Years Of Professional Experience Research Articles

Comparative study of job burnout in Shanghai-based nurses against Maslach norm and Hangzhou norm.

This study aimed to analyze the trend in job burnout among nurses in Shanghai, China. The nursing profession globally faces a significant challenge due to aging populations, causing a human resources crisis. Job burnout notably impacts nurses' enthusiasm for work and their overall well-being. Understanding the trends in job burnout among nurses is crucial for addressing this issue. A cross-sectional study involving 799 nurses from a tertiary-care hospital and 11 community health service centers in Pudong New Area South, Shanghai, was conducted using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale, to assess job burnout levels. These data were compared with the established Maslach and Hangzhou norms in China. 74.6% of the participants experienced job burnout. The emotional exhaustion dimension had an average score of 27.27±13.93, indicating high levels of burnout; the depersonalization dimension had an average score of 7.83±6.68, showing moderate levels of fatigue; and the personal achievement dimension had an average score of 26.75±10.26, also indicating moderate fatigue. Notably, nurses aged 32-33 years with 11-12 years of professional experience were the most affected. The findings suggest that job burnout is a significant issue in Pudong New Area South, Shanghai, with a notable increase in severe burnout cases over the past decade. Nurses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, face high rates of burnout, with emotional exhaustion being particularly prevalent. To support and retain the nursing workforce, hospital administrators must implement external reward mechanisms and develop policies that encourage personal growth, career development, and a humanistic approach to care. From our review of the literature, we identified instances where burnout standards are either not assessed or lack uniformity in their application. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt a standardized occupational burnout scale for a nationwide survey, encompassing nurse populations across various levels, including province, region, city, and institution. This approach will facilitate the establishment of a practical norm for occupational burnout within China. This norm would enable conducting regular assessments and comparisons to understand the evolving trends of job burnout among nurses, which could pave the way for the creation of targeted support interventions for the nursing profession.

Intra-Individual Paired Mass Spectrometry Dataset for Decoding Solar-Induced Proteomic Changes in Facial Skin

Photoaging is the premature aging of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to solar radiation. The visual alterations manifest as wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, uneven skin tone, as well as other signs that surpass the expected outcomes of natural aging. Beyond these surface changes, there is a complex interplay of molecular alterations, encompassing shifts in cellular function, DNA damage, and protein composition disruptions. This data descriptor introduces a unique dataset derived from ten individuals, each with a minimum of 18 years of professional experience as a driver, who are asymmetrically and chronically exposed to solar radiation due to their driving orientation. Skin samples were independently collected from each side of the face using a microdermabrasion-like procedure and analyzed on an Exploris 240 mass spectrometer. Our adapted proteomic statistical framework leverages the sample pairing to provide robust insights. This dataset delves into the molecular differences in exposed skin and serves as a foundational resource for interdisciplinary research in photodermatology, targeted skincare treatments, and computational modelling of skin health.

Mathematics Teachers' Experiences of Positive Error Climate

In the qualitative case study in which the question, "What are teachers' views on the applicability of positive error climate in the classroom?" was sought to be answered, 19 mathematics teachers working in different provinces of Turkey, having more than five years of professional experience and receiving master's degree education constituted the study group. Before this study, teachers' attitudes and behaviors toward errors were taken in writing. At the end of the eleven-week implementation, the teachers' opinions about the implementation were obtained through interviews, and content analysis was applied to the data with MAXQDA. 2020. Under the theme of positive error climate experience, teachers evaluated the application as effective, fun, providing permanent learning and increasing self-confidence. On the other hand, they stated the negative aspects as insufficient time, difficulties in classroom management, and causing mislearning. Seventeen participants stated that they would use the error climate in their classrooms.

Commentary on “developing an evidence base for behavioural interventions: a case study of the Headsprout® Early Reading programme”

Purpose This paper aims to offer a commentary on Denne et al.’s (2024) article discussing the journey undertaken by the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network to augment evidence surrounding the efficacy of the online Headsprout® Early Reading programme. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from over 15 years of professional experience as a qualified teacher in special education settings, the author reflects on the network’s approach and its alignment with their own expertise. Findings While acknowledging the commendable focus of the network on amassing additional evidence, this commentary underscores the importance of identifying barriers and fostering adaptability within the educational landscape. Central to the discussion is the imperative to prioritise students’ needs and tailor data collection methods to suit their unique contexts. Originality/value This commentary is aimed at professionals working in special education settings striving to improve their practice and student outcomes.

Testing the Relationship of Career Enhancing Behaviors to Perceived Utility of Ethical and Cross-Cultural Competencies Across Two Independent Samples of MBA Alumni

Sensitivity to cross-cultural management and ethics management have both been classified as important relationship-building competencies, with prior work also recognizing the need for MBA instructors to not only teach both competencies but to act as role models to their students. The two-fold purpose of this paper was to first develop a short, reliable Perceived Utility of Ethical and Cross-Cultural Competencies (PUECCC) scale by combining items measuring both competencies learned or practiced in a client-focused, team-based MBA capstone course. The second purpose was to test the relationship of a career enhancing behavioral measure to PUECCC. Three binary behaviors, i.e., job interview, professional network expansion, and career change composed the career enhancing behavioral measure. Using two separate samples of MBA capstone course alumni, support was found for a reliable two-item PUECCC scale and a significant positive relationship of the career enhancing behavioral measure to PUECCC. Years of professional experience for both samples was also positively related to PUECCC. Ethical management and cross-cultural effectiveness are both important competencies to build into a curriculum to help MBA students develop to succeed at work.

Identification of Nurses’ Stress Levels and Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills

This study aims to identify the stress levels experienced by nurses in providing healthcare services and their interpersonal problem-solving abilities. A cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected between March and May 2023 via face-to-face interviews with participants who had provided written informed consent. One hundred twenty nurses participated voluntarily in this study by completing the Nurse Information Form, Interpersonal Problem-Solving Inventory, and Nurse Stress Scale. Information gathered indicated that the nurses had an average age of 28.58± 4.92 years, with 82.5% of respondents being female and 64.2% were single. Additionally, 66.7% had a bachelor’s degree, 50.8% had 1-5 years of professional experience, and 79.2% worked on a rotating shift schedule. Furthermore, 73.3 % of nurses chose their profession voluntarily, and 27.5% worked between 46-50 hours per week. The study discovered that nursing professionals have moderate stress levels and interpersonal problem-solving skills.

Perceptions of Clinical Experience and Scientific Evidence in Medical Decision Making: A Survey of a Stratified Random Sample of Swedish Health Care Professionals.

Evidence-based medicine recognizes that clinical expertise gained through experience is essential to good medical practice. However, it is not known what beliefs clinicians hold about how personal clinical experience and scientific knowledge contribute to their clinical decision making and how those beliefs vary between professions, which themselves vary along relevant characteristics, such as their evidence base. We investigate how years in the profession influence health care professionals' beliefs about science and their clinical experience through surveys administered to random samples of Swedish physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, dentists, and dental hygienists. The sampling frame was each profession's most recent occupational registry. Participants (N = 1,627, 46% response rate) viewed science as more important for decision making, more certain, and more systematic than experience. Differences among the professions were greatest for systematicity, where physicians saw the largest gap between the 2 types of knowledge across all levels of professional experience. The effect of years in the profession varied; it had little effect on assessments of importance across all professions but otherwise tended to decrease the difference between assessments of science and experience. Physicians placed the greatest emphasis on science over clinical experience among the 5 professions surveyed. Health care professions appear to share some attitudes toward professional knowledge, despite the variation in the age of the professions and the scientific knowledge base available to practitioners. Training and policy making about clinical decision making might improve by accounting for the ways in which knowledge is understood across the professions. Study participants, representing 5 health care professions-medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, dentistry, and dental hygiene-viewed science as more important for decision making, more certain, and more systematic than their personal clinical experience.Of all the professions represented in the study, physicians saw the greatest differences between the 2 types of knowledge.The effect of years of professional experience varied but tended to be small, attenuating the differences seen between science and clinical experience.

[Experience with orthopaedic insoles-across-sectional study].

Orthopaedic insoles (OI) are used to treat avariety of foot problems. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the perceptions of the treatment with OI among the manufacturers of the OIs, the orthopaedic technicians (OT). OT from the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony in Germany were invited to take part in asurvey. The questions included, among others, the number of prescriptions for the production of an OI per month and the materials used. Descriptive statistics, subgroup analyses and alinear regression analysis were performed. Of the 312 questionnaires distributed, 159 were completed (response rate 51%). Most of the respondents were male (80%). The average age of the participants was 50. On average, OT produced 290 OI per month, with plastic being the most commonly used material (73%). OT with less than 20years of professional experience are more likely to follow the doctor's instructions when producing OI than OT with more than 20years of professional experience. The latter are more likely to base their decisions regarding the manufacture and issuing of OI on their own experience. The production and issuing process of OI differs among OT. The different professional perspectives of the OT could play arole here, as does the lack of astandardized procedure. The factors listed in this study represent potential starting points for future research projects that could contribute to the development of evidence-based standards.

Original Research: Nurses' Attitudes Toward Brain Drain and the Associated Factors.

Brain drain refers to the emigration of scientists and other educated professionals from a low- or middle-income country to a high-income country for work. In recent years, this trend has increased, particularly in the health care arena. Prior studies among nurses and nursing students indicate that migration mainly occurs from low- and lower middle-income countries to high-income countries. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of Turkish nurses, nurse academics, and nursing students toward brain drain and the factors associated with these attitudes. The study used a mixed-methods research design. The quantitative part of the study was conducted with 1,018 participants. The qualitative part was conducted with 26 participants from the larger sample who volunteered for focus group interviews. Data were collected from June through August 2022 using an online survey, the Attitude Scale for Brain Drain, and a semistructured interview guide. Of all participants, 84.3% indicated that they wanted to work and live abroad. Nearly 95% stated that there was a risk of brain drain in the nursing profession, with economic factors given as the most significant reason. As age and years of professional experience increased, brain drain tendency decreased. Nurses and nursing students had higher brain drain tendencies than nurse academics. In focus group interviews, participants reported concern that the brain drain might lead to losses in the qualified nursing workforce and increase the workload for the remaining nurses in the migrant-sending country, while cultural adaptation issues can be difficult for nurses in the migrant-receiving country. Brain drain in the nursing profession continues to be a current, crucial problem. This study showed that among Turkish nurses, nursing students, and nurse academics, the desire to work abroad was quite high, and all three groups had high brain drain tendency scores. Brain drain has serious consequences for both migrant-receiving and migrant-sending countries. These findings can help inform the development of initiatives aimed at preventing or mitigating nursing brain drain.

Selection Criteria for Evaluating Predictive Maintenance Techniques for Rotating Machinery using the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP)

A primary industry objective is to ensure that machinery remains operational through effective management. Predictive maintenance plays a significant role in monitoring the working condition of machinery. The goal of this study is to establish the criteria for evaluating predictive maintenance techniques for rotating machines utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). To achieve this target, survey data were collected from questionnaires and interviews with 20 experts, which had at least 20 years of professional experience. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized for criteria selection. The findings disclosed that predictive maintenance factors for rotating machines were ranked as follows: vibration analysis (45.5%), acoustic analysis (22.7%), oil analysis (22.4%), infrared thermography (5.8%), and wear particle analysis (3.6%). The Consistency Ratio (CR) was determined to be less than 10%, indicating a high level of consensus among the experts. Given the elevated importance attributed to vibration analysis, it can be concluded that the latter is the primary criterion for selecting predictive maintenance techniques for rotating machines.

Nurses retrospective view on nursing education: A repeated cross-sectional study over three decades

BackgroundAs the healthcare landscape undergoes transformative shifts due to factors like ageing demographics, technological innovations, rapid global dissemination of infectious diseases, and imperatives for accessible, cost-effective care, a pressing need emerges for the contemporisation of nursing education. Notably, there is a paucity of research delving into nurses’ introspective evaluations of their educational experiences after their immersion in professional settings. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine nurses’ evaluations of their educational background over 30 years and identify relationships between their assessments and their demographic. DesignThe study embraced a recurrent cross-sectional survey methodology, encompassing three distinct quantitative cross-sectional evaluations conducted in the years 1999, 2009, and 2021. Context/participantsThe cohort for this inquiry consisted of nurses stationed in Estonian general hospitals and inpatient departments of developmental plan institutions, each with at least one year of professional experience. Cumulatively, 832 nurses were engaged across three sequential evaluations: Study I (n = 463), Study II (n = 198), and Study III (n = 171). MethodsData procurement was executed via a structured survey, with subsequent analytical procedures encompassing descriptive and correlational methodologies. ResultsA discernible augmentation in the educational calibre of nurses was observed with each successive evaluation. This escalation concomitated enhanced positive assessments in areas like evidence-informed education, skill development, and autonomous operational capabilities. Yet, a critical appraisal persisted concerning their competencies in navigating complex patient interactions and addressing socio-religious dilemmas. ConclusionsThe merit of this investigation lies in its illumination of nursing education's evolution, as perceived retrospectively by nurses who have operationalized their academic learnings in real-world scenarios. Their vantage point, inherently informed by practice, uniquely positions them to earmark avenues of refinement. This exploration paves the way for enrichments in nursing education, spotlighting the imperative of equipping nurses to adeptly manage intricate situations.

Occasional back pain in officers of the FFS of the EMERCOM of Russia depending on age, experience, professional workload and performance at work

Relevance: According to global studies, the prevalence of back pain in firefighters ranges from 30 to 71.1 %. Harsh working conditions lead to acute and chronic pain syndromes and limited range of motion in the spine, which can become critical in an emergency.The objective is to analyze the influence of age, length of service, professional workload, successful performance at work on the presence of pain and reduction of movements, as well as neurological vertebrogenic manifestations, taking into account the musculoskeletal system (MS) pathology (C13 IDC-10) in among fire service employees in general.Materials and methods: 117 subjects, aged 20 to 47 years, employed by the Federal Border Service of the State Fire Fighter Service of the EMERCOM of Russia, underwent traditional neurological examination, spine biomechanical testing, and pain syndrome assessment by the VAS scale. The results were split into groups and structured by age, length of service, professional workload, success at work, and pathology of the musculoskeletal system.Results: Occasional pain in the spine was observed in 59.2 % of firefighters, mostly in the subgroup with over 15 years of professional experience than in subgroups with 6 to 14 years and under 5 years (p < 0.05) of professional record. Musculartonic syndrome was detected in 34 % and was more pronounced in the subgroup with high professional workload, than in those with light and moderate (p < 0.05) workload and in workers aged 40 to 50 years, rather than in younger subgroups (p < 0.05). Static and static/dynamic disorders in the spine were detected in 45 % of employees and were prevalent mostly in the subgroup with a service record of over 15 years (p < 0.001), as well as in the subgroup with high professional load (p < 0.05). A decrease in reflexes was mostly observed in the subgroup aged 31 to 39 years old (p < 0.05) and in the ODS impairment subgroup (p < 0.001), while root tension symptoms dominated in the subgroup aged 40 to 50 years (p < 0.05). Sensitivity disorders (p < 0.005; p < 0.05) and root tension symptoms (p < 0.01; p < 0.005) were more often detected in subgroups with low and average professional success compared to the subgroup of successful performers. According to the regression analysis model that considered age, length of service, professional workload, successful performance at work, and ODS pathology, work experience was an only parameter showing a significant cause-and-effect correlation with static/ dynamic spine disorders: OR = 3.66; 95 % CI = 1.25–10.7 (p < 0.05).Conclusion: In firefighters, the major factors influencing pain and reduction of movements in the spine include work experience in extreme conditions and professional workload; transformed perception of painful stimuli and radicular sensory disturbances are more pronounced in employees with limited professional success. Ergonomic interventions and a biopsychosocial approach are key in the treatment and prevention of dorsopathy in fire service personnel.

Perceptions of readiness for interprofessional learning among Ethiopian medical residents at Addis Ababa University: a mixed methods study

BackgroundInterprofessional learning is an important approach to preparing residents for collaborative practice. Limited knowledge and readiness of residents for interprofessional learning is considered one of the barriers and challenges for applying Interprofessional learning. We aimed to assess the perceptions of readiness of medical residents for interprofessional learning in Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a parallel mixed-methods study design to assess the perceptions of readiness for interprofessional learning among internal medicine and neurology residents of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 1 to June 30, 2021. One hundred one residents were included in the quantitative arm of the study, using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) tool. All internal medicine and neurology residents who consented and were available during the study period were included. SPSS/PC version 25 software packages for statistical analysis (SPSS) was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were summarized as mean and standard deviation for continuous data as well as frequencies and percentages to describe categorical variables. Data were presented in tables. In addition, qualitative interviews were undertaken with six residents to further explore residents’ knowledge and readiness for IPL. Data were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis.ResultsOf the 101 residents surveyed, the majority of the study participants were male (74.3%). The total mean score of RIPLS was 96.7 ± 8.9. The teamwork and collaboration plus patient-centeredness sub-category of RIPLS got a higher score (total mean score: 59.3 ± 6.6 and 23.5 ± 2.5 respectively), whereas the professional identity sub-category got the lowest score (total mean score: 13.8 ± 4.7). Medical residents’ perceptions of readiness for interprofessional learning did not appear to be significantly influenced by their gender, age, year of professional experience before the postgraduate study, and department. Additionally, the qualitative interviews also revealed that interprofessional learning is generally understood as a relevant platform of learning by neurology and internal medicine residents.ConclusionsWe found high scores on RIPLS for internal medicine and neurology postgraduate residents, and interprofessional learning is generally accepted as an appropriate platform for learning by the participants, which both suggest readiness for interprofessional learning. This may facilitate the implementation of interprofessional learning in the postgraduate medical curriculum in our setting. We recommend medical education developers in Ethiopia consider incorporating interprofessional learning models into future curriculum design.

The role of molecular tumor boards in neuro-oncology: a nationwide survey

BackgroundIn neuro-oncology, the inclusion of tumor patients in the molecular tumor board has only become increasingly widespread in recent years, but so far there are no standards for indication, procedure, evaluation, therapy recommendations and therapy implementation of neuro-oncological patients. The present work examines the current handling of neuro-oncological patients included in molecular tumor boards in Germany.MethodsWe created an online based survey with questions covering the handling of neuro-oncologic patient inclusion, annotation of genetic analyses, management of target therapies and the general role of molecular tumor boards in neuro-oncology in Germany. We contacted all members of the Neuro-Oncology working group (NOA) of the German Cancer Society (DKG) by e-mail.Results38 responses were collected. The majority of those who responded were specialists in neurosurgery or neurology with more than 10 years of professional experience working at a university hospital. Molecular tumor boards (MTB) regularly take place once a week and all treatment disciplines of neuro-oncology patients take part. The inclusions to the MTB are according to distinct tumors and predominantly in case of tumor recurrence. An independently MTB member mostly create the recommendations, which are regularly implemented in the tumor treatment. Recommendations are given for alteration classes 4 and 5. Problems exist mostly within the cost takeover of experimental therapies. The experimental therapies are mostly given in the department of medical oncology.ConclusionsMolecular tumor boards for neuro-oncological patients, by now, are not standardized in Germany. Similarities exists for patient inclusion and interpretation of molecular alterations; the time point of inclusion and implementation during the patient treatment differ between the various hospitals. Further studies for standardization and harmonisation are needed. In summary, most of the interviewees envision great opportunities and possibilities for molecular-based neuro-oncological therapy in the future.

The Effect of the Pandemic on the Frequency of Rubber-dam Use by Dentists: a Questionnaire Study

Aim: This study aimed to compare the frequency of rubber-dam usage by dentists in different specialties before and after the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 
 Materials and Method: A questionnaire was delivered electronically to dentists in different specialties during May 2021. This questionnaire included questions about the demographics and professional backgrounds of the dentists and their opinions about and the frequencies of use of the rubber-dam. Additionally, whether their rubber-dam usage approaches were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was also questioned. 
 Results: Seven hundred and fifty people responded to the questionnaire. Among the participants, 36.4% said that the frequency of using rubber-dams increased after the pandemic. Regardless of the specialty, the frequency of using rubber-dams decreased as the years of professional experience increased (P < 0.05). When specialties were considered, endodontists used rubber-dams during endodontic and restorative procedures significantly more often than the others (P < 0.05). When the workplaces were compared, it was seen that rubber-dams were used significantly more often in university clinics (P < 0.05). 
 Conclusion: Despite the quality guideline recommendations, the use of rubber dams is still not at the desired level in Turkey; however, there has been an increase in the number of dentists using them since the pandemic.

Is ChatGPT an Accurate and Reliable Source of Information for Patients with Vaccine and Statin Hesitancy?

Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial intelligence (AI) language model that is trained to respond to questions across a wide range of topics. Our aim is to elucidate whether it would be beneficial for patients who are hesitant about vaccines and statins to use ChatGPT. This cross-sectional and observational study was conducted from March 2 to March 30, 2023, using OpenAI ChatGPT-3.5. ChatGPT provided responses to 7 questions related to vaccine and statin hesitancy. The same questions were also directed at physicians. Both the answers from ChatGPT and the physicians were assessed for accuracy, clarity, and conciseness by experts in cardiology, internal medicine, and microbiology, who possessed a minimum of 30 years of professional experience. Responses were rated on a scale of 0-4, and the ChatGPT's average score was compared with that of physicians using the Mann-Whitney U test. The mean scores of ChatGPT (3.78±0.36) and physicians (3.65±0.57) were similar (Mann-Whitney U test p=0.33). The mean scores of ChatGPT were 3.85±0.34 for vaccination and 3.68±0.35 for statin use. The mean scores of physicians were 3.73±0.51 for vaccination and 3.58±0.61 for statin use. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of ChatGPT and physicians for both vaccine and statin use (p=0.403 for vaccination, p=0.678 for statin). ChatGPT did not consider sources of conspiratorial information on vaccines and statins. This study suggests that ChatGPT can be a valuable source of information for guiding patients with vaccine and statin hesitancy.

Dental care professionals’ awareness of oral dryness and its clinical management: a questionnaire-based study

BackgroundDespite the high prevalence of oral dryness and awareness of its complications, there is limited research on the clinical management of patients with oral dryness in general dental care.PurposeTo (1) describe and compare awareness among dental care professionals regarding saliva functions, potential causes and complications of oral dryness, and patient management (2) Investigate if the length of professional experience influences these aspects.MethodsA digital self-administrated survey was sent to 2668 dental care professionals working in the general dental care, Public Dental Service, in Sweden. Twelve dental care professionals reviewed the questionnaire prior to its distribution. The questionnaire comprised 32 questions about patient management, awareness of saliva functions, causes and complications of oral dryness, and self-assessment queries.ResultsThe response rate was 18.6% (241 dentists and 257 dental hygienists). Older adults (65+) were asked more often about dry mouth (93.0%) compared to those aged 18–23 years (50.0%) and those under 18 years (24.9%). Dental hygienists encountered individuals with oral dryness more frequently (61.1%) than dentists (48.5%) (p < 0.01), and more often asked individuals in the age groups 18–23 years (p = 0.003), 24–40 years (p = 0.045), and 41–65 years (p = 0.031) about dry mouth. A higher proportion of dental hygienists (88.3%) than dentists (51.0%) had measured salivary secretion rate, (p < 0.001) and more often suggested preventive dental care 3–4 times a year, (42.5% vs. 30.5%) (p < 0.007). Dentists had a higher awareness of saliva functions, while dental hygienists had a higher awareness about causes and complications of oral dryness. Higher proportions of dentists and dental hygienists with over 10 years of professional experience had measured salivary secretion rate (69.1% vs. 95.7%) compared to their counterparts with less than 10 years of professional experience (35.9% vs. 79.5%) (p < 0.001 for both).ConclusionCompared to dentists, dental hygienists were more attentive to patients with oral dryness as they encountered these individuals more often, asked more age-groups, suggested frequent preventive measures, and had higher awareness of the causes and complications of oral dryness. Length of professional experience could improve both the management of patients with oral dryness and awareness of its causes, particularly for dental hygienists.

Determining the nurses' perception regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 protocols implemented in Eastern Province: Saudi Arabia.

The global impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been profound, affecting public health, the global economy, and overall human life. Past experiences with global pandemics underscored the significance of understanding the perception of HCWs and hospital staff in developing and implementing preventive measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided protocols to manage the spread of COVID-19 and assist healthcare workers and health systems globally in maintaining high-quality health services. This study aims to assess nurses' perception, awareness, and compliance regarding the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and explore factors influencing their perception. A quantitative cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted, distributing a constructed survey among nurses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Out of 141 participants, most adhered to protocols such as hand sanitization, social distancing, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. The predominant age group among respondents was 31 to 40 years (n = 71, 50%). A significant portion of participants reported holding a bachelor's degree (n = 86, 61%), with only 14% possessing advanced degrees (n = 19). Nearly a third of the nurses in the study had accumulated 6 to 10 years of professional experience (n = 49, 34.8%). A noteworthy percentage of nurses were engaged in daily shifts exceeding 8 h (n = 98, 70%). Gender differences were observed, with females exhibiting a higher tendency to avoid shaking hands and social gatherings. Saudi nationals were more inclined to shake hands and engage in gatherings. Non-Saudi nurses and those aged between <25 to 40 years demonstrated proper donning/doffing practices. Nurses with over 6 years of experience avoided social gatherings, while those working >8 h adhered better to PPE usage, proper donning/doffing, and disposal of PPE in designated bins. Understanding COVID-19 protocols is crucial for tailoring interventions and ensuring effective compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among nurses. More efforts should be made toward preparing the healthcare nursing to deal with the outbreak. Preparing healthcare nursing with the right knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices during the COVID-19 outbreak is very essential to patient and public safety.

Predictive Factors of Attitudes Towards Scientific Research in University Teachers in Peru

Scientific research is essential for university teachers and the university in general, since its main objective is to generate and disseminate knowledge. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that influence the attitudes of university lecturers in Peru towards scientific research. The study employed a quantitative methodology, focusing on an explanatory-predictive framework. A 28-item questionnaire related to university teachers' attitudes towards research was applied, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.9 reliability. The sample included the participation of 405 university teachers from different regions of Peru with 1 to 30 years of professional experience. Non-parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical techniques were applied for data processing. The results showed that the factors analysed (sex, years of experience, and region of origin) predicted the behavioural and cognitive dimensions but not the affective dimension. Teachers from the northern part of the country and Lima have prevalence in the behavioural and cognitive dimensions, and most teachers have a high level in the behavioural and cognitive dimensions but a low level in the affective dimension. The results are consistent with previous studies showing that attitudes towards research are influenced by factors such as age, research subject, participation in research activities, and social capital.&#x0D;  &#x0D; Received: 10 June 2023 / Accepted: 25 November 2023 / Published: 5 January 2024

Full Title: Evaluation of general dentists' perspectives on periodontal surgery Running Title: General dentist and periodontology

Objective: Periodontal treatments are a very important part of general dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate general dentists' perspectives on surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatments and to examine the decision criteria of these dentists to refer their patients to a periodontist. Materials and Methods: The survey used in this study consisted of 28 questions and was delivered to general dentists online. The survey primarily asks dentists about their gender, age, information about the institution they work in, and years of professional experience. Other questions in the survey include topics related to periodontal examination, referral to a periodontist for phase 1 periodontal treatment, referral for periodontal surgical treatment, surgical treatments applied and their frequency, and periodontal surgical treatment procedures. Results: A total of 171 general dentists (85-male, 86-female) with an average age of 34±10 answered the survey questions. The rate of participants who stated that they performed the phase 1 periodontal treatment of their patients themselves was 77.8%, while the rate of those who performed the surgical periodontal treatment themselves was 20.5%. No statistically significant relationships were obtained between the participants' gender, the institution they work in, and their responses regarding periodontal diagnosis and treatments. (p&gt;0.05) The rates of performing a periodontal examination and obtaining a periodontal index in the first session are 70.1% and 38.0% for dentists working in private practice, while they are 44.1% and 14.7% for dentists working in a public hospital. In addition, it has been determined that all physicians who perform surgical treatments themselves work in private practice. (p&lt;0.05) Conclusion: It has been determined that general dentists mostly apply non-surgical treatments themselves, but often refer them to a periodontist for surgical treatments. It was revealed that the working institution was effective in the decision to refer to a periodontist, but gender or professional experience was not effective.