University Of Quebec Research Articles

Factors Influencing Novice and Beginner Nurses' Intention to Report Medication Errors and Near Misses.

Novice and beginner nurses make more medical errors than senior nurses. However, there is significant underreporting of medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. To identify the factors that influence the intention of novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses. A cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out among third-year nursing students in a Quebec university (n = 143). Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire based on the adapted Theory of Planned Behavior. Simple descriptive analyses and a series of contingency analyses were performed using Chi-2 or Fisher exact tests. Correction of multiple tests was done using Bonferroni test. All theoretical constructs were significantly associated with intention. Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, experience and education program) were also associated with intention. Further studies are needed to identify the determinants of intention to report medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. More attention is required in nursing practice and education to act on these factors, thus encouraging novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses.

Strike versus Boycott: discursive repertoires and contention in the 2012 Quebec student strike

ABSTRACT Protesting government tuition increases in 2012, Quebec university and college students participated in collective action that they contentiously characterized as a ‘strike.’ While oppositional actors insisted students were boycotting classes – not striking – student activists claimed legal and cultural justifications for their action. This paper asks: How did Quebec student activists discursively characterize and legitimize their protest tactic as a strike? How did this discourse – and opponents’ counter-discourse – structure the terms of the debate within higher education institutions? Using discourse analysis of student newspapers and organizers’ first-hand accounts of the strike, this paper argues that striking students developed a discursive repertoire constituted by two components: they linked their action to a collective identity with a historical legacy of striking and adopted collective action frames that characterized the action as disruptive and collective. While the debate within higher education institutions centred around legitimacy, it was deeply rooted in contestation over individualism versus collectivism and the ongoing neo-liberalization of higher education. Through the case of the 2012 student strike, I propose employing collective identity and collective action frames together in a dialogic framework of discursive repertoires, thereby providing analytical clarity to this concept for social movement scholarship.

Frequency and indication of non-musculoskeletal examinations: a cross-sectional survey of Quebec chiropractors

BackgroundApproximately 1% of low back pain is estimated to be caused by serious systemic diseases, including cancer, infection, or abdominal aortic dissection. This study aimed to determine the frequency of execution of non-MSK physical examination procedures among Quebec chiropractors and to identify the clinical context that prompts them to use these physical examination procedures.MethodsCross-sectional survey containing 44 questions administered to a random sample of Quebec chiropractors using a succession of online, postal and phone questionnaires. The 4-part survey questionnaire contained six demographic questions, 28 single-choice questions to determine the frequency of execution of non-MSK physical examination procedures, seven short clinical vignettes for which the respondents had to select the non-MSK examinations that would be required, and two questions inquiring about the proportion of new patients for which participants’ felt non-MSK examinations were necessary and whether appropriate assessments were performed. The questionnaire was pilot tested, and feedback received integrated prior to administration. We conducted descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and an ANOVA.ResultsThe survey was completed by 182 chiropractors (response rate: 36.4%). The most commonly non-musculoskeletal examination performed daily were blood pressure (12.1%) and cranial nerves (4.9%). The most common tests never performed were oxygen saturation (68.7%), cardiac auscultation (69.2%), tibio-brachial index (71.4%), breast (86.8%), rectal (96.7%), testicular (95.6%), and vaginal (99.9%) exams. Female chiropractors and Quebec University in Trois-Rivières graduates reported that a significantly higher proportion of their new patients required a non-musculoskeletal physical examination compared to male participants (37.2% vs 28.3%) or Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College graduates (33.9% vs 19.9%). Reason for not performing a physical examination included the belief that another healthcare professional was better positioned to perform and/or interpret the related tests (76.4%).ConclusionsVital signs and cranial nerve examinations were the most frequency performed non-musculoskeletal examinations reported by chiropractors. Apart from the genitourinary exam almost never performed, most participants chose non-musculoskeletal examinations deemed appropriate for the patient’s presentation.

Bone Deformities through the Prism of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Ambulant Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

(1) Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between lower limb bone deformities and body functions, activity, and participation in ambulant children with CP and whether changing bone morphology affects outcomes in these domains. (2) Methods: A systematic literature search (PROSPERO CRD42020208416) of studies reporting correlations between measures of lower limb bone deformities and measures of body function, activity or participation, or post-surgical outcomes in these domains was conducted from 1990 to 2023 in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. We assessed study quality with the Checklist for Case Series (CCS) and a quality assessment developed by Quebec University Hospital. Meta-analysis was not possible; therefore, descriptive synthesis was performed. (3) Results: A total of 12 of 3373 screened articles were included. No studies evaluated the relationships between bone deformities and activity or participation, or the effect of isolated bone surgery on these domains. Correlations between bone deformities and body functions were poor-to-moderate. Internal hip rotation during gait improved after femoral derotation osteotomy. (4) Conclusions: A shift in paradigm is urgently required for the research and management of bone deformities in children with CP to include the activity and participation domains of the ICF, as well as consider more psychological aspects such as self-image.

Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions of Anticipated Challenges and Needs during Teacher Education Programs

Given that teacher dropout is an issue for beginning teachers, it is important to be proactive in order to retain teachers within the profession. Physical Education pre-service teachers’ education programs represent a crucial part of their professional development in preparing them to face the challenges that often explain retirement, especially students’ motivation. Authors recognize the importance of considering pre-service teachers’ needs during teacher education programs and their concerns about the challenges to be faced once they start teaching (Richards et al., 2013). Using a qualitative approach, this study aims to: (1) identify pre-service Physical Education teachers’ perceptions of anticipated challenges in general, (2) identify the specific challenges they anticipate aboutsupporting students’ motivation and (3) describe how they can be prepared to support students’ motivation. Participants consisted of 18 pre-service Physical Education teachers (Mage = 25; SD = 3.61 years) from French-language universities in Quebec (Canada). Four focus groups were conducted, and data were analyzed consistent with the four steps suggested by Boutin (2007). Results indicate that the main challenges anticipated by pre-service Physical Education teachers are classroom management and students’ lack of motivation. In terms of supporting students’ motivation, five specific challenges were highlighted: (1) student heterogeneity, (2) proposal of learning activities to support motivation, (3) student engagement, (4) management of disengaged students, and (5) gender differences. As for their needs during teacher education program, participants wished to learn how to plan motivational strategies, be given more opportunities to practice, and discuss how to implement these strategies. Recommendations for teachereducation programs are discussed in the conclusion.

Magnitude, evolution and influencing factors in overqualification among Quebec university graduates

Magnitude, evolution and influencing factors in overqualification among Quebec university graduates

Improving Audiology Student Training by Clinical Simulation of Tinnitus: A Glimpse of the Lived Experience of Tinnitus.

Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory for training students on psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus: one student plays the role of the tinnitus patient, wearing a device producing a sound like tinnitus on one ear, while another student plays the role of the audiologist, evaluating their condition. The objective of the study was to test this new clinical simulation laboratory of tinnitus from the perspective of the students. This study reports the findings from twenty-one audiology students (20 female and 1 male, mean age = 29, SD = 7.7) who participated in this laboratory for a mandatory audiology class at the Laval University of Quebec. Three students had hearing loss (one mild, two moderate). All students played the role of both the clinician and the patient, alternately. They also had to fill out a questionnaire about their overall experience of the laboratory. The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: "Benefits of the laboratory on future practice", "Barriers and facilitators of the psychoacoustic assessment", and "Awareness of living with tinnitus". The participants reported that this experience would have a positive impact on their ability to manage tinnitus patients in their future career. This fast, cheap, and effective clinical simulation method could be used by audiology and other healthcare educators to strengthen students' skills and confidence in tinnitus evaluation and management. The protocol is made available to all interested parties.

The extent to which the recommendations issued after the periodic evaluation of university programs are targeted, specific, measurable and unequivocal: An exploratory analysis

Background and study objectivesEach year, Quebec universities conduct a periodic evaluation of their study programs and issue recommendations to improve the quality and relevance of these latter. Although these evaluations are commonplace in higher education institutions, there is little information about them and the resulting recommendations. To compensate this lack of convincing data, our exploratory analysis will look at the quality of expression of these recommendations. MethodologyExperts were solicited to evaluate whether the recommendations were targeted, specific, measurable and unequivocal, four strategic characteristics of good formulations. ResultsOur results reveal major issues. Almost all of the recommendations do not indicate who is to carry them out. Also, the desired improvement is not clearly identified, thus leaving unanswered major questions about how they should be implemented. Another weak point was the absence of indicators for measuring the accomplishment of the recommendations. The last part of this study presents the best practices for issuing better recommendations, since these latter are key in the improvement process and the development of action plans. This study opens the way for research that will examine the root causes of the problem and make it possible to establish best practices for writing recommendations.

Investigating anxiety levels in the Quebec university community during the COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning and data exploration techniques

Investigating anxiety levels in the Quebec university community during the COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning and data exploration techniques

Blended online courses: students’ learning experiences and engaging instructional strategies

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital shift in higher education and forced university faculty to transform their courses into a blended or online modality to comply with current public health measures. Many instructors have implemented blended online courses, which combine synchronous and asynchronous online teaching and learning activities. The purpose of this study is to document university students’ learning experiences in blended online courses during the pandemic, and to identify instructional strategies to support student engagement in these courses. It adopts a mixed-methods research strategy in which data were collected through questionnaires from students who took a blended online course in the summer semester of 2020, in a variety of disciplines and academic cycles at four Quebec universities (n = 482). Following the analysis of student responses to open-ended questions, five recurring themes were identified: the enhancement of student-student interactions, the dynamism of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, the structured presentation of the course, the explanations and feedback from instructors, and the accessibility and involvement of instructors. For each theme, suggestions from student feedback are provided to facilitate student engagement in blended online courses.

Internationalization practices in Quebec universities

Internationalization practices in Quebec universities

Dynamic interactive characteristics between icicle growth and corona discharge on HVDC outdoor insulators during icing accretion

AbstractIn order to improve the stability and reliability of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines in cold regions, this article investigated the corona discharges and the icicle growth characteristics on outdoor insulators under DC voltages. The experiments were conducted at CIGELE laboratory at University of Quebec. The simulation model of corona discharges and the theoretical model of icicle growth were established. The dynamic process and interactive characteristics between the icicle growth and corona discharges under different HVDC voltages were obtained. The results showed that the discharge activity was strong and the cooling effect of ionic air was weak under negative DC voltage, resulting in a large number of bubbles inside the icicle. More negative ions were produced under negative DC voltage, which enhanced the polarisation of water droplets, leading to a greater density of ice beads outside the icicles. In addition, the longest icicles of each insulator under high humidity could bridge the shed gap. The accumulated charge and leakage current were higher under negative DC voltage, as well as the corona discharge at the top of the icicles lasted longer. Therefore, the negative DC corona discharge more significantly inhibited the growth of the icicle, resulting in a slower growth rate of the icicles.

Cyberbullying of professors: what measures are in place in universities and what solutions are proposed by victims?

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying in the workplace is a growing phenomenon and universities are no exceptions. As teachers and researchers, university professors interact online with a diversity of people, placing them in a vulnerable position towards cyberbullying. Despite this situation, measures in universities are not well known and studies on the subject are scarce. The present article tackles this issue in presenting the results of a mixed-method research that aimed to analyze (1) measures in place associated with cyberbullying in universities and (2) solutions proposed by professors. To collect quantitative and qualitative data, a questionnaire (n = 202) was sent online and interviews (n = 9) were conducted with professors from two universities in Quebec, Canada. Besides confirming that measures in place associated with cyberbullying are largely unknown by professors, the results of the research show that they are often insufficient to manage the complexity and the diversity of professors’ cyberbullying incidents. To address this complexity, answers given by professors on possible solutions to prevent cyberbullying, manage incident and support victims were inductively analyzed. Solutions emanating from this analysis are presented such as empowerment, policy implementation and, clarity and independence of the reporting process. Implications of these solutions for future research and for universities are also discussed.

PROPOSAL FOR AN EXTENDED CS-L MODEL

It was in the very first hours of a meeting. A brand-new Associate of Management Sciences (Option Marketing) and I, his first PhD student, discussed in a restaurant near the University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD). That’s when the idea of the present Model first emerged. This discussion continues at the Marché aux Puces, in our adjoining rooms of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CIUP) and at the restaurant of the same Cité...After the emergence of the idea, there followed the process of its maturation and the laying of the milestones of the present model proposal. To complete the reflection and the puzzle of the construction of this model, it took multiple immersions in different appropriate media. In particular, our immersions at the CIRRELT of the LAVAL University of Quebec as well as the links established were particularly fruitful. Today, the Model has grown...So, the proof of the ripening of this Model, since its emergence, starts from a long conception. This design was followed by a step-by-step construction until its completion. This completion is – today – the fruit of this present Model ([7, op. cit.], Montoussé and Waquet (2006), Gueye et al. (2020), Gueye et al. (2020), Gueye et al. (2020).But there is always room for improvement, as nothing here is sacred and definitive. Everything turns and changes.

“I didn’t know what to do, where to go”: The voices of students whose parents were born in Latin America on the need for care in Quebec universities

This qualitative study reports the university experiences of Quebec students whose parents were born in Latin America. The analysis, which looks at students who have either persisted in school or discontinued their studies, underscores the importance of cultural capital and, especially, an understanding of the student craft for school retention. The students report a low sense of affiliation with the university, and a perceived lack of support and care from the university and its social actors. Our interpretation of the data highlights self-blame for the challenges faced in university concurrently with the implementation of strategies to meet the challenges of the institution. We conclude by emphasizing how important it is for universities to support students better, adequately inform them about their options and the institution’s inner workings, and form a community with students in a spirit of care.

Behind the scenes of glamour: A systematic literature review of the business aviation sector

Unlike the other air transport business models, air cargo and business aviation proved resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic setting the fundamentals for further growth in the post-pandemic business environment. In contrast to air cargo, however, business aviation is relatively under-researched. On these grounds, this paper is of interest as it examines the available academic contributions on business aviation using a systematic literature review methodology. Based on Scopus, Transportation Research International Documentation (TRID) and Web of Science databases and after applying specific inclusion criteria, 260 papers were selected for further analysis. We performed a descriptive analysis to identify the basic characteristics of the papers and a content analysis with VOSviewer software to comprehend deeply the arguments that have been investigated so far. We found that the first paper was published in 1966 and until 2021 there is a steady but slow increase in the scientific research mainly in four disciplines: Applied Sciences (70.00%), Economic and Social Sciences (18.46%), Natural Sciences (9.23%) and Health Sciences (2.31%). There are 637 researchers working in affiliations located in 37 countries that have studied business aviation-related issues. Nevertheless, they have formed small networks within their country or affiliation's boundaries. United States is the country that leads the research on business aviation in terms of publications and unique researchers' affiliations while University of Quebec from Canada is the leading affiliation with the highest number of publications. The content analysis showed that business aviation research is limited to a few topics among which engineering management aspects have mostly been explored. Overall, the results show that much room exists for future research on business aviation especially with respect to economics and business management issues, environmental impacts, and health-related topics.

Measuring the prevalence of open access in Canada: A national comparison

For two decades, open access (OA) has gained momentum worldwide. However, adoption of OA in Canada is lagging compared with other countries. Using data from Dimensions and Érudit, this paper provides an overview of OA dissemination in Canada, focusing on the effect of institutions, language, and funding. Papers in French, and from Quebec universities, are more likely to be OA, while papers from engineering-oriented institutions are less likely to be OA. Regarding funders, those in health sciences have higher OA compliance. The paper concludes discussing disciplinary differences in OA dissemination, low compliance to OA mandates in Canada, and the role of Érudit.

Understanding the challenges related to breastfeeding education and barriers to curricular change: a systems perspective for transforming health professions education.

ObjectivesA majority of women and families wish that their babies be breastfed. However, too many still receive insufficient or inappropriate initial care from health professionals (HPs) who have limited breastfeeding (BF) competencies. We investigated barriers and potential solutions to improve the undergraduate training programs for various HPs.MethodsFocus groups were carried out in three universities in Quebec and one in Ontario (Canada), with 30 faculty and program directors from medicine, midwifery, nursing, nutrition, and pharmacy. Discussions were subjected to thematic content analysis, before being validated in a strategic planning workshop with 48 participants from the same disciplines, plus dentistry and chiropractic.FindingsSubstantive improvements of undergraduate training programs for BF could be obtained by addressing challenges related to the insufficient, or lack of, (i) interactions among various HPs, (ii) opportunities for practical learning, (iii) specific standards to guide course content, (iv) real-life experience with counselling, and (v) understanding of the influence of attitudes on professional practice. Several potential solutions were proposed and validated. The re-interpretation of the results in light of various literature led to an emerging framework that takes a systems perspective for enhancing the education of HPs on BF.ConclusionsTo improve the education of HPs so as to enable them to provide relevant support for future mothers, mothers and their families, solutions need to be carried out to address challenges in the health system, the education system as well as regarding the curricular change process.

The LabFluens – University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM): a research space on influence in communication

The LabFluens – University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM): a research space on influence in communication

Planar antenna sensor with thermal stability for detection of ice formation

The microstrip patch antenna (MPA) with frequency stability versus temperature is proposed as the ice sensor for de-icing of aerodynamic systems. The operation principle is based on the fact that the formation of ice layer is set to disturb the near fields, thus shifting the resonant frequency. To mitigate the uncertain temperature effect, a thermal stability (TS) strategy is implemented, making the sensor only susceptible to the ice loading effect and enabling stable performance within a large temperature range from − 40∘C to + 80∘C. The proposed ice sensor is in turn interrogated wirelessly by a transmitting (Tx) antenna. Due to the frequency shift, the received signal strength (RSS) is modulated as a function of ice-thickness, allowing for remote ice detection and quantification. Two common types of ices, namely rime and clear ices, are investigated. The ice samples were generated and characterized under different weather conditions in our cold chamber and wind tunnel at Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory (AMIL) with the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC). Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed approach for different real-world scenarios. In particular, the sensor demonstrates the best measurement capability in the case of clear ice with full coverage, achieving the sensitivity of 75 mV/mm.