Professional Role Research Articles

Dissecting through the decade: a 10-year cross-sectional analysis of interprofessional experiences in the anatomy lab

ABSTRACT Interprofessional education (IPE) is prioritized as a critical component in preparing pre-licensure health professional students for effective teamwork and collaboration in the workplace to facilitate patient-centered care. Knowledge in anatomy is fundamental for healthcare professionals, making interprofessional anatomy education an attractive intervention for IPE and anatomy learning. Since 2009, the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University has offered an intensive 10-week IPE Anatomy Dissection elective to seven health professional programs annually. From 2011, students were invited to complete the Readiness for Interprofessional Scale (RIPLS) and Interprofessional Education Perception Scale (IEPS) before and after the elective. A total of 264 students from 2011 to 2020 completed RIPLS and IEPS. There were significant differences before and after the elective in students’ total RIPLS scores and three of the four subscales: teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. Similarly, there were statistical differences in the total IEPS scores and two of three subscales: competency and autonomy and perceived actual cooperation. Statistically significant differences in RIPLS and IEPS total scores across several disciplines were also observed. This study demonstrates the elective’s impact in improving students’ IPE perceptions and attitudes, likely from the extended learning and exposure opportunity with other disciplines.

The impact of video consultation on interprofessional collaboration and professional roles: a simulation-based study in prehospital stroke chain of care

ABSTRACT Healthcare is often conducted by interprofessional teams. Research has shown that diverse groups with their own terminology and culture greatly influence collaboration and patient safety. Previous studies have focused on interhospital teams, and very little attention has been paid to team collaboration between intrahospital and prehospital care. Addressing this gap, the current study simulated a common and time-critical event for ambulance nurses (AN) that also required contact with a stroke specialist in a hospital. Today such consultations are usually conducted over the phone, this simulation added a video stream from the ambulance to the neurologist on call. The aim of this study was to explore interprofessional collaboration between AN’s and neurologists when introducing video-support in the prehospital stroke chain of care. The study took place in Western Sweden. The simulated sessions were video recorded, and the participants were interviewed after the simulation. The results indicate that video has a significant impact on collaboration and can help to facilitate better understanding among different professional groups. The participants found the video to be a valuable complement to verbal information. The result also showed challenges in the form of a loss of patient focused care. Both ANs and neurologists saw the video as benefiting patient safety.

A Study of Vitamin D Status and Its Influencing Factors among Pregnant Women in Szeged, Hungary: A Secondary Outcome of a Case–Control Study

Adequate vitamin D (VD) intake during pregnancy is needed for fetal development and maternal health maintenance. However, while there is no doubt regarding its importance, there is not a unified recommendation regarding adequate intake. The main aim of our study was to measure the VD serum level of studied women, together with its potential influencing factors: demographic (i.e., age, level of education, relationship status and type of residence), conception and pregnancy related factors. Results are based on secondary data analyses of a retrospective case–control study of 100 preterm and 200 term pregnancies, where case and control groups were analyzed together. Data collection was based on a self-administered questionnaire, health documentation, and maternal serum VD laboratory tests. VD intake was evaluated by diet and dietary supplement consumption. According to our results, 68.1% of women took some kind of prenatal vitamin, and only 25.9% of them knew about its VD content. Only 12.1% of included women reached the optimal, 75 nmol/L serum VD level. Higher maternal serum levels were associated with early pregnancy care visits (p = 0.001), assisted reproductive therapy (p = 0.028) and advice from gynecologists (p = 0.049). A correlation was found between VD intake and serum levels (p < 0.001). Despite the compulsory pregnancy counselling in Hungary, health consciousness, VD intake and serum levels remain below the recommendations. The role of healthcare professionals is crucial during pregnancy regarding micronutrients intake and the appropriate supplementation dose.

Human Resource: Futuristic Role of HR Professional Enhancing Technical Skills

As technology continues to revolutionize the workplace, the role of HR professionals is undergoing a profound transformation. In the future, HR professionals will play a pivotal role in leveraging advanced technologies to drive strategic HR initiatives and enhance organizational performance. This abstract explores the key aspects of this evolving role, focusing particularly on the imperative for HR professionals to enhance their technical skills. One critical area where HR professionals will need to excel is in data analysis and analytics. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, HR professionals can make informed decisions, predict future workforce needs, and optimize workforce management strategies. Additionally, as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation become increasingly prevalent, HR professionals must understand how to effectively implement and manage these technologies to streamline HR processes and enhance efficiency. Furthermore, in the realm of recruitment and talent acquisition, HR professionals must adapt their strategies to the digital age. This involves leveraging digital platforms, social media, and applicant tracking systems to attract, engage, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape. Moreover, the rise of remote work necessitates proficiency in collaboration tools and virtual communication platforms. HR professionals must ensure that remote teams remain connected, engaged, and productive by leveraging tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. In addition to these technical skills, HR professionals must prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy to protect sensitive employee information in an increasingly digitized HR environment. By implementing robust security measures and complying with data protection regulations, HR professionals can safeguard employee data and maintain trust within the organization. Finally, proficiency in HR information systems (HRIS) and other HR technology platforms is essential for streamlining HR processes, managing employee data effectively, and driving operational excellence. Keywords- HR professionals, technical skills, Data analysis, Artificial intelligence, Recruitment, Talent acquisition, Digital platforms, Remote work, Collaboration tools, Cybersecurity, Data privacy, HRIS, HR technology.

An osteopathic orientation to interprofessional education.

The osteopathic tenets may serve as a useful guideline for an interprofessional program. There is an alignment between the osteopathic tenets and the concept of interprofessional education (IPE). IPE occurs when students from two or more professions work with each other to collaborate or improve healthcare outcomes. Holistic treatment is fundamental in both instances, and the interrelatedness of structure and function requires acknowledgment of all healthcare professionals' roles in treating a patient. IPE allows students to gain a better understanding of their own professional roles and the roles of their fellow healthcare providers in treating patients more effectively. The objectives of this analysis are to evaluate the ability of an interprofessional summer workshop/lecture utilizing an osteopathic focus to educate students from different healthcare colleges about the interconnectedness of the systems of the human body and how working with a team-based approach will ultimately benefit their collective patients. A secondary objective was to determine the students' perceptions before and after the lecture/workshop to see if there were any perceived differences among students in different healthcare professions at either time. This was a retrospective data analysis conducted on pretest/posttest surveys completed by 73 incoming students from six different healthcare colleges participating in the Summer Preparedness and Readiness Course (SPaRC), held annually at Western University of Health Sciences (WUHS) in Pomona, California. Analysis was conducted on responses collected during the SPaRC programs of 2013, 2016, and 2019. Participants were given surveys containing five questions scored on a five-point Likert scale. The surveys were given before and after an integrated lecture/hands-on workshop presented at SPaRC that reviewed multiple studies showing the utility of connecting the healthcare professions to best treat a patient. A total of 73 students responded to both the prelecture and postlecture surveys. When the number of positive scores were totaled from students from all colleges, there was an increase in positive responses from 190 (52.2 %) in prelecture surveys when compared to 336 (92.3 %) in postlecture surveys. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test suggested that the lecture workshop elicited a significant improvement in scores from prelecture to postlecture for all students (Z=-6.976, p=0.000). Median scores improved from 3.60 at baseline to 4.40 after the lecture/workshop. Secondary analysis conducted utilizing Kruskal-Wallis H to examine the differences between the responses of the different colleges prelecture and postlecture showed no significant differences prelecture (H [6]=7.58, p=0.271) and a significant difference between postlecture answers (H [6]=14.04, p=0.029). A series of post hoc independent Kruskal-Wallis H analyses was conducted to identify where differences were, and the only identifiable difference after Bonferroni corrections was between students from the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine college and the Physician Assistant's college after the lecture/survey (p=0.041). An interprofessional program with the osteopathic principles of focusing on body unity and relatedness of structure and function may serve as a helpful tool for uniting healthcare professionals in their ultimate goal of better serving their patients.

A longitudinal qualitative exploration of victorian healthcare workers’ and organisations’ evolving views and experiences during COVID-19

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted individuals, society, and healthcare organisations worldwide. Recent international research suggests that concerns, needs, and experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) have evolved throughout the pandemic. This longitudinal qualitative study explored the evolving views and experiences of Victorian healthcare workers (HCWs) and organisational key personnel during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsWe recruited participants from the Coronavirus in Victorian Health and Aged care workers (COVIC-HA) study cohort. We conducted two rounds of semi-structured interviews with HCWs and organisational key personnel from three different healthcare settings (hospital, aged care and primary care) in Victoria, Australia, in May-July 2021 and May-July 2022. Data were analysed thematically using trajectory and recurrent cross-sectional approaches, guided by a temporal change framework.ResultsTwelve HCWs and five key personnel from various professional roles participated in interviews at both timepoints. Expected themes derived from mid-2021 interviews (navigating uncertainty, maintaining service delivery, and addressing staff needs) evolved over time. Concerns shifted from personal health and safety to workforce pressures, contributing to HCW burnout and fatigue and ongoing mental health support needs. New themes emerged from mid-2022 interviews, including managing ongoing COVID-19 impacts and supporting the healthcare workforce into the future. Clear and consistent communication, stable guidelines and forward-looking organisational responses were considered crucial.ConclusionsOur longitudinal qualitative study highlighted the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs’ perceptions, health and wellbeing and uncovered long-term sector vulnerabilities. Analysing HCW experiences and key personnel insights over time and across different pandemic phases provided crucial insights for policymakers to protect the healthcare workforce. Findings emphasise the need for proactive strategies that prioritise HCWs’ wellbeing and workforce sustainability. Policy makers must invest in HCW health and wellbeing initiatives alongside healthcare system improvements to ensure resilience and capacity to meet future challenges.Trial registrationThis study was approved through the Victorian Streamlined Ethical Review Process (SERP: Project Number 68,086) and registered with ANZCTR (ACTRN12621000533897) on 6 May 2021.

Care trajectories and imagining potential: Positioning the need for skills, confidence and communication among key professionals supporting the higher education progression of care‐experienced young people

Care trajectories and imagining potential: Positioning the need for skills, confidence and communication among key professionals supporting the higher education progression of care‐experienced young people

Interprofessional follow-up of patients with cancer in France (the SINPATIC study): a preliminary, qualitative study of the patient's perspective.

In 2020, 19.2 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 10 million cancer patients died worldwide. An effective cancer care pathway must be based on coordination, multidisciplinarity, a personalized approach, and collaboration between stakeholders. Follow-up can be improved by good collaboration and communication between GPs and the cancer care team at a common level of organization. To study patients with solid cancers and assess their perceptions of the care pathway, the roles of the healthcare professionals involved, and interprofessional collaboration. In a preliminary, qualitative study (part of the SINPATIC study of general practitioners, oncologists, nurses, and patients), adult patients with cancer in the Paris area of France were interviewed between January and April 2018. Using purposive sampling, 10 patients were recruited from hospital departments and primary care. An interview guide explored 3 themes: the care pathway, the stakeholders' roles in follow-up, and interprofessional collaboration. For patients, dealing with cancer is a complex process of awareness, care provision, decision-making, task assignment, a lack of clarification of professional roles, a piecemeal announcement of the diagnosis of cancer by several stakeholders, organizational and administrative difficulties, non-formal collaboration in inertia (tending towards collaboration under construction), and with cancer follow-up that was usually parallel, sometimes shared, rarely sequential. This SINPATIC substudy provided us a better understanding of the complexity of the patient care pathway. Looking forward, the present findings might stimulate thoughts on the design and development of interventional studies.

Teacher identity and pedagogy: strategies and responses of teacher educators during the covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This small-scale qualitative research project is located within post-compulsory education in England and explores some of the strategies and responses employed by three initial teacher educators to carry out their professional role while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The central argument is that teacher identity was significant as a pedagogical tool to respond to the pandemic. Therefore, more consideration should be given to the interconnectedness of who I am, what I do and why I do it, when pedagogical responses are needed to address emergent issues. The first part of the paper paints a picture of the available literature related to learning during covid-19, followed by an articulation of the research design. The second part discusses the relationship between identity and pedagogy, which is the central theme constructed from the data gathered from the research participants. It closes with a reflection about how educators as a collective have shown resilience and creative ways to deal with challenges, thus adding new layers of their identity, and this can be pedagogically powerful.

Insights into discrepancies in professional identities and role models in undergraduate medical education in the context of affective burden

IntroductionInternational evidence strongly suggests that medical students are at high risk of mental health problems. This distress, which can be mediated by a variety of individual, interpersonal and contextual factors within the curriculum, can be mitigated by effective coping strategies and interventions. Central to this discourse is the recognition that the challenges of professional identity formation can contribute significantly to medical students' distress. The focus of our study is therefore to examine discrepancies in professional identities and role models in undergraduate medical education in relation to affective burden.MethodsMedical students at different stages of university education and high school graduates intending to study medicine were surveyed in a cross-sectional study. The study employed Osgood and Hofstätter's polarity profile to evaluate the self-image of participants, the image of an ideal and real physician, and their correlation with depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7).ResultsOut of the 1535 students recruited, 1169 (76.2%) participated in the study. Students rated their self-image as somewhere between a more critical real image of physicians and a more positive ideal image. Medical students at all training levels consistently rated the ideal image as remaining constant. Significant correlations were found between the professional role models of medical students and affective symptoms, particularly for the discrepancy between the ideal image of a physician and their self-image. Furthermore, 17% and nearly 15% reported significant symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively.DiscussionOur study adds to the growing body of knowledge on professional identity formation in medicine and socialisation in the medical environment. The study highlights the importance of discrepancies between self-image and ideal image in the experience of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Primary prevention-oriented approaches should incorporate these findings to promote reflective competence in relation to professional role models and strengthen the resilience of upcoming physicians in medical training.

Perceptions and behaviors of healthcare providers towards rehabilitation support to children with severe malaria-related disability in Ethiopia: A qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Severe malaria often results in childhood disability. The prevalence of disability related to severe malaria is significant and is estimated to affect up to 53% of severe malaria survivors. In contrast, information is sparse about how healthcare providers in Africa think about or provide rehabilitation support in acute and post-acute phases respectively. Understanding the perceptions and behaviors of healthcare providers treating malaria could help inform malaria-related disability research, policy, and practice, aimed at the providers themselves. This study explored the perceptions and behaviors of healthcare providers towards rehabilitation for children with severe malaria-related disability. The Theoretical Domains Framework was used to describe the findings relative to wider literature on health provider behavior change. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to interview thirteen healthcare providers recruited purposively based on their clinical professions, roles, and settings. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. We decided on the most prominent theoretical domains considering the frequency of specific perceptions and behaviors across the participants, the frequency of perceptions and behaviors in each domain, and evidence of strong perceptions and behaviors. Nine out of fourteen theoretical domains were identified. These domains were: Beliefs about consequences, environmental context and resources, goals, knowledge, skills, optimism, reinforcement, social influences, and social or professional role and identity. Healthcare providers' beliefs about their roles in screening for disability or referring to rehabilitation were less positive. The findings of this study suggest the need for interventions to support healthcare providers in acute phases (prevention and control of severe malaria) and post-acute phases (disability screening, referral, and rehabilitation care). Recommended interventions should focus on developing clinical guidelines, training clinicians, addressing institutional factors, and modifying external social influences such as socio-cultural factors.

General practice nurse perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implementation of best-practice dementia care recommendations—a qualitative interview study

IntroductionWith an aging population and a growing prevalence of people living with dementia, the demand for best-practice dementia care in general practice increases. There is an opportunity to better utilise the nurse role within the primary care team to meet this increasing demand in the provision of care for people living with dementia. However, general practice nurses have limited knowledge in the provision of best-practice care for people living with dementia and their carer(s). A number of best-practice dementia care recommendations contained in the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia have been identified as highly relevant to the role of the general practice nurse.AimsTo explore general practice nurses’ perspectives on published best-practice dementia care recommendations relevant to their role and identify barriers and facilitators to their implementation into clinical practice.MethodsThirteen Australian general practice nurses took part in this qualitative interview study. The research questions for this study were addressed within a paradigmatic framework of social constructionism. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.ResultsThere was a high level of agreement between general practice nurses that the recommendations were important, reflected best-practice dementia care and were relevant to their role. However the recommendations were perceived as limited in their usefulness to nurses’ clinical practice due to being too vague and lacking direction. Four main themes were identified describing barriers and facilitators to operationalising best-practice dementia care.: creating a comfortable environment; changing approach to care; optimising the general practice nurse role and working collaboratively. Nine sub-themes were described: physical environment; social environment; complexity of care; care planning for the family; professional role and identity, funding better dementia care, education, networking and resources; different roles, one team; and interagency communication.ConclusionThis study identified several factors that need addressing to support general practice nurses to integrate best-practice dementia care recommendations into daily clinical practice. The development of interventions needs to include strategies to mitigate potential barriers and enhance facilitators that they perceive impact on their delivery of best-practice care for people living with dementia and their carer(s). The knowledge gained in this study could be used to develop multi-faceted interventions informed by theoretical implementation change models to enable the general practice nurse to operationalise best-practice dementia care recommendations.

Noise-related fear in dogs

This comprehensive guide delves into the phenomenon of noise-related fear in dogs, a prevalent issue with a significant impact on canine wellbeing. The article explores the intricate relationship between a dog's emotional response to noise and its behavioural expressions, highlighting the complexity of noise-related fear, its clinical manifestations and therapeutic approaches. It emphasises the importance of differentiating fear from anxiety and phobias, as they exhibit distinct characteristics that necessitate separate consideration in both diagnostic and therapeutic contexts. The guide explains how various factors can contribute to the development and progression of noise-related fear in dogs, including genetic predispositions, breed-specific traits and traumatic events related to noise exposure. It also addresses the critical role of veterinary professionals in managing noise-related fear, advocating for informed, proactive approaches in prevention, management and treatment. The guide stresses the importance of early detection and intervention, tailored treatment strategies, and the collaborative involvement of pet owners. Overall, it offers a holistic approach to safeguard the development of noise-related fear in dogs, aimed at improving their behavioural response and overall quality of life.

Assessing outdoor and environmental education threshold concepts in Australian universities

AbstractCommunicating tertiary graduate skills and knowledge to employers is a contemporary issue in Australian outdoor education. Threshold concepts have been proposed as a positive way forward to a shared understanding between Higher Education (HE) professionals, students, graduates, employers, and other outdoor education stakeholders. While threshold concepts can offer a curriculum development framework that highlights the graduate capabilities of an HE outdoor educator, they do not specify how these concepts are assessed. In this paper, we explore the assessment of threshold concepts in HE degrees and then examine current assessment practices in HE outdoor education degrees. We highlight selected literature on assessing outdoor education in HE and then explore how other professions assess threshold concepts. Specific professions included have (a) identified threshold concepts and (b) considered the ability to practice upon graduation, as this has the most significant alignment with the professional role of an outdoor educator. We then describe current outdoor education HE assessment practices at selected Australian universities, highlighting the breadth and range of assessment methods incorporated in existing degrees. We conclude with a discussion of the role of authentic assessment and provide five recommendations for how academics might assess the seven HE outdoor education threshold concepts described by Thomas et al. (2019) to support communication of graduate capabilities to employers, students, graduates, and other outdoor education stakeholders.

Social Anxiety and Internet Addiction among Primary Health Care Workers at PSMMC, Riyadh

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Internet Addiction (IA) significantly impact the quality of life and professional efficacy among Primary Health Care Workers (PCWs). Given their prevalence and the potential for negative comorbidities, including depression, this study aims to explore the occurrence and correlation of SAD and IA among PCWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study assessed SAD and IA among 154 PCWs using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The study was conducted over 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh; it employed random sampling to ensure diverse participation. The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence of SAD and IA, respectively. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the association between both variables. Results: The study found that 27.3% of participants exhibited some level of social anxiety, while 45% showed signs of IA. Specifically, mild to moderate internet addiction was present in 44.8% of respondents. Only 8.4% of participants fell into the severe category of social anxiety, while severe internet addiction was absent. A significant positive correlation was observed between SAD and IA (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Additionally, higher income and certain professional roles were associated with lower instances of both conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalent but primarily mild to moderate levels of SAD and IA among PHCWs, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. While present, these issues may not severely impact PHCWs at PSMMC. The correlation between SAD and IA suggests the internet's dual role as a coping mechanism and potential risk factor, indicating areas for future research and intervention strategies.

Helping patients prepare their dependent children for parental death: mixed-methods evaluation of a codeveloped training programme for palliative and allied healthcare professionals in the UK

ObjectivesTo evaluate how the codesigned training programme, ‘No conversation too tough’, can help cancer, palliative and wider healthcare professionals support patients to communicate with their dependent children when a parent...

An assembly organization's approach to conducting ergonomics assessments of nutrunners in the absence of standards

Repetitive use of handheld nutrunners contributes to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among assembly operators. Tool-using organizations control the physical exposures resulting from nutrunners through their own, company-specific methods and recommendations. The aim of this study was to explore an automotive organization's current practice when conducting ergonomics assessments of nutrunner use. Fourteen employees representing different professional roles within the automotive manufacturing organization were interviewed about their involvement in, and approaches to, ergonomics evaluations of nutrunners. Findings show that the objective criteria tightening torque and tool type are combined with the operators' subjective assessments of the load to identify MSD risks associated with nutrunner use. This way, the effects of factors such as working posture could be integrated into the assessment. Further, it was found that information and knowledge availability could influence the resulting exposures estimates, where for example information about how to appropriately select tool settings is not readily available. In addition, there are negotiating criteria such as quality considerations which need to be balanced with health and safety management, influencing the physical demands associated with power tools. Relevance to industryBy providing insight into an automotive manufacturer's approach to managing and assessing handheld tightening tools, policy-makers can form recommended limits and methods for standardized assessments of reaction load exposure from nutrunners.

The new nursing professions in psychiatry: One man's dream, another man's nightmare?

The deployment of case management and advanced nursing practice is shaking up the roles of the various professionals on mental health teams, and the usual organization of care in psychiatry. These changes can be perceived as either positive or worrying, depending on each individual's role and position. For the past 3 years, the mobile teams of the Centre rive gauche cluster at Le Vinatier hospital have been organized according to the principles of Flexible Assertive Community Treatment, and include an advanced practice nurse (APN) on their staff. The roles of the case manager and the APN have been rethought. A number of measures have facilitated the implementation of these new functions.

The Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals on the Strategies, Challenges, and Community Responses to Health System Response and Interventions Towards Lassa Fever Infections and Mortality in Sierra Leone.

Lassa fever is a critical public health issue in Sierra Leone that demands appropriate health system responses and interventions to mitigate infections and reduce mortality. A qualitative study was conducted to delve into healthcare workers' experiences with Lassa fever management and interventions across diverse healthcare settings in Sierra Leone, including the Eastern Province and Freetown's Directorate of Health Security and Emergency (DHSE). Engaging ten key informants through purposive sampling, the study employed NVivo version 10 for a detailed thematic analysis using Query and Coding to systematically identify, classify, and organize key themes regarding knowledge, diagnostics, management roles, and community impact. The findings indicate a well-informed healthcare workforce but highlight gaps in early detection, diagnostic accuracy, and procedural standardization. Concerns were raised about the potential overestimation of disease incidence due to improved diagnostics, suggesting a historical under-detection of Lassa fever. The analysis underscores the need for a multifaceted management approach, emphasizing international collaboration and culturally sensitive community engagement to effectively tackle the disease. A significant concern identified is the high mortality rate resulting from delayed referrals and communication challenges within the health system, leading to actionable recommendations for enhancing Lassa fever response strategies. The study's thematic analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and areas for improvement, emphasizing the critical role of healthcare professionals in combating Lassa fever. Combating Lassa fever in Sierra Leone demands an integrative strategy that extends beyond medical interventions to encompass educational and infrastructural enhancements. This research pays homage to the commitment of healthcare professionals, underscoring the importance of sustained support and recognition of their essential contributions to advancing Lassa fever management and interventions.

Unveiling the Missing Link: Women in Stem Leadership – A Comprehensive Review

This paper extensively examined the representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) within Malaysia, contextualized globally and historically. Existing research affirms the growing presence of women in the workforce (Gupta, 2020; National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2020), their progress in higher education (Manongsong & Ghosh, 2021; Vietze et al., 2022), their presence in professional and managerial roles (Burton et al., 2020; Evans & Maley, 2021), and their successful elevation to CEO positions (Dadanlar & Abebe, 2020). However, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly within STEM firms (Hideg & Shen, 2019; National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2020). Young Malaysian women excel in both academic and extracurricular STEM activities from primary to university. Despite this gender equity achieved in STEM education, with 29% of tertiary engineering graduates and 57% of science degree holders being female, only 6% of women pursue careers as STEM professionals (Looi, 2022). Additionally, slightly over 4% of women hold leadership roles in technology firms in Malaysia (Amin & Tan, 2018). Using social constructivist and feminist theories, this analysis examines how societal and environmental factors affect girls’ performance in math and science. Educators and parents play a vital role in providing crucial support. This study also highlights a major research gap, particularly in understanding where qualified women in STEM go, especially within Malaysia.