Professional Practice Research Articles

Student Stress, Coping, and APPE Readiness at Two Public Institutions before and during the Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted pharmacy students' education and well-being. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on students' perceived stress by comparing third- and fourth-year students from the pre-pandemic Class of 2019 with mid-pandemic Class of 2021 at two public institutions. Secondary aims were to evaluate the pandemic effects on students' academic and professional development skills and practice readiness. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale were used to measure student well-being. Students' self-rated problem-solving, time management, and study skills were used to measure their academic and professional development; practice readiness was measured using students' self-rated confidence levels. PSS scores were significantly higher in mid-pandemic than pre-pandemic students, and the Brief COPE avoidant coping subscale differed between pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic students. No differences were found in any academic and professional development skills between the pre- and mid-pandemic students, and there were significant improvements in student confidence levels for practice readiness among the mid-pandemic students. In conclusion, the pandemic appeared to affect students' stress and avoidant coping mechanism but had variable effects on academic and professional development and practice readiness.

Tourist, Digital and Interactive Brochure for the Dissemination of the Jama-Coaque Culture

Purpose: The aim of this work is to create a digital and interactive touristic-educational brochure as a resource for disseminating information about Jama-Coaque culture. The brochure will serve as a tool to highlight the tourist attractions, services, and products offered in the region, as well as to promote the culture and traditions of the area. Method: The methodology used was quantitative, based on a survey conducted through Google Forms with 375 observations within the population of Jama. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that the population is open to the implementation and use of new technological tools to access information, especially among the younger population, and that there is a strong identification with cultural values and the importance of tourism for the social and economic development of the locality. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing information on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of Jama-Coaque culture. These implications could encompass the Pedernales Canton. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on the development of community-based and sustainable tourism of Jama-Coaque culture. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced in explaining how the results can impact the area of study or professional practice.

Implications of the stigma of mental illness for professional knowledge development and practice: An Interprofessional Health Education framework from structural violence perspectives

AbstractPersons with mental illness (PWMI) continue to encounter stigma from the public with negative outcomes. Recent stigma discourse points to power differentials as key in shaping stigma related to mental illness within social settings. The perceived social injustice towards PWMI is known to exist both anecdotally and in documented discourses. Stigma constitutes the product of public attitudes and behaviors that characterize labeling, stereotyping, prejudice, cognitive separation, status loss, and discrimination that lead to responses that may include stress and esteem‐related appraisal of experienced, anticipated, perceived, or personal endorsement of societal actions that are anchored by existing power relational differentials. The potential consequence of such societal injustices (unfair treatments) towards PWMI may result in stigma and its sequels, including low socioeconomic status, stress, low self‐esteem, unemployment, homelessness, exclusion, and human rights abuse. This paper proposes an Interprofessional Health Education framework and discusses the implications of such unfair social treatments for Professional knowledge development and practice among healthcare professionals, with the view to improving collaboration and patient care outcomes. A more collaborative model of care, where service users and clinicians regard each other as knowledgeable with shared power to achieve healthy outcomes, empowers patients even more in areas where they fall short.

Reasons for High Emergency Department Use Among Patients With Common Mental Disorders or Substance-Related Disorders.

This study examined the reasons for high emergency department (ED) use among patients with common mental disorders (MDs), substance-related disorders (SRDs) or co-occurring MDs-SRDs. Following content analysis, 42 high ED users (three-plus visits/year) recruited in two Quebec EDs were interviewed. The reasons included barriers to outpatient care, patient disabilities and professional practices. Patients with SRDs trust outpatient services less, those with MDs had important unmet needs and those with MDs-SRDs faced care coordination issues. Improvements such as ED use monitoring, consolidating MD-SRD practices and continuous training are needed in EDs and outpatient services to enhance access and continuity of care.

Assessing the English Language Needs of Nursing Students: A Systematic Review

Previous studies that conducted needs analyses on English for nursing students only concentrated on the target needs at a particular university. This study investigated nursing students' English language needs through a systematic review in order to improve methods of teaching and curriculum development. 14 studies published between 2015 and 2024 were reviewed to highlight the critical role of English proficiency in nursing education and professional practice. This review identified some themes, such as the importance of English for academic and career purposes, the need for developing core language skills, a preference for interactive and practical learning methods, and the requirement for support in online learning environments. The findings suggest the necessity of designing English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Nursing Purposes (ENP) courses tailored to the needs of nursing students. To increase professional and healthcare quality, evidence-based recommendations for curriculum developers, educators, and policymakers are nedded to improve the English language training of nursing students.

Identity positioning of experienced school principals when facing critical incidents

The study focused on experienced school principals' identity positions when facing critical incidents that arise over the course of a school year with the aim of better understanding their identity positioning. Ultimately, we intended results to inform on training proposals and school principals’ professional identity development. We used a dialogic framework and a longitudinal design to analyze the positioning processes that allowed four experienced school principals to solve the incidents they faced during their regular activity. Results confirm the dynamic nature of identity and suggest that the positive resolution of critical incidents involved interventions from main positions (core positions, promotor positions, and meta-positions) coalitions with prominent secondary positions, and creation of new positions. Such results indicate to what extent dialogue helped principals deal consciously and strategically with the incidents that configure their professional practice and ultimately contribute to the construction of their identities.

Clinicians’ Perceptions of Using Coaching in Their OT Practice

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 Coaching is an evidence-based approach rarely taught in entry-level (EL) OT education. This study explored the value of coaching training during EL OT education and its impact on later professional practice. Primary Author and Speaker: Catherine Robinson Additional Authors and Speakers: Daniel Toland Contributing Authors: Marie-Christine Elaine Potvin, Greta Gray, Marissa Elaine LaSalle, Vikita Patel

Quality of reporting health behaviors for multiple sclerosis (QuoRH-MS): A scoping review to inform intervention planning and improve consistency of reporting.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to aid those living with MS in managing their disease. Health behavior, or lifestyle modification, is an emerging approach to MS self-management. MS researchers utilize measurement tools to ensure that interventions are best suited to the outcomes, thereby potentially influencing practice. The aim of this study was to investigate which tools are being used for health behavior management studies in people living with MS and develop an aid for tool selection. A scoping review guided by the PRISMA-Sc checklist and the JBI manual for evidence synthesis was employed with a systematic search strategy executed across four scientific databases: Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Libraries. The types of assessment tools used were extracted from the included studies. Each tool was categorized into the health behavior intervention discipline (nutrition, exercise, and psychology) and then subcategorized by the tool's purpose. The frequency of use was determined for each tool. Reporting of validation of the assessment tools were collated to inform a tool selection checklist. The review identified a total of 248 tools (12 nutrition, 55 exercise, and 119 psychology unique reports) from 166 studies. Seventy-seven multidimensional tools were identified including measures of quality of life, fatigue, and functional scales. Only 88 studies (53%) referred to the validity of the tools. The most commonly reported tools were the dietary habits questionnaire (n=4, nutrition), 6-minute walk test (n=17, exercise), Symbol Digits and Modalities Test, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (n=15 each, psychology) with the Expanded Disability Status Scale reported 43 times. Evidence from interventions may inform practice for health professionals. This review provides insights into the range of tools reported across health behavior intervention studies for MS and offers a guide toward more consistent reporting of study methods.

Evaluation Resources for Asthma Programs and Beyond.

Evaluation can ensure the quality of public health programs. Systematic efforts to identify and fully engage everyone involved with or affected by a program can provide critical information about asthma programs and the broader environment in which they operate. To assist evaluators working at programs funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's) National Asthma Control Program (NACP), we developed a package of tools that build on the CDC's 1999 Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health. The resulting suite of evaluation tools guides evaluators through a structured but flexible process, engaging a diverse array of interest holders and actively involving them in evaluation planning and implementation, all while strengthening their capacity to meaningfully contribute to the evaluation process. For our newest tool, our team reviewed the recent evaluation literature to create an enhanced version of the 1999 framework that describes important elements of professional evaluation practice. Although the original framework describes the steps to take in conducting an evaluation and the standards for a high-quality evaluation, our enhanced framework includes an explanation of how evaluators should approach their work: by incorporating critical reflection, interpersonal competence, situational awareness, and cultural responsiveness. In this article, we highlight many of the evaluation resources our team has created since the NACP's inception, culminating in a free e-text called Planting the Seeds of High-Quality Program Evaluation in Public Health. Public health professionals working in many types of programs - not just asthma - may find these resources useful.

From “minimalists” to “professional all-rounders”: Typologizing Swiss universities’ communication practices and structures

Abstract In the past two decades, the public communication of universities has become more important and received increased scholarly attention. While many studies have focused on individual university communicators (micro level) or all such practitioners in one country (macro level), our study analyzes organizational differences. It is the first-ever study to typologize universities’ communication practices and structures at the organizational level across an entire country. Based on a survey of communication practitioners in the central communication offices at all universities in Switzerland and using hierarchical cluster analysis, we classify 37 universities into four types of communicating universities: minimalists, well-resourced competitors, specialized strategists, and professional all-rounders. Those types are further characterized on the basis of official statistics. The analysis shows that the four types of universities differ considerably in their communication patterns and organizational characteristics and that the amount of resources available for communication is only loosely coupled with professional and strategic communication practices.

Nursing Recommendations for Symptom-Specific Self-care of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: A Systematic, Scoping Review of the Literature.

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a result of removing part or most of the rectum as a treatment for rectal cancer that negatively impacts quality of life. There is a lack of standardized nursing symptom-specific self-care recommendations for patients suffering from LARS. The aim of this study was to map the existing research regarding nursing guidelines and symptom-specific recommendations for LARS self-care. A systematic scoping review using 4 comprehensive databases (ProQuest, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science) was completed using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Applying specified search terms, relevant articles were extracted using criteria and entered into an Excel database. Three publications met the study inclusion criteria: 1 randomized controlled pilot study; 1 nonrandomized, retrospective pilot study; and 1 retrospective, comparative, cross-sectional study. No professional nursing guidelines were found, but 3 nurse-led management programs were reviewed. Publications provided self-care nursing recommendations for all LARS symptoms except for repeated painful stools/tenesmus, soiling, or discrimination disorders/flatulence. Combination of nursing self-care recommendations included dietary/lifestyle modifications, fiber supplements/bulking agents, antidiarrheal and laxative over-the-counter medications, and pelvic floor muscle exercises. When mapping the literature, there appears to be nurse-led management programs and recommendations for self-care for patients with LARS for almost all symptoms. Yet, there are no standardized recommendations. Professional nursing practice guidelines for all symptoms are lacking. Nursing recommendations for self-care of LARS exist and need to be expanded and standardized to include all symptoms. Further research regarding comprehensive nursing self-care recommendations and management is warranted.

Developing a Consensus Statement to Target Oral Health Inequalities in People With Severe Mental Illness.

Oral diseases are more prevalent in people with severe mental illness (SMI) compared to those without mental illnees. A greater focus on oral health is needed to reverse unacceptable but often neglected oral health inequality in people with SMI. This provided the impetus for developing 'The Right to Smile' consensus statement. We aimed to develop and disseminate a consensus statement to address oral health inequality, highlighting the main areas for concern and recommending an evidence-based 5-year action plan to improve oral health in people with SMI. The Right to Smile consensus statement was developed by experts from several professional disciplines and practice settings (mental, dentaland public health) and people with lived experience, including carers. Stakeholders participated in a series of online workshops to develop a rights-based consensus statement. Subsequent dissemination activities were conducted to maximise its reach and impact. The consensus statement was developed to focus on how oral health inequalities could be addressed through a set of 5-year improvement targets for practice, policyand training. The consensus was reached on three 5-year action plans: 'Any assessment of physical health in people experiencing SMI must include consideration of oral health', 'Access to dental services for people with SMI needs to improve' and 'The importance of oral health for people experiencing SMI should be recognised in healthcare training, systems, and structures'. This consensus statement urges researchers, servicesand policymakers to embrace a 5-year action plan to improve oral health for people with SMI. The team included people with lived experience of SMI, their carers/family membersand mental and dental health service providers. They were involved in every stage of developing the consensus statement, from conception to development and dissemination.

Hospital nurse managers' perspectives of the Magnet Recognition Program using an importance-performance analysis: A quantitative cross-sectional study.

To explore the perspectives of nursing managers in Korean hospitals on the Magnet Recognition Program using importance-performance analysis. A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional design with a survey methodology was used to evaluate nursing managers' perceptions of the Magnet Recognition Program criteria. After the Magnet Recognition Program's content validity was confirmed, an online survey was administered to 150 nursing managers from 10 hospitals. The results were analysed using importance-performance analysis. The average importance of the questionnaire for the developed Magnet Recognition Program criteria was 3.19 ± 135 and the performance was 2.90 ± 222. Items corresponding to the areas 'Concentrate here', 'Keep up the good work', 'Possible overkill' and 'Low priority' were identified using two importance-performance analysis frames. The items corresponding to 'Concentrate here' included evidence-based nursing practice, the nursing professional practice model, nurses' participation in improving turnover rate and cases of innovation in nursing. This study highlights areas for improvement within the Magnet Recognition Program as perceived by Korean nursing managers, emphasizing evidence-based practice, professional models and nurses' involvement in turnover reduction and fostering innovation. To achieve Magnet recognition, hospitals must understand nursing managers' perspectives on the Magnet Recognition Program criteria. This study provides insights into enhancing the work environment for nurses in South Korean hospitals and lays the groundwork for developing effective Magnet certification programs. Introducing the Magnet program into South Korean hospitals may improve the overall nursing work environment and mitigate the serious problem of nursing staff turnover. The findings were reported using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.

Preparing for the Transition to Academic Practice: A Graduate Medical Education Elective.

Background Residents and fellows as educators (RFAE) programs typically focus on clinical teaching skills in single departments, which may not be sustainable for those with limited trainees or faculty. Objective To determine the feasibility and value of a 2-week interdepartmental RFAE elective for advanced teaching skill development and transition to practice as clinician educators. Methods Facilitated discussion, simulation, and critiqued peer presentations developed participants' skills in teaching, curriculum design, professional development, and scholarship. Assessments in this prospective intervention included 2 self-reported surveys addressing: (1) teaching process and motivation (Conceptions of Learning and Teaching [COLT]), and (2) skills and attitudes. We administered both surveys at baseline, immediate-post, and 3-month-post elective with data compared across time points using Kruskal-Wallis tests. Program evaluation comprised daily open-ended surveys on engagement and an end-of-course feedback survey. Results There were 79 participants from 2019 to 2023. Survey response rates were 84.8% (67 of 79) at baseline, 58.2% (46 of 79) immediate-post, and 51.9% (41 of 79) 3-month-post. Most participants were residents (89.9%, 71 of 79), female (60.8%, 48 of 79), from pediatrics and/or medicine departments (77.2%, 61 of 79), and in their final year of training (77.2%, 61 of 79). COLT factor orientation to professional practice scores increased in the immediate-post (3.3) compared to baseline (2.5) surveys (P=.008). Teaching skills attitudes scores increased for all questions in 3-month-post compared to baseline surveys. In open-ended questions, participants emphasized the importance of professional development sessions in guiding their careers toward medical education. Conclusions This interdepartmental elective was feasible, favorably received, and sustained over time, with observed changes in participants' teaching skills attitudes.

Perceived Impact of Short-Term International Experiences on Personal & Professional Beliefs of Health Care Practitioners: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Date Presented 03/23/24 This phenomenological study used semistructured interviews to understand the perceived long-term impact of short-term international travel as graduate students on current professional practices. Results support use of community-based global learning (CBGL) as an ethical framework. Primary Author and Speaker: Valerie Strange Additional Authors and Speakers: Brittany Balch, Marynell Disman, Bobbi Dynice, Cecil Huang

Skills Development in Hydrologic Sciences for Cohorts of Graduate Students from Morocco, Egypt, Türkiye, and Indonesia

AbstractIn developing countries in Africa and Asia, meeting challenges of water scarcity and pollution has often been hampered by shortcomings in higher education, including insufficient research productivity and funding, lack of opportunity for university graduates, and a mismatch between university activities and societal needs. To address these issues, we developed novel programs integrating technical instruction and preparation for professional practice in hydrology for cohorts of graduate students from Morocco and Egypt (2012–2013) and from Türkiye and Indonesia (2013–2014). Students participated in an initial online course and a follow‐up workshop featuring geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and hydrologic modeling with internet‐based data sets. Field activities in the USA (first cohort) and in the students’ home countries (second cohort) included stream gauging, measurement of water levels in wells, water sampling, and measurement of hydrochemical parameters. A subsequent online course focused on research ethics, preparing proposals and publications, and presenting findings to technical audiences and the public, culminating in presentations at conferences in the USA. Participants mentored other students at their home institutions and at K‐12 schools in Türkiye and Indonesia. Participant feedback during and after the programs tended to be strongly positive, and participants have continued to engage with project leaders and mentor students in their home countries and the USA. Our modular, hybrid approach offers a template for students in hydrology and related fields to develop relevant skills and engage internationally.

Information problem solving during a digital authentic task: A thematic analysis of students’ strategies

In the digital age, information problem solving (IPS) competence is essential for professionals to use online information effectively. Despite its importance, starting professionals often struggle with processing and presenting information, which are critical phases during authentic IPS tasks. Therefore, higher education institutions are tasked with preparing students to navigate these complex phases of IPS after graduation. However, most previous studies have focused on the “search” and “select” phases of simple, short-duration IPS tasks, which do not reflect the complex information challenges faced in professional settings. To address this gap, this study aimed to identify and categorize the strategies higher education students currently use to process and present information for a semester-long authentic professional task. A thematic analysis of cued retrospective reporting sessions was conducted with 24 senior students while they created a website for professional practice. Students demonstrated 49 IPS strategies, which were categorized into twelve IPS activities across three generic activity phases: “process,” “synthesize,” and “create.” Within these phases, three patterns of co-occurring strategies were observed: reproductive, arranging, and elaborative. Based on these findings, existing IPS process models were empirically refined. The observed variation in strategies highlights the importance of building on students' strengths when teaching IPS. Teaching them to adapt the strategies to various authentic task contexts could help enhance students’ IPS competence and strategic flexibility in real-world settings. Future research should explore the applicability of the updated IPS model across different authentic task contexts to refine instructional approaches further.

Dental care for patients with down syndrome: A survey for dentists of the college of the balearic islands.

Down Syndrome (DS) presents with systemic, craniofacial and oral alterations accompanied by different levels of intellectual disability and because of this, they frequently require professional dental care. Objective: This work aims to know the dental care patients with DS receive from dentists in the Balearic Islands. An 11-question survey was carried out via email from the College of Dentists of the Balearic Islands. The researchers conducted the survey based on previous researchs. The first three questions refered the professional´s profile (age, sex and years since graduation) and the restant 8 were focused on the academic training and dental care provided to patients with DS. 129 surveys were collected. 40.45% were between 34-43 years old, 67.84% were women, and 32.16% were men. 33.30% had been in professional practice for between 15-24 years, followed by those with 4-14 years with 27.33% and those with 25-34 years with 24.04%. 81.64% received undergraduate academic training, and 60.72% completed training after graduating. 57.17% believe that patients with DS should be treated by a dentist specialised in special patients, 20.67% by a pediatric dentist, and 18.87% by a general dentist. 63.40% perform sealing, fillings or dental extractions, 60.6% perform oral examination, oral cleaning and give prophylaxis instructions, and 26.72% state that they perform endodontic treatments. Significant differences were found between some of the variables analysed and the age, sex, academic training or professional scenario of the professionals. Post-graduate training increases the likelihood that dentists will feel comfortable with sealing-filling-extraction treatments by 7.48 times and endodontic treatments by 3.26 times. Key words:Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, Surveys and Questionnaires, Dental Care for Children, Oral Health.

Development of pedagogical skills of students of technology and pedagogical specialties using STEM technologies

The purpose of the research is to theoretically substantiate the issue of incorporating STEM technologies in the educational process of higher education as a means of developing pedagogical skills of students of technology and pedagogical specialities. Additionally, the study aims and to assess the extent of knowledge regarding STEM education among future teachers and their preparedness to effectively integrate STEM projects into their professional practice. We used various methods, including analyzing the existing theoretical works of Ukrainian and foreign authors related to our research topic. We also utilized techniques such as generalization, systematization, and questionnaires. During the experimental research, we focused on determining the levels of awareness regarding STEM education and the preparedness of students of technology and pedagogical specialities to implement STEM projects in their professional roles. Based on the survey results, it was discovered that the majority of future specialists a positive view of utilizing STEM projects as a means to enhance their pedagogical skills.

Exploring the Lighthouse of El Morro in San Felipe: Professional Practice and Academic Collaboration for the Conservation of Immovable Cultural Heritage in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Este trabajo describe la práctica de conservación realizada en el Faro del Castillo de El Morro de San Felipe en Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico; situado en una fortificación del siglo XVI que atestigua dos etapas constructivas y en las que sus diferentes materiales presentan deterioros propios de entornos costeros: humedad, salinidad y erosión por el viento. La coordinación entre las autoridades locales y el National Park Service (NPS, Estados Unidos) para la gestión del Faro en el Castillo de San Felipe El Morro es crucial para su conservación como inmueble de la Lista de Patrimonio Mundial (LPM, UNESCO). Además, las prácticas profesionales entre instituciones académicas en Latinoamérica y el Caribe en el campo de la Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales inmuebles, es esencial para enriquecer el conocimiento y las habilidades de los profesionales; aunque se requieren mejoras en la disponibilidad de recursos y tiempo para maximizar su efectividad. __________ This work describes the conservation practice carried out in the Lighthouse in the El Morro Castle in San Felipe, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico; located in a 16th century fortification that went through two phases of construction, whose different materials now present deterioration specific to coastal environments: humidity, salinity, and wind erosion. As a building listed in the World Heritage Sites (WHS, UNESCO), coordination between local authorities and the US National Park Service (NPS) is crucial for the conservation and management of the Lighthouse in the El Morro Castle in San Felipe. Moreover, professional practices between academic institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean in the field of conservation and restoration of immovable cultural property are essential to deepen the knowledge and skills of professionals; however, improvements in the availability of resources and time are necessary to maximize their effectiveness.