Skill Categories Research Articles

Language learning of future food industry engineers in Ukraine

The article examines the current situation of training of future food industry engineers in Ukraine, syllabuses, competences they have to obtain, skills. Communicating skill is considered the number one skills by 94% of employers of Food and Technology market. This skill category includes writing, reading and presenting information, listening and understanding instructions and ability to speak other languages (specifically English). The author offers to implement the innovative system of foreign language learning into educational process of future food industry engineers. The pedagogical system should be based on the principles of continuity, additionality, the combination of heuristic and reproductive methods, interdisciplinary integration, socio-cultural and professional orientation, the variability of group interaction. The techniques which foster the formation of foreign language competence of future food industry engineers are proposed.

Meningkatkan Kemampuan Hubungan Interpersonal Melalui Layanan Bimbingan Kelompok Teknik Sosiodrama pada Siswa Kelas IX-1 SMP Negeri 1 Praya

In the preliminary study conducted in IX-1 grade students of Junior High School No. 1 Praya, Central Lombok, NTB, it was found that approximately 68% of the students having low and average interpersonal relation skill. Classroom observations also showed that students tend to be passive during the lesson, quiet, less collaboration in group, and lack of interaction among peers. Guidance and Counselling teachers attemp to conduct a classroom study in guidance and counselling using sociodrama technic group guidance, as an attempt to improve students’ interpersonal relation skill. This study is aimed to to find out how the implementation of sociodrama technic group guidance can improve students’ interpersonal relation skill based on the needs of IX-1 grade students in junior high school No. 1 Praya. The study design of this classroom action research used Kemmis and Mc Taggrat model, Kemmis used self reflection spiral system, consisted of planning, acting, observating, reflecting, and replanning. Based on the result of this action research in guidance and counselling and discussion in two cycles, it can be conclued that sociodrama technic group guidance can improve IX-1 grade students’ interpersonal relation skill in junior high school No. 1 Praya. The result was found from the increasing score of students’ interpersonal relation skill before and after the implementation of sociodrama technic group guidance. The conclusion was made based on the analysis result of two times post-test and observation data during the two cycles of this research. The result indicated that 8 students who used to have a low interpersonal relation skill could achieve a higher category of interpersonal relation skill, there were 2 and 6 students having average category of interpersonal relation skill, and there was an increasing trend in interpersonal relation skill among the studets after the sociodrama technic group guidance was implemented

Meningkatkan Kemampuan Hubungan Interpersonal Melalui Layanan Bimbingan Kelompok Teknik Sosiodrama pada Siswa Kelas IX-1 SMP Negeri 1 Praya

In the preliminary study conducted in IX-1 grade students of Junior High School No. 1 Praya, Central Lombok, NTB, it was found that approximately 68% of the students having low and average interpersonal relation skill. Classroom observations also showed that students tend to be passive during the lesson, quiet, less collaboration in group, and lack of interaction among peers. Guidance and Counselling teachers attemp to conduct a classroom study in guidance and counselling using sociodrama technic group guidance, as an attempt to improve students’ interpersonal relation skill. This study is aimed to to find out how the implementation of sociodrama technic group guidance can improve students’ interpersonal relation skill based on the needs of IX-1 grade students in junior high school No. 1 Praya. The study design of this classroom action research used Kemmis and Mc Taggrat model, Kemmis used self reflection spiral system, consisted of planning, acting, observating, reflecting, and replanning. Based on the result of this action research in guidance and counselling and discussion in two cycles, it can be conclued that sociodrama technic group guidance can improve IX-1 grade students’ interpersonal relation skill in junior high school No. 1 Praya. The result was found from the increasing score of students’ interpersonal relation skill before and after the implementation of sociodrama technic group guidance. The conclusion was made based on the analysis result of two times post-test and observation data during the two cycles of this research. The result indicated that 8 students who used to have a low interpersonal relation skill could achieve a higher category of interpersonal relation skill, there were 2 and 6 students having average category of interpersonal relation skill, and there was an increasing trend in interpersonal relation skill among the studets after the sociodrama technic group guidance was implemented

Skill and knowledge requirements of entry-level logistics and supply chain management professionals: A comparative study of Ireland and Spain

The authors examine the educational and training requirements of entry-level graduates employed in the freight transport, distribution, and logistics sector. Five skill and knowledge categories are considered. By comparing the perceived importance of certain skills for companies and the performance of graduates, education and training gaps are identified. These gaps are compared for Ireland and Spain, two countries with different industrial and managerial contexts. Descriptive analysis of a sample of 108 firms reveals major gaps. The country comparison shows that Spanish graduates have more skill and knowledge deficiencies than Irish graduates. Despite the smaller gaps for Irish graduates, data variability is greater than for Spanish graduates.

Employability skills for future marketing professionals

This study investigates how digital transformation has disrupted the marketing career path by analysing the most in-demand marketing skills and identifying opportunities for future marketing professionals. Through a content analysis of job advertisements and a cross-country survey of marketing professionals, the study proposes a framework defining the skillset required of marketing professionals to start and move forward in their career. The study identifies five employability skill categories and 29 skills and capabilities. The relevance of such categories is also analysed across lowly and highly digitalised firms. This research contributes to the debate on the employability of new graduates and provides useful directions to universities, tertiary education institutions, and companies to support the marketing talents of the future.

Determinants of Building 21st Century Skills in Palestinian Elementary Schools

To fully engage in modern society, learners need to acquire not only individual skills– such as critical thinking, innovation and self-direction, but also participatory competences– such as collaboration, local connections, global connections, technology utilization and communication. The present study measures the factors influencing the development of such skills in the elementary stage science students in Palestine. The population comprised the science teachers for third through ninth grades at West Bank schools, while the sample consisted of 560 teacher respondents who provided self-assessment of their role in developing the 21st skills in their students. A scale developed by Ravitz et al (2012) was used to test 48 practices across 8 major skill categories: Critical Thinking Skill, Collaboration Skills, Communication Skills, Innovation Skills, Self -Direction Skills, Global Connections Skills, Local Connections Skills and Technology Utilization. Our focus was on measuring results in relation to five teacher-related variables: sex, academic degree, years of experience, teacher major and active learning training. The findings suggest that these variables are crucial in skill-building.

On Detention and Skill: Reflections on Immigrant Incarceration, Bodying Practices, and the Definition of Skill

The use of detention as a tool of immigrant enforcement has grown in the United States and around the world. In this article, I examine the practices used to structure the physical detention of immigrants and explore the role that carceral immigrant control plays as a form of labor market governance. I argue that the same security and detention practices that equate being out of status with criminality are also used to tag immigrants as unskilled. Through the delineation of skill categories, which are vested with certain political rights, I posit that this carceral enforcement of skill categories shapes how immigrants are able to navigate the labor market, with particular attention to the implications for recipients of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) protections.

Which literacy for health promotion: health, food, nutrition or media?

Education and literacy are important aspects of health promotion. The potential for health literacy to promote healthier choices has been widely examined, with studies variously incorporating food literacy, nutrition literacy and/or media literacy as components of health literacy, rather than treating each as unique concepts for health promotion. This study examines similarities and differences across health literacy, food literacy, nutrition literacy and health-promoting media literacy to highlight how each literacy type theorizes the relationship between education and health. A meta-review of existing scoping and systematic reviews examining literacy conceptualizations was conducted to examine the four literacies. Representative concept definitions were extracted and key competencies (or skills) and desired consequences were identified and grouped into subcategories for analysis. This study located 378 articles, of which 17 scoping/systematic reviews were included (10 for health literacy, 3 for food, 1 for nutrition and 3 for media). Representative concept definitions of the four literacy types revealed three skill categories (information acquisition, information analysis, and the application of information) and three categories of desired consequences (knowledge, attitudes and behaviors), with each of the four literacy types emphasizing varied collections of skills and desired consequences. Despite perceived similarities in content, health, food, nutrition and media literacy conceptualize the relationship between education and health differently, emphasizing the distinct types of knowledge to promote health-related outcomes. A better understanding of the differences between these four literacies will lead to informed decision making for researchers, educators and health practitioners in intervention design and implementation.

Simulation Exposure Improves Clinical Skills for Postgraduate Critical Care Nurses

IntroductionSimulation training is a widely accepted tool to improve clinical skills for critical care nurses. Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of simulation training in the arena of postgraduate nursing. To our knowledge, quantitative evidence supporting the benefits of simulation training on critical care students' clinical performance is lacking. MethodIn this study, participants enrolled in postgraduate studies were exposed to an immersive simulation hurdle that mirrored a real-life emergency scenario. Four skill categories addressing clinical performance were used. All participants received theoretical underpinnings related to the clinical hurdle via a conventional teaching method. Participants were then randomly categorized into control and test groups. The test group was involved in simulation activities before the hurdle assessment, whereas the control group attempted the simulation hurdle without prior exposure. Data were collected by an independent assessor using a customized tool. ResultsThis study demonstrated a significant improvement in two clinical areas in the test group compared with the control group. This improvement, however, was restricted to “focused patient assessment” and “emergency intervention” skills. There was no significant difference in the skill sets of “primary response” and “consultation with doctor.”

Impact of skilled nursing facility quality on postoperative outcomes after pancreatic surgery

Data on skilled nursing facility utilization among patients undergoing pancreatic surgery remain scarce. We sought to define the incidence of utilization of skilled nursing facilities and determine the impact of skilled nursing facility quality markers on postoperative outcomes among patients who underwent pancreatic surgery. Medicare Standard Analytic Files were used to identify patients who underwent pancreatic resection during 2013-2015. Nursing Home Compare datasets were used to examine the influence of skilled nursing facility quality as estimated by quality markers (Medicare star ratings) on postoperative outcomes. Among 13,018 patients who underwent pancreatectomy, 2,247 (17.3%) were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Compared with patients discharged home, patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility were older (median age: 72 [interquartile range 68-76] vs 76 [interquartile range 71-80]), more likely female (44.4% vs 56.8%), and had greater Charlson comorbidity index scores (median score: 3 [interquartile range 2-8] vs 4 [interquartile range 2-8]) (all P < .001). Most patients were discharged to an above-average skilled nursing facility (N = 1,463, 65.1%), and a lesser subset was discharged to a skilled nursing facility with a below-average (N = 490, 21.8%) or average (N = 294, 13.1%) star rating. The 30-day hospital readmission was greatest among patients discharged to a below-average skilled nursing facility (below average N = 217, 44.3%; average N = 110, 37.4%; above average N = 517, 35.3%; P = .002). On multivariate analysis, patients discharged to below-average skilled nursing facilities remained 64% more likely to be readmitted within 30 days (OR 1.64, 1.29-2.02, P < .001). In contrast, 30-day mortality was comparable across the skilled nursing facility star rating categories (P = .08). Roughly 1 in 6 patients undergoing pancreatic surgery were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Patients discharged to a below-average skilled nursing facility were more likely to be readmitted compared with patients discharged to an above-average skilled nursing facility.

Problem-Solving Skills of the U.S. Workforce and Preparedness for Job Automation

Automation and advanced technologies have increased the need for a better understanding of the skills necessary to have a globally competitive workforce. This study used data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies to compare problem-solving skills in technology-rich environments among adults in South Korea, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Estonia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Overall, the United States had the lowest scores among all countries, and in all countries scores declined with age. The United States had higher proportions of survey participants in the lowest skill category and lower proportions in the top-skill categories. The results of this study suggest changes in the U.S. educational and lifelong learning systems, and policies may be necessary to ensure all adults have the necessary skills in a competitive workforce.

Social-ecological correlates of fundamental movement skills in young children

PurposeTo identify the social-ecological correlates associated with fundamental movement skills at the child, family, and environment levels in young children. MethodsPreschool children from 4 Colorado Head Start/preschool centers were recruited from 2010 to 2012. Two hundred twenty-eight children (128 girls; age = 56.08 ± 4.09 months; body mass index (BMI) z-score = 0.53 ± 1.12 (mean ± SD); 42.1% Hispanic/Latino) and 159 families were included in the final analysis. Children's perceived competence and fundamental movement skills were assessed via the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition. Data on the number of children in the family, parent age, BMI, education, employment status, family income, perception of child coordination, and home physical activity environment were collected via a questionnaire. Linear regressions adjusted for child BMI, age, sex, and school site were performed at each level. ResultsChild perceived cognitive competence was positively associated with locomotor skills (p = 0.04; adjusted R2 = 0.035) and object-control skills (p = 0.003; adjusted R2 = 0.083) at the child level. Parent education, BMI, and perception of child coordination were positively associated with locomotor skills and explained 8.8% of variance, but only parent education was significant (p = 0.04) at the family level. In addition, physical environment was positively associated with locomotor skills (p = 0.02) and explained 5.5% of variance at the environment level. ConclusionSocial-ecological correlates associated with young children's fundamental movement skills are multidimensional and differ according to skill category at the child, family, and environment levels.

A framework for managing spreadsheet based end user applications

As spreadsheets are a ubiquitous tool used in most organisations, often for management support as well, managing them is more than indispensable but very often inadequate. The aim of the study is therefore to improve the management of spreadsheet-based end user applications. Starting from the existing frameworks for building and managing spreadsheets developed by end users, and guidelines of good practices, an initial version of spreadsheet framework for managing spreadsheet-based end user applications was developed (consisting of three parts: steps, skill categories and user categories). Fifteen spreadsheet experts were subsequently identified, who overviewed the framework, and the latter was modified and improved based on their suggestions. The final version of the framework was evaluated positively by four (additional) experts, based on which it can be concluded that the set framework can be applied in organisations using spreadsheet programs and, at the same time, reduce the possibility of occurrence of errors and other spreadsheet risks.

Epidemiology of sports injuries in basketball: integrative systematic review

IntroductionBasketball is a contact sport with complex movements that include jumps, turns and changes in direction, which cause frequent musculoskeletal injuries in all regions of the body.ObjectiveThis is an integrative...

The Heidelberg VR Score: development and validation of a composite score for laparoscopic virtual reality training.

Virtual reality (VR-)trainers are well integrated in laparoscopic surgical training. However, objective feedback is often provided in the form of single parameters, e.g., time or number of movements, making comparisons and evaluation of trainees' overall performance difficult. Therefore, a new standard for reporting outcome data is highly needed. The aim of this study was to create a weighted, expert-based composite score, to offer simple and direct evaluation of laparoscopic performance on common VR-trainers. An integrated analytic hierarchy process-Delphi survey was conducted with 14 international experts to achieve a consensus on the importance of different skill categories and parameters in evaluation of laparoscopic performance. A scoring algorithm was established to allow comparability between tasks and VR-trainers. A weighted composite score was calculated for basic skills tasks and peg transfer on the LapMentor™ II and III and validated for both VR-trainers. Five major skill categories (time, efficiency, safety, dexterity, and outcome) were identified and weighted in two Delphi rounds. Safety, with a weight of 67%, was determined the most important category, followed by efficiency with 17%. The LapMentor™-specific score was validated using 15 (14) novices and 9 experts; the score was able to differentiate between both groups for basic skills tasks and peg transfer (LapMentor™ II: Exp: 86.5 ± 12.7, Nov. 52.8 ± 18.3; p < 0.001; LapMentor™ III: Exp: 80.8 ± 7.1, Nov: 50.6 ± 16.9; p < 0.001). An effective and simple performance measurement was established to propose a new standard in analyzing and reporting VR outcome data-the Heidelberg virtual reality (VR) score. The scoring algorithm and the consensus results on the importance of different skill aspects in laparoscopic surgery are universally applicable and can be transferred to any simulator or task. By incorporating specific expert baseline data for the respective task, comparability between tasks, studies, and simulators can be achieved.

CONGENITAL MUSCULAR DYSTROPHIES: P.323Review of the natural history of mental development in Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy patients, based on a written questionnaire from their families

Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is characterized by brain malformation caused by abnormal neurocyte migration, and presents with eye manifestations. Ninety percent of FCMD patients have the homozygote insertional mutation of the founder haplotype, and show typical progression of motor functional deficits. However, many patients with a heterozygote mutation show more severe motor and mental functional deficits. Although many prior reports on FCMD patients focused on the natural history of motor development, very few have referenced mental development. We surveyed 49 families of FCMD patients, who belonged to a patient's association, using a descriptive questionnaire. We classified our questions into 4 categories: 1) motor development, 2) social skills, 3) living skills and 4)language development. Forty-nine answers were collected, the median patient age was 7 years (range: 1.3 to 36 years). Twenty-eight patients had the homozygote mutation, 11 the heterozygote, and there was no answer for the other. All motor development milestones were delayed in all patients. Even though 80% of patients achieved single word communication, verbal development reflecting when the necessity for verbal communication arose, yielded a low evaluation in the social skill category. All patients achieved the skills needed for meal consumption more easily than other living skills such as changing their clothes. Many patients never obtained independent gait, while upper limb motions varied among patients. Furthermore, these motor function level affected their mental development. Communication with the others was also found to be an important factor for encouraging mental development. This study is a rare study focusing on the details of the mental development of FCMD. This survey is anticipated to help the families of FCMD patients as they strive to stimulate the development of their children.

Skills acquisition for novice learners after a point-of-care ultrasound course: does clinical rank matter?

BackgroundFew studies have compared the effectiveness of brief training courses on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) skill acquisition of novice attending physicians vs. trainees. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in POCUS image interpretation skills and confidence of novice attending physicians vs. trainees after a 1-day POCUS training course.MethodsA 1-day POCUS training course was held in March 2017 in Japan. A standardized training curriculum was developed that included online education, live lectures, and hands-on training. The pre-course assessment tools included a written examination to evaluate baseline knowledge and image interpretation skills, and a physician survey to assess confidence in performing specific ultrasound applications. The same assessment tools were administered post-course, along with a course evaluation. All learners were novices and were categorized as trainees or attending physicians. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance.ResultsIn total, 60 learners attended the course, and 51 learners (85%) completed all tests and surveys. The 51 novice learners included 29 trainees (4 medical students, 9 PGY 1–2 residents, 16 PGY 3–5 residents) and 22 attending physicians (6 PGY 6–10 physicians, and 16 physicians PGY 11 and higher). The mean pre- and post-course test scores of novice trainees improved from 65.5 to 83.9% while novice attending physicians improved from 66.7 to 81.5% (p < 0.001). The post-course physician confidence scores in using ultrasound significantly increased in all skill categories for both groups. Both trainees and attending physicians demonstrated similar improvement in their post-course test scores and confidence with no statistically significant differences between the groups. The course evaluation scores for overall satisfaction and satisfaction with faculty members’ teaching skills were 4.5 and 4.6 on a 5-point scale, respectively.ConclusionsBoth novice trainees and attending physicians showed similar improvement in point-of-care ultrasound image interpretation skills and confidence after a brief training course. Although separate training courses have traditionally been developed for attending physicians and trainees, novice learners of point-of-care ultrasound may acquire skills at similar rates, regardless of their ranking as an attending physician or trainee. Future studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of short training courses on image acquisition skills and determine the ideal course design.

IPEG 2018The 27th Annual Congress for Endosurgery in ChildrenApril 11–14, 2018, Seattle, Washington

IPEG 2018The 27^th Annual Congress for Endosurgery in ChildrenApril 11–14, 2018, Seattle, Washington

A computational application for multi-skill nurse staffing in hospital units

BackgroundApproaches to nurse staffing are commonly concerned with determining the minimum number of care hours according to the illness severity of patients. However, there is a gap in the literature considering multi-skill and multi-shift nurse staffing. This study addresses nurse staffing per skill category, at a strategical decision level, by considering the organization of work in shifts and coping with variability in demand.MethodsWe developed a method to determine the nursing staff levels in a hospital, given the required patient assistance. This method relies on a new mathematical model for complying with the legislation and guidelines while minimizing salary costs. A spreadsheet-based tool was developed to embed the model and to allow simulating different scenarios and evaluating the impact of demand fluctuations, thus supporting decision-making on staff dimensioning.ResultsExperiments were carried out considering real data from a Brazilian hospital unit. The results obtained by the model support the current total staff level in the unit under study. However, the distribution of staff among different skill categories revealed that the current real situation can be improved.ConclusionsThe method allows the determining of staff level per shift and skill depending on the mix of patients’ illness severity. Hospital management is offered the possibility of optimizing the staff level using a spreadsheet, a tool most managers are familiar with. In addition, it is possible to evaluate the implications of decisions on workforce dimensioning by simulating different demand scenarios. This tool can be easily adapted to other hospitals, using local rules and legislation.

Medical Students’ Non-Technical Skills (Medi-StuNTS): preliminary work developing a behavioural marker system for the non-technical skills of medical students in acute care

IntroductionGood non-technical skills (NTS) are critical to the delivery of high-quality patient care. It is increasingly recognised that training in such skills should be incorporated into primary medical training curricula. This study aimed to develop an NTS behavioural marker system (BMS), specifically applicable to medical students, for use within simulated acute care scenarios.MethodsThe methodology used to develop other BMS was adopted and modified. Following ethical approval, 16 final year medical students participated in acute care simulated scenarios. Semistructured interviews were performed to gauge the understanding of NTS. A panel meeting of subject matter experts was convened to translate key NTS into skill elements and observable behaviours. A second expert panel was consulted to refine aspects of the BMS. Further refinement and initial face validity was undertaken by a third panel of experts using the prototype BMS to observe prerecorded simulation scenarios.ResultsFive categories of NTS were identified: situation awareness, teamwork and communication, decision-making and prioritisation, self-awareness, and escalating care. Observable behaviours in each category describe good and poor performance. Escalating care was identified as a unique component that incorporated behaviours related to each of the other four skill categories. A 5-point rating scale was developed to enable both peer-to-peer and tutor-to–student feedback.ConclusionThe Medi-StuNTS (Medical Students’ Non-Technical Skills) system is the first BMS for the NTS of medical students. It reinforces the importance of escalating care effectively. It provides an exciting opportunity to provide feedback to medical students and may ultimately aid their preparedness for professional practice.