Professional Work Research Articles

Optimising Processes in a Severe Burn Intensive Care Unit through the Implementation of a Digital Management System

The treatment of severely burned patients is demanding and necessitates specialised centres capable of providing adequate therapy over several months. The establishment of digital management systems in intensive care units signifies a substantial advancement in modern healthcare. Introducing such a system in a specialised intensive care unit for severe burn patients presents opportunities for optimisation but also potential obstacles. This study aims to provide insights into the perception of change from the perspective of staff and discuss the implementation of digital systems in the field of intensive care medicine. After a selective sample was established, the impacts of the digital management system were examined across various categories. The data collected through a questionnaire and brief interviews were evaluated in terms of average values within each category, with interpretations taking into account characteristics such as professional group and work experience. Overall, the digital management system is considered suitable for use in the intensive care unit for severe burn patients by both medical and nursing staff. The continuous monitoring of vital parameters and the reduction of errors in medication administration are highlighted as positive aspects. However, negative points include the inferior documentation of burn wounds and specialised documentation for burn patients. In due consideration of various factors such as experience, team size, and patient clientele, which impact the usability of the program, some aspects in need of improvement were identified. In summary, however, it can be said that there was a positive and favourable consensus regarding the introduction of such a system in the intensive care unit. Additionally, it can be concluded that the system is described as significantly more effective for a general surgical intensive care unit than for a specialised intensive care unit, e. g. an intensive care unit for severe burn patients.

‘I view teaching differently’: identity development of university teachers doing professional doctorates

ABSTRACT Through the lens of identity, this study explored the lived experiences of two Chinese university English-as-a-foreign-language teachers who were doing a professional doctorate for professional development. Adopting a narrative case study design and informed by activity theory, the study drew on a rich dataset comprising narrative frames, interviews, informal communications, netnographic observations and artefacts. Thematic and activity systems analyses revealed how the two focal teachers developed different identities through interacting with the external influences in the dual activity systems of professional work and doctoral study. In particular, the analyses unravelled hidden structural tensions inherent in the dual activity systems and showcased the participants’ mediated actions and strategies for dealing with these tensions. The study suggests developing sustainable mechanisms and tailored programmes to support in-service teachers’ degree studies, while also calling for teachers to creatively retool contextual affordances for continuing professional development.

Why should a bioengineering lab have engineers and health professionals?

Through the description of the methodology of the development of a bite force measurement device it will be shown how interdisciplinary work of Engineers and Health Professionals bring enhance of life quality to general population. Bite force measurement is a reliable exam to check stomatognathic system (SS) conditions. In order to provide a reliable, low cost and do-it-yourself gnathodynamometer a Dentist joined Bioengineering Laboratory (LabBio) at UFMG. The development of a 3D printed resin structure was made using CAD/CAM and tested by means of FEM. A Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) extensometer developed at CTNANO at UFMG to capture the structure deformation were fixed in two geometries that showed good results in FEM simulation and will be tested in an EMIC universal mechanical testing machine (DL1000) equipped with a 1 kN load cell. The electrical response of the extensometers was monitored using a Keithley 2000 digital multimeter (Tektronix), connected to a computer and remotely controlled by a LabView application (View Point Systems), a data storage protocol in a SD card and in the clouds using IoT and an data acquisition system will be tested. In bench tests both geometries showed good results with deformation capturable from 40 N. Data was codified using an Arduino Nano and a program was developed for data acquisition and storage. The interdisciplinary work generates prototypes with promising results in bench tests. The fruit of the team work may generate a toll that improves life quality of population by allowing more people to be tested and lowering health costs.

Analysing The Influence of School Leadership Styles on Teacher Competency: A Case Study in China

This work thoroughly assesses the complex connection between various types of headships within schools and teacher ability in Chinese education. This study investigates the impact of instructional leadership, organisational culture and emotional intelligence on teacher professional development and work satisfaction by analysing a number of empirical studies conducted in China. The findings lay much stress on the subtle impact of cultural factors, especially power distance orientation as important moderators that influence instructional leadership strategies. Indeed, the study pinpoints a profound role of positive organisational culture aimed to provide supportive leadership practices and abundant learning opportunities for teacher’s professional development. The effective leaders training programmes should be designed taking into consideration the cultural peculiarities of China’s educational environment. The study offers some unique perspectives that are of relevance to educators, policymakers and scholars since it outlines the intricate connections at work. In turn, it facilitates the well-informed decision and encourages an effective leadership style that improves teachers’ competency thereby contributing to education evolution in China.

Attitudes and Barriers of Polish Women towards Breastfeeding-Descriptive Cross-Sectional On-Line Survey.

Breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition. Successful breastfeeding depends on many factors, including the help of medical personnel in teaching breastfeeding, the need for professional work, and breastfeeding-friendly places in public spaces. The main goal was to identify various barriers among mothers to breastfeeding. This study used a quantitative descriptive research design. We recruited 419 mothers aged at least 18 years old through social media. Results were analysed using Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's tests of independence for pairs of dependent and independent variables. Most often, women gave birth at the age of 25-30, had one or two children, and attended higher education. Almost half of them lived in a large city and gave birth to a child by caesarean section. A total of 83.1% of mothers planned to breastfeed, but not all of them were able to do so for various reasons. One-third of them felt sorry for themselves that they had to change their feeding method. The majority of mothers did not receive sufficient help in the hospital in terms of learning how to breastfeed (61%), did not use the help of a lactation consultant (67%), and answered that there was no lactation consultant in their place of residence (65%). Only 43.2% of mothers returned to work without ceasing breastfeeding. A total of 42% of mothers experienced feelings of embarrassment when breastfeeding in a public place. The most frequently indicated barrier to breastfeeding in a public place was the lack of a suitable location where a woman would feel comfortable, calm, and intimate. There are various barriers towards breastfeeding: too few lactation consultants, problems with breastfeeding when the mother wants to return to work, and unfriendly places for breastfeeding in public spaces. Efforts must be made to support mothers in breastfeeding.

Rethinking empathy: professional work with persons with PIMD

This article combines ethnographic interpretations with analyses of the conceptual history of empathy. Moving beyond the more common notions, which often rely in psychological theories and terminologies, the conceptual-historical analyses...

A Bioecological Approach to Family and Consumer Science Teacher Preparation

Family and consumer sciences (FCS) has a rich history dating back to its origins as home economics. The profession has always been rooted in multiple branches of science including chemistry, biology, sociology, and psychology. The Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge (FCS-BOK) unveiled at the turn of the 21st century helped solidify the theoretical foundation of the profession. The theoretical approaches that anchor and guide the work of current FCS professionals are human ecosystems and life course development. This paper highlights more specifically how an FCS teacher educator utilizes Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to understand the current state of FCS education and design learning experiences for future educators that instill values of theoretical application across careers in secondary classrooms.

Job Burnout and Satisfaction among Nurses at a Public Hospital in Bohol, Philippines

Nurses, the unsung heroes, have shown remarkable resilience as they continue to provide compassionate care and selfless service, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This correlational study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the two perceived job burnout of nurses and their job satisfaction. Using Roasoft, sixty-eight (68) respondents were randomly selected to participate in the study. Two adapted survey tools were used to collect data representing the target population. A Pearson correlation coefficient was employed as the statistical treatment for analyzing the data. The study found that job burnout has no significant relationship to the job satisfaction of public nurses. It simply means the nurses' perceived fatigue, stress, and exhaustion do not lead to job dissatisfaction. Therefore, the study concludes that although nurses’ perceived job burnout was not directly linked to job satisfaction, the hospital management plays a crucial role in prioritizing the well-being and welfare of these frontliners. A stress management program and promoting work-life balance are the leading suggestions that significantly mitigate job burnout and enhance job satisfaction. Furthermore, augmenting potential mediating variables such as professional growth, company culture, support systems, or work environment might strengthen the present study. These findings are crucial for understanding and improving the working conditions of our healthcare professionals.

Teachers’ challenges encountered in the marketisation of education systems at primary schools in the Mbare-Hatfield district

Different forms of markertisation and privatisation have encircled the teaching profession. Internet sites that offer to produce academic work for a fee make academic work into a commodity that can be bought and sold. Most schools in Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community region, Africa, and beyond cannot easily afford internet services. This study explored the teachers’ challenges in understanding the educational systems due to the marketisation of education. This study utilized the mixed methods approach and the case study design because of its strength in discovering more about unexplored problems. Two school head participants and forty teachers were selected from schools in the district. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to get data from the research participants. The results unearthed that the education system is one such tool for perpetuating class divisions and social inequality. Contemporary literature has provided evidence in the exploration of teachers’ challenges encountered in the marketisation of education. To the extent that I have reviewed the literature, I found a substantial gap in knowledge about the impact of the challenges encountered in the marketisation of education. The study's objective was to determine the challenges teachers face in giving equal opportunities to poor and minority students due to the marketisation of education. There are some gaps caused by digital divides and government withdrawal from funding for public schools since the early 1990s when ESAP was embraced as an economic blueprint. The marketisation of education has negatively affected teacher integrity, sometimes leading to teacher misconduct. In recent years, the professional status of teachers seems to have been compromised. This is probably due to the changing nature of teacher professional work. Modern-day teaching practices are embroiled in an increasing struggle for private gain. Teachers must learn to cross social boundaries to make learning meaningful and relevant for all students.

Organizational resources, burnout, and work engagement of school counselors: The mediating effect of professional identity

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the influence of organizational resources and professional identity on school counselor burnout and work engagement. We performed structural equation modeling using a sample of 345 practicing school counselors. The results of the analysis showed that organizational resources for school counselors were significantly related to professional identity, burnout, and work engagement, while professional identity significantly mediated the relationship between organizational resources and burnout/work engagement. We provided implications and recommendations for future research on school counselors’ work‐related attitudes and professional identity development.

Anatomy of a hospitable collaboration: academic hospitality in and for academic development

ABSTRACT We suggest that academic hospitality may be a common, unarticulated practice in academic development. We use two nested collaborations between an academic development unit and a dental faculty to illustrate practices of academic hospitality. The collaboration changed the faculty’s culture of suitability assessment, or assessment of students’ qualifications for professional work. Nested within this collaboration, another collaboration emerged between one of the academic developers and a dental faculty member. They conducted a research study on the cultural change in the faculty as an example of how and why changes might come about in an academic culture. We contend that both collaborations are marked by academic hospitality and exemplify hospitable collaboration.

Online Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Healthcare Professionals: A Scoping Review.

Healthcare professionals work in challenging environments with extended working hours and excessive workloads to provide high-quality care. However, they hardly get the time to care for themselves. Online mindfulness-based interventions-which are not restricted by time or location-can be a powerful strategy to help healthcare professionals. This scoping review aims to explore the current evidence about online mindfulness-based interventions for healthcare professionals. A scoping review was conducted. A literature search was conducted to retrieve articles published between October 2016 and March 2023 in seven databases, including backward and forward citation tracking from the included articles. Among 1,278 articles retrieved, 33 met the criteria for review. Two-thirds of the studies utilized commercialized mindfulness programs (n = 22). Duration of the mindfulness interventions varied from 1 week to 4 months, and half of the studies used audio-guided programs. Online mindfulness-based intervention studies were targeted to reduce burnout (n = 26), and the majority reported reduction in burnout (n = 18). Most studies used individual audio-guided programs that warrant the use of diverse delivery methods such as video media, simulation, and virtual reality for interactions in the future. Although the literature has accumulated evidence for commercialized online mindfulness-based interventions, further studies are needed to develop and test tailored interventions for healthcare professionals.

Crossing and dismantling boundaries: recognising the value of professional staff within higher education

In this article, we use the concept of the third space to explore how professional staff within UK universities experience boundaries. We focus on professional staff working in three areas of higher education that have been conceptualised differently as third spaces to date: widening participation, technical staff and academic administration. We draw on empirical research from three distinct, but related, qualitative research projects that explored contemporary issues, institutional change, professional identities, relationships and expertise within these under-researched professional contexts. We show how boundaries are experienced, crossed and sometimes dismantled. We highlight where increased collaboration has a positive effect on achieving institutional goals through improved relationships between academic and professional staff, and the recognition of diverse forms of knowledge within the university workforce. We argue for a conception of the third space that is not a discrete or distinct space, which professionals work within or outside of, but instead conceived of as a way of working, which all higher education professionals may engage in, to greater or lesser extents. Doing so provides new insights into the existence of third space working among new professional groups and highlights the potential for all professional staff to engage in third space working to the benefit of their institutions.

Формирование психолого-педагогической готовности будущих учителей к профессиональной деятельности в инклюзивном пространстве

<p style="text-align: justify;">Research by domestic and foreign scientists, as well as preliminary diagnostics of school teachers in the Tula region, showed that over 80% of teachers are not ready for professional work in an inclusive environment. Teachers do not know the specifics of conflicts in a situation of inclusion; do not know how to identify indicators of school violence and bullying; do not have the necessary competencies (diagnostic, conflict management, design, psychotherapeutic); are not ready to design a safe environment, have a negative attitude towards students with physical and mental problems, and do not take into account the peculiarities of the national and religious culture of migrant students. We consider a graduate’s readiness for professional activity in an inclusive space as a holistic, integrative professional and personal construct, including cognitive, emotional-value, operational-activity and conative components. The actualization of the problem of developing students’ readiness is associated with an unfavorable prognosis for the mental and physical health of children and adolescents, with an increase in the number of schoolchildren from migrant and refugee families.</p>

Updating a conceptual model of effective symptom management in palliative care to include patient and carer perspective: a qualitative study

BackgroundA conceptual model of effective symptom management was previously developed from interviews with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (HCP) working in English hospices. Here we aimed to answer the question; does a HCP data-derived model represent the experience of patients and carers of people with advanced cancer?MethodsSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with six patients with advanced cancer and six carers to gain an in-depth understanding of their experience of symptom management. Analysis was based on the framework method; transcription, familiarisation, coding, applying analytical framework (conceptual model), charting, interpretation. Inductive framework analysis was used to align data with themes in the existing model. A deductive approach was also used to identify new themes.ResultsThe experience of patients and carers aligned with key steps of engagement, decision making, partnership and delivery in the HCP-based model. The data aligned with 18 of 23 themes. These were; Role definition and boundaries, Multidisciplinary team decision making, Availability of services/staff, Clinician-Patient relationship/rapport, Patient preferences, Patient characteristics, Quality of life versus treatment need, Staff time/burden, Psychological support -informal, Appropriate understanding, expectations, acceptance and goals- patients, Appropriate understanding, expectations, acceptance and goals-HCPs, Appropriate understanding, expectations, acceptance and goals- family friends, carers, Professional, service and referral factors, Continuity of care, Multidisciplinary team working, Palliative care philosophy and culture, Physical environment and facilities, Referral process and delays. Four additional patient and carer-derived themes were identified: Carer Burden, Communication, Medicines management and COVID-19. Constructs that did not align were Experience (of staff), Training (of staff), Guidelines and evidence, Psychological support (for staff) and Formal psychological support (for patients).ConclusionsA healthcare professional-based conceptual model of effective symptom management aligned well with the experience of patients with advanced cancer and their carers. Additional domains were identified. We make four recommendations for change arising from this research. Routine appraisal and acknowledgement of carer burden, medicine management tasks and previous experience in healthcare roles; improved access to communication skills training for staff and review of patient communication needs. Further research should explore the symptom management experience of those living alone and how these people can be better supported.

Investigation of the Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals towards Disabled Women in Terms of Gender Perceptions

Background: Gender inequality causes women to be exposed to discrimination in many fields. Gender discrimination against women affects disabled women more deeply. Prejudiced and negative attitudes of healthcare professionals may prevent disabled women from receiving adequate health services. Objective: This study aimed to examine the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards women with disabilities in terms of gender perception. Methods: The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of 234 healthcare professionals. Research data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS), and Disabled Women Attitude Scale (ADWS). Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.60±8.27, and the average professional working time was 172.23±94.59 months. Of them, 60.7% were women, 34.2% were nurses, 40.6% worked in secondary healthcare institutions, and 31.6% had a disabled relative. The mean total score of GRAS was 54.06±9.61, and ADWS was 62.42±13.79. GRAS and ADWS mean scores were higher in women. The mean GRAS score was higher in university graduates and those working 21 years or more. The mean ADWS score was higher in individuals who do not have a disabled relative. Additionally, there was a low positive correlation between GRAS and ADWS mean scores (p

A more-than-human approach to researching AI at work

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly manifest in everyday work, learning, and living. Reports attempting to gauge public perception suggest that amidst exaggerated expectations and fears about AI, citizens are sceptical and lack understanding of what AI is and does (Archer et al., 2018). Professional workers practice at the intersection of such public perceptions, the AI industry, and regulatory frameworks. Yet, there is limited understanding of the day-to-day interactions and predicaments between workers, AI systems, and the publics they serve. This includes how these interactions and predicaments generate opportunities for learning and highlight new digital fluencies needed. We bring social and computing science perspectives to begin to examine the prevailing AI narratives in professional work and learning practices. Some AIs (such as deep machine learning systems) are so sophisticated that a human-understandable explanation of how it works may not be possible. This raises questions about what professional practitioners are able to know about the AI systems they use: their new digital co-workers. We argue that a co-constitutive human-AI perspective could provide useful insights on questions such as: (1) How is professional expertise and judgment re-distributed as workers negotiate and learn with AI systems? (2) What trust and confidence in new AI-infused work practices is needed or possible and how is this mediated? (3) What are the implications for professional learning: both learning within work and the workplace and more formal curriculum? Given the early stages of this field of inquiry, our aim is to evoke discussion of alternative human-AI narratives suited for the messy—and often unseen—realities of everyday practices.

Where to go: Factors influencing Hong Kong university students' attitude towards working in the Greater Bay Area

AbstractThis study explores Hong Kong university students' concerns when making employment decisions after graduation and their attitudes towards working in mainland China, especially in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Two research questions were identified: What are Hong Kong students' attitudes towards working in the GBA? What factors influence Hong Kong students' employment choices? A qualitative research approach was adopted with semi‐structured interviews with 38 final‐year students from eight Hong Kong universities. Based on thematic analysis, the findings showed that Hong Kong university students' willingness to work in the GBA was mainly influenced by their previous connections with the destination and potential career development opportunities. However, Shenzhen was the only city out of nine in the GBA they considered for employment. University students were aware of the economic rationale for their employment preparation, but, more importantly, they placed a high value on professional development opportunities and work–life balance. They also valued opportunities for internationalisation and emphasised the importance of the work culture and environment in choosing employment. The findings have policy implications for graduate employment and the intra‐mobility of talented young people across GBA cities in China.

Shared patient information and trust: a qualitative study of a national eHealth system

BackgroundIn Norway, as in other countries, national eHealth systems, such as the Summary Care Record (SCR), have been implemented to improve the collaboration around patients by sharing patient information between health professionals across healthcare institutions and administrative levels. Although widely implemented across the health and care services in Norway, evaluations of the SCR indicate less use than expected. There is a need for analysis that lays out the visions and expectations of the SCR and contrasts these with detailed observations of use in everyday health professional work. This study adds to the eHealth research field by exploring this reality.MethodThis paper has a qualitative design with an ethnographic approach, including participant observation, qualitative interviews, and a document review. Qualitative individual interviews with 22 health professionals and six weeks of participant observation were conducted, and eight documents were reviewed. The field notes and the interview-transcriptions were analyzed following a stepwise-deductive induction analysis.ResultsThe document review identified the expectations and visions of the SCR, including an underlying assumption of trust in shared patient information. However, this assumption is implicit and not recognized as a crucial element for success in the documents. In our observation and interview data, we found that health professionals do not necessarily trust information in the SCR. In fact, several procedures and routines to assess the trustworthiness of SCR information were identified that complicate and disturb the expected use. In our analysis, two main themes characterize the health professionals' handling of the SCR: adapting to workflow and dealing with uncertainty.ConclusionOur study illustrates that unconditional trust in shared patient information is an implicit assumption in SCR policy documents, but in their everyday work health professionals do not necessarily unconditionally trust shared patient information. Rather, sharing patient information through technology, such as the SCR, requires of health professionals to critically assess the digital information. The information in the SCR, as all sources of information presented to health professionals, becomes an item for their constant trust-work. Our study is of value to policymakers, health information systems developers, and the field of practice both nationally and internationally.

Doing the Inner and Outer Work: Culturally Responsive Practices in Gender-Affirming Voice Care

Purpose: This article aims to raise clinical awareness of (a) the barriers and forms of oppression that transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) people face, (b) the ways in which discrimination can subconsciously be enacted by practitioners and institutions, and (c) to provide actionable steps for providing gender-affirming voice care (GAVC) services. Method: This article draws on empirical evidence of inequitable access/barriers to resources and the heightened risk to well-being for TGE people, as well as the theoretical foundations from the field of psychology that lead to culturally responsive care of the voice. It clarifies and expands the tenets of gender-affirming practice and trauma-informed care and identifies action steps for practical application in this specialized area of voice. It highlights the need for greater self-reflection and ongoing education when providing GAVC services, particularly as it relates to the practitioner's understanding of the intersections of racism, transphobia, neurodivergence, and disability justice. Conclusions: In addition to having strong voice skills, practitioners who are lifelong learners, remain pliable to learning new ideas, and have a strong and sincere desire to provide GAVC are needed to work with this population. Those providing GAVC are recommended to first deepen their self-reflection skills and understanding of their own identities, as well as acquire a humble understanding of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially in terms of the intersections of race and gender expression. The authors recommend personal and professional work through a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) journey. This includes increasing one's counseling skills in order to provide tailored support that is specific to the client's needs. This article aims to provide a concrete entryway for the practice of gender-affirming care as it applies to the voice, while acknowledging that maintaining ethical gender-affirming practices requires a lifelong commitment to continuing education.