Professional Skills Research Articles

Developing generic skills for future health professionals: student and faculty perceptions of a recovery college curriculum and courses

Purpose As health-care systems worldwide grapple with complex challenges such as limited resources, qualified personnel shortages and rapid technological advancements, there is an urgent need for educational transformation in health-care professions. This urgency arises from the necessity for health-care professionals to evolve beyond traditional roles and acquire essential generic skills such as adaptative, epistemic, relational, ethical and citizenship skills – areas identified as gaps in conventional university curricula. This study aims to investigate the potential of the recovery college (RC) model, integrated into a Canadian university’s health-care curriculum, to address these gaps. Design/methodology/approach Through qualitative group interviews with eight students and three faculty members and subsequent descriptive content analysis, the authors explored the perceived outcomes of this model. Findings The authors discerned 15 themes within the five core categories of generic skills (epistemic, ethical, relational, adaptative and citizenship skills), with “experiential knowledge acquisition” central to the training input and other significant themes including “ethical sensitivity,” “collaborative communication,” “self-care” and “open-mindedness to diversity.” The findings highlight the RC model’s potential in fostering these crucial skills among future health-care professionals and challenging prevailing epistemic injustices in health care. Research limitations/implications Further investigations are needed to understand the long-term effects of this model on health-care practice and to explore its potential integration into wider health-care education programs. Originality/value This study enriches understanding of the RC model’s role in health-care education, thereby proposing a significant shift toward more inclusive and effective health-care professional training.

AI in the Health Sector: Systematic Review of Key Skills for Future Health Professionals.

Technological advancements have significantly reshaped health care, introducing digital solutions that enhance diagnostics and patient care. Artificial intelligence (AI) stands out, offering unprecedented capabilities in data analysis, diagnostic support, and personalized medicine. However, effectively integrating AI into health care necessitates specialized competencies among professionals, an area still in its infancy in terms of comprehensive literature and formalized training programs. This systematic review aims to consolidate the essential skills and knowledge health care professionals need to integrate AI into their clinical practice effectively, according to the published literature. We conducted a systematic review, across databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, of peer-reviewed literature that directly explored the required skills for health care professionals to integrate AI into their practice, published in English or Spanish from 2018 onward. Studies that did not refer to specific skills or training in digital health were not included, discarding those that did not directly contribute to understanding the competencies necessary to integrate AI into health care practice. Bias in the examined works was evaluated following Cochrane's domain-based recommendations. The initial database search yielded a total of 2457 articles. After deleting duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 37 articles were selected for full-text review. Out of these, only 7 met all the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The review identified a diverse range of skills and competencies, that we categorized into 14 key areas classified based on their frequency of appearance in the selected studies, including AI fundamentals, data analytics and management, and ethical considerations. Despite the broadening of search criteria to capture the evolving nature of AI in health care, the review underscores a significant gap in focused studies on the required competencies. Moreover, the review highlights the critical role of regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration in facilitating the adoption of AI technologies by establishing trust and standardizing algorithms. Key areas were identified for developing competencies among health care professionals for the implementation of AI, including: AI fundamentals knowledge (more focused on assessing the accuracy, reliability, and validity of AI algorithms than on more technical abilities such as programming or mathematics), data analysis skills (including data acquisition, cleaning, visualization, management, and governance), and ethical and legal considerations. In an AI-enhanced health care landscape, the ability to humanize patient care through effective communication is paramount. This balance ensures that while AI streamlines tasks and potentially increases patient interaction time, health care professionals maintain a focus on compassionate care, thereby leveraging AI to enhance, rather than detract from, the patient experience. .

Case Study for Planning Education: Lessons from Incorporating an Interdisciplinary Teaching Approach and APA Trend Reports in Capstone Planning Studios

Planning education has a responsibility to provide students with theoretical and practical training to address real-world issues. This study explores studio teaching as an engaged pedagogy, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches to education for sustainable development (ESD) and themes from the American Planning Association’s (APA) Future Trend reports. Focusing on two senior capstone projects at the University of Cincinnati involving 34 students, the study emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary methods and APA trend integration in fostering critical thinking and higher-order reasoning. Capstone projects show students’ active engagement with innovative planning concepts (e.g., climate migration, innovative ways of goods’ delivery, and expanding third place’s concept). Such active and innovative learning outcomes not only deepen students’ understanding of urban planning but also equip them with critical cognitive and professional skills, which are necessary as professional planners as well as forward thinkers. The experiences and findings presented can help other programs articulate the benefits of studio-based courses. The findings offer experience-based guidance for similar initiatives in planning studios globally and support the ongoing transformation of sustainability education to prepare students for complex, real-world problem-solving.

Game-Based Learning to Promote Clinical Reasoning: An Innovative Educational Proposal in Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry requires different professional knowledge and skills, including technical and analytical thinking skills, essential for deep clinical reasoning. To analyze the students’ awareness of their cognitive processes when solving clinical problems, a qualitative and inductive study with second and fifth year students in the Degree Course in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics at the University of Verona was conducted. Adopting a phenomenological approach, it focused on participants’ lived experiences, gathering their reflections on solving clinical problems through two structured questions. The data, analyzed using content analysis, revealed that sometimes students focused on operational steps rather than reflecting on them, and underscored the necessity of innovating university teaching methods to enhance reflective moments. To respond to this need, a literature review was conducted, underscoring the value of active learning in innovating dentistry education. Accordingly, a game-based learning activity was elaborated: a dental-themed adaptation of the games where you guess an image without using certain predetermined words. Its goal is to create an interactive and engaging environment that facilitates sharing and reflection, challenging students to apply their competencies to practical scenarios. Finally, our research identified students’ educational needs to develop teaching strategies that shape their reflective process in clinical reasoning so as to be more deliberate and conscious.

Reforming Legal System and Education: The Indianization Approach

Education is a pivotal driver of societal change, acting as a transformative force that enhances an individual’s physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth. It provides individuals with the ability to understand and critically analyze knowledge and processes, enabling responsible action. Legal education, as a specialized field, centers on the study of law, equipping individuals with the necessary skills to apply, evaluate, and challenge legal principles within the legal community. Legal education fosters both personal autonomy and societal progress by promoting collective well-being and strengthening the rule of law. Ensuring the development of high-quality legal education is vital for producing skilled legal professionals. This paper examines the emerging challenges and opportunities in legal education within the Indian context.

Organisational management of the time-dependent network for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Italy, being responsible for 227,350 deaths in 2020, according to the National Institute of Statistics. The implementation of timely reperfusion therapy is crucial to improve patient outcomes, and time-dependent networks for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome, particularly ST-elevation myocardial infarction, have been established. In Tuscany, the network for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome-ST-elevation myocardial infarction covers a vast area encompassing three Local Health Authorities, including all of South-Eastern Tuscany. Key features include equity of access, patient safety, improving the quality of care, standardization, the enhancement of professional skills, technological innovation, increasing case volumes and multi-professional integration across emergency services, hospital facilities and primary care networks. The Tuscan Acute Coronary Syndrome network provides comprehensive treatment for Acute Coronary Syndrome-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 12 hospitals with 24-hour hemodynamics laboratories and has been extended to new territories, namely Piombino and the Island of Elba. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of an analytical system for monitoring times to reperfusion treatment and subsequent actions, in order to improve the performance of the network. In this retrospective study, we conducted an analytical evaluation of the network's performance, including reperfusion treatment times and factors causing delay. The study utilized data on patient transport, times from symptom onset to medical contact, and outcomes from the National Outcomes Program (NOP; "Programma Nazionale Esiti" in Italian). Analytical evaluations in 2021 measured the network's overall performance and identified the main causes of delay. The treatment process was divided into periods, from symptom onset to coronary reperfusion; interventions such as public awareness campaigns, electrocardiogram tele-transmission, and fast-track transfers were implemented in order to minimize delays. The lowest 30-day mortality rate in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients was recorded in hospitals that treated over 300 cases annually, according to the 2020 and 2021 National Outcomes Program of. Improvements continued into 2022 and 2023, with mortality rates also declining in patients initially admitted to peripheral hospitals. Among residents of Piombino and the Island of Elba, 30-day mortality decreased from 8.8% (2017-2020) to 5.7% in 2022. In 2022, the Grosseto Hub treated 80% of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients within 90 minutes. The establishment of a well-organized time-dependent network for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Tuscany significantly improved patient outcomes, thus demonstrating the critical role of timely and efficient care pathways. Our network's success is attributable to several factors, including improved accessibility, enhanced coordination among healthcare facilities, and the efficient use of technology and resources. These findings highlight the importance of structured clinical-care pathways in delivering high-quality care for Acute Coronary Syndrome patients.

Effectiveness of Simulation with a Standardized Patient on Knowledge Acquisition, Knowledge Retention, and Self-Efficacy Among Moroccan Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Simulation is a crucial component in the training of healthcare professionals, offering a safe environment for practical learning without posing risks to patients. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of simulation with a standardized patient on the acquisition and retention of knowledge, as well as on the self-efficacy of nursing students. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted with 120 nursing students, who were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (60) received training through simulation with a standardized patient, supplemented by a lecture-based course. The control group (60) received only the same lecture-based course. A pre-test was conducted to assess students’ baseline knowledge and self-efficacy before any intervention. Student performance was then assessed with a post-test immediately after the training to measure knowledge acquisition and self-efficacy and a post-test three months after the intervention to measure long-term knowledge retention. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference in mean scores between the intervention and control groups in terms of knowledge acquisition (14.92 vs. 13.32; p < 0.001; d = 0.99), self-efficacy (33.02 vs. 31.05; p < 0.001; d = 1.03) and knowledge retention three months after training (12.4 vs. 10.6; p < 0.001; d = 0.94). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the effectiveness of simulation in knowledge acquisition and retention, as well as in the self-efficacy of nursing students. These findings support the integration of this method into training programs to strengthen the skills of future healthcare professionals.

Artificial intelligence in epilepsy education

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the landscape of epilepsy education and management by providing innovative solutions to the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This review evaluates the multifaceted role of AI in epilepsy, focusing on its impact on early diagnosis, seizure prediction, and the development of personalized treatment plans. AI tools, including machine learning algorithms and neural networks, have demonstrated significant promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and identifying epileptic patterns. This study explores various AI-driven educational platforms designed to improve the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers in managing epilepsy. Moreover, AI applications in wearable devices and mobile health platforms facilitate real-time monitoring and patient engagement, ultimately improving quality of life. However, integrating AI into clinical practice presents several challenges, including the need for large and high-quality datasets, interdisciplinary collaboration, data privacy, and ethical considerations. This review highlights these barriers while suggesting uniform protocols and frameworks for efficiently translating AI technologies into clinical practice. It underscores AI’s transformative potential in epilepsy care and education, advocating for ongoing research and collaborative efforts among technologists, clinicians, and educators, while emphasizing the importance of user-friendly design, regular assessments, and ethical considerations to maximize AI’s impact in this critical field.

Factors associated with program implementation competencies used to improve health service development capacity of public health nurses: a nationwide survey of prefectures and cities with public health centers

Objectives Public health nurses (PHNs) are necessary in introducing evidence-based health programs to address various health challenges. This study aimed to identify the factors related to PHNs' ability to implement programs across different career-level groups.Methods A self-administered questionnaire was administered to PHNs working in prefectures or cities with public health centers. PHNs were categorized into three career-level groups based on their seniority and position; novice with ≥ 5 years of experience, no-position with ≥ 6 years of experience without a position, and with-position with ≥ 6 years of experience holding a position. Simple regression analysis was conducted using the Implementation Degree Assessment Sheet (Okamoto et al., 2022; IDAS) score as the dependent variable and experience in developing new projects, learning experiences, horizontal development exposure, and PHNs' competency scale scores as independent variables. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted with the IDAS score as the dependent variable and statistically significant variables in the simple regression analysis as the independent variables. The competency measurement scales used were the Professional Development Scale (PDS), Reflective Practice Skill Scale (RPS), and Research Utilization Competency Scale (RUC).Results We obtained 702 out of 966 valid responses (72.7%). The overall mean IDAS scores was 115.7; 107.6 for novice PHNs, 111.3 for no-position PHNs, and 119.6 for with-position PHNs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that RPS and PDS scores contributed to novice and with-position PHNs' abilities. Additionally, "recognition of the importance of horizontal development: agree" significantly influenced novice PHNs' ability, whereas RUC score contributed to with-position PHNs' ability. RUC scores and recognition of the current implementation of horizontal development significantly contributed to the ability of No-position PHNs.Conclusion For improving PHNs' program implementation abilities, novice PHNs should focus on reflective practices, improve professional knowledge and skills, acquire knowledge and competence in program implementation, and improve understanding of its importance. Moreover, no-position PHNs must collect, examine, and use information, such as recent research findings. With-position PHNs must continuously improve their skills and apply them comprehensively in management and program implementation. These findings underscore the importance of tailored program implementation training for each career level, providing opportunities to reflect on practice and one's own activities, and assessing the level of mastery.

The 4E theory-based performance benchmarking of aged care service provision in community care facilities: a case study of Nanjing, China

The global aging population is growing rapidly, and due to its large population, China is expected to become a ‘super-aged society’ within the next decade. Therefore, ensuring that older people can ‘age in place’ has become a major national priority. Community-care facilities (CCFs) play a key role in this process, but their service performance often faces challenges, with high input costs and limited output benefits. This paper aims to evaluate and improve the social and economic performance of CCFs by proposing a comprehensive framework based on the 4E (Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Equity) theory. Specifically, based on the 4E theory, a literature review and correlation analysis are conducted to select performance indicators. The input–output relationships are then established according to the four dimensions of the 4E theory. These indicators and input–output relationships form the foundation for applying the δ-SBM DEA model, which is used to assess the performance of 75 CCFs in Nanjing. The study finds that the economic performance of CCFs generally lags behind their social performance, with many facilities showing inefficiency in economic indicators, characterized by high operational costs and limited profitability. Projection analysis reveals major issues in low-performing CCFs, including uneven regional distribution of facility performance, poor profitability, a shortage of skilled older people care professionals, and insufficient older people’s participation. Based on these findings, the paper provides specific policy recommendations for government authorities, industry associations, and CCFs, focusing on improving cost-effectiveness, increasing the number of professionals, and enhancing older people’s participation.

Determinants of burnout syndrome among undergraduate nursing students in Poland: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNursing students worldwide are exposed to burnout syndrome resulting from constant academic and clinical stressors. The consequences of student burnout can be related to the student’s mental and physical health. Burnout may affect the learning process, achieving professional skills, and future effectiveness while working with a patient and, eventually, might lead to the decision to quit the job. This study aims to analyze the intensity of burnout syndrome among undergraduate nursing students based on their year of study (1), establishing the impact of stress, anxiety, insomnia, and selected sociodemographic variables on the level of burnout (2) and establishing a student profile predestined to be affected by burnout (3).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 841 bachelor’s degree nursing students from March 2022 to June 2022. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Athens Insomnia Scale, Modified Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale were used.ResultsHigh levels of emotional exhaustion were found in 40.9% and depersonalization in 20.33%, while low personal accomplishment was found in 16.88% of the students. Students of nursing in Year 2 presented the highest levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and achieved significantly higher scores on the Athens Insomnia Scale. The determinants of burnout syndrome identified by the regression analysis were: sociodemographic factors (age, gender, and financial resources), the factors connected with the studying environment (year of studies and clinical and academic stressors), and emotional/mental/interpersonal factors (anxiety, depression, insomnia, and intensity of stress related to life situations).ConclusionThe academic community should be encouraged to create a more supportive environment for students, which will ultimately prevent dropouts and increase the number of nursing professionals in the Polish healthcare system. We recommended carrying out regular screening tests for burnout, insomnia, anxiety, stress, and depression (e.g., once a year) among students. Depending on the results of the tests, implementation of interventions aiming at reducing the negative outcomes of burnout syndrome and promoting well-being and adaptive management mechanisms should be considered.

The Importance of Mentorship in Educational Administration

Mentorship in educational administration is a critical strategy for professional growth, leadership development, and institutional success. In a complex and evolving educational landscape, mentorship provides essential support, guidance, and practical knowledge that bridge the gap between theory and practice. This paper examines the roles, benefits, and challenges of mentorship in fostering effective educational leaders. Key themes include the nurturing of professional skills, the reduction of isolation among new administrators, and the role of mentors in creating a collaborative, trust-based leadership environment. Effective mentorship programs strengthen professional confidence, decision-making, and organizational cohesion. Recommendations focus on institutional investments in structured mentorship programs, mentor training, and the adoption of flexible frameworks to ensure sustainable success. The study underscores mentorship as a transformative practice essential for building resilient educational leadership. Keywords: Mentorship, Educational Administration, Leadership Development, Professional Growth, Administrator Support

Information Literacy of University Teachers: Bibliometric Analysis with Scopus 1998 - 2023

In the context of rapid developments in information technology, the need to enhance information literacy for students and lecturers in higher education institutions has become increasingly urgent. To effectively utilize various resources and online learning tools, and engage in scientific research activities, it is essential to equip individuals with adequate professional knowledge and information skills. The primary objective of this study is to explore the evolution of scientific publications regarding the quantity, development models, and research trends related to information literacy for university lecturers. We employed bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software and RStudio integrated with Biblioshiny to evaluate 279 articles (comprising 231 journal articles, 25 conference papers, 17 book chapters, and six books) indexed in Scopus published from 1998 to 2023. The key findings reveal that the years 2021 and 2022 saw a notable surge in research (accounting for 23.7%). The study identifies the most prominent journals publishing case studies on digital technology in education, all of which are of high quality and rank highly within Scopus categories. Furthermore, the research highlights the distribution and trends of keywords, identifying the most influential countries and organizations in the field. Furthermore, the research highlights the distribution and trends of keywords, identifying the most influential countries and organizations in the field.

A Study of Role of Online Platforms in Modern Recruitment Process

Recruitment plays a pivotal role in organizational success, directly influencing the quality of the workforce. In today’s competitive business environment, the process of attracting and selecting top talent has evolved significantly, particularly with the advent of e-recruitment. This paper examines the impact of e-recruitment on talent acquisition, with a focus on how technological advancements, particularly the Internet and social media platforms, have reshaped recruitment strategies. Online job boards, career portals, and professional social media platforms like LinkedIn have become essential tools for connecting employers with potential candidates. These digital tools facilitate the recruitment process by providing greater accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and speed compared to traditional methods. In the context of IT companies, such as Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Awareness, e-recruitment has proven to be an effective strategy in attracting skilled professionals, especially in the high-demand IT sector. The study explores the benefits of e-recruitment, including wider candidate pools, faster hiring processes, and reduced recruitment costs. Additionally, it discusses the advantages and challenges of using social media platforms for recruitment, highlighting how organizations can leverage these technologies to enhance their hiring strategies. Finally, the paper identifies future research avenues and the evolving role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in a digitalized world, underscoring the importance of balancing technological tools with human judgment in the recruitment process.

Effectiveness of educational interventions for improving healthcare professionals' information literacy: A systematic review.

It is unclear which educational interventions effectively improve healthcare professionals' information literacy. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions for improving the formulation of answerable clinical questions and the search skills of healthcare professionals. We followed the Cochrane methodology and reported according to the PRISMA statement. The following databases from inception to November 2022: MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar search engine, were searched. Randomised controlled trials and crossover trials on any educational interventions were included. Studies on search tools that are obsolete were excluded. Ten studies that mainly compared the effectiveness of lectures and bedside education to lectures or no intervention for searching of PubMed and/or MEDLINE, were included. There was evidence for improved attitude towards the intervention favouring lecture with self-directed learning over lecture, bedside education, and computer-assisted self-directed learning (RR: 1.14; 95% CI 1.06-1.23; N = 2 studies; 1064 participants; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty evidence). There were limited findings on the knowledge, skills, satisfaction, and behaviour outcomes. Future research should include a wider set of outcomes, be reported better and explore the use of digital technology for delivery of educational interventions. Further research should entail well-designed trials with relevant outcomes evaluating novel digital-based educational interventions.

Integrating entrustable professional activities using an integrated curriculum design framework in pharmacy education.

The integration of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) using the Integrated Curriculum Design Framework (ICDF) is a promising yet underexplored strategy in pharmacy education. This reflective work identifies gaps in traditional approaches to competency-based education and highlights the alignment of the "Professional Practice Skills" Year 2 module at a UK university with EPAs and ICDF. By bridging these gaps, this work highlights the importance of equipping students with the competencies necessary for independent practice. The "Professional Practice Skills" module was transformed to align with ICDF and EPAs. Stakeholder engagement, including input from students, educators, and practitioners, guided the selection of EPAs reflective of real-world pharmacy tasks such as patient counselling, prescribing, prescriber interaction, and providing medicine query information. Learning outcomes were redefined to incorporate these EPAs, and teaching strategies were adapted to include experiential learning activities, such as simulated patient scenarios and reflective tasks. Assessment methods shifted from knowledge-based to competency-based evaluations, ensuring students could demonstrate practical readiness for professional roles. Integrating EPAs and ICDF revealed challenges, such as resistance to change and the need for significant resource investment in designing simulations. However, the shift encouraged collaborative teaching practices and enhanced student engagement. Students demonstrated improved confidence and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, showcasing the value of a competency-based approach. This integration process highlights the importance of aligning curriculum design with professional competencies. The work has broader implications for pharmacy education, offering a replicable model for other healthcare institutions seeking to enhance professional readiness.

A Unique Simulation Methodology for Practicing Clinical Decision Making.

While bedside teaching offers invaluable clinical experience, its availability is limited. Challenges such as a shortage of clinical placements and qualified teaching physicians, coupled with increasing medical student numbers, exacerbate this issue. Simulation-based learning encompasses varied educational values and has the potential to serve as an important tool in medical students' education. In this study, we evaluate a new Clinical Decision Making Integrated Digital Simulation (CDMIDS) method that was developed in order to enhance the clinical decision-making competency and self-confidence of medical students early in their clinical training through practicing fundamental core skills. The study compares 108 4th-year medical students' questionnaire responses pre-/postself-assessments following practice of a new clinical decision-making simulation methodology. Results indicate a positive participant experience, with the simulation perceived as a valuable platform for practicing integrated bedside decision making. Notably, participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in willingness to make clinical decisions. The simulation contributed to enhanced knowledge, professional skills, and self-confidence in clinical decision making. The use of a CDMIDS method integrates clinical decision making as part of early medical school curriculum. Moreover, the method boosts learners' professional confidence, self-directed learning, and additional experiences. The method is flexible and can be applied in any medical school, especially those with limited resources, by making specific, localized modifications.

The OptiBreech Trial Feasibility Study: A Qualitative Inventory of the Roles and Responsibilities of Breech Specialist Midwives.

The safety of vaginal breech birth is associated with the skill and experience of professionals in attendance, but minimal training opportunities exist. OptiBreech collaborative care is an evidence-based care bundle, based on previous research. This care pathway is designed to improve access to care and the safety of vaginal breech births, when they occur, through dedicated breech clinics and intrapartum support. This improved process also enhances professional training. Care coordination is accomplished in most cases by a key breech specialist midwife on the team. The goal of this qualitative inventory was to describe the roles and tasks undertaken by specialist midwives in the OptiBreech care implementation feasibility study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with OptiBreech team members (17 midwives and 4 obstetricians; N = 21), via video conferencing software. Template analysis was used to code, analyze, and interpret data relating to the roles of the midwives delivering breech services. Tasks identified through initial coding were organized into 5 key themes in a template, following reflective discussion at weekly staff meetings and stakeholder events. This template was then applied to all interviews to structure the analysis. Breech specialist midwives functioned as change agents. In each setting, they fulfilled similar roles to support their teams, whether this role was formally recognized or not. We report an inventory of tasks performed by breech specialist midwives, organized into 5 themes: care coordination and planning, service development, clinical care delivery, education and training, and research. Breech specialist midwives perform a consistent set of roles and responsibilities to co-ordinate care throughout the OptiBreech pathway. The inventory has been formally incorporated into the OptiBreech collaborative care logic model. This detailed description can be used by employers and professional organizations who wish to formalize similar roles to meet consistent standards and improve care.

The Potential of Poetry in Mental Health Nurse Pre-registration Education.

This paper examines the potential of poetry as a resource within mental health nurse pre-registration education. There has long been a debate as to whether the art or the science of nursing should be foregrounded within pre-registration education, especially in the UK within recent years as the latest Nursing and Midwifery Council's standards of pre-registration education appear to have shifted the focus towards the acquisition of skills, giving less consideration to the holistic transformatory process of education. The paper uses the conceptualisation of education by Beista, who proposes that education can be considered in relation to the three domains of qualification, socialisation and subjectification. Qualification refers to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, socialisation refers to the process of joining a professional group, and subjectification refers to the development of the individual as a reflective, thoughtful and responsible individual. The paper explores each of these domains in turn and considers how poetry can make a unique contribution in supporting both personal development, and the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills. The reading and writing of poetry can support students to challenge epistemic blinders, enhance their interpersonal skills and develop a more authentic professional identity.

Attracting the Right Talent Through Flexible Work Opportunities

The modern workforce is rapidly evolving, with younger professionals increasingly prioritizing flexibility, purpose, and work-life balance over traditional job structures. To attract and retain top talent, organizations must thoughtfully adapt their culture and work arrangements to meet these shifting employee needs and preferences. Key elements of an effective flexible work philosophy include location flexibility, schedule flexibility, and robust support for skills development and career growth. Leading organizations across industries have found success implementing flexible work models, citing benefits such as expanded talent pools, improved productivity, and strengthened employee engagement and retention. By crafting flexibility policies with both employee well-being and business sustainability in mind, organizations can gain a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining highly skilled professionals.