scholarly journals Rethinking employability: how students build on interest in a subject to plan a career

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Quinlan ◽  
K. Ann Renninger

AbstractAs universities prioritise employability, there is increased attention to promoting students’ career decidedness. In this mixed method, cross-sectional study, we explore whether and how students’ interest in their academic subject affects their career decidedness. Using surveys of 428 undergraduates studying sciences in a UK university (60% F, average age = 19.9) and case examples from follow-up interviews with 15 students, we examine students’ interest development and its relation to their career decidedness and their desire for meaningful, interesting work. Findings showed that most students who were studying science in university had a well-developed interest that had motivated their choice of programme, and their subject interest and career decidedness were linked. Regression analyses indicated that students’ interest in their subject was a significant predictor of career decidedness, mediated by students’ desire to pursue that interest in their career. Open-ended comments on the surveys suggested that decidedness was informed by coursework, proactive career exploration, work experience, interest, feasibility, and familial contacts. Interviews confirmed these factors and illustrated how they contributed to students’ career decidedness. We propose implications for academics and career counsellors who might help students refine their interest by considering connections between their academic subject, interest, and related career options. We argue that educators and policy-makers need to reframe employability interventions and think beyond teaching students skills or attributes that lead to employment. Educators can start with students’ interest in their subject and support students’ exploration of how they can continue to pursue that interest in various careers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-277
Author(s):  
Seyyed Mehrzad Shaddel ◽  
◽  
Masoud Bayat ◽  
Mojtaba Bayani ◽  
Vahideh Nazari ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Considering the increasing use of dental implants in replacing lost teeth, the odds of failure over time in this treatment are inevitable, as with other dental treatments; thus, it requires careful and regular follow-up. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitude of general dentists about the follow-up of the dental implants to create baseline information to schedule future workshops concerning dental implants. Methods & Materials: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 98 general dentists of Arak City, Iran were evaluated. Questionnaires were designed in 3 sections, as follows: demographic, awareness, and attitude. After checking the validity and reliability of the questionnaires, they were distributed among the research participants. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Chi-squared test, and Independent Samples t-tests. The significance level was considered 0.05. Ethical Considerations: This article was approved by the Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.283). Results: The average score of awareness of the questionnaires was equal to 10.8 (based on the score of 0-19); the mean score of attitude was measured as 12.8 (based on the score of 7-21). Fifty-Three of the explored dentists had performed implant treatment, whose awareness and attitude toward implants follow-up were significantly higher than those of the dentists who did not perform such treatment (P=0.0001). Work experience presented no significant effect on the examined dentists’ awareness and attitude (P>0.05). Conclusion: General dentists have low awareness and attitude about implant follow-up. Follow-up plays an important role in the long-term success of implant therapy; therefore, dental education/retraining programs should be reviewed in this field.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Aalaa ◽  
Mahnaz Sanjari ◽  
Ali Tootee ◽  
Ghazanfar Mirzabeigi ◽  
Sedighe Salemi

Nurses&rsquo; Quality Of Life (QOL) may be affected by many different factors that can in turn influence their job competency. The aim of this study was to assess the QOL of Iranian nurses to provide evidence to enable policy makers to take the necessary steps needed to make improvements. Using a cross-sectional study design, we evaluated the QOL of Iranian nurses by the assessment of four health indicators: physical, psychological, social and environmental. A total of 850 nurses from 17 different provinces of Iran were recruited by random sampling. They were requested to complete the World Health Organization QOL-BREF questionnaire. Data were then analyzed. Results indicated that half of the nurses scored in the moderate range, suggesting that they had a reasonably good QOL. They scored considerably higher in terms of physical health indicators and achieved significantly lower scores regarding environmental health issues. Although the &chi;<sup>2</sup> test did not show any significant association between the QOL indicators and different factors such as work experience, gender, job position and patients group. We found a significant association between the subject&rsquo;s position at work in the hospital shift pattern and their overall QOL score. The results of our study showed that more than half the nurses evaluated their QOL to be at a moderate level. The results from this study can be used by policy makers to help make improvements to nurses&rsquo; QOL that may enhance the quality of care they deliver to their patients. Future research including a group of nurses from over the whole country is essential so that a more representative cohort can be studied. It would also pave the way for the establishment of a QOL database for nurses in Iran that could monitor changes in the nursing population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Md Zakaria Sarkar ◽  
AHM Ferdows Nur ◽  
Utpal Kumar Dutta ◽  
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Debabrota Roy ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing outcome after stapedotomy in patients with Otosclerosis. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from July 2017 to January 2019 in National Institute of ENT, Unit V. About 22 patients with Otosclerosis were included in this study. Diagnosis of Otosclerosis was based on the history, medical status with Otoscopy, Tuning fork tests and Audiometric tests. We compiled data on the pre and post operative air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2 KHZ. The ABG was Calculated using AC and BC thresholds on the same audiogram. Post operative hearing gain was then Calculated from the ABG before the operation minus the ABG of the last follow up examination Results: In this study most of the cases were age group 14-30 years (72.7%), female (54.5%). Most common symptoms was progressive hearing loss, tinnitus (77.8%).The average preoperative hearing loss in this study was (AC) was 48.31±7.68. The average post opt. hearing (AC) at follow up was 28.95±10.30 with an average hearing gain of 15.40±8.53 dB which was significant. The average pre-operative ABG was 28.99 dB ± 8.10. The average post opt. ABG was analyzed at 1 follow up showed ABG 13.18±8.09 dB which was found to be significant. Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patient’s quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2020; 26(1): 31-36


2011 ◽  
pp. 122-129
Author(s):  
Quang Di Bui ◽  
Phuoc Lam Nguyen

Objectives: The aim of study is to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and adverse effects of a standard triple therapy including Rabeprazole, Clarithromycin and Amoxicilline at Sai gon Hoan My hospital in order to consider treatment H.pylori for patients who have not yet eradicated before or need to be undertaked by alternative regimens. Methods: By descriptive cross-sectional study, the authors have examined 116 patients sufferring from peptic ulcer received 10-day therapy including Rabe (20mg b.d) plus Clari(500mg b.d) plus Amoxi(1g b.d). Eradication is confirmed with endoscopy after 4 weeks from completing of treatment. Results and Discussion: 100% of patients were initially included and noboby was dropped out of the follow-up satges. The mean age was 49 in which 62% was male, 73(62,9%) presented duodenal ulcer, 28(24,1%) gastric ulcer and 15(13%) simultaneous gastric and duodenal ulcers. All patients took medications correctly. Per-protocol and intention to treat eradication rates were both 75%(95% CI=73,4-78,3). Additionally, 62(53,4%) patients had at least one risky factor for peptic ulcer disease, smoking being the most common one 44(37,9%).The adverse effects were reported overall in 67% of the patients, mainly including changed taste, very bitter, tired 49%, trouble sleeping 12% and diarrhea 5%. Conclusion: this ten-day standard triple therapy used in this study is ineffective with high adverse effects.The first line eradication with new regimens should be alternative.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Aliyu ◽  
Babatunde Adelekan ◽  
Nifarta Andrew ◽  
Eunice Ekong ◽  
Stephen Dapiap ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to improved HIV/AIDS treatment outcomes in Nigeria, however, increasing rates of loss to follow-up among those on ART is threatening optimal standard achievement. Therefore, this retrospective cross-sectional study is aimed at identifying correlates and predictors of loss to follow-up in patients commencing ART in a large HIV program in Nigeria. Methods Records of all patients from 432 US CDC Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported facilities across 10 States and FCT who started ART from 2004 to 2017 were used for this study. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the demographic and clinical parameters of all patients was conducted using STATA version 14 to determine correlates and predictors of loss to follow-up. Results Within the review period, 245,257 patients were ever enrolled on anti-retroviral therapy. 150,191 (61.2%) remained on treatment, 10,960 (4.5%) were transferred out to other facilities, 6926 (2.8%) died, 2139 (0.9%) self-terminated treatment and 75,041 (30.6%) had a loss to follow-up event captured. Males (OR: 1.16), Non-pregnant female (OR: 4.55), Patients on ≥ 3-monthly ARV refills (OR: 1.32), Patients with un-suppressed viral loads on ART (OR: 4.52), patients on adult 2nd line regimen (OR: 1.23) or pediatric on 1st line regimen (OR: 1.70) were significantly more likely to be lost to follow-up. Conclusion Despite increasing access to anti-retroviral therapy, loss to follow-up is still a challenge in the HIV program in Nigeria. Differentiated care approaches that will focus on males, non-pregnant females and paediatrics is encouraged. Reducing months of Anti-retroviral drug refill to less than 3 months is advocated for increased patient adherence.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 747
Author(s):  
Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal ◽  
Fahima Akhter ◽  
Amal Ismael Abdelhafez ◽  
Ahmed Mansour Alrajeh

Biomedical waste (BMW) management is an essential practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) for preventing health and also environmental hazards. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, posing significant challenges for healthcare sectors. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the knowledge, practice, and attitude on BMW management among HCPs when taking care of patients with COVID-19 and associated with demographic variables. From Al-Ahsa healthcare sectors, 256 HCPs were selected randomly, of which 105 (41%) had excellent knowledge, 87 (34%) had good knowledge, and 64 (25%) had poor knowledge with a mean score of 13.1 ± 3.6. A higher mean score was (14.4 ± 3.2) obtained by physicians, and (13.6 ± 3.8) nurses than the other HCPs. Regarding practice, 72 (28.1%) HCPs used and discarded PPE while handling biomedical wastes. Additionally, 88 (34.4%) followed proper hand hygiene before and after each procedure and whenever needed. Physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists had a more favorable attitude than other HCPs. There was a statistically significant association found among knowledge level and educational qualification (p < 0.0001), gender (p < 0.001), and work experience (p < 0.05). Emphasis is needed to train all HCPs regarding proper BMW management during this pandemic to prevent infection transmission.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Leena R. Baghdadi ◽  
Shatha G. Alghaihb ◽  
Alanoud A. Abuhaimed ◽  
Dania M. Alkelabi ◽  
Rawan S. Alqahtani

In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)) caused a global pandemic. There was an urgent need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 to reduce its spread and economic burden. The main objective of this study was to understand the attitudes and concerns of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, whether their decision was influenced by their history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine, and factors that influence the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We selected and surveyed 356 HCWs via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. A total of 61.16% of HCWs were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.9% of them had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the preceding year (2019–2020). The strongest predictors for taking the COVID-19 vaccine were the HCWs’ belief that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe, needed even for healthy people, that all HCWs should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that HCWs will have time to take the vaccine. Being female, being middle aged, having <5 years of work experience, having no fear of injections, and being a non-smoker were predictive factors for taking the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. No associations were found between the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and a history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mugove G. Madziyire ◽  
Thulani L. Magwali ◽  
Vasco Chikwasha ◽  
Tinovimba Mhlanga

Abstract Background Infertility affects 48.5 million couples globally. It is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The contribution of various aetiological factors to infertility differs per population. The causes of infertility have not been assessed in Zimbabwe. Our objectives were to determine the reproductive characteristics, causes and outcomes of women presenting for infertility care. Methods A retrospective and prospective study of women who had not conceived within a year of having unprotected intercourse presenting in private and public facilities in Harare was done. A diagnosis was made based on the history, examination and results whenever these were deemed sufficient. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15. A total of 216 women were recruited. Results Of the 216 women recruited, two thirds (144) of them had primary infertility. The overall period of infertility ranged from 1 to 21 years with an average of 5.6 ± 4.7 years whilst 98 (45.4%) of the couples had experienced 2–4 years of infertility and 94 (43.5%) had experience 5 or more years of infertility. About 1 in 5 of the women had irregular menstrual cycles with 10 of them having experienced amenorrhoea of at least 1 year. Almost half of the participants (49%) were overweight or obese. The most common cause for infertility was ‘unexplained’ in 22% of the women followed by tubal blockage in 20%, male factor in 19% and anovulation in 16%. Of the 49 (22.7%) women who conceived 21(9.7%) had a live birth while 23 (10.7%) had an ongoing pregnancy at the end of follow up. Thirty-seven (17.1%) had Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) in the form of Invitro-fertilisation/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Assisted Reproduction was significantly associated with conception. Conclusion Most women present when chances of natural spontaneous conception are considerably reduced. This study shows an almost equal contribution between tubal blockage, male factor and unexplained infertility. Almost half of the causes are female factors constituted by tubal blockage, anovulation and a mixture of the two. Improved access to ART will result in improved pregnancy rates. Programs should target comprehensive assessment of both partners and offer ART.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 616
Author(s):  
Avril Beirne ◽  
Kevin McCarroll ◽  
James Bernard Walsh ◽  
Miriam Casey ◽  
Eamon Laird ◽  
...  

The health effects of vitamin D are well documented, with increasing evidence of its roles beyond bone. There is, however, little evidence of the effects of vitamin D on hospitalisation among older adults. This study aimed to prospectively determine the relationship of vitamin D status in older adults with hospital admission and emergency department (ED) attendance. Trinity University of Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA) is a large cross-sectional study of older adults with a community population from three disease-defined cohorts (cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoporosis). Participants included in this analysis were recruited between 2008 and 2012. ED and hospital admission data were gathered from the date of TUDA participation until June 2013, with a mean follow up of 3.6 years. Of the 3093 participants, 1577 (50.9%) attended the ED during the period of follow-up. Attendees had lower mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations than non-attendees (59.1 vs. 70.6 nmol/L). Fully adjusted models showed an inverse association between vitamin D and ED attendance (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.996; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.995–0.998; p < 0.001). A total of 1269 participants (41%) were admitted to hospital during the follow-up. Those admitted had lower mean vitamin D concentrations (58.4 vs. 69.3 nmol/L, p < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, higher vitamin D was inversely associated with hospital admission (HR 0.996; 95% CI 0.994–0.998; p < 0.001) and length of stay (LOS) (β = −0.95, p = 0.006). This study showed independent prospective associations between vitamin D deficiency and increased hospitalisation by older adults. The need for further evaluation of current recommendations in relation to vitamin D supplementation, with consideration beyond bone health, is warranted and should focus on randomised controlled trials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Müller ◽  
Charlotte Kreutz ◽  
Steffen Ringhof ◽  
Maximilian Koeppel ◽  
Nikolaus Kleindienst ◽  
...  

AbstractImpaired postural control is often observed in response to neurotoxic chemotherapy. However, potential explanatory factors other than chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have not been adequately considered to date due to primarily cross-sectional study designs. Our objective was to comprehensively analyze postural control during and after neurotoxic chemotherapy, and to identify potential CIPN-independent predictors for its impairment. Postural control and CIPN symptoms (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) were longitudinally assessed before, during and three weeks after neurotoxic chemotherapy, and in three and six months follow-up examinations (N = 54). The influence of peripheral nerve function as determined by nerve conduction studies (NCS: compound motor action potentials (CMAP) and sensory action potentials (SNAP)), physical activity, and muscle strength on the change in postural control during and after chemotherapy was analyzed by multiple linear regression adjusted for age and body mass index. Postural control, CIPN signs/symptoms, and CMAP/SNAP amplitudes significantly deteriorated during chemotherapy (p < .01). During follow-up, patients recovered from postural instabilities (p < .01), whereas CIPN signs/symptoms and pathologic NCS findings persisted compared to baseline (p < .001). The regression model showed that low CMAP and high SNAP amplitudes at baseline predicted impairment of postural control during but not after chemotherapy. Hence, pre-therapeutically disturbed somatosensory inputs may induce adaptive processes that have compensatory effects and allow recovery of postural control while CIPN signs/symptoms and pathologic peripheral nerve function persist. Baseline NCS findings in cancer patients who receive neurotoxic chemotherapy thus might assist in delineating individual CIPN risk profiles more precisely to which specific exercise intervention programs could be tailor-made.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document