brief therapy techniques for college students with disabilities (SWDs). A program evaluation on process and outcomes was conducted using a pilot randomized controlled trial with college SWD (n = 28). Process evaluations included feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability, whereas the preliminary impact was determined by comparing the outcome assessments of SAP and the control groups. Process findings indicated that the SAP was conducted as planned, with facilitators effectively employing solution-focused techniques. The program gained traction among SWD and proved feasible for implementation in college settings. SWD reported satisfaction with their participation and shared SAP's strengths as well as areas for improvement. Results indicated that SAP significantly increased SWDs' confidence in disclosing their disabilities and requesting accommodations in the workplace compared to their peers in the waitlist control group. However, no group differences were observed in self-advocacy and self-determination. The findings suggest that SAP offers benefits in various aspects of self-advocacy for college SWD, informing future implementations of SAP or similar initiatives targeting this group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Predictors of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among maternity nurses and midwives in a Middle Eastern country.

This study assessed anxiety, depression, and stress levels among midwives and maternity nurses in Oman using the DASS-21 questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey of 200 participants from three public hospitals. Results indicated that 27.0% experienced mild to moderate depression, while 33.5% and 32% reported mild to moderate anxiety and stress, respectively. No severe cases were observed, but the findings highlight significant predictors such as sleep quality, job satisfaction, caseload per shift, age, and working area. These factors were significantly associated with the mental health outcomes measured. The study underscores the importance of addressing the psychological and emotional well-being of midwives and maternity nurses through targeted support and interventions, given the substantial percentage experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. Continuous efforts are essential to mitigate these issues and promote a healthier work environment for these healthcare professionals.

Professional socialization in nursing students: A way to develop professional nursing values

Professional socialization is a critical aspect in the field of nursing, as it encompasses the transformation of novice nurses into competent professionals who exhibit appropriate performance. This process holds immense significance in the growth and development of nursing students, commencing from their enrollment in nursing education programs and extending until their transition into the professional healthcare environment [1]. Nursing students in colleges are instructed on their roles and moral values, which they carry with them throughout their professional careers as a lifelong learning process [2]. Socialization plays a crucial role in equipping nursing students with the essential skills needed to effectively integrate into the nursing profession. It is considered a fundamental learning process that individuals undergo, facilitated by engaging in social interactions and embracing cultural norms within the nursing field [3]. Professional socialization is widely recognized as a key catalyst and significant determinant in the advancement of the nursing field. Enhancing comprehension of socialization processes and the obstacles encountered can facilitate the identification of effective educational approaches and clinical settings conducive to the growth of the nursing profession [4].

Engaging Social Leadership Character on Cadets Training during Onboard Based on Mobile Application Monitoring: A Preliminary Study

This preliminary study delves into the effectiveness of mobile application monitoring in enhancing social leadership character among cadets during onboard training. The research focuses on the social dimension of character development, which encompasses the ability to act with proper decorum in all professional, social, and online environments. The study explores how mobile technology can facilitate experiential learning, teamwork, and leadership skills, improving cadets' social interactions and leadership abilities. The mixed-methods approach employed in this study combines quantitative data from mobile application usage with qualitative insights from cadet feedback and mentorship programs. This comprehensive methodology allows for a deeper understanding of the impact of mobile applications on cadets' social leadership development. The findings indicate that mobile applications can significantly enhance cadets' engagement in social leadership activities, improve their teamwork and problem-solving skills, and provide real-time feedback for character development. Moreover, the study highlights the potential of mobile technology to support comprehensive character development in cadet training programs. By leveraging mobile applications, training programs can create a more immersive and interactive learning environment that fosters the development of essential social leadership skills. The results of this study have significant implications for educational institutions and military academies seeking to enhance their cadet training programs and prepare future leaders with robust social leadership capabilities. Overall, this preliminary study underscores the importance of integrating mobile technology into cadet training to promote social leadership character development, thereby equipping future leaders with the skills to navigate complex social environments effectively.

Modernizing agricultural workflows using artificial intelligence and deep learning: Enhancing plant species identification

Modernizing agricultural processes is imperative due to the labor-intensive nature that impedes crop production. Despite the steps of farm technologies, the manual tasks of identifying plants and weeds remain very time-consuming. The current paper asserts that Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), a type of Artificial Intelligence, can enhance plant species recognition efficiency. The paper focuses explicitly on how CNNs can be leveraged to improve the process of identifying different plant species, thereby promoting efficiency in plant species identification. With a dataset of images of 12 species of plants, we have come up with an entirely accurate CNN model for the classification of plant types. Implementing this AI-powered approach can reduce manual work, enhance decision-making processes, and enrich environmental sustainability in agriculture by rendering the workflow smoother. The present study has broad ramifications for agriculture, technology, and environmental science professionals seeking to embed AI solutions into conventional workflows. The proposed system is meant to show how AI can improve productivity, reduce labor costs, and allow environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Investigation of colonial-era architecture style on modern architecture design style in Aden city

This study investigated the lasting influence of British colonial architecture (129 years) on contemporary building design in Aden, Yemen. The initial focus was on the perception of British Neo-Classical architecture as a symbol of superiority, overshadowing Aden's rich architectural history. This research explored Aden's architectural transformation from pre-colonial to colonial periods, analyzing the impact of colonial-era building facades on modern design practices. Through observation and interviews with built environment professionals, the study examined the broader social, political, and economic effects of British colonialism. The findings reveal a significant influence of British colonial architecture on the design of building facades in Aden. This influence is evident in structures like the repurposed church on Crater Mountain, which now serves as a government building. The influx of British administrators, soldiers, and workers from diverse backgrounds (Indian, Somali, Jewish) during the colonial period contributed to Aden's architectural diversity by constructing churches, temples, and government buildings. Unfortunately, the ongoing war in Yemen has damaged or destroyed many of these structures. This study also found that classical architectural elements from British colonial buildings like the Military Museum in Crater, the Heritage Museum, and the Tax Office continue to influence modern design. These elements and the miniature Big Ben clock in Al-Tawahi stand as prominent symbols of British influence in Aden. However, the Yemeni government's restoration efforts for these colonial-era buildings have been slow and largely ineffective. The research further explored the enduring influence of Neo-classical architectural ideals in Aden. The study highlights the formal guidelines, specific modules, and proportions used in designing arches and columns, particularly in residential buildings. These elements contribute to the aesthetic qualities of these structures. While the British incorporated classical elements during their rule, architectural advancements and new materials have led to the incorporation of novel elements in contemporary design.

Understanding Sustainable Development in Somaliland: a Case Study of Amoud University's Master of Science in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Graduates and Environmental Professionals' Perspectives

Understanding Sustainable Development in Somaliland: a Case Study of Amoud University's Master of Science in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Graduates and Environmental Professionals' Perspectives

Assessing stigma: Health and social worker regard towards working with people using illicit drugs in Athens, Greece

BackgroundAfter the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and resulting economic austerity, the rise in illicit drug use engendered an increased need for people who use drugs (PWUD) to access medical care, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows that perceptions of medical staff towards PWUD facilitate or act as a barrier to accessing health care. This study provides a better understanding of health and social work professionals’ perceptions by assessing stigma levels towards PWUD in Athens, Greece.MethodsThis is a mixed-method study. It calculates the stigma score for professionals (n = 60) and the stigma score associated with specific drugs based on the Medical Condition Regard Scale through a quantitative analysis of responses to a semi-structured online survey about attitudes of health and social work professionals towards PWUD. It draws on the qualitative analysis of 12 semi-structured interviews with 16 service managers, providers, and health services advocates working in the charity sector to determine whether perceptions of PWUD affect writing and implementing policy and protocols for services.ResultsStigma towards PWUD exists amongst health and social work professionals in Athens. Professionals who have worked with PWUD for longer periods of time, professionals who have had specific training on working with PWUD, and professionals who feel that they have the necessary training to work with PWUD all demonstrated a higher stigma score than those reporting the opposite. Cannabis and opioids were associated with lower stigma scores while shisha had the highest level of stigma associated with it. Finally, professional environments are not conducive to alleviating stigma as the lack of training specific to stigma, the lack of professional supervision, and worker burn-out are key barriers faced by professionals in their everyday practice.ConclusionsReducing and eliminating stigma towards PWUD among health and social workers requires immediate action. Measures to be taken include: introducing training programs focused on stigma towards PWUD to healthcare providers, social workers, lawyers, police, the media; increasing professional supervision on field work for health and social workers; introducing low barrier health care and specialist units. Peers and field-focused organisations should meaningfully participate in drug and alcohol policymaking, program development, and implementation.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Teacher’s Turnover Intention

Aim. The purpose of this article is to review past research trends and explore emerging research directions on teachers’ turnover intentions. Methods. The authors used the co-citation method and bibliometric analysis using VOS Viewer software to review 137 publications mentioning teachers’ intention to leave. Results. The results of the co-citation analysis show that there are 4 main topics, while the results of the bibliographic coupling analysis show that there are 6 main topics in the study of teachers’ intention to quit. From there, it shows that future research trends can focus on specific teacher populations more likely to consider quitting and explore how various factors influence their intentions. Improving teachers’ professional environment to reduce professional burnout and increase job satisfaction is also an interesting future research aspect. Conclusions. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of the literature by classifying studies on teachers’ turnover intention and identifying significant patterns through bibliometric method. However, the study’s limitations, as analyses rely solely on citations, potentially introduce biases; the interpretation of researchers in determining topics may lead to exclusions of emerging trends due to insufficiently gathered publications.

A principal component analysis of corporate dispositions for sustainable building construction in South Africa

Corporate dispositions have been associated with implementing sustainable building construction (SBC). Prior studies have underscored the need for institutions to adopt sustainable development concepts as an integral part of their operations. Nonetheless, there remains ambiguity about the characteristics essential for enabling SBC, particularly for construction companies. Consequently, this study explored the corporate dispositions influencing SBC implementation in South Africa. The respondents included built environment professionals in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Descriptive and principal component analyses were used to determine the essential characteristics or features. The study found that top management support, competency, availability of finance for the project operation, good project management culture, stakeholders’ involvement and commitment, and commitment to innovative construction are the most critical corporate disposition features for SBC implementation. These formed a principal cluster called corporate capability and commitment. The insight from the critical corporate dispositions analysis is anticipated to trigger improvement initiatives and mitigate unsustainable practices and the unaffordability of smart houses in the South African construction industry. The findings suggest that mobilising competent human and financial resources for project operation among construction firms will support the adoption of modern building techniques and the erection of smart houses. Similarly, competitive advantage and committed involvement of the relevant stakeholders, including government and community, can lead to subsidy, alignment of local needs and aspirations, and reducing the high price of erecting sustainable/smart buildings and rental costs.

The struggle of dealing with uncertainty: a qualitative, phenomenological study about how Dutch novice physical therapists experience their transition from student to professional

Objective To explain how Dutch novice physical therapists experience their transition from student to physical therapist in private practice. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study was performed in The Netherlands to collect personal experiences from novice physical therapists who graduated <1 year ago. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results The transition experience from student to novice physical therapist is a personal, complex, and context-dependent phenomenon. Sixteen novice physical therapists (of whom 10 were still working in private practice) said their transition was liberating, stressful, insecure, unexpected, chaotic, and challenging. The variety in experiences occurred from the fact that the impact of an experience varies from one individual to the other, depending on their previous (life) experiences, uncertainty tolerance, coping, and personal and professional environment. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) ‘Suddenly, I was on my own’, (2) ‘I was unprepared for the hassle and demands of clinical practice’, (3) ‘I couldn’t make the impact I expected’, and (4) ‘I had to find a new me’. Conclusions A novice physical therapist’s transition is a context-related phenomenon, unique for each individual and determined by individual experiences and coping strategies. Novice physical therapists described a feeling of ‘faking’: they had to pretend to know what they were doing [while treating a patient] while in reality, they felt like they did not. For some novice physical therapists, a primary reason to leave the profession.

Application of Virtual Reality (VR) in Health, Safety and Environment Subject for Fire Exit Training Module

The significance and extraordinary effectiveness of using VR technology into health, safety, and environment (HSE) education are highlighted. It addresses the many benefits that VR has to offer, especially when it comes to fire exit training, by giving students engaging, involving, and profound learning experiences. The research highlights the seamless incorporation of VR into Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) courses, where VR simulations serve as important tools for teaching crucial evacuation tactics and encouraging students' in-depth understanding and preparedness for actual fire emergencies. This study investigates students' responses regarding their understanding in one of the HSE subject following the implementation of VR technology. Valuable student feedback has been gathered through comprehensive surveys, enabling a continuous process of improvement and refinement for the HSE program. Overall, this research stands as a compelling testament to the profound impact of VR in optimizing learning outcomes and fostering a heightened sense of safety awareness in professional environments.

Why are healthcare professionals leaving NHS roles? A secondary analysis of routinely collected data

BackgroundMuch policy attention focuses on increasing the supply of workers in the English NHS but there has been less attention paid to the rise in leavers. This paper seeks to explore how existing data sets can illuminate the decision-making of leavers and inform actions that could mitigate this.MethodSecondary analysis of routinely collected data from 79 workforce projects in the UK (n = 46 339 participants) over a 4-year (2019–2023) period was undertaken. Free text data we extracted and analysed using content analysis, sentiment analysis and text mining. Inclusion criteria were those who stated they had resigned, had confirmed retirement date, and had secured employment elsewhere either within or without the sector but had not yet resigned. Exclusion criteria were those who had not indicated they were leaving or indicated intention to leave. These findings were then compared with themes from Herzberg’s work hygiene theory and Hoffat and Woods’s professional practice environment theory.ResultsMultiple reasons were given for leaving. Findings were congruent with Herzberg’s two factor work hygiene theory and demonstrate that leavers are driven by the inability to meet their intrinsic motivation to practice according to their professional standards as much as by terms and conditions. Leavers describe suboptimal professional practice environments which produce obstacles to achieving their work objectives and leaving their intrinsic motivation frustrated.ConclusionWhilst reasons for leaving differ between people, there is a relationship between intrinsic motivation (why they want to do the job) and the conditions in which they try to do the job. This study suggests that looking beyond the primary reason for leaving given in the national dataset could identify how the practice environment influences the decision.

Chronic Hand Eczema.

Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a complex, challenging, and frequently multifactorial skin disease of the hands. It is very common in the general population, especially in certain professions. When hand eczema (HE) persists for longer than 3 months or has a minimum of two relapses per year after initial manifestation with complete clearance, it is considered chronic. In this case, health-related quality of life and the patient's working life are often impaired. CHE can be considered as an umbrella term because it covers different clinical pictures and etiologies. To date, there is no definite and unique HE classification. Treatment starts with identifying the individual HE etiology paralleled by symptomatic therapy (local and/or systemic and/or ultraviolet phototherapy). Sustainable management of HE requires the identification and avoidance of its triggering factors, from the professional and private environment. This includes ruling out allergic contact dermatitis if any HE persists for more than 3 months despite adequate therapy. Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy in HE are lacking for several treatment modalities. Patient education measures of skin protection and prevention complete the multimodal treatment.

Navigating the Digital Transformation of Education: Insights from Collaborative Learning in an Erasmus+ Project

Collaborative Opportunities for Professional Inquiry Leading to Organisational Transformation (COPILOT) represents an Erasmus+ initiative involving four transnational partners from three EU countries including IES Cristobal de Monroy secondary school [Spain], Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) [Ireland], University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education [Ireland], and Akadimos, a teacher continuing professional development provider [Greece]. The project encompassed three primary objectives, aligned with the Erasmus+ programmes’s emphasis on supporting teachers and school leaders to address digital transformation. These included the following: the identification of participatory approaches and digital methodologies employed by schools to facilitate digital transformation among educators; exploring and establishing dynamic professional environments in schools by identifying synergies with organisations operating in diverse fields or socio-economic contexts and enhancing the capacity and professionalism of partners to engage in EU/international collaboration. To investigate the outcomes of the project objectives, a small-scale qualitative study was conducted, which involved analysing participants’ reports on the project’s collaborative activities. Additionally, a focus group was held at the conclusion of the project to gain insights into the digital readiness, capacity, and resilience of teachers and school leaders within their respective organisations. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the collected data. The findings of the study offer encouraging indications regarding the crucial symbiotic role played by school leaders and “early adopter” teachers in promoting digital transformation. Moreover, participating teachers displayed a general willingness to adapt their teaching methods to incorporate more technology, provided they receive both formal and informal support. Furthermore, there exists a willingness among transnational partners to digitise and share resources both at present and in the future.

Legal education and artificial intelligence: vectors of interaction

Objective: to develop proposals for the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal education. Methods: dialectical methods (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, systematization, comparison, classification, forecasting), statistical, formal-legal and comparative-legal methods. Used in combination, these methods allow comprehensive analysis of the relationship between AI and legal education. Results: the article reveals the main directions to improve legal education in the conditions of AI development: integration of information and communication technologies and training of specialists able to work effectively at the intersection of law and technology. The advantages and disadvantages of using AI in legal education are identified. Ethical aspects of AI application are outlined, as well as the need to manage the development of technologies based on the principles of fairness, transparency and consideration of human interests. The author states the importance of developing not only specialized knowledge, but also universal competencies that will help students to adapt successfully to the dynamically changing conditions of professional activity. Scientific novelty: a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between legal education and AI was carried out, including the identification of specific opportunities for the AI application in legal education, as well as related risks and problems. The author proposes a systematic approach to improving legal education in the context of AI development, focusing on theneed to revise educational programs in legal areas in terms of integrating information and communication technologies; developing universal competencies in students to adapt to a dynamically changing professional environment; introducing mandatory advanced training for judges, legal practitioners to develop skills for using AI systems. Practical significance: the study results can be used to optimize and adapt the educational programs of law schools to the digital era requirements and to develop effective approaches to the AI application in legal practice and education, taking into account ethical aspects and potential risks.

Nationwide Survey - What is important for a sustainable radiology?

Radiology departments with the large diagnostic devices CT and MRI contribute significantly to the overall energy consumption of health facilities. However, there is a lack of systematic knowledge about the opinions of radiological staff on the most relevant aspects of sustainability. For this reason, we conducted a comprehensive survey for radiology employees on sentiment and experiences regarding sustainability in radiology.In collaboration with the Sustainability Network of the German Roentgen Society (DRG), we developed a questionnaire on various dimensions of sustainability in radiology. We conducted a nationwide online survey of radiology employees between July 1st, 2023 and November 30th, 2023. The absolute and percentage distributions were then determined.From 109 participants, mainly doctors (67/109; 62%) from university hospitals (48/109; 44.0%), 81 out of 109 rated sustainability in professional environment (74.3%) as important or very important. However, only 38 out of 109 (38%) of the respondents were able to name specific sustainable procedures in their institute. The most important topics for a sustainable radiology were waste management (26/109, 22.6%), energy reduction (19/109, 16.5%), conscious behaviour (15/109, 13%) and reduction of obsolete examinations (14/109, 12.2%). In addition, a lack of qualifications (16%), finances (21%) and compliance (21%) were named as challenges for the implementation of sustainable actions in radiology. The perceived importance of specific, sustainable measures in radiology is generally higher than the amount of already established actions.Radiology has significant, yet untapped, potential for sustainable optimization. There is a need for qualified and sensitized health care workers in radiology who are committed to sustainability in everyday clinical practice. Among other things, in this study the respondents demand a more critical indication for diagnostic workup, including avoiding redundant examinations, and a technological progress towards energy-efficient devices, which requires a dynamic exchange between radiology, industry and health care facilities. · Of 109 respondents from radiology departments, 74.3% consider sustainability to be important or very important in a professional context.. · Waste management (22.6%), energy reduction (16.5%), conscious behaviour (13%) and reduction of obsolete or redundant examinations (12.2%) are, according to those surveyed, most important for a more sustainable radiology.. · Sustainability initiatives have been institutionally established among 38% of participants. However, key challenges to the implementation of sustainable practices in radiology include insufficient compliance from staff and patients (21%), limited access to funding (21%), and a lack of necessary qualifications (16%).. · The perceived importance of specific measures for sustainability in radiology is generally higher than the previously established measures.. · Technology & energy efficiency (59.6%), energy contracting (46.8%) and waste management (34.9%) are the areas of interest with the highest priority.. · Palm V, Wucherpfennig L, Do TD et al. Nationwide Survey - What is important for a sustainable radiology?. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI 10.1055/a-2378-6366.

Wearable devices and workplace productivity: a bibliometric analysis of their integration into professional environments

This study analyzes workers' perceptions and acceptance of the use of wearable devices in the workplace. A bibliometric review supported by complex network analysis was carried out, through which the driving themes of the area were identified. The results indicate the increase in the use of these technologies and the factors linked to employee acceptance or rejection. Workers' perceptions and the potential benefits of wearable technologies are also discussed. The findings reveal factors influencing technology acceptance and highlight organizational and technological characteristics that facilitate adoption for effective daily use. The study contributes to the literature by evaluating the feasibility and acceptance of wearable technologies within companies. It underscores that the lack of employee involvement in device selection is a significant barrier to adoption.

Collective learning in pre-service teacher education: exploring challenges, negotiations, and co-constructed solutions towards continuing professional learning and development

ABSTRACT Despite extensive research on professional learning and development in education, there is a significant gap in adopting action research methods as a localised approach to explore professional learning, especially in the pre-service domain. This article delves into the process of collective experiences, joint negotiations, co-constructed solutions, and reflective practices among pre-service teachers, cooperating teachers, and the university mentor throughout the five-phase teaching practicum, driven by action research methods. Through first- and second-person inquiries, observations, reflective notes and sharing sessions as research instruments, findings reveal that joint reflective discourse among stakeholders led to a deeper understanding of unvoiced challenges in teaching practicum, including teaching approaches, classroom management, diversity, learner differences, multiple roles, and heavy workloads. Findings explore how interactive processes within and among individuals facilitate ongoing negotiation and the development of shared solutions, fostering a dynamic and transformative professional learning environment for both pre-service teachers and in-service educators. Creating a platform for the recursive sharing of perspectives is crucial for promoting continuous professional learning during a teaching practicum. This entails promoting active dialogues among school placements, universities, and local authorities, facilitating the exchange of critical reflections, and ultimately supporting continuing professional learning and development in education.

The importance of teaching self-control to adolescents in the age of artificial intelligence

The technological society has reconfigured the current environment, generating new needs and changing the motivations of contemporary humans. In this context, self-control is one of the essential abilities that can contribute to an active adaptation, on one hand, and to the development of psychological resilience to the speed at which technological evolution influences life, on the other. Starting from a brief presentation of both the ideological roots of conceptions about the perfect society, as well as the scientific sources of artificial intelligence, the article addresses the theme of education adapted to the new trends of technologizing the personal, professional, and social environment and emphasizes the necessity for the educational environment (family, school, civil society) to synergistically contribute to the optimization of self-control in order to form a younger generation that is self-aware and active in the process of making informed decisions.