Program Structure Research Articles

Pediatric Tracheostomy Education Program Structures, Barriers, and Support: A Nationwide Survey of Children's Hospitals.

Safe discharge for children with tracheostomies requires caregivers to be competent in tracheostomy management, including emergency interventions. Inpatient pediatric units are tasked with preparing families for discharge, yet variations exist in the standards of tracheostomy education across institutions. To address this gap, we aimed to describe the inpatient tracheostomy education programs in children's hospitals across the United States. This is a cross-sectional study conducted between May and July 2022. We distributed an online survey to a purposeful sample of representatives from participating children's hospitals. The 42-item survey evaluated various aspects of tracheostomy education, including teaching strategies, timing of education, operational support, and overall program structure. Descriptive statistics were generated, and researchers reviewed open-ended items to identify themes. Thirty-seven institutions participated, 26 of which were free-standing children's hospitals. All programs surveyed conducted bedside checkoffs, required a rooming-in period, and provided tracheostomy cardiopulmonary resuscitation and low-fidelity simulation for emergency teaching. Programs varied in the order of education and the type of support received. Many programs lacked a postdischarge follow-up structure and the majority evaluated program effectiveness with readmission rates. Lack of private-duty nursing was the primary barrier to discharge, followed by family availability and reluctance to participate in education. The program structure and support variations suggest that more investigation is needed in discharge education and postdischarge follow-up for children with tracheostomies. A national guideline for tracheostomy education and identification of standardized quality metrics for program evaluation would benefit current and emerging programs.

Building pedagogical partnerships

Engaging students as pedagogical partners in teaching and learning in higher education is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, developing and sustaining such partnerships can be challenging. The present study highlights the potential of utilizing work-integrated learning (WIL) students as partners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 university instructors to explore how access to an online learning assistant (OLA) program helped them navigate remote instruction challenges. The OLA program was a novel WIL initiative providing co-operative (co-op) education students with full-time, paid work to assist instructors transitioning to remote learning. Unexpectedly, our findings demonstrate that pedagogical partnerships emerged in the context of this WIL program, leading to teaching and learning benefits. Online learning assistants were able to assist instructors with many of the difficulties they faced, although some program challenges also emerged. Our findings suggest that full-time, paid co-op student positions offer a unique program structure that make them ideal for the development and ongoing success of pedagogical partnerships.

Оценка качества образовательной среды в детском саду для детей с РАС: методика ECERS-R

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives. </strong>When providing comprehensive support for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), it is necessary to create a special educational environment. A study was conducted on the quality of the educational environment of a preschool educational organization for children with ASD using the Early Childhood Environmental Assessment Scale (ECERS-R) tool, which was originally designed to assess the environment in preschools for typically developing children.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods. </strong>The ECERS-R diagnostic methodology evaluates the main components of the educational environment in a preschool organization across seven areas: Space and Furnishings; Personal Care Routines; Language — Reasoning; Activitie; Interaction; Program Structure; Parents and Staff. In 10 groups of children aged 2 to 8 years of special kindergarten for children with ASD “WE ARE TOGETHER”, quality monitoring of the preschool’s work was carried out by both external and internal (staff) experts.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results. </strong>The strongest aspects of the kindergarten’s educational environment for children with ASD were identified as “Staff-Child Interaction” and “Program Structure”. Lower scores were obtained in the areas of “Language — Reasoning” and “Activities”. The “Space and Furnishings” was rated similarly by both external and internal experts (4.5 points), which indirectly indicates the objectivity of the expert assessment. Internal experts rated their own performance in caring for children with ASD lower, at 3.4 points, while external experts rated the difficulty of caring for children with ASD slightly higher, at 3.6 points.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusions. </strong>In general, kindergarten staff, who work with children in this educational environment on a daily basis, rated its quality significantly higher than external experts. This discrepancy is likely due to the specific nature of the educational environment for children with ASD, as well as the individual characteristics of the children themselves. For a qualitative assessment of the educational environment using ECERS-R in a kindergarten with a special focus, the tool needs to be adapted to better meet the special educational needs of the children. Adding subscales for different conditions seems feasible.</p>

A Technology-Based Intervention Impacts Quality of Life for Low-Income Older Adults by Reducing Loneliness and Improving Healthcare Self-Efficacy and Self-Rated Health.

This paper describes a technology program aimed at developing technical skills and confidence, reducing social isolation and loneliness, and increasing healthcare self-management and self-efficacy among older adults. We conducted a mixed-methods study using surveys collected at baseline and 12months from 90 older adults. Focus group data (n = 7) collected at 12months were examined for convergence with key quantitative outcomes, emergent value-related themes, and evaluation of program structure and staff. Outcome data showed improvements in loneliness (Cohen's d = -0.24, p = .004) (validated by qualitative data), self-rated health (d = 0.23, p = .011), and healthcare self-efficacy (d = 0.31, p = .004). Participants with higher healthcare self-efficacy (β = 0.24, p = .03) and higher negative emotions (β = 0.28, p = .01) had greater frequency of internet use to search for health information. Qualitative findings described program mechanisms supporting increases in self-efficacy, including increased technology use and confidence, and values statements demonstrating the meaningfulness of learning technology and its impact on multiple domains of quality of life.

Genotype-by-environment interactions in beef and dairy cattle populations: A review of methodologies and perspectives on research and applications.

Modern livestock production systems are characterized by a greater focus on intensification, involving managing larger numbers of animals to achieve higher productive efficiency and animal health and welfare within herds. Therefore, animal breeding programs need to be strategically designed to select animals that can effectively enhance production performance and animal welfare across a range of environmental conditions. Thus, this review summarizes the main methodologies used for assessing the levels of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) in cattle populations. In addition, we explored the importance of integrating genomic and phenotypic information to quantify and account for G × E in breeding programs. An overview of the structure of cattle breeding programs is provided to give insights into the potential outcomes and challenges faced when considering G × E to optimize genetic gains in breeding programs. The role of nutrigenomics and its impact on gene expression related to metabolism in cattle are also discussed, along with an examination of current research findings and their potential implications for future research and practical applications. Out of the 116 studies examined, 60 and 56 focused on beef and dairy cattle, respectively. A total of 83.62% of these studies reported genetic correlations across environmental gradients below 0.80, indicating the presence of G × E. For beef cattle, 69.33%, 24%, 2.67%, 2.67%, and 1.33% of the studies evaluated growth, reproduction, carcass and meat quality, survival, and feed efficiency traits, respectively. By contrast, G × E research in dairy cattle populations predominantly focused on milk yield and milk composition (79.36% of the studies), followed by reproduction and fertility (19.05%), and survival (1.59%) traits. The importance of G × E becomes particularly evident when considering complex traits such as heat tolerance, disease resistance, reproductive performance, and feed efficiency, as highlighted in this review. Genomic models provide a valuable avenue for studying these traits in greater depth, allowing for the identification of candidate genes and metabolic pathways associated with animal fitness, adaptation, and environmental efficiency. Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are emerging fields that require extensive investigation to maximize our understanding of gene-nutrient interactions. By studying various transcription factors, we can potentially improve animal metabolism, improving performance, health, and quality of products such as meat and milk.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ТА АНАЛІЗ МЕТОДІВ ВІЗУАЛІЗАЦІЇ ОСВІТНІХ ПРОГРАМ ТА НАВЧАЛЬНИХ ПЛАНІВ У ВИЩИХ ОСВІТНІХ ЗАКЛАДАХ

The task of the research is to identify the most promising visualization methods that can help students and teachers to increase their understanding of the structure and content of educational programs, improve the planning of the educational process, as well as facilitate the adaptation of programs to the changing requirements of educational standards and the needs of the labor market. The purpose of the study is to analyze the existing methods of visualization of educational programs at the university to identify their effectiveness, areas of application and contribution to improving the quality of the educational process. The research method is an analysis with sequential identification of the most influential features of the studied methods on the final result of data presentation.Data visualization is indispensable for research, analysis and presentation of data, thanks to benefits such as improved audience understanding, effective communication and facilitation of teamwork, identification of patterns and anomalies in the presented material, stronger decision support, accessibility and iterative analysis of the presented material Since the success of becoming a specialist in any field is related to the orientation of students in existing educational programs for different levels of training. In the course of the research, examples of the use of methods of visualization of educational programs in scientific research were analyzed. Since visualization methods can play a key role at all stages of the life cycle of an educational program, from design and development to its direct use, the researched visualization methods allow structuring educational programs, graphically displaying the development of an educational program over time, visually displaying how educational modules and courses are related with educational standards and goals, provide a variety of reports and analytics, identify gaps and identify areas for improvement, integrate external educational resources and materials, organize real-time collaboration, adapt the interface and data presentation to the specific needs of students, teachers and other stakeholders . The result of the research, based on the conducted analysis, are the proposed recommendations for the selection and integration of visualization methods into the educational programs of higher educational institutions.

Professional training of a foreign language and world literature teacher at the second (master’s) level of higher education: content and structure of the educational program

Professional training of a foreign language and world literature teacher at the second (master’s) level of higher education: content and structure of the educational program

Strengths, Barriers, and Recommendations for a Wraparound Gang Intervention Program Targeting High Risk Youth

ABSTRACT The Wraparound approach aims to prevent and interrupt gang activity by “wrapping” youth with individualized supports to increase prosocial connections and reduce the risks for gang involvement. The current study examines 38 interviews with program staff and external stakeholders to assess implementation strengths and challenges of a Wraparound program in British Columbia, Canada. Thematic analysis resulted in seven strengths-related themes concerning program structure, team, and youth engagement strategies, and seven challenge-related themes regarding youth interactions, resources, and communication. Findings highlight the benefits of an individualized approach, with consideration of enhanced communication and outreach strategies, resource allocation, and case manager training.

Understanding Implications of Varied State Policies Regarding Alternative Pathways to Licensure for Special Educators

Alternative pathways to licensure (APL) programs have proliferated nationally as a potential solution to the ongoing critical shortage of qualified special education professionals. Although these programs attract more diverse teacher candidates, they have been criticized for a lack of preparation and support provided to new professionals. This likely exacerbates teacher shortages and contributes to the pervasive underachievement of students with disabilities. Additionally, due in part to wide variations in APL programs, limited research is available on the structure and subsequent impact of APL programs. To gain a landscape view of the ways policy shapes special education APL programs in the United States, the authors analyzed state policies and regulations that guide licensure requirements for special education APLs. To do this, they identified policy and regulation documents and analyzed them for themes related to APL requirements. The authors found wide variability nationally regarding entrance and completion requirements for APL participants, including testing and pedagogical requirements, field experiences, and employment status. This type of policy incoherence has implications for state and local educational agencies, researchers, teacher educators, and policymakers as they seek to evaluate APL programs and determine which structures will most effectively support the recruitment and retention of special educators.

Development and implementation of an equitable and efficient navigation program to address supportive care needs in patients with cancer.

58 Background: Despite evidence backing the use of navigation along the cancer care trajectory, existing programs struggle to deliver services efficiently and equitably. To bridge this gap, we developed and implemented a patient-centric, data-driven navigation program that leverages a risk-stratification approach to prioritize and address unmet needs. Methods: Our program was developed with key principles to address inefficiencies in existing navigation systems. First, we embedded the program within our institution’s Epic environment, using data-driven risk calculators, dashboards, flowsheets, and templates to support the navigation curriculum. Second, the program structure aligned with the patient’s journey from initial consult through treatment, focusing on early identification of unmet needs, centralized resourcing, and remote symptom monitoring for high-risk patients. Third, we unified the workflows of navigators, intake personnel, triage nurses, and providers, fostering system-wide collaboration. Results: The program has been successfully implemented in patients with new consults in gastrointestinal, breast, and hematologic oncology. To date, 2,080 patients have had an initial assessment leading to a Navigation Assessment Score (NAS) that predicts longitudinal burden of unmet needs and directs subsequent resourcing. 226 referrals have been generated to: cancer rehabilitation (76), nutrition (60), psychosocial oncology (48), tobacco cessation (39), and palliative care (3). Remote symptom monitoring was piloted in 34 gastrointestinal oncology patients meeting the calculated highest decile risk for unplanned acute care event use. Proportions of patients with a NAS score (N=2,080): 69.3% White, 17.7% Black, 3% Latinx, 1.8% Asian, 0.9% American Indian; referrals (N=226): 61.2% White, 23.0% Black, 4.9% Latinx, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% American Indian; remote symptom monitoring (N=34): 79.4% White, 11.8% Black, 5.9% American Indian. Except for Latinx patients, these distributions align with the patient population in gastrointestinal, breast, and hematologic oncology (N=4,267; 68.0% White, 22.5% Black, 6.4% Latinx, 1.9% Asian, 0.9% American Indian). Conclusions: Development and implementation of our program is feasible, and the approach has potential to mitigate disparities in cancer service delivery and outcomes. Ongoing efforts include exploring accessibility among Latinx patients and developing the business case for sustainability and scaling.

Simplified modeling study of the forward fuselage structure based on the overall structural rapid design software for civil aircraft

Abstract In order to solve the problems of poor weight estimation accuracy and difficult layout design trade-offs in the concept demonstration and overall program definition stage of civil aircraft, Aircraft Layout, a civil aircraft overall program structure rapid design software, is used to establish a numerical calculation-based layout program rapid design simulation platform. Based on the forward fuselage structure, this paper gives the results of rapid modeling and finite element simulation and analysis of the forward fuselage isotropic section of a certain type of aircraft, which provides a reference for the optimization design of the structural components of the forward fuselage section of a certain type of aircraft in the conceptual scheme design stage.

Training in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy in Latin America: A Cross-Sectional Study of the LABMT

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a complex and resource-intensive procedure that has become a critical treatment for certain hematologic conditions. However, in Latin America, access to HCT is limited compared to high-income countries, in part due to a lack of standardized training programs for HCT professionals. To address this gap, the Latin-American Bone Marrow Transplantation Group conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the current state of training programs in HCT and cellular therapy across the region. This study aimed to describe and analyze the availability, characteristics, and challenges of HCT training programs in Latin America, with a focus on identifying barriers and proposing solutions for improvement. A cross-sectional survey was sent to 127 recognized HCT centers across 14 Latin-American countries in December 2022. The survey collected data on institutional characteristics, training program structure, costs, and barriers to program development. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and comparative analyses were performed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Of the 127 centers surveyed, 50 (39%) responded, with the majority located in Brazil (34%) and Mexico (30%). Among the respondents, 64% (n = 32) offered formal training programs lasting 6 months or longer. The most significant barriers reported were lack of funding (n = 21), limited number of transplant procedures (n = 15), and a shortage of qualified professors (n = 11). Proposed solutions included increasing student mobility opportunities (n = 28), enhancing program quality (n = 27), and improving access to funding (n = 15). Only 6% of programs offered exposure to CAR-T therapy, and fewer than half of the centers provided international rotations. This study highlights significant disparities in HCT training programs across Latin America, with most countries lacking access to formalized training. While Brazil and Mexico serve as regional hubs, other nations have limited or no training opportunities. Addressing these gaps through increased funding, international collaborations, and standardized curricula is essential to improving HCT training and ultimately patient care in the region.

Professional Development Activities of Lecturers: An Action Research

This action research was designed to examine the professional development program (PDP) of lecturers and the effects of the program’s processes on educational administrators and lecturers. The study involved 2 administrators and 10 lecturers from an English preparatory school at a private university in Istanbul. During the program, to gather insights into the achievements, challenges, and suggestions related to the program, semi-structured one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with administrators and lecturers, alongside the use of reflective journals and observation forms. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data. Education administrators believe that the PDP enhanced internal communication within the organization, provided insights into organizational functioning, fostered the adoption of student-centered teaching methods, and contributed to the personal development of lecturers through self-criticism and increased self-confidence. Lecturers highlighted benefits such as experience sharing, critical thinking enhancement, student-centered teaching integration, and improved teaching skills. Time management is a common challenge for both administrators and lecturers, with the added concern among lecturers about being perceived as ineffective by students during teaching observations. In light of the findings, it is recommended to tailor activities to lecturers’ needs, offer a flexible program structure, and provide support mechanisms to help lecturers cope. Future research might involve larger samples and explore emotional states and challenges independently.

A cluster approach to matching the competences of data specialists with skills in demand on the labour market

This paper addresses the challenge of aligning the competences of data specialists with skills in demand on the labour market in the rapidly evolving field of data science. Using an open dataset of 3,744 IT job postings, the study applies K-means clustering to identify key skill groupings for data specialist positions. The optimal number of clusters is determined using the elbow method, resulting in four distinct clusters: Data Analyst & Engineer, Data Platform Engineer, Data Science & Engineering Specialist, and Cloud Data Engineer. The research methodology employs unsupervised learning techniques, specifically K-means clustering, to analyze the distribution of skills across job postings. The clusters are visualized using t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE), providing insights into the relationships between different skill sets. The study reveals that job titles do not always unambiguously define the required skills, emphasizing the importance of focusing on specific skill sets rather than job titles alone. To bridge the gap between specific subject competences academic programs and industry requirements, the paper proposes a novel approach for comparing the proportion of skills in job clusters with the proportion of professional competencies in academic programs. This method is demonstrated using the Information Systems and Technologies Master's program at Kherson State University as a case study. The chi-square test is applied to confirm the statistical similarity between the skill structure of the Data Science & Engineering Specialist cluster and the competency structure of the academic program. The findings highlight the importance of continuous adaptation of profile of academic program to meet evolving industry needs. The proposed approach provides a data-driven framework for universities to align their programs with labor market demands, potentially improving graduate employability in the data science field. The study also underscores the need for personalized learning paths that can be tailored to individual career goals and skill gaps. Future research directions include the development of an artificial intelligence system to form individualized educational trajectories based on the skills required for specific job clusters. This could further enhance the alignment between education and industry needs, preparing students more effectively for the dynamic data science job market.

SMUP: A technique to improve MC/DC using specified patterns

According to recent study, a number of poorly explored aspects, like program structure and not producing high-quality random inputs for testing, can have a significant impact on the overall efficacy of the testing process. Existing concolic testers found to be more cost-effective than random testers for code coverage. Modified condition/decision coverage (MC/DC) has gained its popularity as the strongest criterion for safety-critical systems proposed by RTCA/DO-178B(C), after multiple condition coverage (MCC). This paper proposes a new source code transformation technique that produces additional test cases to achieve higher MC/DC. The technical contribution of this work is threefold. First, it uses a pattern-based code transformation technique that produces effective MC/DC test cases. This pattern-based approach guides the concolic tester to generate test cases as per the MC/DC requirements. Second, the generated patterns are further simplified to minimize the execution time. Third, we have developed a tool named “Java MC/DC Analyzer” to measure MC/DC score for the input programs. The proposed approach is experimented on thirty Java programs and achieved an average increase of 32.86% MC/DC score which validates our work. Also, we have compared our approach with other code transformation techniques and reported a significant improvement.

THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN MODERN RUSSIA UNTIL 2016

This article is devoted to the analysis of the key stages of the development of higher education in Russia after the collapse of the USSR. The paper examines the factors that influenced the transformation of the system, from political and economic changes to social and cultural influences. The author examines the main reforms of higher education carried out in the 90s and in the 2000s, with an emphasis on their impact on the structure, content and financing of educational programs. The article analyzes the changes in the role of the state and the private sector in education, as well as the impact of globalization and international standards. Special attention is paid to the processes that have influenced the availability of higher education, the quality of training of specialists and their demand in the labor market. The article highlights the main problems faced by the higher education system in Russia during this period and analyzes the prospects for its further development.

Examining Dropout Among Graduate and Undergraduate Public Affairs and Political Science Students

Within the domain of public affairs and political science (PAPS), student dropout emerges as a critical concern. This study delves into the factors influencing the decisions of undergraduate and graduate PAPS students to discontinue their programs. Employing a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 384 at-risk undergraduates and conducted in-depth interviews with 18 former graduate students. Thematic analysis of these interviews revealed six pivotal factors influencing graduate student dropout: the financial burden of study (including tuition and limited financial aid), program curricular challenges (such as demanding thesis requirements and inadequate practical components), the delicate balance of multiple responsibilities (work, study, and family), health-related issues (including anxiety and stress), poor academic performance, and personal difficulties (such as lack of family support). At the undergraduate level, descriptive analyses indicated that 38% of PAPS students contemplated dropping out, with 30% considering changing their major. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression highlighted the significance of factors such as family and societal influences, economic considerations, program and curriculum structure, institutional dynamics, academic performance, personal attitudes, and student health in shaping these contemplations. This research not only expands the application of integration and engagement theory and the pull, push, and failing out theory but also validates their effectiveness in predicting dropout within PAPS programs. The study offers valuable insights for both researchers and policymakers, underscoring the imperative for more supportive, flexible, and financially viable educational structures to enhance student retention in the realm of public affairs and political science.

The role of SNAP and WIC in the bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms

BackgroundThe association between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms has been established by many cross-sectional and longitudinal studies however the understanding of the reciprocal relationship between them remains unclear. Further, previous research demonstrates that federal nutrition assistance decreases food insecurity and promotes maternal mental well-being but further research is needed to elucidate the moderating role of these programs in the association between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms. Therefore, the current study examined the bidirectional associations between maternal depression probability and food insecurity using cross-lagged models and then tested the main and moderating effects of SNAP and WIC. MethodsData were from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study and the sample included 1948 mothers who participated in year 3 and year 5 of data collection. ResultsThe cross-lagged paths show that food insecurity at year 3 predicted maternal depression probability at year 5 and depression probability at year 3 predicted food insecurity at year 5. There was a significant moderating effect of WIC receipt on the association between food insecurity at year 3 and at year 5 such that when mothers with high food insecurity at year 3 received WIC, they were less food insecure at year 5. LimitationsThe study oversampled for unmarried mothers only two waves of data were used for the cross-lagged panel models. ConclusionsResults demonstrate the need to incorporate mental health services with the existing food assistance programs and the need to destigmatize the application process and program structure.

Unlocking Creativity: Utilizing The 5 Whys Methodology to Illuminate Core Issues in Student Supreme Government

Student engagement programs served as catalysts for student development, community building, and active participation in campus life. This research explored the state of student engagement programs within the Supreme Student Government (SSG), focusing on their effectiveness and levels of student participation. Utilizing the 5 Whys methodology, the study identified and analyzed critical challenges and opportunities related to student motivation, program structure, and alignment with student interests. The findings revealed that internal communication breakdowns and budget constraints were significant factors impeding the effectiveness of SSG programs. Student participation was only moderate due to conflicting schedules with classes and insufficient program marketing. The rigid structure of SSG programs and a lengthy approval process further limited their ability to meet student needs. A disconnect between program content and student interests hindered engagement. The research concluded that the root causes of these problems lay in the need for more structured communication channels, a complex approval process, and misalignment with student interests. By addressing these underlying motives, recommendations included enhancing internal communication, allocating funds as efficiently as possible, and creating an inclusive learning environment. These strategies aimed to develop more effective and appealing student engagement programs, ultimately fostering a more active and engaged student body.

Smoking cessation program preferences of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study.

To explore the views of tobacco-smoking chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) patients on telehealth-based cessation programs and the role of e-cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking. Tobacco smoking accelerates the progression of COPD. Traditional smoking cessation programs often do not entirely address the unique needs of COPD patients, leading to suboptimal effectiveness for this population. This research is aimed at describing the attitudes and preferences of COPD and ACO patients toward innovative, telehealth-based smoking cessation strategies and the potential application of e-cigarettes as a quitting aid. A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted in this study, employing both focus groups and individual interviews with English-speaking adults with diagnosed COPD or ACO. Participants included both current smokers (≥ 5 cigarettes/day) and recent ex-smokers (who quit < 12 months ago). Data were systematically coded with iterative reliability checks and subjected to thematic analysis to extract key themes. A total of 24 individuals participated in this study. The emergent themes were the perceived structure and elements of a successful smoking cessation program, the possible integration of telehealth with digital technologies, and the strategic use of e-cigarettes for smoking reduction or cessation. The participants stressed the importance of both social and professional support in facilitating smoking cessation, expressing a high value for insights provided by ex-smokers serving as mentors. A preference was observed for group settings; however, the need for individualized plans was also highlighted, considering the diverse motivations individuals had to quit smoking. The participants perceived online program delivery as potentially beneficial as it could provide immediate access to support during cravings or withdrawals and was accessible to remote users. Opinions on e-cigarettes were mixed; some participants saw them as a less harmful alternative to conventional smoking, while others were skeptical of their efficacy and safety and called for further research.