Utilization Of Skills Research Articles

Exam performance of different admission quotas in the first part of the state examination in medicine: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMost medical students in Germany are admitted via selection procedures, which are adjusted to the demands of the universities. At Lübeck medical school, scores from interviews that measure non-academic skills and pre-university GPAs are summed to arrive at an admission decision. This article seeks to illuminate the effectiveness of this selection procedure in comparison to other non-selected student groups.MethodsQuota information and exam results from the first federal exam were linked for students admitted to Lübeck medical school between 2012 and 2015 (N = 655). Five different student groups (university-specific selection quota, pre-university GPA quota, waiting time quota, ex-ante quota and foreign students) were compared regarding exam attempts, written and oral grades, temporal continuity and examination success in the standard study period.ResultsWhile the pre-university GPA quota outperformed all other quotas regarding written and oral grades, it did not differ from the selection quota regarding exam attempts, temporal continuity and examination success in the standard study period. Students in the waiting time and ex-ante quotas performed inferior by comparison. The results of foreign students were the most problematic.ConclusionStudents selected by the university show high temporal continuity and examination success. These results, and possible advantages in physician eligibility, argue for the utilisation of non-academic skills for admission.

Regional anesthesia training model for resource-limited settings: a prospective single-center observational study with pre–post evaluations

Background and objectivesEducational initiatives are a sustainable means to address provider shortages in resource-limited settings (RLS), yet few regional anesthesia curricula for RLS have been described. We sought to design...

Practical Techniques to Adapt Surgical Resident Education to the COVID-19 Era.

Practical Techniques to Adapt Surgical Resident Education to the COVID-19 Era.

“OPD TRIAGE” – A novel concept for better patient management in heavily loaded orthopaedic OPDs

BackgroundA heavily loaded subsidized government run OPD at tertiary care hospital normally caters 200–300 patients daily. Constant improvement in management of OPD through new policies are essential for better patient management and for proper utilization of skill, expertises and time of senior faculty. We designed a new concept of OPD TRIAGE for the same. Material and methodsStudy was carried out on 1800 randomly selected patients, 950 each on triage & non triage interventional day.Patients were interviewed and changes in their satisfaction level were noted through a questionnaire. Senior treating faculty were also questioned about their changes in behaviour towards patient due to the intervention. ResultsOn triage days around 91% patients are satisfied with professional care, depth of relationship, doctor’s attitude, counselling from doctor. While on non triage days, this figure is only 51%. Regarding treating doctors, around 93% percent of the time, the consultants were more happy and enthusiastic to consult patients on OPD triage days. While on non triage days it was only 32%. ConclusionThe concept of OPD Triage can very efficiently be applied for better management of patients in heavily loaded government OPD setup, which will also help in proper data maintenance, increase patients satisfaction and for efficient utilization of time, skills and expertise of the treating consultant.

An Assessment of Electronic-Auditing and Economic Value of the Nigerian Listed Companies

The bid for an internal auditor to remain relevant in a technologically driven business and add value in a modern and complex global business environment remains a challenge in the accounting profession in Nigeria. This study evaluated the effect of electronic-auditing by internal auditors for the improved economic value of listed companies in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. The sample size of the study consisted of 24 companies selected from the eleven industrial sub-sectors (Agriculture, Conglomerates, Construction, Consumer goods, financial services, Services, Health Care, ICT, Industrial goods, Natural Resources and Oil and Gas sectors) among the 161 listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 30 November 2019. The sample frame of this study is 5,012 respondent units, and the sample size is 501, comprising 401 internal auditors and 100 top management staff. A validated structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert-type scale was administered, and 78.443% response rate was achieved. Random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the 24 companies with about two companies representing each sector. The research instrument was subjected to content validity and reliability test, which yielded Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value of 0.80. The findings revealed that electronic-auditing had a positive and significant effect on the economic value of listed companies in Nigeria (? = 0.061, t(393) = 4.396, p<0.05). The study concluded that possession and utilisation of electronic-auditing skills are essential for internal auditors who must have the requisite expertise to analyse the risks that advance technology requires to be able to add economic value in an organisation.

Institutional births analysis from labour room registries in North Indian hilly state

Background: India is the second most populous country in the world contributing to one fifth of global deaths among under 5-year-old children. Of these under 5 deaths, Infant mortality contributes to more than 89% and neonatal mortality is responsible for 70% of IMR. Of the many proximal determinants of neonatal mortality, inadequate utilization of health services and poor skills of health care providers contribute significantly. The lack of data constrains targeted interventions for these. This study is an attempt to analyze the existing data quality along with gaps in the reporting system to initiate timely course correction for improved programmatic outcomes.Methods: The labour room birth registries from 12 District hospitals and two Government Medical Colleges in the state of Himachal Pradesh (India) were analyzed. The data was extracted from archives in the State Child health Nodal Officer for the year 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.Results: Over these two years the proportion of institutional delivery has improved. The number of newborns resuscitated remained constant at 4.5%. There was an improved coverage of birth dose immunization. Improvement in Antenatal Corticosteroids coverage among preterm laboring mothers was also observed.Conclusions: Continuous data analysis for improving its quality to take evidence informed decisions is needed. Hands on skill improvement for staff is need of the hour to ensure timely and maximum returns on investment in reproductive and Child Health program.

Impact of a postcrash first aid educational program on knowledge, perceived skills confidence, and skills utilization among traffic police officers: a single-arm before-after intervention study

BackgroundAn overwhelming proportion of road traffic deaths and injuries in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) occur in prehospital environments. Lay first responders such as police officers play an important role in providing initial assistance to victims of road traffic injuries either alone or in collaboration with others. The present study evaluated a postcrash first aid (PFA) educational program developed for police officers in Tanzania.MethodA 16-h PFA educational program was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for 135 police officers. Participants completed training surveys before, immediately and 6 months after the training (before, N = 135; immediately after, N = 135; after 6 months, N = 102). The primary outcome measures were PFA knowledge, perceived skills confidence, and skills utilization. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to analyse changes in outcome.ResultsThe mean PFA knowledge score increased from 44.73% before training (SD = 20.70) to 72.92% 6 months after training (SD = 18.12), p < .001, N = 102. The mean PFA perceived skills confidence score (measured on a 1–5 Likert scale) increased from 1.96 before training (SD = 0.74) to 3.78 6 months after training (SD = 0.70), p < .001, N = 102. Following training, application of the recovery position skill (n = 42, 46%) and application of the bleeding control skill (n = 45, 49%) were reported by nearly half of the responding officers. Less than a quarter of officers reported applying head and neck immobilization skills (n = 20, 22%) following training.ConclusionA PFA educational program has shown to improve police officers’ knowledge and perceived skills confidence on provision of first aid. However qualitative research need to be conducted to shed more light regarding reasons for low utilization of trained first aid skills during follow-up.

Using Web-Based GIS to Assess Students' Geospatial Knowledge of Hurricanes and Spatial Habits of Mind

Geospatial weather data is readily available to learners. However, the interpretation and understanding of this data requires the utilization of geospatial thinking skills. This study examined the impacts of a Web-based, collaborative inquiry Hurricane Irma GIS learning module on AP environmental science students’ hurricane knowledge and spatial thinking skills. Study results showed significant improvement in knowledge about hurricanes, coastal impacts, and risks. A measure of spatial literacy found no changes in student self-assessment of spatial thinking skills resulting from the module. However, students did show significant improvement on hurricane knowledge questions associated with pattern recognition, spatial descriptions, and visualization.

Validation of the Employment Hope Scale (EHS) among summer youth employment program participants

The purpose of this study is to validate the Employment Hope Scale (EHS) among vulnerable youth who are seeking to enter the workforce through a summer youth employment program (SYEP). Hong, Polanin, and Pigott (2012) developed the EHS as a client-centered measure based on its earlier conceptualization from the client focus group interviews resulting in an original delineation of a 24-item six-factor structure. Considering a dearth of reliable measures of youth employment hope, this study examined the applicability of EHS to the youth population by validating it using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results from a sample of 255 SYEP participants found an 18-item 5-factor EHS under two components: (1) psychological empowerment (self-worth; self-perceived capability) and (2) goal-oriented pathways (self-motivation; utilization of skills and resources; goal-orientation). Convergent, discriminant, and known-groups validity tests also confirmed that the EHS is a valid measure among SYEP participants.

Should Dental Schools Consider Term Limits for Deans? Two Viewpoints.

This Point/Counterpoint article examines the idea of instituting term limits for dental school deans. Viewpoint 1 supports the use of term limits for dental school deans. According to evidence presented in this viewpoint, setting term limits for deans would foster new leadership development and utilization of skills, increase accountability and effectiveness, and promote diversity. Viewpoint 2 opposes the use of term limits for dental school deans. This viewpoint provides evidence about a steep learning curve for new deans, the need for leadership stability, potential loss of networking relationships, and the high cost of recruiting new deans.

Opažena motivaciona klima kreirana od strane trenera i fizička samoefikasnost kao prediktori sportskog zadovoljstva kod mladih srpskih sportistkinja

Starting from the Achievement Goal Theory, but also Bandura's theory of self-efficacy and Triadic Reciprocal Causation, this paper considered perceived motivational climate created by the coach and percieved physical self-efficacy as key predictors of young female athletes` satisfaction. The sample consisted from 117 young female athletes aged between 11 to 17 (M=13.62) from Serbia; who train volleyball (N=51), basketball (N=48) and handball (N=18) in different clubs. During 2017, respondents filled out questionnaires Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire - ASQ (Riemer, &amp; Chelladurai, 1998) - subscale of satisfaction with personal performance and subscale of satisfaction with the level of athlete's skills utilization; Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 - PMCSQ-2 (Newton, Duda &amp; Yin, 2000) - shortened version with three subscales: Task-oriented motivational climate, Unequal recognition and Punishment for mistakes; The Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (Ryckman et al., 1982) - subscale Perceived Physical Ability. Results of regression analysis show that Perceived motivational climate created by coach and Perceived Physical Ability represent significant predictors (F(4,107)= 31.78, p=.00) that explain 55% variance of female athletes satisfaction. Task-oriented motivational climate and Perceived physical ability stood out as significant individual predictors. Coach as well as physical self-perception of young female athletes are related with athlete's satisfaction. Satisfied athletes have greater results in sports, as well as the intention to continue doing sports. Significance of these results lies in the better understanding female athlete's satisfaction in Serbia, and contributes to creating prevention programs in order to help girls stay in sports.

An application of AHP and fuzzy AHP with sensitivity analysis for selecting the right process to impart knowledge

Knowledge transfer, both tacit and explicit, is critical. In India skill development in most small and medium scale industries are heavily dependent on utilization of local skills and learning curve is long especially in skill based industries. This study discusses and develops a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework (both simple and fuzzy based) for selecting the right process to impart knowledge. Additionally, study charts demonstrate and verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed AHP-based algorithm. Finally, sensitivity analysis tests the stability of the priority ranking. A comparison is also made by applying fuzzy models to the AHP technique. We conclude from both AHP and fuzzy AHP analysis that the most stable approach to impart training to a variety of subjects with different learning curves and intellectual and motivation levels is through animation displays.

An application of AHP and fuzzy AHP with sensitivity analysis for selecting the right process to impart knowledge

Knowledge transfer, both tacit and explicit, is critical. In India skill development in most small and medium scale industries are heavily dependent on utilization of local skills and learning curve is long especially in skill based industries. This study discusses and develops a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework (both simple and fuzzy based) for selecting the right process to impart knowledge. Additionally, study charts demonstrate and verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed AHP-based algorithm. Finally, sensitivity analysis tests the stability of the priority ranking. A comparison is also made by applying fuzzy models to the AHP technique. We conclude from both AHP and fuzzy AHP analysis that the most stable approach to impart training to a variety of subjects with different learning curves and intellectual and motivation levels is through animation displays.

Optimizing efficiency and skill utilization: Analysis of genetic counselors' attitudes regarding delegation in a clinical setting

This study assessed genetic counselors' (GCs) perceptions of delegation as a tool to increase workforce efficiency and help meet the current gap between the number of genetic service providers and the number of patients. GCs were recruited to participate via an online survey that assessed activities (categorized as typical genetic counseling, administrative, or professional development) performed by a clinical genetic counselor. Respondents indicated which activities represent their largest time consumers, their willingness to delegate these activities, and barriers to and perceived outcomes of delegation. Overall, respondents indicated that they spend 25% of their time performing administrative activities that they would largely be willing to delegate; however, respondents were generally unwilling to delegate many typical genetic counseling and professional development activities, citing concerns regarding accuracy and liability, and highlighting the belief that these activities constitute the core role of a genetic counselor. Respondents indicated that delegation of time-consuming administrative activities would increase access to genetic services and improve job satisfaction. Additionally, differences were identified among clinical specialties regarding which activities were selected as top time consumers, indicating that potential targets of re-allocation of time or delegation may be variable. This research indicates a need to reduce the number of administrative tasks in which GCs are directly involved to re-allocate time toward core responsibilities, direct patient care, and professional development, the result of which is more efficient use of the GC skill-set.

Evaluating large, high-technology project portfolios using a novel interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy set framework: An automated crane project case study

The contemporary organization relies increasingly on developing large, high technology projects in order to gain local and global competitive advantage. Uncertainty and the complexity of project evaluation requires improved and tailored decision making support systems. A new framework for high technology project portfolio evaluation is introduced. Novel development of an interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy set (IVPFS) approach is shown to accommodate degrees of membership, non-membership and hesitancy in the evaluation process. Developed methods of linear assignment, IVPFS ranking, IVPFS knowledge index, and IVPFS comparison provide a new framework for group evaluation based on a weighting for each decision expert. The framework is developed as a last aggregation which avoids information loss and introduces a new aggregation process. A novel multi-objective model is then introduced to address project portfolio selection while optimizing the value of the portfolio in terms of resilience (the risk of disruption and delays) and skill utilization (assignment of human resources). The applicability of this framework is demonstrated through a case study in high technology portfolio evaluation. The case study shows that the presented framework can be applied as the core to a high technology evaluation decision support system.

Linking transformational leadership, patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services.

AimTo assess the relationship between transformational leadership, job demands, job resources, patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services.DesignCross‐sectional survey.MethodsHealthcare professionals in Norwegian home care services participated in the study (N = 139). Multiple regression analyses with patient safety culture and work engagement as outcomes and transformational leadership, job demands, job resources as predictors were conducted.ResultsThe transformational leadership model explained 35.7% of the variance in patient safety culture. Adding job demands and resources and work engagement to the model increased the explained variance to 53.5%. The job resource “skill utilization” was the strongest predictor of work engagement. The full model with all predictor variables explained 28.2% of work engagement.ConclusionTransformational leadership has a significant impact on patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services. Employees' perceptions of job demands, available resources and engagement also affect patient safety culture.

Relations among motives, negative urgency, and mindfulness skills in college drinkers

Heavy alcohol use continues to be a common problem among the college student population, and numerous negative consequences can be attributed to student drinking. Several factors, including drinking motives and impulsivity, have been studied to better understand college drinking behaviors. Research has identified that coping motives (i.e., drinking to reduce negative affect) and negative urgency (i.e., the tendency for rash reaction in response to negative affect) are both closely linked to alcohol-related problems and to one another. The primary purpose of this study was to test if mindfulness skills moderate the relation between negative urgency and drinking to cope. To test for moderation, 683 college student drinkers responded to self-report measures of drinking behaviors, drinking motives, impulsivity, and daily utilization of mindfulness skills. Four separate regression models tested for the mindfulness skills of observing, describing, acting with awareness, and accepting without judgment as potential moderators to the relation between negative urgency and coping motives. The mindfulness skill of accepting without judgment significantly moderated (i.e., dampened) the positive relation between negative urgency and drinking to cope. Results may be useful in developing targeted intervention and prevention efforts to test among students, as skills training may benefit individuals with long-standing impulsive personality traits who engage in the traditionally problematic behavior of drinking to cope.

Well-being at work from a multilevel perspective: what is the role of personality traits?

PurposeIt is of great importance for organizations to identify what can influence employees’ well-being. The theoretical model that the authors propose combines psychological and social determinants of stress at work. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of work organization conditions, personality traits and their interaction to well-being in a sample of Canadian workers and companies.Design/methodology/approachMultilevel regression analyses were performed on a sample of 1,957 workers employed in 63 Quebec firms. Work organization conditions included (skill utilization, decision authority, psychological demands, physical demands, job insecurity, irregular schedule, number of working hours, social support from colleagues and supervisors, job promotion, and recognition) and personality traits included (self-esteem, locus of control and Big Five).FindingsWork organization conditions (psychological demands, number of hours worked and job insecurity) and personality (self-esteem, locus of control, extraversion, neuroticism and conscientiousness) were significantly associated with well-being. The results of the analysis show that none of the personality traits included in this study interacts with work organization conditions to explain workers’ level of well-being.Originality/valueThis study provides support for the implementation of human resource management (HRM) practices in order to diminish the presence of stressful working conditions as well as for the eventual development of training programs designed to raise personality traits.

With a little help from my friends: cognitive-behavioral skill utilization, social networks, and psychological distress in SMART Recovery group attendees

ABSTRACTObjective: SMART Recovery provides cognitive behavior therapy based mutual support groups for addictions. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of cognitive behavior skill use and the influence of a person’s social network on psychological distress.Method: Paper based surveys were mailed out to 121 SMART Recovery groups across Australia. A sample of 75 SMART Recovery group members participated. Measures of social network size and composition, psychological distress and cognitive behavior skill use were collected.Results: There are high rates of self-reported mental illness within SMART Recovery respondents. Use of behavioral skills and social network influence was significantly associated with level of psychological distress.Discussion: The current results indicate that engaging in behavioral activation and having a social network of non-drinking or non-using people is associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Given the high rates of self-reported comorbid mental illness in this population, it is important research continues to explore the role of specific cognitive behavioral therapy components and social networks on recovery within mutual support groups.

Revitalizing physical assessment in undergraduate nursing education - what skills are important to learn, and how are these skills applied during clinical rotation? A cohort study

BackgroundThe preparedness of newly graduated registered nurses for a demanding work environment and care practices takes form during nursing education. Norwegian nursing education at one university has implemented a selection of basic physical assessment skills (B-PAS) in the nursing curriculum in order to prepare nursing students for a demanding work environment post-graduation.MethodsA mixed-method cohort design. We evaluated nursing students’ self-reported use of B-PAS during their clinical rotation using the “Survey of Examination Techniques Performed by Nurses” questionnaire (30 items). In addition, two focus group interviews elicited factors that hinder or facilitate the actual use of B-PAS during clinical rotation. We recruited students from a bachelor’s degree programme for nursing at a Norwegian university. Three hundred and sixty-three of 453 eligible nursing students in the first, second, and third year of the bachelor’s degree programme participated in the study (80%).ResultsANOVA showed a significant progression (p < 0.016) in students’ self-reported use of B-PAS. Auscultation and percussion skills were graded below the median score of 3, which indicates that these skills were less used throughout the programme. The nursing students highlighted contextual factors for their use of B-PAS when in clinical rotation. Preceptors are important gatekeepers for successful implementation, and there is a need for close collaboration between the university and clinical practice.ConclusionDespite the reduced PAS taught in the curricula, there is still a lack of application of such skills in clinical rotations. This study highlights that research should explore how different work environments influence the utilisation of learned skills, and which learning strategies are appropriate or most successful for stimulating clinical reasoning and the extensive use of physical assessment.