Scale Questions Research Articles

Effectiveness of ChatGPT in remote learning environments: An empirical study with medical students in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT in remote learning among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study recruited 386 medical students from three public universities in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online questionnaire designed to assess perceptions of ChatGPT's effectiveness in remote learning. The questionnaire included Likert scale questions to evaluate various aspects of ChatGPT's support in remote learning, such as personalized learning, language and communication skills, and interactive quizzing. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Cronbach's alpha to evaluate reliability. Results: Participants mostly used ChatGPT on a weekly (43.2%) or daily (48.7%) basis, primarily on personal computers (62.5%). Mean scores for ChatGPT's support in remote learning were high for personalized learning (4.35), language and communication skills (4.23), and interactive quizzing and assessments (4.01). Statistically significant differences were found based on gender for interactive quizzing (p = .0177) and continuity of education (p = .0122). Conclusion: Despite certain challenges and variations in perceptions based on gender and education level, the overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward ChatGPT highlight its potential as a valuable tool in medical education.

Testing of the Czech questionnaire for identifying children at risk of obstructive sleep apnea

This study aimed to create a Czech questionnaire for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) risk screening, a first of its kind in the Czech Republic, where options for child polysomnography are limited. Compiling items from established English questionnaires and supplementing them with additional items, we designed the first version of the Czech questionnaire and tested it in a pilot study with parents of 30 children. After pilot feedback, a revised version with dichotomous and 5-item Likert scale questions was tested on 71 children’s parents. All children (7–12 years old) underwent a home sleep apnea test to record their apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). The second (40-item) version showed high reliability (93%), with 17 items identified as the most significant. Findings from the final 17-item SEN CZ questionnaire correlated positively with AHI (p < 0.001), demonstrating 84% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and 93% reliability. Three factors, namely breathing problems, inattention, and hyperactivity (characterized by multiple items), were identified to form a higher-order factor of POSA risk, which was further supported by the correlations of their total scores with AHI (p < 0.001). The resulting SEN CZ questionnaire can serve as a tool for POSA risk screening in the Czech Republic without the need to involve medical professionals.

Usability of Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis for Beck Depression Inventory

Objective: In the study; For the Beck Depression Scale, the usability of the Ordinal logistic regression model was evaluated, taking into account the situation in which this scale was ordinal. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the first and second-year students of the ……. University, Health Services Vocational School. A total of 664 volunteer students who accepted to participate in the study were included in the study, and no sample was taken from the population. The students were asked 8 questions including socio-demographic characteristics, as well as questions of the 21-item Beck Depression Scale. Depression status with 4 order categories (Normal-Mild-Moderate-Severe) was taken as the dependent variable in the study, and the relationship of other socio-demographic variables with the depression status variable was examined. Results: In the study, Nagelkerke pseudo R2 value, one of the goodness of fit criteria, was found to be 0.062. In addition, the model fit criterion -2LL (Log-likelihood) test statistic (p

Evaluating the Writing and Communication Skills Course: Insights from ESP Best Practices and Needs Analysis of Undergraduate Students and English Language Teachers

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Writing and Communication Skills (WCS) course at the Quaid-E-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST) in Pakistan, assessing its alignment with the academic and professional needs of undergraduate engineering students and best practices in English for Specific Purposes (ESP). A descriptive and interpretative investigation using a small sample from 60 final-year male engineering students and four English lecturers at QUEST (English Language Centre). The data were gathered by an extensive questionnaire including a Likert scale (quantitative) and open-ended questions (qualitative) and related documents of QUEST and other similar engineering university curricula. SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results show a big discrepancy between the WCM as it is being practiced now and what engineering students require linguistically, reflecting inadequate ESP principles in curricular design accounting. This further reflects on the ESP courses claiming to be tailored for engineering students and suggests a need for modification in such a manner from future ESP course curriculum developers.

Preuniversity Students' Perceptions and Attitudes About an Anatomy and Physiology Outreach Program: Survey Study and Inductive Thematic Analysis.

Science and health outreach activities are aimed at motivating and sparking interest among prospective students to pursue careers in these fields; however, research studies supporting this hypothesis are limited. The aim of our study was to organize an integrated Anatomy and Physiology outreach to examine preuniversity students' learning experiences (learning tools, activities, and facilitators) and motivation to pursue a career in health care and to gather evidence on their attitudes and perceptions of such activities. A 2-day course on cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal anatomical systems was presented at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore using its key pedagogies, that is, multimodal practical and team-based learning. Ninety preuniversity students from 21 preuniversity institutions in Singapore participated in this 2-day course, and their experiences were evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale and open-ended survey questions. Free-text comments were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The survey using the 4-point Likert scale was completed by 81 (92%) of the 88 participants. Most students felt that the course materials were adequate (mean 3.57, SD 0.57) and met the learning objectives (mean 3.73, SD 0.52). The students felt that the instructors were clear (mean 3.73, SD 0.52) and effective (mean 3.70, SD 0.53). They liked the organization of the outreach session (mean 3.64, SD 0.48) and were highly motivated to study medicine or allied/biomedical sciences (mean 3.69, SD 0.54). Practical and team-based learning were regarded as exceedingly satisfactory (mean 3.63, SD 0.53 and mean 3.58, SD 0.54, respectively). All the respondents said that they would recommend this course to peers. Thematic analysis revealed that the participants gained a new perspective of the human body structure and function, they liked the unique learning settings, they were motivated to pursue a career in health care, they were satisfied with the sessions, and interactions with the facilitators increased their understanding of the human anatomy and physiology. Structured health outreach activities provide students with unique opportunities to experience a preclinical learning environment in a medical school, deepen their understanding of human body structure and function, and increase their motivation and interest in science. Further, outreach programs may lay the foundations for potential students aiming to pursue health profession education.

Scale and conformal invariance on (A)dS spacetimes

We examine the question of scale versus conformal invariance on maximally symmetric curved backgrounds and study general two-derivative conformally invariant free theories of vectors and tensors. For spacetime dimension D&gt;4, these conformal theories can be diagonalized into standard massive fields in which unbroken conformal symmetry nontrivially mixes components of different spins. In D=4, the tensor case becomes a conformal theory mixing a partially massless spin-2 field with a massless spin-1 field. For massless linearized gravity in D=4, we confirm through direct calculation that correlation functions of gauge-invariant operators take the conformally invariant form, despite the absence of standard conformal symmetry at the level of the action. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Credibility Judgments in Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Detecting Misinformation from University Instructors

Given the convenience with which information can now be acquired, it is crucial to analyze cases of potential misinformation and disinformation in postsecondary education. Instructor credibility judgments were measured using descriptive survey research, and the main objective was to investigate trends related to misinformation, credibility, trust, bias, and others in graduate students and on a graduate program basis. Participants were surveyed from a land grant institution in the southeast United States where 186 graduate students completed an electronic survey on the detection of misinformation and similar experiences. Graduate students were divided based on graduate program into STEM (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and non-STEM groups. Quantitative methodologies included validated questionnaires developed by researchers containing Likert-type scale questions. Chi-square tests of independence and frequencies served as primary analyses. Participants in both STEM and non-STEM groups detected the following: misinformation, bias, challenges, intimidation, risk of measurable consequences, pressure to conform, and skepticism from post-secondary instructors. There were significant differences between the type of student for trust in claims (p &lt; 0.05), while the perception of potential consequences tended to be different between the types of graduate students (0.05 &lt; p &lt; 0.10). Participants in both STEM and non-STEM groups reported perception bias in science material presentation, with STEM students reporting less bias. Qualitative methodologies included optional open response boxes to provide supporting details or narratives. Reliable and validated thematic coding following served as the primary analysis. Students disciplined in STEM and non-STEM faced misinformation, bias, challenges, intimidation, risk of measurable consequences, pressure to conform, and skepticism from post-secondary instructors. Graduate students reported consistent instances of misinformation and bias about science and agriculture topics in both science and non-science-focused classrooms.

Self-Rated Competence of Ugandan Healthcare Workers to Obtain Informed Consent for Autopsy.

We examined the self-rated competence of Ugandan healthcare workers (HCWs) in obtaining informed consent for autopsies, considering the challenges of low autopsy acceptance rates globally. In September and October 2023, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of HCWs, who provided informed consent to participate and completed an online, self-administered questionnaire. Participants' self-rated competence in obtaining informed consent for autopsy was assessed through Likert scale questions. Knowledge and practices were also assessed. All scores were converted to percentages, with scores ≥80% indicating higher competence. We enrolled 216 HCWs (including 145 [67.1%] doctors), with a mean age of 31.6 ± 7.2 years. Overall, 55.6% (n = 120) had ever assisted in obtaining consent for autopsy, 43.6% (n = 100) had ever obtained consent for autopsy themselves, and 13.4% (n = 29) had ever attended training on obtaining consent for autopsy. The mean competency score was 59.8 ± 17.0% (perfect score, 100%), with 29 (13.4%) participants demonstrating high competence. Healthcare workers with adequate knowledge had higher competence scores (odds ratio [OR]: 15.0, 95% CI: 6.17-36.58, P <0.001). Compared with nurses/midwives, doctors had 73% lower odds of having a high competence score (adjusted OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.94, P = 0.040). Fewer than one in five Ugandan HCWs demonstrated high self-rated competence or possessed adequate knowledge regarding informed consent for autopsies, and only a few had received specialized training on how to obtain consent for an autopsy. Therefore, there is a pressing need for enhanced training and increased awareness among Ugandan HCWs in obtaining informed consent for autopsies.

Assessing Patient Understanding and Satisfaction in Orthopedic Trauma and Elective Surgery Admissions.

Background When seeking healthcare, patients often struggle to understand the information provided by healthcare professionals regarding their condition and treatment plan. Additionally, patient satisfaction with their experience can vary widely. Improved patient understanding and satisfaction are linked to better outcomes. This study aims to explore the factors influencing patient understanding to help healthcare professionals enhance these aspects. Objective This study evaluated the level of understanding and satisfaction among patients attending outpatient appointments. It also investigated factors influencing understanding by examining differences in results across various patient groups and analyzing these variations. Methods This study was conducted at Queens' Hospital Burton, a level III trauma unit, over a three-week period in September 2023. Patients attending their orthopedic outpatient appointments were given a questionnaire, which included both bipolar 1-5 scale questions and open-ended text response questions. Results Patients generally reported high levels of understanding and satisfaction, averaging 90.34% and 96.20%, respectively. Those seen in a nurse-led clinic demonstrated significantly greater understanding of their condition compared to those seen by a physician (p = 0.0377). Additionally, trauma patients had a significantly higher level of understanding (p = 0.0167) and satisfaction (p = 0.0115). Conclusions To achieve better patient outcomes, it is crucial to optimize both patient understanding and satisfaction. Nurse-led clinics demonstrate higher levels of understanding, so identifying and incorporating the factors that contribute to this success into physician-led clinics is essential. These factors may include differences in communication methods, the resources provided, or the consultation setting. Additionally, the educational methods used with trauma patients appear more effective than those used for elective cases and should be evaluated to determine if they can enhance understanding and outcomes in other settings. Implementing evidence-based strategies for effective patient communication, such as maintaining good eye contact, avoiding medical jargon, and establishing rapport, could improve understanding and satisfaction and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.

Excellence and reinvigoration of teaching: ERT insights from a New Zealand specialist land-based university

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate what aspects of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) pedagogical practices used during the COVID-19 pandemic should be used to inform and improve in-person and online higher education programmes for the traditionally practical courses of agriculture, food and horticulture. Design/methodology/Approach Following the Triangulation Design for Validating quantitative data mode, an online Likert scale and open-ended questions survey collected 126 responses from students in mid-2021. Categorised questions focused on technology, virtual classes, laboratories, field trips/tours, assessments, and methods to retain, modify or remove from use. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and quantitative data employed descriptive statistics. Findings Results revealed that students would like some elements of ERT retained irrespective of future modes of teaching. Some virtual and online tools were very effective aids for learning practical components of courses, however, students’ well-being was affected by some university practices. Practical implications As the use of online tools is the reality of today’s classroom, understanding what worked for students is critical for improving learning. Theoretical implication Agricultural classes with practical components can be transitioned to online but need time, funding and online pedagogy to be successful. Originality/Value What was learnt during ERT measures for Agriculture Education should be reviewed to prepare for future issues that may disrupt in-person education practices.

The use of practice evidence by Australian occupational therapists: Perspectives and actions.

Evidence-based practice supports clinical decision-making by using multiple sources of evidence arising from research and practice. Research evidence develops through empirical study while practice evidence arises through clinical experience, client preferences, and the practice context. Although occupational therapists have embraced the paradigm of evidence-based practice, some studies have identified limits in the availability and use of research, which can lead to reliance on other forms of evidence. This study aimed to understand how Australian occupational therapists use practice evidence, manage potential bias, and enhance trustworthiness. Potential use of a critical appraisal tool for practice evidence was also explored. A 42-item questionnaire was developed to address the study aims. It consisted of a 7-point Likert scale, ordinal and free text questions. Likert scales were collapsed into binary scales and analysed using SPSS. Ordinal data were graphed and free text responses were analysed using manifest content analysis. Most respondents (82%) indicated that practice evidence was an important informant of practice and is used alongside research evidence. Almost all respondents (98%) expressed confusion when reconciling discrepancies between research and practice evidence. There was general acknowledgement that practice evidence is prone to bias (82%), yet 92% were confident in trusting their own practice evidence. Most respondents (74.5%) undertook some measures to appraise practice evidence, and almost all respondents (90%) agreed they would refer to a critical appraisal tool that helped them evaluate practice evidence. Occupational therapists in this study routinely use practice evidence arising from their own experience, client perspectives, and their practice context to inform clinical decision-making. While they agreed that practice evidence was prone to bias and misinterpretation, they generally trusted their own practice evidence. Participants indicated they needed guidance to critically appraise their practice evidence and supported the development of a critical appraisal tool for this purpose.

The acceptability of wearable technology for long-term respiratory disease: A cross-sectional survey

Few studies have investigated the acceptability of wearable technology in patients with long-term respiratory disease. We conducted a 24-item cross-sectional survey (September 2022–February 2023), developed using four common themes universal to previously described models of technology acceptance and social behavioural therapy, to explore the acceptability of wearable technology spanning the breadth of chronic respiratory disease. A total of 74 valid survey responses were analysed with 50 % aged 51–70years; 72 % female; 63 % white British ethnicity; 79 % having an income less than £50,000, and 93 % having at least obstructive airways disease. A third of participants current used wearables with 85 % using smart watches. Most of these participants used wearables to monitor their symptoms (69 %) and as a general health measurement device (85 %). Likert scale questions (ranked 1–7) showed that participants valued accuracy and approval of wearables by regulatory bodies (median (IQR) rank score 7 (Huberty et al., 2015; Preusse et al., 2016) 6–76–7 and felt that wearables would increase their confidence in managing their long-term health condition (median (IQR) rank score 6 (Huberty et al., 2015; Preusse et al., 2016) 6–76–7. Favourable product characteristics for wearables were accuracy (73 %), easy to learn (63 %) and easy to use (50 %). They were less concerned about aesthetics (23 %) and battery life (27 %). This survey will guide future developers to produce a wearable for a population with chronic respiratory disease which will improve acceptability, usability and longevity.

Improvements in Noise Symptoms, Forgotten Joint Scores, and Functional Outcomes With Greater Time Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an impactful procedure with goals that include pain reduction and improved function, with low levels of prosthesis awareness. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients reported prosthetic noise and noise-related symptoms diminished over the course of time after TKA. MethodsThis study was a single institutional, retrospective study of patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA from 2018 to 2021. The TKAs were performed by four high-volume, fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons. Patients had similar baseline characteristics. Patients completed a survey consisting of four Likert scale questions related to prosthetic noise generation, the Forgotten Joint Score, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Joint Replacement. Data were compared between patients who had undergone TKA one to two years earlier (N = 305) and those who had TKA three to four years prior to evaluation (N = 177). ResultsAfter more time with TKA, patients had significantly lower reports of hearing noise (31.1 versus 43.6%; P = 0.009) and feeling prosthetic noise-related symptoms (28.2 versus 40.3%; P = 0.010). Furthermore, after more time from TKA, patients had significantly higher satisfaction regarding noise-generation (65.5 versus 50.2%; P = 0.012), postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Joint Replacement scores (80.9 versus 75.9; P = 0.005), and Forgotten Joint Scores (65.4 versus 53.8; P < 0.001). ConclusionsAs more time passes after TKA, patients observe less prosthetic noise generation and have lower levels of prosthesis awareness and greater satisfaction than those who had surgery more recently. It is unclear whether these differences represent real improvement or acclimation to noise over time.

Assessing Surgeons' Attitude to Teaching Intra-Corporeal Anastomosis.

Introduction: There is a controversy in minimally invasive colorectal procedures regarding choosing optimal technique between intra-corporeal (ICA) and extra-corporeal anastomosis (ECA). Previous studies recognize the short-term benefits in right hemicolectomy with intra-corporeal approach; however, ICA can result in increased operative difficulty. The aim of this study is to understand attitudes towards teaching ICA in colorectal procedures and how this varies between subspeciality training. Methods: Active members of General Surgeons Australia were contacted through email to participate in a voluntary, unincentivized survey. Demographic details were collected and participants were asked to rate agreement for simulation-based training for increasing adoption of ICA through a Likert scale and when preferences for teaching ICA. Descriptive statistics were completed to describe frequencies and ordinal regression was completed to determine factors for Likert scale question. Results: There were 43 respondents and most participants recognized that ECA was easier to teach trainees and should be taught first. 53.5% of respondents recognized that simulation-based training would assist the adoption of ICA. Surgeons who routinely close bowel or enteric defects intra-corporeally are 354% more likely to show an interest in simulation-based training for adopting ICA, however, surgeons who are not involved in teaching trainees did not show an interest in simulation-based training. Conclusion: There is significant agreement that ECA forms the basis to learn ICA and simulation-based training would assist with the uptake of ICA. However, a multimodal approach, including expanding training avenues and providing financial incentives, would be necessary to enhance the adoption of ICA in colorectal surgery.

COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AMONG SENIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SERBIA

The primary aim of this research is to examine to what degree communication apprehension is present among senior elementary school students and to investigate whether levels of communication apprehension as reported by participants differ along various external and internal factors. A total of 267 participants attending the fifth, sixth and seventh grades of elementary school took part in the research. Communication apprehension was investigated with an 8-item foreign language communication apprehension scale and additional background questions concerning one internal and six external factors. The findings suggest that communication apprehension exists among elementary school students to a moderate degree and that there are statistically significant differences in terms of gender, final grade in English, final average grade, attending private lessons and a perceived importance of learning English.

Outcome of a dedicated complex aortic surgery fellowship program.

Advancements in endovascular therapy, especially in complex aortic procedures, underscore the need for additional post-certification training. Dedicated post-residency vascular fellowship programs offer exposure to diverse cases, research opportunities, and professional networking. The study aims to describe and present outcomes from the complex aortic fellowship program at the Vascular Surgery Department of the Uppsala University Hospital. Nine former fellows who completed the aortic fellowship program at the Uppsala University Hospital from 2018 to 2023 were invited to take part in an anonymous 29-question survey through email. Demographic data, information about the existence of local aortic programs as well as on the types of aortic procedures performed were gained. The overall experience and impact of the fellowship were assessed using multiple interval scale questions, with a rating scale (1 excellent to 5 very poor). Finally, we provided the option to the participants to share additional feedback. Median age of participants was 34 years (IQR, 30.5-36), with 44.4% being women (4/9). There was a significant variation in the number of publications produced during the fellowship, with an overall mean of 4 papers (IQR, 2-10). Regarding the long-term impact of the fellowship, 5/9 (55.6%) of the fellows have contributed to the implementation of a complex aortic program after finishing the fellowship, providing a broad range of complex aortic procedures. All fellows (9/9, 100%) stated that the quality of the fellowship was excellent. The clinical experience 7/9 (77.8%), the academic environment 7/9 (77.8%) and the research opportunities 7/9 (77.8%) together with the mentorship 9/9 (100%) and the work environment 8/9 (88.9%), were considered of most value among the fellows. In general, the survey participants agreed that the fellowship atmosphere was suitable for learning, 9/9 (100%), and that it had a positive impact on their current practice, 7/9 (77.8%). Currently, 5/9 (55.5%) of the fellows hold a position including academic involvement. There is a universal need for additional post-certification training. The current study showed that a balanced clinical and scientific exposure to complex aortic diseases is broadly welcomed among young vascular surgeons. The extension of the fellowship to cover other disciplines dealing with complex aortic procedures can be of value.

Barriers to organisational development in higher education lifelong learning initiatives

From an economic human capital perspective, higher education lifelong learning initiatives should include the professional development of individuals as well as organisational development. This indicates the dissolving of boundaries between individual and organisational development and that successful professional development occurs at both individual and aggregated levels. Based on the networked mode, higher education institutions could be closely linked to their surrounding society, embracing a two-way relationship with a hybrid character, including multiple connections with branches and/or organisations. In such initiatives, formal education and informal work-related tasks are blurred and both are emphasised as equally important. In focus are collaborative features and the idea to link theoretical reasoning to authentic organisational problems. To offer higher education lifelong learning for organisational development, Mid Sweden University initiated a project called BUFFL in collaboration with eight organisations belonging to an established network of banks and insurance companies. This paper aims at reporting barriers to organisational development in higher education lifelong learning. It answers the following research question: Which barriers could be identified when implementing a hybrid and networked approach to higher education lifelong learning for organisational development? A case-study-inspired approach was conducted. In total, 328 registrations from the collaborating organisations were documented in the BUFFL courses. In addition to open-ended questions and Likert scale questions in the course evaluations, the methods also included conversations with leading representatives of the collaborating organisations. Although several barriers were highlighted in line with the innovation resistance theory, the main barrier seems to be that no organisation applied lifelong learning as a tool for strategic organisational development. The study suggests that a crucial barrier breaker to reduce or eliminate the main barrier is a course on strategically managed competence development for leading representatives of participating organisations. A combined focus on individuals and organisations could also stimulate leading representatives to take a holistic approach to the organisation’s competence development. This includes increased responsibility to ensure that investments in the competence area are beneficial for the organisation. Bringing company-relevant data as input to the courses could ensure the establishment of strong links between theoretical perspectives and work-related practices.

Into the Neuroscape: Perceptions of Pakistani Medical Students and Recent Graduates toward Neurosurgery

Abstract Introduction Neurosurgery receives several applicants every year, but the decreasing size of the neurosurgery workforce in Pakistan despite evidence of initial student interest is perplexing. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate the perspective of medical students and recent graduates to get a holistic view of perceptions toward neurosurgery. Materials and Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of medical students and recent graduates from different medical colleges. Their perceptions were gauged by multiple choice questions and barriers identified using Likert scale questions. Statistical analyses were carried out using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results A total of 2,481 responses were recorded from study participants. Neurosciences and neurosurgery were a part of a medical school curriculum for the majority (64.9%) of the participants. However, a significant number (65.4%) of the participants do not have the opportunity to rotate in the field of neurosurgery. The respondents' perception of neurosurgery is shaped by various factors, such as university lectures (21.9%), digital media (16.7%), and social media (15.2%). Known patients (5.7%) and known neurosurgeons (4.8%) were considered the least influential sources. The top three characteristics associated with neurosurgery were consistent for both male and female students: difficult, interesting, and brain. Male respondents (25.22%) predominantly described neurosurgery as difficult, while female respondents (21.98%) found it interesting. Many females perceived neurosurgery as a male-dominated specialty, with 64% female participants agreeing with gender bias compared to 36% of males. Conclusion This study uncovers that medical students' views on neurosurgery are shaped by lectures, digital media, and social media, leading to preconceived ideas. These notions, including extended working hours, limited work–life balance, competition, gender bias, and stereotypes, impede their interest and comprehension of neurosurgery as a profession. To address this, students should have more opportunities to familiarize themselves with the field, allowing them to challenge these misconceptions and discover the captivating world of neurosurgery.

Implementation of Cooperative Learning Method to Enhance the Students&amp;#39; Learning Ability and Students&amp;#39; Core Competencies

Modern society is complex and ever-changing. To adapt to this situation, the level of education must be continuously enhanced, and college students who are about to enter society are the group that needs the most attention. As a creative and effective teaching organizational form and teaching strategy, the cooperative learning method plays an important role in education and teaching. This article research aims to achieve the following two goals: 1) Compare students&amp;#39; learning abilities after the cooperative learning method and traditional teaching method. 2) Compare students&amp;rsquo; core competencies after the cooperative learning method and traditional teaching method. The participants in this study were students studying physics at Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities in China. It includes a control group consisting of 30 students and an experimental group consisting of 30 students. The research tool used a Likert scale question, and the data were analyzed using normal distribution and standard deviation. The research results show that students&amp;#39; learning ability and core competencies after the cooperative learning method are better than traditional teaching method (P&amp;lt;0.01).

Patient experiences of buprenorphine dispensing from a mobile medical unit

BackgroundOverdose deaths continue to rise within the United States, despite effective treatments such as buprenorphine and methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD). Mobile medical units with the ability to dispense buprenorphine have been developed to engage patients and eliminate barriers to accessing OUD treatment. This study reports survey responses of patients of a mobile medical unit dispensing buprenorphine in areas of Chicago, IL with high overdose rates.MethodsAll patients who were dispensed buprenorphine via the mobile medical unit were invited to participate in a 7-item anonymous survey between May 24, 2023, and August 25, 2023. The survey included 5-point satisfaction scale, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions. Outcomes included satisfaction with buprenorphine dispensing from the mobile medical unit, satisfaction with filling buprenorphine at a pharmacy in the past, barriers experienced at pharmacies when filling buprenorphine, and whether the client would have started treatment that day if the mobile medical unit had not been present. Satisfaction scale and multiple-choice question responses were assessed using descriptive statistics. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare median satisfaction levels between receiving buprenorphine from the mobile medical unit versus filling a buprenorphine prescription at a community pharmacy. Open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis.Results106 unique patients were dispensed buprenorphine from the mobile unit during the study period. Of these patients, 54 (51%) completed the survey. Respondents reported high satisfaction with the buprenorphine dispensing process as a part of a mobile medical unit. Of those who had previously filled buprenorphine at a pharmacy, 83% reported at least one barrier, with delays in prescription dispensing from a community pharmacy, lack of transportation to/from the pharmacy, and opioid withdrawal symptoms being the most common barriers. 87% reported they would not have started buprenorphine that same day if the mobile medical unit had not been present. Nearly half of survey participants reported having taken buprenorphine that was not prescribed to them. Qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses noted the importance of convenient accessibility, comprehensive care, and a non-judgmental environment.ConclusionsMobile medical units that dispense buprenorphine are an innovative model to reach patients with OUD who have significant treatment access barriers. This study found that patients who experienced barriers to accessing buprenorphine from a pharmacy were highly satisfied with the mobile medical unit’s buprenorphine dispensing process. Programs seeking to develop mobile buprenorphine dispensing programs should consider patient priorities of accessibility, comprehensive care, and welcoming, non-judgmental environments.