Professional Specialists Research Articles

Chinese Professional Consumers at 30: The Rise and Impending Fall

Abstract This paper introduces a unique phenomenon with a distinctive Chinese regulatory approach. Since 1994, the Consumer Rights Protection Law has afforded consumers the right to seek punitive damages in instances of fraudulent practices. This has given rise to a special profession with Chinese characteristics: professional consumers. Their status as enigmatic figures is a consequence of the fluctuating stance of public authorities. Thirty years of consistent inconsistency has been a rarity in China’s legislative history. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the CRPL, China’s Consumer Rights Protection Law and the birth of its implementing regulation. It is an opportune moment to reassess the regulatory system that enabled this group and reconstruct it for the future. This paper presents a comprehensive regulatory review of the emergence, growth, and projected decline of professional consumers. It examines the reasons for this long-standing regulatory inconsistency through a detailed investigation of China’s legal system. It concludes by projecting two upcoming legal positions. The first is the transformation under the state’s co-governance strategy. The second is the displacement by procuratorial public interest litigation. Although seemingly contradictory, these two positions exemplify a distinctive Chinese approach to the co-governance strategy, which is characterized by the preponderance of public authority.

Enhancing Laboratory Outcomes Through “Stacked” Professional Credentials: A Study of ASCP BOC Trends

Abstract Introduction/Objective Laboratory medicine and pathology are rapidly evolving, requiring laboratory professionals to continuously adapt and enhance their skills to ensure high standards of patient care. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Board of Certification (BOC) has observed a notable increase in the number of credential holders obtaining multiple, or stacked, BOC credentials. This phenomenon is not limited to the U.S. but is also evident in various countries globally. This study aims to explore the trends of stacking credentials among BOC credential holders, examining its implications for professional development, career progression, and the overall impact on laboratory outcomes. Methods/Case Report This study utilized a comprehensive analysis of ASCP BOC’s credentialing data, focusing on individuals with multiple credentials. Data were segmented by degree (Bachelor’s, MBA, PhD, etc.), credential count (ranging from 2 to 10), and geographical distribution across the U.S. and internationally. The analysis sought to identify patterns, growth trends, and the professional demographics most inclined towards obtaining stacked credentials. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) The study revealed that approximately 11% of BOC credential holders possess two or more credentials, indicating a significant trend towards continuous professional development and specialization. The breakdown of stacked credentials by degree shows a higher percentage propensity among individuals with MBAs (as one degree type). Geographical analyses highlighted hotspots for professionals seeking multiple credentials both at the domestic U.S. level and internationally. Conclusion This suggests the BOC, and by extension the laboratory medicine and pathology community, can greatly benefit from promoting and facilitating the acquisition of multiple credentials. By doing so, the field can ensure a workforce that is not only highly qualified but also adaptable to the changing dynamics of healthcare, thereby reinforcing the indispensable role of laboratory professionals in the broader healthcare ecosystem.

Unyielding Tenacity: The Power of Establishing Occupational Legitimacy

ABSTRACT This study examines the pursuit of occupational legitimacy by Korean tattooists, a profession considered illegal in South Korea. Based on in-depth interviews with 10 Korean tattooists, it explores how they navigate legal and cultural challenges, developing their skills and identities through practice. The process of professional specialization among institutionally marginalized tattooists manifests itself in an unusual form of professional skill development that inevitably requires the relentless refinement of manual skills. The author introduces the concept of unyielding tenacity, which refers to the tattooists’ attitude of persistent practice in the face of harsh conditions created by social constraints. Repetitive practice immerses them in their actions, helping them understand their work, address shortcomings, and question the injustice of the social constraints they face. This points out that before tattooists can adopt the strategy of gaining occupational legitimacy through the artification of their work, a prerequisite is the repetitive performance of their craft.

Clinical semiology guide for dentofacial deformities in early childhood

Dentofacial deformities can begin in a very subtle way, which is why there is a need for a well-defined diagnosis. To ascertain whether there is a consensus among specialists regarding the importance of identifying dentofacial deformities in children before they reach six years of age; and to develop and validate a screening tool to assist general dentists so that they can identify signs of craniofacial asymmetry, thereby directing preventive and minimally invasive approaches in children aged three to six years. The guide was created and validated by 37 specialist professionals, masters and doctors. The Delphi technique was used for data analysis, along with the content validity index (CVI) and Cronbach’s alpha. Among the evaluators, 81.08 % had completed their training more than 10 years ago and 78.38% had been working as dentists for more than 10 years; 2.16 % were specialists, 32.16 % had a master's degree and 5.41 % had a doctoral degree. The agreement between the evaluators through the CVI was 100 % and the average Cronbach's alpha was 0.7571, which was considered substantial or acceptable. The clinical semiology guide for detecting dentofacial deformities in children between 3 and 6 years of age was developed and validated.

Evaluating the Quality of Multiple-Choice Test Questions in the Postlicensure Environment.

Multiple-choice test questions are among the main measures of knowledge used by educators in the postlicensure environment; however, these tests are often constructed in the absence of guidelines or the means to evaluate examination quality after administration. Previously, guidance was provided on constructing quality test items. Here we present instruction for professional development specialists to use postadministration test data for an item analysis, providing insight on test flaws and opportunities for iterative examination improvement. The topics of item difficulty, index of discrimination, and distractor analysis are covered for independent analysis, and topics such as reliability are addressed for those who have access to a formal program. Three levels of strategies are described: using a learning management system for item analysis, using free open-source software, and using a minimal standards method of evaluating test items. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(10):487-492.].

Linguistic-literary synergies in modern Ukrainian philology

Modern research in the field of Ukrainian philology increasingly combines linguistics and literary studies, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to the study of language and literature. The study used a limited strategy of searching for relevant data in databases such as Google Scholar, Frontiersin, ResearchGate, Scopus, using the keywords “Interdisciplinarity, Linguistics, Literature Studies”. The search was focused on articles published between 2019 and 2024, written in English and containing these open access keywords, which were compared to conference articles. The results indicate the relevance of this approach in the context of the growing specialisation of research, as it allows for the consideration of objects of study from different perspectives and the use of methods and approaches from different scientific disciplines. The interdisciplinary approach in Ukrainian philology allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomena of language and literature, to study their interaction and mutual influence. Professional specialists in the field of linguistics and literary studies have the opportunity to jointly solve complex problems using a variety of methods and approaches. Thus, it can be concluded that the interdisciplinary approach to the study of Ukrainian philology opens up new opportunities for the development of scientific research, promoting the exchange of knowledge and deepening the understanding of language and literature in the context of modern scientific requirements.

ACTIVITIES OF NON-STATE MILITARY INSTITUTIONS: ECONOMIC ASPECT

The subject of the study is the economic aspect of the activities of non-state military institutions (private military companies), in particular, the increased demand for the services provided by them, and the state regulation of their activities by national legislation of leading foreign countries and international acts. The methodological basis of the study is modern general scientific methods (systemic and structural, formal and logical, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, generalisation, comparative); special methods (historical and legal). The purpose of the study is to analyse the economic aspect of non-state military institutions, based on the analysis of scientific works, experience of leading foreign countries and international practice, as well as the analysis of domestic draft laws on legalisation of military consulting activities in Ukraine. In the course of the study, the authors analysed the works of scholars who have studied various aspects of private military campaigns (legal, economic, security) and their regulation in foreign countries, as well as international legal norms on the regulation of the activities under study. In addition, the authors critically analysed domestic draft laws on legalisation, state regulation and supervision (control) over the activities of non-state military institutions in Ukraine. As a result of the study, it was established that the emergence of draft laws on the legalisation of the activities of non-state military institutions, their state regulation and supervision in Ukraine, on the one hand, is due to the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which began in 2014. On the other hand, the economic consequences of privatisation in many industries and the need to compare the costs of the state's functions, including security, with the benefits received. Under such conditions, the business environment has demanded the introduction of a promising business activity and business sector – military consulting. Recently, this demand has been reinforced by the availability of a significant number of highly professional military specialists with experience and willingness to participate in relevant operations, including abroad. It is also understood that the demand for the services of non-state military institutions and the possibility of starting such activities in foreign countries where they are legalised will lead to an outflow of qualified specialists for employment abroad, and a loss of human resources and state budget revenues in the form of taxes paid by military consulting entities. At the same time, the existence of such entities in the country will help to improve the level of training of military personnel in the context of Russia's large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine by attracting specialists with relevant experience and willingness to engage in this type of business activity. In the post-war period, the existence of this type of legal activity will solve the problem of employment of former military personnel who wish to continue to work officially in the military and receive decent wages, and thus reduce social tensions in the economic sector.

Toward the Definition of a Repertoire of Technical Professional Specialist Competencies for Operating Room Nurses: An Ethnographic Study.

Registered nurses in the operating room require specialized competencies that surpass basic educational training. Existing national and international documents attempt to outline these competencies but often lack comprehensive details. To address this, a repertoire of technical and professional competencies for operating room nurses, aligned with European and National Qualifications Frameworks, is proposed. Aim: Develop a repertoire of technical and professional competencies for perioperative and perianesthesiological specialist nursing roles. Methods: An at-home ethnography design was employed, utilizing participant observation, interviews to the double, and focus groups. Convenience sampling included 46 participants from a university and a public hospital in northern Italy. Data were collected from September 2021 to June 2023 and analyzed using inductive content analysis and data triangulation. Results: Identified 17 specialized technical professional competencies for perioperative and perianesthesiological nursing, divided into 6 areas of activity. These competencies encompass 19 learning outcomes, 152 tasks, 222 knowledge elements, and 218 skills. Conclusions: This competency repertoire aids in the public recognition of qualifications and serves as a valuable tool for identifying, validating, and certifying competencies. Future research should focus on exploring the competencies of central sterilization nurses and transversal competencies.

Knowledge and practice of health workers on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence: Evidence from three municipalities in Senegal.

Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries face numerous developmental, sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) challenges, including exposure to multidimensional violence. Dealing with gender-based violence (GBV) is of great importance and health personnel are key players. The objective of this work was to study the knowledge and practices of health personnel on SRHR and gender-based violence in Guédiawaye, Kaolack and Kolda communities in Senegal. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, which consisted of health professionals (general practitioners and specialists, nurses, and midwives) and community health workers (community relays, bajenu gox, matrons). All health facilities in the three communities were included. Data analysis consisted of univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling to investigate the factors associated with the knowledge and practice of health personnels. An alpha risk of 5% was taken. A total of 78 health professionals and 128 community actors were included in the study. More than half of the health personnel (56.3%) had good knowledge of policies, standards and protocols relating to sexual and reproductive health services for women (adolescents) and about 60% on conventions and laws. The level of knowledge was good among 51% of respondents and good practices among 54.9%. The factors associated with good knowledge were the municipality in which the profession was practiced, and the effects of training received in the social construction of gender. The factors associated with the practices were knowledge of policies, standards and protocols through training, training received in the provision of family planning services, and in medico-psychosocial management of cases of sexual violence. We conclude that the knowledge of stakeholders (health professionals and community health workers) about sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence is important for better service provision and good management of cases of gender based violence.

Can philosophical counseling be a special profession to be recognized in Romanian society?

The paper is based on a research that refers to a professionalization solution applicable in Romania, as a result of a mediation process, carried out only hypothetically and starting from the analysis of a phenomenon, the philosophical practice, this being continued with the study of some advantages but also criticism expressed by philosophers, practitioners and specialists from other fields, in which each has arguments and interests alike, for which the proposed solution can be considered as a possible hypothetical agreement, resulting from the said mediation process. The study took into account models created in other countries of the world, as well as the experiences of other practitioners in the field, aspects that confirmed the regulatory trend but also an implicit recognition of the profession of philosophical counselor, now distinct from the philosophical practitioner, which we believe can be successfully applied in Romania as well.

The Turkish adaptation study of the professional identity scale.

Professional identity encompasses the understanding of professional practices and the development of values and skills within a specific profession. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the 9-item Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale, originally developed by Adams et al. (2006), for Turkish culture and examine its psychometric properties in a sample of postgraduate nurses. The study was conducted using a methodological approach. The sample consisted of 100 postgraduate nurses. Various analyses were conducted, including descriptive statistics of the scale, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, item-total score correlation, and scale response bias for reliability assessments. Validity analyses included assessments of language, content, construct validity, concurrent validity, and known group validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the 9-item Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale was found to be 0.85, indicating good internal consistency. Item-total score correlations ranged from 0.34 to 0.88. The confirmatory factor analysis goodness of fit indices, except for the AGFI index, had acceptable values after two modifications. The single-factor structure of the scale was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. For concurrent validity, the scale demonstrated a positive and robust correlation with scores from the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale, supporting its validity. In terms of predictive validity, a regression model was established to assess the relationship between independent variables and core professional identity, and the model was found to be at acceptable levels. This study showed that the Turkish adaptation of the 9-item unidimensional "Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale" demonstrates acceptable levels of validity and reliability when administered to postgraduate nurses in Turkey.

Needs and expectations of healthcare professionals regarding the topic of alcohology: Results of a survey conducted in France in 2022

ContextAlcohol-related health problems represent a significant public health concern, and it is imperative for the healthcare team to accurately perceive and detect these issues to provide appropriate care. The objective of this survey was to evaluate the knowledge, practices, and educational background of healthcare professionals in the field of alcohol-related health concerns, aiming to identify their information requirements. MethodsThis study employs a cross-sectional descriptive survey methodology, in which data were gathered through a digital questionnaire designed for healthcare professionals (including those in medical, paramedical, and medico-social professions) working in addictology services as well as other relevant services across France and its overseas departments. ResultsA total of 611 questionnaires were deemed usable for analysis. A considerable percentage of participants reported their knowledge and skills to be insufficient or very insufficient, with rates of 33 % and 36 %, respectively. Moreover, a significant proportion of respondents (≈ 28 %) stated that they had received no education in addictology. Our results highlight differences in levels of knowledge and competence among the various healthcare settings, notably with lower reported levels of satisfaction in hospital settings (public and private), private practice, and in Harm Reduction Centers. Furthermore, certain professions reported unsatisfactory levels of skills and knowledge in alcohol-related issues, particularly support staff, pharmacists, expert patients, administrative staff, and social workers. These findings suggest the need to enhance knowledge and skills by tailoring interventions according to the specific healthcare settings and professions. Additionally, the priority themes and channels for disseminating information varied depending on age, region, and professional category. ConclusionThis survey reveals a low level of knowledge, practice, and education in addictology, emphasizing the critical need for training. The importance of training extends not only to the priority topics addressed but also to the channels used for dissemination, all while customizing them to suit the age, professional category, structure, and region of healthcare professionals.

Effectiveness of physical rehabilitation for physical functioning and quality of life in long-term care residents with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation vs non-rehabilitation comparators for physical functioning and quality of life in long-term care (LTC) residents with dementia. LTC residents living with dementia often have impaired physical functioning and quality of life. Physical rehabilitation can improve physical functioning and quality of life for individuals living with dementia; however, many LTC residents with dementia do not receive physical rehabilitation and providers are unsure what interventions to employ. A synthesis of studies examining physical rehabilitation will help guide practice in the LTC sector where most residents live with dementia. Previous syntheses have focused on all residents in LTC, specific professions, interventions, or people with dementia in the community. Our review focused on LTC residents with dementia and used a broader definition of physical rehabilitation. This review included studies that evaluated physical rehabilitation in comparison with non-rehabilitation controls among LTC residents with any severity of dementia. We included experimental and quasi-experimental studies that measured the effect on activities of daily living, performance-based physical functioning, and self- or proxy-rated quality of life. Searches were conducted in APA PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane CENTRAL database with no date or language limitations. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies against the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers extracted data and conducted a methodological quality assessment using standardized checklists from JBI. Certainty of evidence was ascertained using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Where possible, studies were pooled in meta-analyses; otherwise, a narrative synthesis was presented. Thirty-three studies were included (n=3072 participants); 27 were randomized controlled trials and (RCTs) the remaining 6 were non-randomized trials. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was low to unclear. Many of the included studies focused on increasing activity or walking, while few were individually tailored or at an intensity appropriate to induce therapeutic effects on physical function. Physical function was measured via several outcome measures, limiting our ability to pool results. There was low-certainty evidence that physical rehabilitation improved activities of daily living assessed with multiple instruments (12 RCTs, 1348 participants, standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.78; 95% CI 0.27 to 1.30) and lower extremity function assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery Score (3 RCTs, 258 participants, mean difference [MD] 3.01 points; 95% CI 1.37 to 4.66), compared with non-rehabilitation interventions. There was very low- to moderate-certainty evidence that physical rehabilitation demonstrated no change in the 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (2 RCTs, 293 participants, MD 0.79 repetitions; 95% CI -0.45 to 2.03), 6-Minute Walk Test (4 RCTs, 363 participants, MD 17.32 meters; 95% CI -29.41 to 64.05), Timed Walk Test (4 RCTs, 400 participants, MD 0.10 meters/seconds; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.22), Timed Up and Go Test (3 RCTs, 275 participants, MD -2.89 seconds; 95% CI -6.62 to 0.84), or quality of life (4 RCTs, 419 participants, SMD 0.20; 95% CI -0.08 to 0.47). This review demonstrates that physical rehabilitation may improve activities of daily living for LTC residents living with dementia, although the evidence is of low certainty. The effect of physical rehabilitation on specific functional tasks, such as gait speed and quality of life, are less clear. Future research should examine the effects of individualized, progressive interventions on outcome measures that reflect the capacity and preferences of LTC residents with more advanced dementia. PROSPERO CRD42022308444.

Activity Centred Signature Pedagogies for the Creation of Digital Educational Publications

In this paper, we draw together three sets of ideas to create a framework for understanding and improving the networked creation of digital educational artefacts. We combine ideas on learning networks and networked learning, activity-centred analysis and design (ACAD) and signature pedagogies. Focusing on establishing a framework for understanding the network practices, the participation of people from different professions and the nature of learning in doing, the paper explores the possibility of constructing a framework that can be customised to the needs of specific professions or of industry-specific multi-professional networks. The case on which we focus, and which we use to inform, illustrate and sharpen some of the argument, is that of digital educational publishing – specifically, the activity of the educational publishing company Systime. However, we see the framework as applicable to a much more extensive range of situations. Consequently, the paper contributes to wider theoretical and practical work on the creation of digital educational artefacts. It also contributes to thinking more deeply about assumptions and practices involved in professional knowledge-building networks: especially where participants develop what we describe as a ‘reflexive designerly disposition’, capable of improving what a network achieves and how it functions.

Comparison of Laws that Impact Volunteer Response in Three Disaster-Prone Southeastern States.

As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, the ability of impacted states to rapidly scale up their capacity to respond and facilitate recovery through volunteers is ever more crucial. However, the legal landscape that may facilitate or hamper augmentation through volunteers has yet to be fully explored. This study utilized policy surveillance methodology to code relevant laws identified in searches using the Emergency Law Inventory database and Westlaw. We assessed laws in three natural disaster-prone states: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. We assessed the presence of liability protection, license reciprocity, and scope of practice laws for health care volunteers. Of the three assessed legal domains, liability protection for health care volunteers across all states contained the most robust language. Liability protections apply unless the health care volunteers act with reckless disregard, willful misconduct, or gross negligence. However, nuance exists based on which organizations (state vs charitable) volunteers are affiliated with to qualify for coverage. License reciprocity for out-of-state specific health care professions entering the impacted states was available across all three states. However, only Georgia enacted federal model legislation that provides additional flexibility regarding credentialing and liability protections. Lastly, very few laws addressed the scope of practice in impacted states. Comparisons of laws that impact the ability of health care volunteers to respond and recover from disasters are scarce. More research needs to be performed to better understand the laws that impact volunteers in emergencies, particularly as the public health system is overtasked when providing services to impacted communities.

A theology rhizome

This article contains suggestions to the Faculties of Theology in South Africa about an alternative way and direction to educate their students in this metamodern era. Because any learning in a specific profession implies lifelong and lifewide learning, the suggestion also includes the alumni of the faculties. This is all about rhizomatic learning, which involves both the educators and their students in an interactive and student-centred relationship where both parties act on an equal basis when deciding on the content and direction of the learning process for a specific year. It also involves the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language models such as ChatGPT. This is therefore an appeal to the educators of the Faculties of Theology in South Africa to become highly empowered resourceful online educators (HEROEs), also called recently minded educators (with no age restriction), taking a fresh look at the way in which they are currently teaching their 21st-century students and to maybe reconsider it in light of this article.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Good contemporary theological education would mostly result in good Theology students and good pastors. This article suggests an alternative way to teach our students in the current metamodern era. Rhizomatic learning fits into the technological era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as Education 4.0, Learning 3.0 and the posthuman era.

Specialized expertise among healthcare professionals in palliative care - A scoping review

BackgroundThe generalist-plus-specialist palliative care model is endorsed worldwide. In the Netherlands, the competencies and profile of the generalist provider of palliative care has been described on all professional levels in nursing and medicine. However, there is no clear description of what specialized expertise in palliative care entails, whereas this is important in order for generalists to know who they can consult in complex palliative care situations and for timely referral of patients to palliative care specialists.ObjectiveTo gain insight in the roles and competencies attributed to palliative care specialists as opposed to generalists.MethodsA scoping review was completed based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines to explore the international literature on the role and competence description of specialist and expert care professionals in palliative care. Databases Embase.com, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (Ebsco) and Web of Science Core Collection were consulted. The thirty-nine included articles were independently screened, reviewed and charted. Thematic codes were attached based on two main outcomes roles and competencies.ResultsFive roles were identified for the palliative care specialist: care provider, care consultant, educator, researcher and advocate. Leadership qualities are found to be pivotal for every role. The roles were further specified with competencies that emerged from the analysis. The title, roles and competencies attributed to the palliative care specialist can mostly be applied to both medical and nursing professionals.DiscussionThe roles and competencies derived from this scoping review correspond well with the seven fields of competence for medical/nursing professionals in health care of the CanMEDS guide. A specialist is not only distinguished from a generalist on patient-related care activities but also on an encompassing level. Clarity on what it entails to be a specialist is important for improving education and training for specialists.ConclusionThis scoping review adds to our understanding of what roles and competencies define the palliative care specialist. This is important to strengthen the position of the specialist and their added value to generalists in a generalist-plus-specialist model.

Shortage of Qualified Filipino Personnel on board vessels: A myth or a reality?

The maritime industry, which mainly relies on Filipino sailors, has recently expressed alarm over a potential scarcity of skilled workers on board ships. By closely assessing the current situation of Filipino maritime labor, this study determines if the claimed shortage is a myth or a reality. The study investigates Filipino seafarers' availability, qualifications, and deployment, utilizing data from industry reports and employment trends. The investigation reveals a complicated problem. On the one hand, there are noticeable shortages in certain fields, particularly among officers and highly specialized professions. These shortages are exacerbated by an aging workforce, a lag in sophisticated marine training, and rising competition from other sectors and nations providing more attractive opportunities. On the other hand, the total supply of Filipino seamen remains. To address these challenges, the paper suggests several strategies, including improving the quality and relevance of maritime education and training, fostering stronger collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders, and implementing By aligning educational outcomes with industry needs and addressing the root causes of perceived shortages, the Philippines can maintain its position as a leading supplier of seafarers to the global fleet. This study indicates that, while there are areas of concern, the overall narrative of a scarcity of competent Filipino seafarers is more complex than appears, necessitating a nuanced and strategic approach to maritime workforce development.

Job Analysis and Curriculum Design of South Korean Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists Using DACUM.

This study analyzed the jobs of animal-assisted therapy specialists using the Development of a Curriculum (DACUM) technique, a job analysis method for the duties and tasks performed in a specific job. It derived nine duties and 54 tasks through a verification process. In addition, by analyzing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes according to the task, the duties of animal-assisted therapy specialists were derived with 37 knowledge points (K), 32 skills (S), and 46 attitudes (A). The curriculum was designed based on the results derived from the job analysis. The final derived subjects were "understanding the counselee", "clinical practice", "therapy-assisted animal management", "case conceptualization", "psychological test and evaluation", "program development", "understanding and practice of counseling psychology", "animal-assisted intervention introduction", "evaluation analysis and report", "case study and practice", "case guidance and management", "training and behavior", and "animal welfare". These results can improve the professionalism of animal-assisted therapy specialists and the overall quality of the therapy site.

Behavioral aspects of auditor's professional judgment and professional skepticism

The paper examines the behavioral aspects of auditing in the context of auditor’s independence, auditor’s professional judgment, and professional skepticism. Over the past 50 years, in the researches of foreign scientists, the issues of accounting and auditing have been considered through the theory of behavioral accounting. On the other hand, in the studies of Ukrainian scientists, behavioral accounting in accounting and auditing was almost not considered. The main meaning of the theory of behavioral accounting is not to consider accounting and auditing exclusively in numbers, but to consider that accountants and auditors are people with a specific profession who behave according to their feelings and thoughts. It is customary to consider the concept of behavioral accounting according to the following topics: the influence of accounting information on behavior, management control, audit, ethics. Behavioral aspects of the auditor's independence, which are influenced by an auditor's personal prejudices and the auditor-client relationship, are studied. Auditor’s independence is considered in two dimensions - organizational independence and operational independence. E.g., independent auditors may face the problem of conflicting interests of the public and clients. Behavioral aspects of negotiations between the auditor and the client are also considered. The negotiation tactics used by the participants matter. It can be a yielding tactic, or a tactic of disputes. In particular, in the study of accommodating tactics, it was found that both auditors and clients reciprocated the accommodating negotiation tactics. There are many models of professional skepticism that have been summarized. Nelson and Hurtt's models are considered, the two fundamental components of which are professional skeptical judgment and professional skeptical action. Auditors should exercise professional skepticism, making judgments based on audit evidence without being influenced by clients.