Training Support Research Articles

Drone Technology in Agricultural Practices: A SWOC Analysis

Drone technology, also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), is transforming modern agriculture by introducing precision farming techniques that enhance crop monitoring, resource management, and sustainability. By providing real-time data on plant health, soil conditions, and irrigation needs, drones enable farmers to make informed decisions that optimize yields while reducing input costs. In India, the rapid growth of the drone sector highlights its increasing importance in addressing challenges such as labor shortages, water scarcity, and the need for more sustainable farming practices. This case study explores the adoption and impacts of drone technology in agricultural practices within Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. The purposive sampling method was used to chosen the farmers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and interviews with farmers who had adopted in drone technology. The study investigates the profile characteristics of farmers and evaluates the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges (SWOC) related to the adoption of drones in agriculture. Findings revealed that drone usage significantly improved farm efficiency, reduced labor dependency, and optimized the application of fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in lower input costs and more sustainable practices. However, challenges such as high upfront costs, fragmented land holdings, technical expertise gaps, and limited drone availability constrained wider adoption. This research concludes that while drones offer substantial potential to modernize agriculture and address labor and environmental challenges, further government support and farmer training are crucial to overcome adoption barriers. The study underscores the role of drones in promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices.

Abstract Su1105: Healthcare Students' Attitudes on Adult Basic Life Support Training via Virtual Reality: An Exploratory Study

Introduction: Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) is a crucial skill for healthcare professionals. In recent years, the use of immersive technology, such as virtual reality (VR), has increased in educational research projects. However, published data have yet to show significant advantages over traditional methods for BLS education. Research Question: Does providing adult BLS content through VR fit the new generation of healthcare students? Goal: To assess student perspectives after a novel BLS educational program involving an interactive 360° VR environment. Methods: In June 2024, the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Maribor (Maribor, Slovenia) hosted 24 healthcare students from the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, USA) for an interactive 360° video-based VR adult BLS training session. The training employed Meta Quest 3 headsets (California, USA), featuring an adult BLS scenario developed by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Maribor called InTECHiE360. After the VR training, the students completed a 21-question Likert scale questionnaire to evaluate their experiences, with a rating of 1 indicating "totally agree", and a rating of 7 indicating "totally disagree". Prior to the study, participants provided written consent, and data were collected anonymously to ensure confidentiality. Results: A total of 21 participants, with a mean age of 20 years (SD±0.7), took part in our study. The majority were female (17/21; 81%) and medical students (12/21; 57%). Most participants (16/21; 76%) had previously used VR, primarily for recreational gaming, rather than for educational purposes. The participants strongly agreed that the VR experience made them feel physically present in the adult BLS training session (mean score 1.9; SD±0.8), was realistic (mean score 2.0; SD±0.9) and provided a better learning experience compared to traditional lectures (mean score 1.5; SD±1.0). They also felt that they learned something new about adult BLS through the VR training (mean score 1.6; SD±1.1) and that adult BLS content was well presented in VR (mean score 1.4; SD±0.6). None of the participants experienced cybersickness, such as nausea or dizziness, and all of them would recommend this VR experience. Conclusion: We developed an interactive, immersive, evidence-based educational tool with a low risk of cybersickness, designed to appeal to the current generation of healthcare students and enhance their cognitive, behavioral, and affective learning outcomes.

فاعلية توظيف العلاقات العامة لربورتات الدردشة في التعريف بالخدمات في المؤسسات الحكومية

The study aimed to describe the effectiveness of employing public relations for chat bots in defining services in government institutions, by knowing the manifestations of public relations practitioners' interest in knowing information about chat bots and employing them in defining services in government institutions, services and areas of use, as well as the benefits achieved and the obstacles they face in this field, reaching their suggestions and their evaluation of the impact of these applications on their professional competence, and the future of public relations in light of chat bots. The study used the descriptive approach, and among the tools, the interview was used, and a questionnaire on the reality of public relations practitioners' use of chat bots in defining services in government institutions. The study sample consisted of (240) employees in the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Department in government institutions. As for the results of the study, it showed great interest from public relations practitioners in government institutions in chat bots and their use in managing corporate communication, as their aspects of use varied between crisis management and meeting the needs of the public. These technologies have contributed to improving the professional efficiency of most of the respondents by enhancing daily performance, speed of accomplishment, planning and decision-making. However, users faced challenges such as the difficulty of robots understanding customer feelings and fear of losing jobs. They suggested linking promotion to their ability to use them and provide training and technical support. Despite the benefits of robots, there are still concerns about the future of the public relations profession in light of this technology.

Focusing the Juggernaut

Education technology (EdTech) is at the forefront of many universities' desires to improve, evolve and better the student experience. From learning management systems to hybrid capabilities, many processes are updated to ensure relevance in the face of challenges and modern trends (Josué et al., 2023). These updates can be small and incremental but can also come in the form of large-scale, institution-wide EdTech rollouts. Due to the scale and the diversity of our institutions, this is fraught with issues including aligning technology with pedagogy, ensuring digital literacy and training for educators (Bower, 2017), and infrastructure adequacy (Al-Busaidi and Al-Shihi, 2012). Universities invest heavily in resources to address challenges and promote sustained EdTech adoption (Deacon et al., 2022). Strategic and flexible educators, sometimes with differing perspectives from their institutions, can leverage these resources to achieve their individual educational objectives. This case study, situated at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), involved one such large scale EdTech adoption in the form of an institutionally wide digital assessment platform, InsperaTM, with a view to streamline and enhance the online assessment experience. This had a significant impact, reaching approximately 67 courses and 8.8k students in its first 3 terms of piloting, and to aid this implementation UNSW deployed multiple resources in the form of dedicated staff, in-depth training and central support for high stakes exams. With many educators already using other forms of digital assessment, the adoption was not uniformly accepted, creating friction and causing some to reject the platform. It also created opportunities for others. Wanting to uplift a newly inherited course, Dr Megan Kalucy saw InsperaTM, and the resources associated, as an ideal opportunity to improve student experience and reduce educator workload. With the support of the implementation team, Dr Kalucy adopted InsperaTM for specific in-course assessments, reaching approximately 300 students. Paper-based, short-answer, invigilated assessments, which were administratively inefficient and suffered from delays were replaced by weekly multiple-choice-question (MCQ) quizzes in InsperaTM. Automated marking, immediate feedback, and broader content coverage resulted in an overall improved experience for both staff and students, which was reflected in improved student feedback and reduced workload. This work investigates sector wide issues focusing on the research question of how educators can leverage collective EdTech resources to achieve individual goals. It addresses two key challenges; achieving widespread institutional adoption of EdTech and helping educators with increasing workloads find the time and resources to update their courses. A mixed-methods approach was used, employing a case study methodology comparing student satisfaction data, before and after, to validate the improvements made to the course through the adoption of Inspera. Qualitative data from staff and students was used to inform, implement and revise these improvements. The study found that technology adoption in the educational landscape is not exclusively dependent on knowledge of advancements, but more significantly about leveraging the resources available (Oyetade et al., 2020). Here, the universities adoption of Inspera employed strategies such as training, hands-on support, as well as platform and student support, lowering the energy barrier for improvement to Education Focused staff. These resources were deployed practically and with a focus on educators, increasing the number of early adopters and the uptake of Inspera across the university. This case study also shows that the diverse needs of various disciplines need to be considered for uniform EdTech adoption, as a ‘one size fits all’ approach is often ineffective.

The Extent of Participation and Empowerment of Rural Women in Lac Cultivation in Koderma District of Jharkhand, India

Lac cultivation in Koderma District, Jharkhand, offers a unique pathway for empowering rural women, serving as a significant source of income and socio-economic upliftment. This review examines the depth of women’s participation in various stages of lac production, from inoculation to processing, and how their involvement translates into empowerment. Despite facing challenges like gender discrimination, limited access to resources, and market constraints, women in Koderma have demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Lac cultivation has provided them with financial independence and enhanced social recognition and decision-making power within their households and communities. Initiatives by the government and NGOs have played a critical role in facilitating this shift, offering training, market access, and financial support to enable women to break socio-cultural barriers. However, for sustained empowerment, addressing the existing gaps in technology access, market linkage, and equitable resource distribution is essential. This article aims to explore lac cultivation's role in empowering rural women in Koderma District, Jharkhand, by examining their participation in the production process and its impact on their socio-economic upliftment (Pal G., 2011). It aims to highlight women's challenges, the contributions of government and NGO initiatives, and the need for improved policies, technology, and market access to ensure sustained empowerment and equitable participation in the lac industry.

Technology-enhanced Learning in Information Systems Education

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted higher education but also accelerated the adoption of technology-enhanced learning and innovative teaching practices to promote student-centred learning in higher education. Nevertheless, traditional, didactic, teacher-centred approaches in university teaching are still prevalent. Specifically, Information Systems (IS) and other technology-related disciplines are expected to adopt technological innovations more readily. Moving beyond the pandemic, there is a need to reassess the current state of Information Systems education and explore technologies that have been effectively deployed to identify best practices. This study involves reviewing thirteen subjects as part of a Master of Information Systems course offered by one of Australia’s leading universities. It aims to identify innovative technology-enhanced practices that promote student-centred learning, assess their adoption levels and impact, and reflect on any difficulties hindering their adoption. We identified three innovative technology applications that effectively facilitate student-centred learning: web-based interactive content, online collaborative workspaces, and simulation games. However, we found that these technologies are primarily adopted for tutorials. Nevertheless, the use of technology has led to a notable shift from the traditional teaching approach to a flipped classroom model. The findings highlight the need for university-wide support, policy changes, and investments in time, resources, and staff training to enhance student-centred learning through the use of technology.

PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF CATFISH PRODUCTION IN KANO METROPOLIS, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Fish is an important dietary element and a major source of animal protein in human diet for many Nigerians. The demand for fish has been on the increase because of geometrical increase in human population, this has resulted to a significant gap created between fish demand and supply. It is obvious given the importance of fish production that efforts must be made to encourage entrepreneurs to go into the business. However, many have shown doubts on the productivity and profitability of fish production, particularly on a smallholder level. This study therefore, examines the profitability of catfish production in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Two stage sampling procedure was employed to select respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the use of well-structured questionnaire administered to 120 catfish producers. The tools of analysis employed were descriptive statistics, gross margin and net farm income. The study revealed that Majority of the producers (69%) are male. Furthermore, 85percent of the fish producers have attained post primary education. The gross margin (GM) was ₦657,420, while the enterprise profit which is the net farm income was estimated at ₦598,128 and 0.33 return to capital for the farmers. Some of the challenges confronting the respondents in their business includes high cost of feed, lack of government support and lack of training. Thus, there is a need for provision of training for higher level of productivity, subsidizing of inputs such as feed by the government and participation in cooperative societies by the fish farmers for financial and inputs assistance by relevant Non-Governmental Organizations.

Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education: What’s Known, What’s Done, and What’s Needed?

Background: Physical literacy (PL) is increasingly recognised as essential for fostering lifelong engagement in physical activity (PA), particularly when nurtured in early childhood. Yet there remains limited understanding of how stakeholders in early years (EY) education perceive, value, and implement a PL-informed approach. This study aims to explore knowledge and beliefs regarding PL and PA in relation to 3–5-year-olds, investigating key questions around perceived importance, current practices, and barriers to implementation. Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating semi-structured expert interviews (n = 11), focus groups (n = 22), and a survey (n = 210). Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from qualitative data, and survey data were analysed to complement and triangulate the qualitative findings. Results: The findings revealed variation in stakeholders’ awareness of PA recommendations and confusion over terminology. Whilst stakeholders acknowledged the importance of PL, there remains uncertainty about the connection between theory and practical application. Identified barriers included resource limitations, conflicting priorities, and insufficient training and policy support. Feedback on an educational PL-EY model was generally positive, suggesting strong potential as a tool to support PL understanding and application in early childhood contexts. Conclusions: Given the pivotal role of EY education in shaping children’s behaviours, health, and wellbeing, this study highlights the necessity of a holistic approach to interventions, strong stakeholder involvement, and evidence-based practices to foster PL in EY children. The PL-EY model presents a promising direction for future resources and education and raises critical questions about what effective interventions to develop PL in this age group should consider and look like.

INCLUSÃO NO ENSINO SUPERIOR: O PAPEL DOS NÚCLEOS DE ACESSIBILIDADE E INCLUSÃO NO BRASIL

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Accessibility and Inclusion Centers (NAIs) in Brazilian universities through a bibliographic review. Inclusion in higher education is a growing demand, and NAIs play a fundamental role in promoting accessibility and retention of students with disabilities. A systematic review methodology was used, consulting the Google Scholar and CAPES Journal Portal databases, with a time frame from 2019 to 2024. For the article search, the following descriptors were refined: "Accessibility and Inclusion Center," "inclusion in higher education," and "disability in higher education." Five articles were analyzed, revealing that although NAIs have promoted advances in inclusion, challenges such as lack of resources and teacher training still undermine their effectiveness. It is concluded that, to improve inclusion in higher education, it is necessary to strengthen the work of NAIs, ensuring greater financial support and continuous training for the professionals involved.

Continuing medical education program completion and influencing factors: a cross-sectional study in Sichuan Province, China

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study was designed to explore the completion of continuing medical education (CME) programs and identify the factors influencing their completion.MethodsThe data for this study were generated from the National CME Program Application and Information Feedback Online System and the Sichuan CME Administrative Platform. The data were processed using descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression methods. The completion of each CME program was determined by the research team members according to the criteria created by the Office of the Sichuan CME Commission.ResultsA total of 180 hospitals and 3,622 CME programs were included. Among the 3,622 CME programs, 2,936 (81.1%) were determined to be completed. Comparative analysis showed that in terms of hospital characteristics, specialist hospitals, county hospitals, hospitals with 500–1,000 beds, and hospitals in the regions with government medical expenditure input equal to or more than 3,000 million RMB displayed the highest completion rates. For program attributes, national programs, programs in the field of pharmacy, and programs with 1–3 duration days demonstrated the highest completion rates. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that hospital region with different government medical expenditure input had the strongest positive association with the completion of CME programs [OR = 2.922, 95%CI (1.642–5.198)], while the duration time showed the strongest negative association [OR = 0.235, 95%CI (0.141–0.393)].ConclusionThis is the first study in China to analyze the completion of CME programs and identify its influencing factors at the provincial level. It is recommended that the government in the region should pay great attention to the construction of measures regarding the factors affecting the completion of CME programs. This includes providing more financial support to CME providers to ensure the formal operation of their CME activities, formulating guidelines on the application of CME programs to reasonably allocate and control the distribution of accredited CME programs across different hospital scales and disciplines, especially offering more training support to county hospitals, promulgating administrative documents to raise attention to the completion of CME programs, and special scrutiny on CME programs with longer durations to provide and protect training opportunities for those in need.

A study of the enablers and barriers to the collection of sociodemographic data by public health units in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundCollection and use of sociodemographic data (SDD), including race, ethnicity and income, are foundational to understanding health inequities. Ontario’s public health units collected SDD as part of COVID-19 case management and vaccination activities. This research aimed to identify enablers and barriers to collecting SDD during COVID-19 case management and vaccination.MethodsAs part of a larger mixed-method research study [1], qualitative methods were used to identify enablers and barriers to SDD collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from Ontario’s 34 public health units. Sixteen focus groups and eight interviews were conducted virtually using Zoom. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using inductive and deductive qualitative description.ResultsSDD collection enablers included: legally mandating SDD collection and having dedicated data systems, technological and legal supports, senior management championing SDD collection, establishing rapport and trust between staff and clients, and gaining insight from the experiences from local communities and other jurisdictions. Identified barriers to SDD collection included: provincial data systems being perceived as lacking user-friendliness, SDD collection “was not a priority,” time and other constraints on building staff and client rapport, and perceived discomfort with asking and answering personal SDD questions.ConclusionA combination of provincial and local organizational strategies including supportive data systems, training, and frameworks for data collection and use, are needed to normalize and scale up SDD collection by local health units beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers' Attitudes Towards Self-Efficacy in the Compilation of Tests According to Bloom's Taxonomy Framework

This research aims to present the relationships between teachers' self-efficacy and their performance in mastering the skill of compilation of the tests according to Bloom's Taxonomy Framework. To realize this research, we have relied on numerous studies, and 100 teachers in different levels of pre-university education in Kosovo are a part of this research. Various types of research show that high self-efficacy is closely related to the use of new strategies in teaching and the teacher’s professional training. Therefore, the achievements of students in gaining knowledge cannot be missing. Teachers who possess a high degree of self-efficacy are more capable of adapting to pedagogical changes and the demands of the time, therefore it is of great importance to study the degree of self-efficacy of teachers as a primary result in encouraging learning. This research also presents the importance of various trainings and professional support to teachers to increase the sense of self-efficacy in their work. By analyzing the factors that influence teachers' self-efficacy, such as institutional support, work experience, and professional training, this research also offers practical recommendations for policymakers and school leaders to improve the quality of teaching. Received: 19 August 2024 / Accepted: 26 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Cautionary lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: Healthcare systems grappled with the dual responsibility of delivering COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals were challenged to provide both COVID-19 and non-COVID treatment. A survey questionnaire was designed and distributed via email to hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(AB-PMJAY), the world's largest National Health Insurance Scheme. Telephonic follow-ups were used to ensure participation in places with inadequate internet. We applied support vector regression to quantify the hospital variables that affected the use vs. non-use of hospital services (Model-1), and factors impacting COVID-19 revenue and staffing levels (Model-2).We quantified the statistical significance of important input variables using Fisher's exact test. The survey, conducted early in the pandemic, included 461 hospitals across 20 states and union territories. Only 55.5% of hospitals were delivering emergency care, 26.7% were doing elective surgery and 36.7% providing obstetric services. Hospitals with adequate supplies of PPE, including N95 masks, and separate facilities designated for COVID-19 patients were more likely to continue providing emergency surgeries and services effectively. Data analysis revealed that large hospitals (> 250 beds) with adequate PPE and dedicated COVID-19 facilities continued both emergency and elective surgeries. Public hospitals were key in pandemic management, large private hospital systems were more likely to conduct non-COVID-19 surgeries, with not-for-profit hospitals performing slightly better. Public and large private not-for-profit hospitals faced fewer staff shortages and revenue declines. In contrast, smaller hospitals (< 50 beds) experienced significant staff attrition due to anxiety, stress and revenue losses. They requested government support for PPE supplies, staff training, testing kits, and special allowances for healthcare workers. The inclusion of COVID-19 coverage under AB-PMJAY improved access to healthcare for critical cases. Maintaining non-COVID-19 care during the pandemic indicates healthcare system resiliency. A state-wide data-driven system for ventilators, beds, and funding support for smaller hospitals, would improve patient care access and collaboration.

Factors Affecting Urban Women Empowerment in Bangladesh

This study explored the factors (attributes) affecting women empowerment in Bangladesh focusing 24 specific attributes grouped into six categories. The primary data is collected through a questionnaire survey of 176 urban women selected through convenient sampling. The most agreed attributes are access to education, and the education of people. Next agreed factors are social security, family support, women personality, women rights, legal rights, societal perception about women, vocational training, work mobility, and NGO impact and support, Next in the row are break of study, income, voting rights, savings, dowry, employment length, profession choice, wealth, inheritance. The disagreed factors are public or private education, and sibling status. The analysis of group variables showed that environment is the most important group followed by rights, education, family dynamics, finance, and employment. The important environmental factors include social security, and societal perception about women. NGO impact and support also plays a key role. Regarding rights the significant factors are awareness of women, legal, and voting rights. In the education group, access to education, and level of education of people are the two most crucial factors. Also, vocational education, as well as break of study play important roles. But public or private education have no effect in women empowerment. Regarding family dynamics, family support, and women personality are two important variables. Dowry payment, and marital status also found to carry less weight. But sibling status have no impact on women empowerment. Financial factors playlesser role in women empowerment. In this group income and savings are key factors followed by wealth and inheritance. Employment is the least important group variable. Here work mobility found to help women empowerment followed by length of employment. Parental leave was found to have no impact. Demographically not much difference in opinion is observed.

Early Effects of Information Revolution Interventions on Health Information System Performance in Ethiopia.

Health information systems (HISs) are essential to a country's health system as they provide critical support to health policymaking, management, financing, and service delivery. A well-functioning HIS should produce timely and reliable data that are available and easily accessible to decision-makers throughout the health system. Ethiopia has transitioned from a fragmented, paper-based health management information system (HMIS) to a harmonized, digital system used at points of collection and service delivery.In 2016, the Federal Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the Information Revolution (IR), a transformative agenda aimed at enhancing the culture of data use, scaling priority HIS tools and systems, and strengthening HIS governance. Between 2016 and 2022, the MOH, Data Use Partnership, and other partners implemented a series of IR interventions that supported this agenda. These interventions included deploying and harmonizing digital HIS systems; strengthening HIS leadership, coordination, and governance; implementing the IR pathway strategy; enhancing capacity through supportive supervision, mentorship, and training; and improving performance monitoring teams. This article aims to synthesize the key HIS interventions implemented in Ethiopia as part of the IR and document the effects of these interventions on HIS performance.Early studies indicate promising improvements in HIS performance across health facilities in Ethiopia. However, challenges remain. To ensure sustainable progress, it is essential to continue addressing key challenges, such as system interoperability, HIS workforce, and capacity for data use at all levels. By building on the successes of the first Health Sector Transformation Plan and addressing these gaps, Ethiopia can advance its vision of a robust, data-driven health system capable of improving health outcomes and driving evidence-based decision-making.

Police leaders’ support for civilian oversight and implicit bias training: assessing the influence of perceptions of systemic racism

ABSTRACT This study uses a sample of police leaders from across the United States to explore the extent to which their support for civilian oversight boards and implicit bias training, as two aspects of police reform intended to improve racial injustices, relate to their belief that systemic racism is an issue in criminal justice. Presented in the context of symbolic racism theory, we assess how respondents’ willingness to acknowledge systemic racism in criminal justice relates to more supportive perceptions of civilian oversight boards and implicit bias training. These relationships remain significant even when controlling for other individual and agency-level factors that are known to affect perceptions of systemic racism and support for public policies designed to improve racial justice. This study discusses the need for additional research and consideration of how police officers’ racialized attitudes relate to their support for common reform recommendations.

Evaluation of scientific production in higher education using Scopus and Scimago: An analysis of the visibility and impact of educational publications

This study investigates the effectiveness of the Scopus and Scimago platforms. Analysis of the evaluation of university scientific production at the National University of Chimborazo (UNACH). A focus study was applied to improve the visibility and impact of educational publications. The perceptions and experiences of 25 teachers were analyzed through qualitative interviews. The main objective was to generate a theoretical approach that conceptualizes the effective use of the Scopus and Scimago platforms for the evaluation of scientific production, identifying their advantages, disadvantages and challenges in the context of UNACH. Semi-structured interviews were applied to 25 UNACH professors. The data were coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti version 24 software. Categories, codes, dimensions and subdimensions emerging from the testimonies were identified. The results revealed three main categories: "Visibility of Publications", "Technical and Training Challenges" and "Impact on Research". The professors highlighted that Scopus offers greater visibility and academic recognition, while Scimago has limitations in the analysis of citations and access. Technical and training barriers were identified, as well as a need for greater training and institutional support. The study concluded that, although Scopus and Scimago are valuable tools for the evaluation of scientific production. Improved training and institutional support are essential to maximize their effectiveness. In addition, it is recommended to consider Scopus Preview for up-to-date analyses and comparative studies to get a more complete view of studies.

E-formation d’un réseau de soins avec un dispositif numérique d’e-ETP, l’expérimentation du Centre Spécialisé Obésité des Hospices Civils de Lyon

ObjectiveSupporting patients living with obesity requires a consistent approach from healthcare professionals. Training in this therapeutic support is one of the missions of the Specialized Obesity Centers (CSO). A digital device was tested by the CSO of the Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) in order to assess its relevance for the training of its network of professionals between September and December 2022. Materials and methodsTwo e-courses were tested: “obesity nutrition” (38 workshops) and “bariatric surgery” (23 workshops) by volunteer healthcare professionals (n=282) and by a group of experts (n=8). Three main categories of data were collected for this experiment in order to assess the use, satisfaction and relevance of the platform using a Likert scale out of 10 and a list of words to choose from. ResultsThe completion rates for all courses for healthcare professionals are 32.8% (nutrition obesity) and 65.2% (bariatric surgery). More than 90% of users recommend the use of the tool for patients and healthcare professionals. The expert group assessed the interest of the tool in the context of training healthcare professionals at 9.3 ± 0.7 out of 10. ConclusionDigital technology now makes it possible to enrich care pathways with the use of digital devices provided that the latter maintain a consistency of approach and content. This experiment demonstrates here that this digital device, initially designed for the therapeutic education of patients, has its place in the future training pathways of caregivers.

Exploring the potential of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) mutual-help groups for supporting people who use methamphetamine: A qualitative study examining participant experience of initiation and engagement

IntroductionImproving support options for people who use methamphetamine is of critical national and global importance. The role of mutual-help groups within the treatment-seeking journey of people who use methamphetamine is unclear. Self-Management and Recovery Training (‘SMART Recovery’) mutual-help groups are led by a trained facilitator and support participants to work on individual goals, including, but not limited to abstinence. This study examined how people who use methamphetamine came to be involved in SMART Recovery mutual-help groups and factors associated with engagement. MethodsA sample of Australian SMART Recovery participants who self-reported using methamphetamine in the preceding 12-months (n = 18) discussed their history of substance use and experience of service provision in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using iterative categorization. ResultsParticipant initiation of SMART Recovery groups was described across two themes: i) delayed attendance and ii) use as an adjunct to other services. Factors associated with engagement were discussed in terms of: i) the ‘fit’ of SMART Recovery mutual-help groups; ii) coping and tolerance of discomfort; iii) the power of shared lived experience; iv) choice and autonomy; and v) short-term goal setting supports self-efficacy and the possibility of change. Discussion and conclusionsSMART Recovery mutual-help groups show promise for engaging people who use methamphetamine. There is a clear need to improve awareness of mutual-help group options amongst service users, providers and the general community. Offering choice over mutual-help groups may help to engage people earlier and support improved linkage between services.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in British troops following jungle training in Belize: Cumulative incidence and potential risk practices

BackgroundBritish soldiers undergoing jungle training in Belize typically experience a relatively low risk of developing cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, an uncharacteristically large outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred in 2022. This study aimed to determine the cumulative incidence of the disease and highlight potential shortcomings in personal protective measures to mitigate exposure to sand fly vector bites. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on medical records of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases between 2005 and 2022, as well as on questionnaire responses regarding personal protective measures administered to cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in 2022. Data were sourced from Defence Public Health Unit, Military Environmental Health Department and British Army Training Support Unit Belize. ResultsEighty-one confirmed clinical cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were recorded between 2005 and 2022, with a substantial peak (38 cases) in 2022. Most cases occurred during the wet season. Pre-2022, the median cumulative incidence per 8-week deployment was 0.90 % (Q1–Q3: 0.34 %–1.34 %), with an annual variation of 0.2 % to 2.0 %. In 2022, the cumulative incidence spiked to 4.22 %, associated with a risk ratio of 5.3 (95 % C.I.s, 3.41, 8.16), and rising to a cumulative incidence of 7.3 % in a single unit of 450 men (33 cases) in late 2022. These values are significantly higher than the median cumulative incidence of all previous years, and to published reports for other cutaneous leishmaniasis -endemic regions. Troop responses identified limitations in the supply of optimal equipment, and in sand fly bite and leishmaniasis risk avoidance information provided by the pre-deployment health education programme. Compliance with health education advise was also suboptimal, with irregular use of insect repellents, protective clothing / head netting, and insecticide-treated hammocks. ConclusionsThe reasons behind the unusually high numbers of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases and cumulative incidence in 2022 remain unclear, emphasising the need to improve personal protective measures provision and implement a comprehensive health education programme for troops undergoing jungle training in Belize.