License Renewal Research Articles

The Role of Nursing Guidelines on Successful License Renewal for Nurses and Midwives in Ubungo District Public Hospitals in Tanzania

In the recent years, nurses and mid wives are struggling to keep their knowledge current knowledge and skills current and relevant through to changing requirements and situations. Through engaging in continuing professional development (CPD), care givers become updated knowledge and practice to provide quality care to patients. This study sought to unveil the role of CPD on license renewal of midwives and nurses with a special focus on Ubungo district as Ubungo has more health Centres as compared to other districts in Dar es Salaam. Specifically, the study sought to determine the role of nursing guidelines on successful license renewal for Nurses and Midwives in Ubungo District Public Hospitals, The study was guided by the Kirkpatrick Model as the theoretical framework. The study used descriptive research design while simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select members of sample size who were 99 respondents. The target population of the study included all public hospitals, dispensaries and health centres located in the Ubungo district. The data was collected using documents review, in-depth interview, and structured interviews, and then analyzed using content analysis, narrative analysis, and descriptive analysis. Findings revealed that the CPD acquisition and license renewal guidelines are available at the Tanzania nursing and midwifery council(TNMC) website, however, they require registration and login to access them. The license acquisition process was through paper document submission at the TNMC office and later on changed to online in 2022. Apart from insufficient computers and limited internet access, some challenges result from nurses and midwives negative attitude towards license renewal as they tend to not renew them until there is a tactical advantage such as a promotion. Management staff at the hospitals also does not focus on license renewal as they focus more on accomplishment of daily tasks, and only care when a malpractice occurs. CPD points determine the eligibility of the license renewal applicant. The study concludes that the online availability of CPD guidelines is a good way of reaching all stakeholders. The study recommends awareness raising activities regarding access to the guidelines, raise more awareness regarding the online license renewal system, and design more effective and efficient means of stakeholder outreach.

Gender differences in factors associated with rural health care practice in Minnesota.

To understand gender differences in factors affecting rural health care workforce to inform the development of effective policies and recruitment strategies to address rural health care workforce shortages. A cross-sectional survey of health care professionals (including Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and registered nurses (RNs)) in Minnesota was administered by the Minnesota Department of Health from October 18, 2021, to July 25, 2022, during their professional license renewal. The main outcome was whether or not the respondent was practicing in a rural area. The effects of factors associated with rural practice were estimated using binary logistic regression models, and subsequently subgroup analysis was conducted by gender across the four health care professions. Results show that although there were significant gender differences in some factors (growing up in a rural area and family considerations were more likely to influence women's decisions than men's, whereas men were more likely to be influenced by the prospect of having autonomy and broad scope of practice than women), these differences became insignificant when the four health care professionals were analyzed separately suggesting that overall gender differences observed were almost entirely explained by profession differences. Gender differences do not significantly influence the factors impacting rural practice. However, being raised in a rural environment emerges as the most influential predictor of rural practice underscoring the importance of involving rural residents of all genders in health care practice.

MICRO-СREDETIALS IN SOCIAL WORK: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Micro-credentials, as a contemporary form of short-term learning, have become a vital tool for enhancing professionals' qualifications across various fields. This research aims to analyze the international experience of implementing micro-credentials in social work, determining their content and advantages, and forming recommendations for their use in the national system. The experiences of the USA and Ireland demonstrate how micro-credentials can contribute to the development of professional skills and adaptation to modern challenges. In the USA, micro-credentials are offered to both university students and practicing social workers. They can be standalone programs or part of broader educational initiatives, allowing for flexible learning approaches. Ireland focuses on continuous professional development for social sector workers, implementing micro-credentials through online courses with fixed dates. Comparing these countries' approaches highlights several key points. In the USA, the emphasis is on additional specialization and license renewal for social workers, while in Ireland, micro-credentials target innovations in social work and policy, along with supporting professional development. Both countries use program accreditation to ensure quality and national recognition. For Ukraine, implementing micro-credentials in social work can be a significant step in enhancing professionals' qualifications, especially given rapid social and technological changes. Essential tasks include creating flexible educational programs, actively involving practicing professionals, fostering partnerships between universities and organizations, and ensuring transparency in micro-credential information. Additionally, there is a pressing need for implementing a system of continuous professional development, regulating requirements for social service providers, and creating career opportunities for social workers, incentivizing micro-credential attainment.

Continuing Professional Development Program in Health Facilities in Rwanda: A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of Health Professionals.

Continuous professional development (CPD) is an important pillar in healthcare service delivery. Health professionals at all levels and disciplines must continuously update their knowledge and skills to cope with increasing professional demands in the context of a continuously changing spectrum of diseases. This study aimed to assess the CPD programs available in healthcare facilities (HFs) in Rwanda. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive sampling. Accordingly, the respondents belonged to different categories of health professionals, namely nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, general practitioners, and specialist doctors. Thirty-five participants from district, provincial, and national referral hospitals were interviewed between September and October 2020. A thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas ti.7.5.18, and the main findings for each theme were reported as a narrative summary. The CPD program was reported to be available, but not for all HPs and HFs, because of either limited access to online CPD programs or limited HF leaders. Where available, CPD programs have sometimes been reported to be irrelevant to health professionals and patients' needs. Furthermore, the planning and implementation of current CPD programs seldom involves beneficiaries. Some HFs do not integrate CPD programs into their daily activities, and current CPD programs do not accommodate mentorship programs. The ideal CPD program should be designed around HPs and service needs and delivered through a user-friendly platform. The motivators for HPs to engage in CPD activities include learning new things that help them improve their healthcare services and license renewal. This study provides an overview of the status and perceptions of the CPD program in HFs in Rwanda and provides HPs' insights on the improvements in designing a standardized and harmonized CPD program in Rwanda.

SURFACE MOBILITY SOLUTION

In the Nagpur City of Maharashtra, the barrier of transportation in the daily life. Amidst mixture of sounds of honking horns and bustling streets, an intricate web of challenges come face to face with drivers and transportation professionals at every turn. As I delved into Nagpur's mobility landscape, engaging with drivers. The journey of exploration began with a simple premise: to understand the quality of being complex mobility challenges from the perspective of those entrenched in the frontline of transportation. Through extensive interviews and surveys, I sought to peel back the layers of complexity surrounding issues that impact drivers' livelihoods, schedules, and overall efficiency. What emerged from these interactions were recurring themes, echoing the sentiments of drivers navigating the labyrinthine streets of Nagpur: Documentation and Permit Predicaments: A maze of paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles often impedes the seamless flow of operations for drivers. From license renewals to permit applications, navigating the labyrinth of documentation requirements proves to be a formidable task, with delays rippling through the fabric of daily operations. Route Riddles: In a city where every turn can make the difference between timely arrival and frustrating delays, the lack of familiarity with optimal routes emerges as a significant challenge. For drivers, deciphering the shortest path from point A to point B is akin to navigating through a complex puzzle, where each intersection presents a myriad of choices, each with its own consequences. time Constraints and Efficiency Dilemmas: In the world of transportation, time is money, and every minute lost to loading and unloading delays translates into tangible losses for drivers. Whether it's waiting in line at a distribution center or grappling with the intricacies of cargo handling, the specter of inefficiency looms large, casting a shadow over the profitability of operations. Technological Turbulence: As the world hurtles towards an increasingly digitized future, the divide between technological proficiency and traditional practices widens. For drivers grappling with the complexities of GPS navigation systems and digital documentation platforms, the learning curve can be steep, posing yet another barrier to efficiency and competitiveness.

Vehicle Theft Authentication System

This thesis presents a robust security system designed to tackle the escalating issue of vehicle theft and unlicensed driving. By integrating a suite of cutting-edge technologies including Arduino, driver's permit card (DL),radio-frequency ID scanner (RFID),biometric fingerprint sensor (FP), Face Recognition (FR), and Global System for Mobile Communication modem (GSM), the system aims to fortify vehicles against unauthorized access. At its core, Arduino serves as the central intelligence, capable of storing and processing authorized driver data such as facial recognition and fingerprint records. When a driver inserts their license into the RFID reader, the system cross-references the information with stored data. If the license is validated, the system proceeds to authenticate the driver's identity through facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Successful verification enables the ignition system, granting access to the vehicle. However, any discrepancy triggers an immediate SMS alert via the GSM modem to the vehicle owner, while simultaneously disabling the ignition to thwart unauthorized use. Additionally, an alcohol detection module further enhances safety by preventing vehicle ignition if alcohol is detected in the driver's system. This comprehensive approach not only safeguards vehicles from theft but also promotes responsible driving practices, exemplified by timely license renewal reminders and the enforcement of alcohol-free driving. Key Words: Vehicle security system,Arduino integration,Driver's license card (DL), radio-frequency ID scanner (RFID),Fingerprint module (FP) Face Recognition (FR), GSM-enabled mobile communication device, Unauthorized access prevention,Facial recognition,Fingerprint scanning SMS alerts,Alcohol detection module,Responsible driving practices,License renewal reminders,Alcohol-free driving enforcement.

Key Insights from Preflight Planning for Safety Improvement in General Aviation: A Systematic Literature Review

This study highlights the disproportionate number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in general aviation (GA) compared to airline carriers, emphasizing the need to investigate the contributing factors to these incidents. It identifies poor decision-making and a lack of situational awareness as key issues and presents a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to analyze preflight information used by GA pilots. The findings underscore the significance of operational factors in ensuring a successful flight and suggest modifications to pilot license renewal processes, with an emphasis on the adoption of digital preflight tools. A new theoretical framework based on the operational factors identified is also introduced, which could serve as a foundation for future studies and interventions aimed at enhancing safety in general aviation.

손해사정사제도의 실태분석 및 개선방안에 관한 연구

In modern society, compared to the past, the economic scale has grown, resulting in greater diversity in insurance coverage and an expansion of the market. Consequently, the causes of losses have become more complex. In this context, accurate determination of liability and indemnity, as well as the fair assessment of insurance claims, have become crucial tasks. As a result, the technical expertise and professionalism of claim-adjuster(CA) are continuously evolving. Claim adjustment primarily serves to realize the insured's interests for insurance claimants. It also plays a pivotal role in securing the competitiveness of insurance companies and providing a basis for determining insurance premiums, ultimately preventing ethical misconduct within the insurance industry. Therefore, this study examines the concept and current status of the loss assessment system, highlighting its issues. Specifically, the study explores the existing CA system in South Korea and relevant domestic laws. It also reviews international CA systems to provide insights. The research proposes several improvements to the CA system. Firstly, it suggests enhancing the independence of CA through a detailed delineation of their authority and the establishment of a legal protection framework. Secondly, it advocates for the enhancement of the professionalism of CA through the strengthening of qualification systems and the introduction of continuous education. Notably, it emphasizes the consolidation of loss assessor functions, focusing on strengthening examination subjects and recognition systems, introducing continuous education, and implementing license renewal procedures.

Access to continuous professional development for capacity building among nurses and midwives providing emergency obstetric and neonatal care in Rwanda

BackgroundNurses and midwives are at the forefront of the provision of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is crucial to provide them with competencies they need to provide quality services. This research aimed to assess uptake and accessibility of midwives and nurses to CPD and determine their knowledge and skills gaps in key competencies of EmONC to inform the CPD programming.MethodsThe study applied a quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive research methodology. Using a random selection, forty (40) health facilities (HFs) were selected out of 445 HFs that performed at least 20 deliveries per month from July 1st, 2020 to June 30th, 2021 in Rwanda. Questionnaires were used to collect data on updates of CPD, knowledge on EmONC and delivery methods to accessCPD. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 27 software.ResultsNurses and midwives are required by the Rwandan midwifery regulatory body to complete at least 60 CPD credits before license renewal. However, the study findings revealed that most health care providers (HCPs) have not been trained on EmONC after graduation from their formal education. Results indicated that HCPs who had acquired less than 60 CPD credits related to EmONC training were 79.9% overall, 56.3% in hospitals, 82.2% at health centres and 100% at the health post levels. This resulted in skills and knowledge gaps in management of Pre/Eclampsia, Postpartum Hemorrhage and essential newborn care. The most common method to access CPD credits included workshops (43.6%) and online training (34.5%). Majority of HCPs noted that it was difficult to achieve the required CPD credits (57.0%).ConclusionThe findings from this study revealed a low uptake of critical EmONC training by nurses and midwives in the form of CPD. The study suggests a need to integrate EmONC into the health workforce capacity building plan at all levels and to make such training systematic and available in multiple and easily accessible formats.Implication on nursing and midwifery policyFindings will inform the revision of policies and strategies to improve CPD towards accelerating capacity for the reduction of preventable maternal and perinatal deaths as well as reducing maternal disabilities in Rwanda.

Implementation of E-Government in South Jakarta: A Case Study of Digital Services Through The Digital Application of Polri's Traffic Corps

This research examines the implementation of e-government through the Digital Application of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas POLRI) in South Jakarta in an effort to improve the quality of public services, particularly in the processing of driving license (Surat Izin Mengemudi or SIM) renewals. This application aims to facilitate the public in renewing SIM cards online without having to visit the SATPAS office. The implementation of this application has provided positive impacts in terms of service efficiency and effectiveness, ease of access, and increased public satisfaction. However, there are challenges such as digital divide and concerns about the security of personal data. Factors influencing the success of implementation include effective communication, smooth and efficient implementation activities, and the disposition or attitude of policy implementers. There are inputs and criticisms from the public regarding the payment system, the length of the renewal process at some SATPAS offices, lack of clear information, and requests to move or cancel applications. Improvement efforts are needed in terms of the payment and online registration systems, increasing the capacity of SATPAS offices, information transparency, and flexibility for users in choosing SATPAS offices. The implementation of this application provides benefits in improving the quality of public services, but there are still challenges that need to be overcome to optimize success and increase public satisfaction.

A Holistic Evaluation of BIM Implementation Barriers in the Indian Construction Industry: Pre- and Post-Adoption Perspectives

ABSTRACT The existing Building Information Modelling (BIM) research does not provide a holistic understanding of pre- and post-adoption barriers to its implementation, especially in developing countries such as India, where BIM adoption lags. First, a total of 32 barriers to BIM implementation were identified after a comprehensive literature review. Second, after discussion with experts, the barriers were classified into 23 pre- and 21 post-adoption barriers. Next, the barriers were ranked based on 218 completed survey responses from professionals working in 125 organizations in the Indian construction industry. Finally, an independent samples t-test was conducted to understand differences in the perceptions of different groups of participants. The top five pre-adoption barriers were (1) high hardware costs, (2) high software costs, (3) low adoption across the supply chain, (4) low market support, and (5) unclear benefit evaluation. In comparison, the top five post-adoption barriers were (1) high ongoing cost (license renewal, training cost, etc.), (2) shortage of skills and expertise, (3) unclear benefit evaluation, (4) client’s lack of understanding, and (5) user resistance. Moreover, clients, contractors and consultants shared different views on very few barriers, which shows that these barriers are prevalent across different types of organizations in the Indian construction industry.

Credit hours and continuing medical education (CME) programmes.

Continuing medical education (CME) credits has been mandated by the National Medical Commission for registered medical practitioners in India as a part of continuing professional development and a minimum of 30 credits in 5 years is required for the renewal of the medical license. Undoubtedly, credit hours for CME attendance is an essential yardstick for professional and career growth, the modus operandi adopted to grant these credit hours needs a serious look. Targeted learning with adequate feedback either with a post CME examination or questionnaire should become the norm and every publication in high impact indexed journal deserve a higher credit point than the rest of the publications.

The Efficiency and Firm Performance Analysis of Nigeria Manufacturing Firms: Application of Stochastic Frontier Analysis Technique

ABSTRACT: Despite several measures adopted by the government to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing firms in Nigeria, the performance of these firms is below expectation. The poor performance of Nigerian manufacturing firms has prompted concern for Nigeria’s economic prospects in the long run. This needs to be addressed because, under this scenario, most development objectives would be difficult to achieve. Therefore, there is a need for Nigerian manufacturing firms to achieve high productivity to improve their performance. This study, therefore, evaluated the level of technical efficiency and examined the determinants of technical inefficiency in Nigerian manufacturing firms. It employed panel data of fifty-five manufacturing firms quoted in the Nigeria Stock Exchange Market from 1999 to 2020. The result from the Stochastic Frontier Analysis technique showed that all inputs (capital, labor, raw materials, cost of energy and other expenses) impacted positively on firms’ output at a 1% significance level. But the impact of raw material is the highest. It was also found that the mean efficiency for Nigerian manufacturing firms is 52.74%. Finally, it was revealed that the age of the firm, total assets and management efficiency are the technical inefficiency determinants in Nigerian manufacturing firms. This implies that the efficiency level of manufacturing firms in Nigeria can be improved by 47.26%. Also, manufacturing output can be enhanced by providing adequate raw materials. Furthermore, the efficiency of manufacturing firms in Nigeria is enabled by the managerial capability and asset size of the firms. The study suggested that government should give tax concessions on the purchase of raw materials (sourced domestically and externally) to encourage availability and use to optimize production. Also, manufacturing firms should encourage skill acquisition programs through various on-the-job training programs for managers and their entire workforce to boost labor productivity and performance. In addition, policies that will encourage good education system should be adopted by the government which will help the nation to produce trained and skilled labor force. Finally, manufacturing firms should mobilize more resources for the procurement, consolidation and expansion of the size of their assets using their undistributed corporate profit. Through its regulatory bodies [such as Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)], government should enforce minimal asset requirements for each sub-sector (industry) as a basis for takeoff and subsequent renewal of licence for the manufacturing firms in Nigeria.

Exploring LGBTQ+ cultural competency and DEI in continuing education: A cross-sectional review of U.S. pharmacy legislation

BackgroundLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, or other sexual orientations or gender identities (LGBTQ+) cultural competency training is offered in pharmacy curricula to variable extents. State legislation directly dictates pharmacist training through continuing pharmacy education (CPE) requirements. ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the U.S. states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) that require CPE or training on topics related to LGBTQ+ cultural competency or topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in general. In addition, this study quantified and compared each state’s CPE hours required for each renewal period. MethodsThis cross-sectional study retrospectively examined pharmacy legislation on CPE requirements for each of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. Only state legislation that was signed into law and related to pharmacy practice was included. Official websites for each board of pharmacy were identified to locate lawbooks, laws, rules, regulations, and statutes specific to pharmacy practice. Search terms included “lgbt,” “lgbtq,” “cultural,” “cultural competency,” “equity,” “health equity,” “implicit,” and “implicit bias.” Two study investigators independently collected data from March 2023 to April 2023. Data were re-reviewed for accuracy in January 2024. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion until a consensus was reached. The total number of required CPE hours, years for each pharmacist license renewal, required LGBTQ+ cultural competency CPE hours, and required DEI-focused CPE hours were described using descriptive statistics. ResultsA total of 44 of 51 states and D.C. required 30 CPE hours for each 2-year renewal cycle or 15 CPE hours for each 1-year renewal cycle. California and D.C. had LGBTQ+ cultural competency CPE requirements of 1 CPE hour or 2 CPE hours per cycle, respectively. Five additional states, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington, required training or CPE on topics related to DEI as a whole. ConclusionFew U.S. states require CPE on LGBTQ+ cultural competency. This study highlights the need for standardized pharmacist training in LGBTQ+ health care.

Assessment of water level fluctuation impacts along River Nile, Egypt

ABSTRACT This paper aims to develop a computational model to assess and evaluate the annual water level fluctuation (WLF) impacts and their trends along any open channel (river, canal or lake) and provide reliable information that may help handle their implications. The impacts are related to water recession, flood plain areas, uncovered river bars and islands, locations of navigation bottle necks, and dredging works. The model is developed using Excel Spreadsheet VBA Coding. It computes the horizontal and inclined recession distances that govern water in take construction. It also computes the uncovered flood plain areas along the river reach to avoid encroachments and human interventions. In addition, it identifies the number of bar sand islands that emerge at low water levels to protect them against infringements. It also determines the locations of navigation bottle necks and computes the dredge volumes required. It can handle long river reaches quickly. Moreover, it is open-accessed where no hard locks or license renewals are required. It is run on Microsoft Excel which is an available and familiar environment to engineers. Therefore, the model can be a quick and powerful tool to support the decision-making process for projects related to such impacts, especially at the prefeasibility study stages. Reach '1' of River Nile in Egypt was taken as a case study to apply the model and show its capabilities in assessing the WLF impacts. This could help compute and analyze the size of the impacts and conceive their trends. Finally, the model could provide information about the impacts in concrete figures which can support decision making in coping properly with the impacts.

Primary Care Physicians in Nova Scotia: Are They Where They Need To Be?

Purpose: Accessible primary health care (PHC) is a key area of interest for policy and research as accessible PHC is associated with better health outcomes and lower health system costs. A critical dimension of accessible PHC is an adequate supply of family physicians (FPs) or general practitioners (GPs). Our study sought to analyze the geographic distribution of FP/GPs practicing in Nova Scotia (NS) and to provide an in-depth analysis of the distribution of FP/GPs in relation to population PHC needs. Methods: Using data from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia’s registry and 2019 annual license renewal survey, we provide a descriptive analysis of physician distribution, demographics and practice structure characteristics across the four Nova Scotia Health management zones (Central, Eastern, Northern, Western) for the population of FP/GPs practicing in NS in 2019. Additionally, we provided a descriptive analysis of PHC demand indicators and population demographics derived from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Canadian Community Health Survey, and the Canadian Census. These population PHC need indicators include hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC), perceived health, the Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation (CIMD), and the percentage of the population aged 65 and over across Nova Scotia Health management zones. Results: FP/GPs practising outside the Central zone are less numerous, older, and more likely to be male and international medical graduates. FP/GPs practicing outside the Central zone are more likely to have solo practices, practice in rural areas and not provide care through technology. Additionally, there is a greater potential demand for PHC outside of the Central zone, indicated by lower physician-to-100,000 population ratios, higher rates of hospitalizations for ACSC, a larger percentage of individuals living in rural areas, aged 65 and over, rating their health as fair or poor, and in the most deprived quintile of the situational vulnerability and economic dependency dimensions of the CIMD. Conclusions: These findings indicate a geographic maldistribution of physicians across NS and potential gaps in access to FP/GPs compared to population health needs across Nova Scotia Health management zones. The findings have implications for targeted physician resources planning and policy.

Motorcycle Police Training and Service Vehicle Development in Hungary


 The history of the police motorcycle service is almost 100 years old, dating back to the Horthy era in the mid-1920s in Hungary. A turbulent history has interrupted his development several times, but he has remained continuous. Staffing levels peaked in the 1990s, and technology has developed rapidly, focused, and strongly since 2017. As a result, effective implementation of the service's mission system will depend on training development that can move at a pace with technical development and deliver systemic results in implementing missions. In this article, the author examined the use of police personnel authorised to drive specialised motorcycles, their main functions and the determination of the seasonal mileage. A questionnaire survey of motorcycle police officers enrolled in the Basic Motorcycle Training and License Renewal Training Programme of the Police Education and Training Centre in 2022. According to aggregated data, the average annual trip of the country's total of 218 service vehicles is 3,599 km. The main patrol category 104 (officer, patrol leader, patrol commander, team commander) is significantly better with 6589 km/year, while the secondary patrol category 114 (event scene and investigation, district officer, patrol commander, driver category) is 2266 km on average in 2022. The results of the survey highlight the low average driving of motorcycle police. This is mainly because more than 50 per cent of trained officers do not have the major task of carrying out their duties on a service motorcycle. However, due to the high quality of their execution, the training system must be restructured to make it more effective.

Mandatory Vision Test for Driver License Renewal in Association With Traffic Fatality and Injury Among Older Road Users in Utah.

In 2011, Utah began requiring that drivers aged 65years and older pass a vision test at each license renewal. This study aims to investigate if the mandatory vision test associated with motor vehicle fatality and injury rates in older road users. We fit controlled interrupted time series analysis models to compare fatality and injury rates for older adults (65+) affected by the law to younger adults (45-64) unaffected by the law. The models yielded estimates of differential level and slope changes in fatality and injury rates, which we used to estimate policy associations. We did not find evidence that implementing an accelerated vision test for older adults in Utah was associated with a reduction in injury or fatality rates among older (65+) drivers and non-drivers relative to those aged 45-64. Other strategies might be considered to prevent fatal motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) in older adults.

Medical ethics and compliance amongst physician groups: a self-assessed survey in a hospital in Southeast Nigeria.

Being a doctor remains a moral enterprise as he is expected to make some medical decisions based on ethical principles during encounter with patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge and application of medical ethical principles amongst physician groups in a Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional self-assessed study conducted amongst medical doctors in five specialty groups in a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria.Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize the items and determine whether significant differences on knowledge and application of medical ethics existed amongst the physician groups in the treatment of patients. Observance and compliance with medical ethical conduct was highest among doctors that were aged 55 years and above. In sex, male doctors had higher ethical conduct compliance than female doctors. Comparing the doctors by rank, medical officers, consultants and senior registrars respectively had the highest ethical conduct. Knowledge and practice of medical ethics were mostly deficient among younger Nigerian and female doctors. Remedying the situation will require better curricula both at the undergraduate and post-graduate medical school programmes for doctor trainees. Requiring certification in bioethics for license renewal will also help in resolving and improving the knowledge gap.

Visual Functions, Seatbelt Usage, Speed, and Alcohol Consumption Standards for Driving and Their Impact on Road Traffic Accidents.

The incidence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) is dramatically increasing worldwide. Consequently, driving and licensing authorities have instituted strict rules and regulations, such as vision standards, restrictions on drunk driving, seat belt usage, and speeding, for driving safety. This study aimed to summarize the global visual standards for driving license issuing and renewal and investigate the effect of driving safety laws on RTA-related death rates in different countries. The study gathered data on visual standards for driving licenses from reliable sources and extracted enforcement scores (drunk driving, seat belt usage, and speeding) and RTA-related death rates from the World Health Organization status report on road safety. The Wilcoxon test explored the association between visual standards and RTA-related death rates, while the Kruskal-Wallis test analyzed the relationship between visual functions and death rates, as well as driving safety enforcement scores and RTA-related death rates. The analysis was conducted on 71 countries and 50 states within the United States out of the 193 countries listed by the United Nations. It was found that 116 countries and states required a minimum VA range of 6/6-6/18, while 91 countries and states mandated a similar range for one-eyed drivers. VF testing for driving licenses was necessary in 77 countries and states. No significant association was observed between VA or VF testing and RTA-related death rates. However, countries that conducted more visual function tests demonstrated lower rates of RTA-related fatalities. Furthermore, RTA-related death rates were significantly associated with speeding, drunk driving, and seat belt laws. Implementing clear policies regarding vision requirements, maintaining strict rules, and promoting law enforcement on speeding, drunk driving, and seat belt usage are crucial for improving road safety. These measures should be prioritized by driving and licensing authorities worldwide to mitigate the escalating incidence of RTAs.