Service Categories Research Articles

Implementation of Additive Manufacturing Technologies for the Growth and Sustainability of Manufacturing SMEs in Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Study

International distribution compels global value chain members to demand highly innovative and technological advancements in their products and processes. The members include small, medium, and large enterprises from both the manufacturing and service categories. Due to short product lifecycles and resource limitations, SMEs are unable to fulfill global value chain requirements in terms of new product development, consequently struggling to sustain manufacturing. In Saudi Arabia, more than 10% of SMEs currently belong to the manufacturing sector, and the majority continue to use conventional manufacturing technologies. Against this backdrop, and to strengthen existing SMEs and enhance their growth, the author conducted a comprehensive literature review on the applicability of additive manufacturing technologies in the manufacturing of various products. The review indicated that the implementation of additive manufacturing technologies faces several difficulties; thus, the author selected two manufacturing SMEs to obtain information on the necessary requirements to implement additive manufacturing technologies. The author interacted with executives from two manufacturing companies, one located in Sudair Industrial City and the other in the industrial center of Dammam. These interactions revealed that better financing, industry–academia collaborations, and stronger inter-company ties boost the adoption of additive manufacturing and support SME growth. Optimizing the use of resources, minimizing the use of materials during the production process through the use of 3D printing technologies, and optimizing time and labor costs help to enhance the economy, which is one of the main components of sustainability.

Range and Nature of Social Services for Children With Disabilities and Their Families: A Descriptive Study.

Children with disabilities and their families continue to face challenges in social inclusion and accessing resources. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and associated challenges of using services for these children and their families. A descriptive study was conducted to analyze social services for children with disabilities. Data were collected from the official websites of both public and private institutions across three regions in South Korea. These data included information on the service contents and the characteristics of the target beneficiaries. A total of 12,841 service units were analyzed and grouped into 10 domains and 35 categories of social services. The most frequently identified service content was "Healthcare," followed by "Child and family care" and "Community services." The most frequently used characteristic of target beneficiaries was "Residential area," followed by "Income level," "Benefit," and "Type of disability." The current services are limited in meeting the needs of children with disabilities, particularly in terms of selection criteria, service content, and the integration of policies and delivery systems, contributing to a lack of social inclusion and lower quality of life. Constructing a national scheme to expand eligibility and support tailored to individual circumstances and needs is necessary.

499. Seeing the full picture: Adding discharge antibiotic durations to the dashboard

Abstract Background Antibiotic use (AU) at hospital discharge is often inappropriate and can account for the majority of antibiotic exposure attributed to an admission. Tracking and optimizing discharge antibiotic prescriptions (Rx) can be challenging for antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), as inpatient and outpatient AU are not linked in many electronic health records. Our aim was to establish a routine metric for total antimicrobial durations across a network of hospitals comprising Duke Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Network (DASON) and Duke University Health System (DUHS). Methods We created a data extract for discharge antibiotic Rx and incorporated this into existing data infrastructure supporting DASON and DUHS hospital-based ASPs. Extracts included discharge antibiotic Rx for agents within the American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) category for anti-infectives (8.00). Administration instructions and quantity were used to calculate antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) by agent for discharge Rx. Exclusion criteria were: 1) antiretroviral and anti-COVID medications, 2) Rx that had a paired discontinuation order within the first 24-48 hours 3) Rx with a duration > 30 days, 4) Rx where durations could not be calculated, and 5) non-enteral medications. The clinical reason for use was inferred from most proximal inpatient AU order if prescriber entered indication was available. Total antibiotic duration was determined by adding inpatient DOT and calculated discharge Rx DOT. Results Data from calendar year 2023 was available for 20 hospitals in DASON/DUHS. Of the initial 307,825 Rx identified, 255,543 Rx in 194,428 patients remained after applying exclusion criteria. Of interest, 83,276 (27%) patients received a discharge antibiotic Rx despite no record of inpatient AU. Data for the top 20 agents with a discharge Rx are shown in the Table; narrow spectrum agent use was common. Much of the total antibiotic course was prescribed post-discharge (range 27-90%). Genitourinary and skin/soft tissue infection (SSTI) were the most common Rx indications (Figure). Conclusion Antibiotics prescribed at discharge remains an important stewardship target. Data regarding AU at discharge can be combined with inpatient AU for routine monitoring to facilitate ASP interventions at TOC. Disclosures Elizabeth Dodds Ashley, PharmD, MHS, HealthtrackRx: Advisor/Consultant|UpToDate: Royalties Melissa D. Johnson, PharmD MHS AAHIVP, Biomeme: Licensed Technology|Scynexis, Inc: Grant/Research Support|UpToDate: Author Royalties Rebekah W. Moehring, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, UpToDate, Inc.: Author Royalties

Examining the brand-level associations between customer satisfaction, demographic profile and loyalty

PurposeThis study examines the extent to which brand-level satisfaction scores are related to loyalty metrics, controlling for the double jeopardy effect as well as the demographic profile of the brand’s customer base.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data for brands in three UK financial services categories: banks, car/home insurance, and life insurance. Regression analysis is used to examine the relationships between brand size, satisfaction levels, demographic profiles, and loyalty.FindingsFirstly, the study finds a strong “double jeopardy” association. That is, larger brands have more loyalty, both in terms of behavior and stated preference. Next, brands with higher satisfaction scores tend to have somewhat higher first-preference loyalty, controlling for the double jeopardy effect. There are mixed results in relation to satisfaction’s link to behavioral loyalty. Lastly, aspects of a brand’s demographic profile, particularly in terms of whether it skews towards high-income customers, are associated with somewhat lower loyalty metrics, both behavioral and conative.Originality/valueThe findings represent an original contribution by translating what have been to date principally individual-buyer level associations (between satisfaction, demographics and loyalty) into brand-level relationships that are arguably more relevant to managers who act on this level of reporting.

Monitoring changes and multi-scenario simulations of land use and ecosystem service values in coastal cities: A case study of Qingdao, China.

The study of land cover dynamics and the valuation of ecosystem services in coastal cities is pivotal for guiding sustainable urban development and conserving natural resources amidst the unique challenges posed by their geographical and ecological contexts. This study utilizes a 30m × 30m land use/cover change (LUCC) dataset to elucidate the spatiotemporal evolution of LUCC and ecosystem service value (ESV) and the trade-offs and synergistic relationships among ecosystem services in the coastal city of Qingdao under three different scenarios over the past 35years and in the future based on the dual perspective of the past-future by using the equivalent factor approach (EFA), the PLUS model, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The findings reveal a pronounced expansion in built-up areas in Qingdao from 1985 to 2020, with a concomitant significant reduction in cropland, leading to a fluctuation in the total ESV, which initially increased and then declined. This indicates the intense pressure Qingdao faces in terms of agricultural development and ecological conservation. By 2030, under scenarios of natural development, cropland protection, and ecological protection, Qingdao is projected to experience varied degrees of ESV decline, amounting to 1.989 billion, 0.803 billion, and 0.142 billion yuan respectively, with the natural development scenario showing a rapid decrease in ESV around the Jiaozhou Bay area. The spatial ESV patterns under the cropland protection and ecological protection scenarios remain largely consistent with those of 2020, as does the spatial configuration of land use across all scenarios. The ecological protection scenario, demonstrating the least reduction in ESV, emerges as the optimal strategy for balancing urban development with ecological sustainability, advocating it as the preferred pathway for Qingdao's future urban planning. Over the past 35 years, Qingdao's ecosystem services have primarily exhibited synergies, although significant trade-offs remain between agricultural expansion and water supply. Additionally, there are some trade-offs between gas regulation and nutrient cycling with water supply. Under different scenarios for 2030, while the trade-off between agricultural output and water resource conservation persists, the ecologicalprotection scenario significantly enhances synergies among all service categories. This study provides an EFA-PLUS-ESV framework that offers innovations for modeling future ecosystem service values and their trade-offs and synergistic relationships.

Service preferences among postpartum women (non-)affected by different types of intimate partner violence: insights from the cross-sectional study INVITE

BackgroundWomen in the postpartum period are at greater risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), which may cause physical, sexual, or psychological harm and have a long-lasting negative impact on mother and child. Seeking help in case of IPV in the postpartum period can be difficult.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine service preferences among postpartum women in Germany (non-)affected by IPV.MethodsIn the cross-sectional study INVITE, postpartum mothers (n = 3,509) were interviewed via telephone. Using the WHO-Violence Against Women Instrument (WHO-VAWI), women were divided into groups: non-affected women and women affected by psychological, physical, and/or sexual IPV.Using analyses of variance, group differences regarding preferred services and modes of service provision were assessed. Examined service domains were psychosocial services (e.g., women´s shelter or self-help groups), medical services (e.g., gynecologist or emergency room), and midwives. Modes of service provision included direct communication (e.g., in person or video conference) and indirect communication (e.g., chat or e-mail).ResultsPeople from the women's social environment (e.g., family, friends) and specialized IPV services, such as women's shelters, were the most preferred support. Regarding service categories, women who experienced any type of IPV rated all three service domains less likely to be used than non-affected women. Most preferred provision mode was “in person”. Women affected by physical and/or sexual IPV rated direct modes more negatively than non-affected women. However, there were no differences between (non-)affected women regarding indirect modes, such as e-mails or apps.DiscussionThe present results indicate that services were rated less likely to be used by postpartum women affected by IPV. Potential barriers which lead to these ratings need to be investigated. Efforts should be made to increase awareness of IPV and the beneficial effects of support.

Impact of Municipal Policies and Plans on Indicators of Access to Basic Sanitation

This study aimed to understand the impact of municipal basic sanitation policies and plans on the rate of access to drinking water and sewage services. For this, data were collected from the 853 municipalities of Minas Gerais regarding the provision of sanitation, as well as socioeconomic, quality of life and demographic indicators, treated with the t-test techniques for differences between means and Propensity Score Matching. The results revealed the need for greater sanitation planning in the state since a significant portion of municipalities do not have formal planning instruments for the sector. Furthermore, it was found that sanitation policies and plans had a positive impact on the rates of access to sanitation, both total and urban. However, regarding water supply, the data did not reveal a statistically significant positive impact. Therefore, the results shed light on the effectiveness of planning instruments for this category of services, revealing their contribution to expanding access to sanitation.

Digital Gap in Public Services to Support Development in the Coastal Area of Tangerang Regency

The purpose of this research is to find out how to overcome the digital divide to support the realization of public services in coastal areas in Tangerang Regency. Public services in the coastal areas of Tangerang Regency must be designed in a way that can meet the various needs of the community while maintaining sustainable development. Various sectors, such as health, education, transportation, and infrastructure, fall under this category of services. Innovation in public services is needed to improve the efficiency and accessibility of these services. These innovations can help people overcome various problems and improve their overall quality of life. The theories used in this study are the digital divide, public services and sustainable development. The method used in this study uses a quantitative approach, the primary data in this study is a questionnaire that is distributed directly and online, while the author's secondary data is taken from various trusted third-party sources. The population in this study is residents of the coastal area of Tangerang Regency, with a sample of 400 respondents. Meanwhile, the data processing tool that will be used in this study is SEM-PLS. The results of the study explain that to overcome the digital divide through improving digital infrastructure and technological literacy, as well as ensuring the inclusive and equitable implementation of SERVQUAL, it is very important to achieve sustainable development in Tangerang Regency.

Typology Model of Emotional Intelligence Development in Civil Servants Engaged in Implementing Sustainable Development in Ukraine

In the contemporary context of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, public servants' efficacy in managing natural resources critically depends on their emotional intelligence (EI). This study examines the critical role of EI in public servants managing natural resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. These crises underscore the necessity of understanding public servants' emotional resilience, anxiety levels, and social competence to enhance their effectiveness and adaptability. The research explores whether public servants can be categorized into more than three typologies of EI development. It hypothesizes four distinct types: “Child”, “Student/Pupil”, “Specialist/Worker”, and “Professional/Manager” characterized by unique combinations of emotional intelligence, anxiety, and social competence. A structured survey was administered on 150 public servants across Ukraine via Google Forms, covering demographic and professional variables. A refined sample of 30 participants, balanced by gender, geographic region, and service category, was subjected to cluster analysis. The findings revealed clear distinctions among the proposed typologies. The “Child” type represents individuals with low EI, high anxiety, and limited social competence, while the “Professional/Manager” type includes those with advanced EI, minimal anxiety, and strong social skills. Intermediate types, “Student/Pupil” and “Specialist/Worker,” exhibit developmental trajectories toward higher emotional intelligence and professional competence. This typology provides a practical framework for designing tailored interventions aimed at improving the emotional intelligence of public servants. Recommended strategies include stress management techniques, mentoring, and continuous professional development programs. This study offers a novel approach to understanding and addressing the emotional and professional needs of public servants during periods of uncertainty.

METHODOLOGY OF CONDUCTING SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK RIGHTS PROTECTION: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EU AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The article analyzes the methods of conducting sociological surveys of consumers used as evidence in disputes over the protection of trademark rights. The subject of the study is a comparative analysis of the approaches of courts to determining the evidentiary value of a sociological survey in the European Union, France and Russia. The conclusion is made about the generally similar methodology used in conducting surveys in the jurisdictions under consideration. When assessing the reliability of mutually exclusive survey results, it is proposed to give priority to the survey that was carried out using appropriate methods and forms of its conduct, taking into account the category of goods and services and a representative sample of respondents.

Service Utilization and Consumer-Reported Unmet Needs in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services for Older Adults

ABSTRACT Home- and community-based services (HCBS) are increasingly favored over nursing home care by older consumers and by policymakers. Consumer-reported unmet service needs in HCBS are important service quality and person-centeredness indicators. Yet, we know little about consumer-reported unmet needs among HCBS users. Therefore, we evaluated consumer-reported unmet needs (i.e. that the services they receive currently were not meeting their needs and goals) for 9,693 Medicaid HCBS beneficiaries (age ≥65 years) in the National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey (2016–2019). Personal care (59.7%) and homemaker (24.4%) services were the most utilized HCBS. Prevalence of unmet needs was highest in transportation (12.2%) and homemaker (11.7%) services. Consumers with poorer self-rated health, dementia, or mental illness; ndividuals living alone; and people of color were more likely to report unmet needs in HCBS such as personal care, caregiver support, adult day, or transportation. Proxy survey respondents were more likely to report unmet needs in caregiver support and personal care services and less likely to report unmet needs in transportation services. Consumer-reported unmet needs might indicate barriers to accessing HCBS. Our findings indicate differences in predictors of unmet needs by service categories, which should inform future targeted policymaking by state agencies and service providers to improve HCBS.

The Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Synergistic Relationships in a Mountainous Region of Northern China

Understanding ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies is the foundation for achieving the efficient management of the ecosystem and improving human well-being. Therefore, in this paper, multi-scale trade-offs and synergies among eleven secondary ecosystem service (ES) types of four ecosystem service categories in the mountainous areas of North China in 2015 are assessed using statistical methods and spatial analysis, and their driving factors are analyzed, including natural factors and socioeconomic factors. The results show that for the study area, only the raw material production service and nutrient cycle maintenance service, water supply service and hydrological regulation service, environmental purification service and biodiversity maintenance service, environmental purification service and aesthetic landscape service, and biodiversity maintenance service and aesthetic landscape service show extremely strong synergistic correlations at four spatial scales. The spatial autocorrelation among services at different scales is basically consistent with the statistical correlation, but the degree of correlation varies. Unlike the grid, township, and county scales, all service pairs are spatially autocorrelated across the study area at the land use type scale, and the clustering characteristics are more obvious and similar. All service pairs are synergistic with low–low values at the mountain–plain junction in the Taihang Mountain (THM) and in the northern part of the Bashang region (BSR). The spatial trade-offs and synergies of the regulating and maintenance services in the study area are closely related to the spatial distribution of land use types. The main natural influence on the synergistic trade-offs of ecosystem services (ESs) at the township scale is elevation, while socioeconomics are mainly influenced by population and GDP. This study can contribute to strengthening decision makers’ understanding of the spatial scales of ES relationships in mountain areas and the extent to which different natural and socioeconomic factors influence them.

Promise Programs and the Allocation of Institutional Expenditures at Community Colleges

Objective/Research Question: Many localities have implemented promise programs, which cover tuition for students to attend college based on residency criteria. These “free college” programs have been shown to increase student enrollment, creating the need for additional institutional resources to support student graduation. We analyzed the impact of 30 promise programs, each targeting a single community college, on institutional expenditures. Methods: Using data from 2001 to 2002 to 2015 to 2016, we incorporated generalized difference-in-differences estimation strategies and panel event-studies. Results: We find that the full sample of community colleges did not change their total spending per student nor their spending in the categories of instruction, student services, academic support, or institutional support. For privately funded programs, which receive revenues from donors, businesses, and philanthropic foundations, the affected colleges increased their institutional support per student. In contrast, publicly funded programs, which receive revenues from the college itself, the college foundation, or repurposed local appropriations, experienced increases in student services. Colleges with a combination of funding sources (mixed) observed no changes to spending in any category. Conclusions/Contributions: This study generates knowledge about expenditures within colleges, starting the conversation about adequacy of financial support, and investigates a first-level effect of programs on institutional expenditures to uncover the missing link between promise programs and enrollment outcomes.

Cultural Ecosystem Services in Land Use/Land Cover Change: A Literature Review and Prospects for Future Research

The land use system, which is endowed with the most crucial and fundamental natural resources for human survival and development, plays a pivotal role within the entire ecosystem. In recent years, cultural ecosystem services (CESs) have also gradually garnered widespread attention. The study of cultural ecosystem services in the land use system plays a significant role in the rational utilization of land resources and the resolution of contradictions between land resources and sustainable development. This review, framed in Land Use/Land Cover Change (LUCC), applies keyword clustering and keyword evolution analysis to comprehensively review and synthesize academic literature on cultural ecosystem services. The analysis is organized into two dimensions: the overall study of cultural ecosystem services in LUCC and the study of specific categories of cultural ecosystem services in LUCC. Relevant papers from CNKI and WOS academic databases are included. The results show that the number of papers retrieved from WOS was significantly higher than the number retrieved from CNKI, while both databases exhibited a clear upward trend in the number of papers. It is worth noting that in the literature retrieval results for different types of land research, the majority of the papers focused on water, accounting for 51% and 44% of the totals in WOS and CNKI, respectively. Among these papers, research centered on recreation and ecotourism was the richest. Through this review, it was further revealed that research on cultural ecosystem services was initiated and has gradually developed into a relatively complete knowledge system. However, research on cultural ecosystem services in LUCC still requires further exploration, particularly in terms of assessment methods. This review thus highlights the need for future research to focus more on cultural ecosystem services in the land use system and to delve deeper into evaluating their values. By employing more scientific and rational approaches, land resources can be effectively managed and utilized to address challenges related to land resources and sustainable development.

Demographic Analysis and Resource Allocation in Humanitarian Aid: A Case Study of Age-Specific Service Provision

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to address a gap in the existing literature on humanitarian service use by Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. In particular, it examines the patterns of service use by different demographic groups and considers the implications of these patterns for the allocation of resources. Aims(s) – The principal aim is to analyse the variations in service utilisation across different demographic groups and service categories. Secondary objectives include the identification of trends in service delivery over time and the drawing of implications for future humanitarian response strategies. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology, analysing data from a charitable organisation situated in the Slovakian midlands. The service delivery records of 1,033 cases, encompassing seven categories, were examined over the period from November 2023 to March 2024. The data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and time series analysis. Findings – The results revealed a significant gender disparity, with women utilizing 73.3% of the services in question. With regard to age, the 45-60 age group constituted the largest proportion of service users (39.5%). The most frequently provided services were food assistance and hygiene support. The time series analysis revealed a peak in November 2023, followed by a gradual decline. Limitations of the study - The study is limited by its focus on a single organisation and region, which restricts the potential for generalisation. A five-month study period may not be sufficiently long to capture long-term trends or seasonal changes. Originality/value - The study provides evidence-based insights for more targeted and effective resource allocation in refugee assistance and contributes to the growing body of literature on demographic analysis in humanitarian contexts.

Gender Stereotyping in Robot Service Failures

AI agents, such as service robots, could encompass gender cues. However, little is known regarding whether and how customers apply gender stereotyping to service failures in gendered service tasks performed by robots. Drawing on gender stereotype theory, we investigate the joint effects of robot gender (feminine vs. masculine) and task type (female-dominated vs. male-dominated) on customer dissatisfaction following service failures. Study 1 reveals that feminine service robots are perceived as more communal but as equally agentic as their masculine counterparts. Study 2 demonstrates that feminine (vs. masculine) service robots generate lower customer dissatisfaction when failing a female-dominated task. However, this discrepancy diminishes when failures occur in a male-dominated task. Perceived communion and tolerance serially mediate such robot gender effects. Our findings suggest that using feminine robots across all service categories may be a cost-effective strategy for hospitality organizations, eliminating the need to vary robot gender by task type.

Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ) in children and adolescents: factor structure, reliability, validity, item parameters and interpretability of the parent version for practical use in Greece

BackgroundHealth systems need tools to assess patient’s experience of service, but existing tools lack reliability and validity assessment. Our aim is to investigate the factor structure, reliability, validity, item parameters and interpretability of the parent version of the Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ) for practical use in Greece.MethodsA total of 265 caregivers that were using mental health services in Greece participated in this study as part of the Nationwide cross-sectional survey from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI). Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to test factor structure. Reliability of all models were measured with omega coefficients. Tobit regression analysis was used to test for convergent and discriminant validity with specifically designed questions. Item parameters were assessed via Item Response Theory. Interpretability was assessed by means of IRT-based scores.ResultsWe found that ESQ is best represented and scored as a unidimensional construct, given potential subscales would not have enough reliability apart from a general factor. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated, as caregivers who perceived that their child benefited from the received mental health care had 6.50 higher summed scores (SMD = 1.14, p < 0.001); while those who believed that their child needed additional help had 5.08 lower summed scores on the ESQ (SMD = −0.89, p < 0.001). Average z-scores provided five meaningful categories of services, in terms of user satisfaction, compared to the national average.ConclusionsOur study presents evidence for the reliability and validity of the ESQ and provides recommendations for its practical use in Greece. ESQ can be used to measure experience of service and might help drive improvements in service delivery in the Greek mental health sector.

Comparison of perinatal hospital services of women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia

Abstract Background Women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia had worse perinatal health indicators comparing with women from the rest of population. They gave more births in younger age and used fewer preventive services and later in pregnancy. Roma children had higher chances to be born earlier and with lower birth weight. We explored the differences in provided hospital services between pregnant Roma and the rest of female population in Slovenia. Methods We identified the female inhabitants of Roma settlements from the national registry of population and separated from the rest of the population data. Health indicators were provided from the national health register - Perinatal Information System for the years from 2018 to 2022. The frequency statistics, ANOVA and comparison of column proportion tests were used (p-value&amp;lt;0.005, 95% CI) to compare the differences in categories of services in those two groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in several hospital services comparing treatments of pregnant females from Roma settlements comparing to the rest of female population. Women from Roma settlements had higher ratio of gynecologic history without remarks, fewer treatments and less prevention investigations in prenatal period and higher ratio of natural start of delivery. In addition, by Roma females was used less medication during delivery, less episiotomies and fewer caesarean section were performed. Conclusions There are significant differences in provision of hospital services between female inhabitants of Roma settlements and the rest of population. Some of them could be explained by younger average age of delivery in Roma, but additional research would bring more light in possible impact of socio-economic and cultural determinants on both the use and provision of health services. Key messages • There are differences in provided health services between Roma women and the rest of female population. In depth research of prenatal and hospital services would bring additional explanations. • Considering the health inequalities which start by birth, targeted and tailored actions to improve health of Roma women and their new-borns are appropriate and necessary.

Long-term Survival After Cancer: A Scoping Review of the Health Care Landscape in Germany

Abstract Background Cancer remains a global health concern, with a significant increase in new cases projected in the coming years. Although cancer treatment and diagnosis have advanced, leading to improved survival, survivors often face complex physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. The objective of this scoping review is to provide an overview of the current landscape of specialized long-term survivorship care services in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with a focus on vulnerable groups. Methods The scoping review involves two search approaches: a manual search performed by two review authors and a systematic search performed by an information specialist following Scoping Review guidance. The protocol was published on the OSF platform. The systematic search was conducted in databases such as LIVIVIO, MEDLINE and Scopus. The manual search involves identifying key categories of survivorship services and conducting online searches based on these categories in duplicate. Data extraction and synthesis is conducted using EPPI-Reviewer software, and focuses on services characteristics, patient demographics, program format, and accessibility. Results The study has identified more than 300 survivorship care services across North Rhine-Westphalia. According to preliminary results some services offer comprehensive care, while others have significant gaps, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. One example of these gaps is the lack of tailored services specifically designed for people with a migration background. Most of the services are not available in multiple languages or gender-specific oriented. The results will be presented on the congress in detail. Conclusions This scoping review underscores the importance of tailored survivorship care, especially for vulnerable groups. Public health actions should focus on addressing disparities in access to survivorship services, enhancing existing programs, and developing new policies to support cancer survivors. Key messages • Effective survivorship care requires attention to vulnerable groups. • The care of long-term cancer survivors should receive more attention in research.

Optimizing trainee handoffs on a busy transfusion medicine service

Abstract Objective Within the healthcare system, handoff processes are critical to maintain safety &amp; continuality of care. Many handoff platforms exist for clinical inpatient housestaff specialties. However, these do not always align with the needs of clinical pathologists. Academic transfusion medicine (TM) services often oversee a hybrid of laboratory management, clinical services including apheresis therapy, and blood product management. To date, the literature is limited in describing the effectiveness of TM handoff in addressing these needs. Methods Our institution transitioned from using Microsoft Word document-based handoff to a Microsoft Sharepoint, browser-based handoff accessible via campus intranet or virtual private network (VPN). A verbal handoff accompanying the document remains unchanged. The previous Word document-based handoff followed the known structured communication framework (situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR)) structure for each patient. This document could only be concurrently edited by one user and was distributed via closed-loop encrypted email to ensure Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance. The new Sharepoint-based handoff features an expanded format including patient name/medical record number (MRN), date of contact, category of service, history, assessment and a task (to-do) list. This site can be concurrently edited and viewed by multiple users. It is version-controlled and searchable. It is also customizable to enable tracking of issues that are not associated with a MRN, such as product inventory, on-call staffing, and product investigation. Six months following the handoff transition, trainees’ feedback towards both formats were solicited with a Likert scale-based survey. The survey was open to any trainee that had rotated on the TM service, regardless of whether they had experienced both handoff formats. Handoff measures that were surveyed included effectiveness at communicating important information, ease of use, time spent, impact on patient care, amount of detail, integration in patient management and general attitudes towards TM call. Trainee demographics were also collected. Results Out of 18 potential participants, 15 trainees responded to the survey. Trainees reported that the Word document-based handoff contained significantly more extraneous detail, took excessive time to write and required more time overall to draft compared to the Sharepoint-based handoff (all p=&amp;lt;0.05). They also found that the Sharepoint-based handoff was significantly easier to use compared to the Word document-based handoff (p=&amp;lt;0.05). Additionally, the Sharepoint-based handoff was reported to convey important information more effectively and reduced the duration of verbal handoff compared to the Word document-based handoff, though these were not statistically significant. Conclusions TM services have unique responsibilities and benefit from customized handoffs with discrete categories that reflect the TM service’s distinct role. Such structure can help create a more standardized, focused handoff that requires less drafting time and improves efficiency and user satisfaction.