Exploring the quality of European dietetic practice placements

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-387
Author(s):  
Anastasia Markaki ◽  
Aspasia Spyridaki ◽  
Vasiliki Chatzi ◽  
Sofie Joossens ◽  
Anne de Looy
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Societal Needs ◽  
Nutritional Health ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Training

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of dietetic practice placements in European higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire was used to investigate adherence to the European Dietetic Practice Placement Standards. Supporting documents were assessed against the “Guide to best practice” criteria. Findings – The questionnaire response rate was 39 out of 67 DIETS2 partners, representing 19 European countries. According to the questionnaire, the majority of HEIs have a formal agreement regarding roles and responsibilities on practice placement. They have clear learning outcomes, policies, standards and procedures to test, approve and monitor practice placements. However, less than half HEIs provide support and training for supervisors. Practice placement documentations from 16 European HEIs were assessed against the 15 “Guide to best practice” criteria. Only 1 HEI met all 15 criteria. The range of the rest HEIs fell between 1-14 criteria, the mean being 10 criteria. The least met criterion concerned appropriate support and guidance for supervisors, which was met by 18.8 per cent of HEIs. Practical implications – Promoting high-quality practice placements is crucial for the preparation of the dietetic workforce to meet changing societal needs of the dietetic profession, impacting on European nutritional health and productivity. Originality/value – This study is the first attempt to specifically address quality measures on dietetic practice placements in HEIs across Europe and highlights the issues that need improvement to prepare students for their new roles as dietitians in Europe.

scholarly journals Knowledge sharing in open source software communities: motivations and management

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zilia Iskoujina ◽  
Joanne Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to add to the understanding of knowledge sharing in online communities through an investigation of the relationship between individual participant’s motivations and management in open source software (OSS) communities. Drawing on a review of literature concerning knowledge sharing in organisations, the factors that motivate participants to share their knowledge in OSS communities, and the management of such communities, it is hypothesised that the quality of management influences the extent to which the motivations of members actually result in knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach – To test the hypothesis, quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire survey of OSS web developers with the aim of gathering respondents’ opinions concerning knowledge sharing, motivations to share knowledge and satisfaction with the management of OSS projects. Factor analysis, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to explore the survey data. Findings – The analysis of the data reveals that the individual participant’s satisfaction with the management of an OSS project is an important factor influencing the extent of their personal contribution to a community. Originality/value – Little attention has been devoted to understanding the impact of management in OSS communities. Focused on OSS developers specialising in web development, the findings of this paper offer an important original contribution to understanding the connections between individual members’ satisfaction with management and their motivations to contribute to an OSS project. The findings reveal that motivations to share knowledge in online communities are influenced by the quality of management. Consequently, the findings suggest that appropriate management can enhance knowledge sharing in OSS projects and online communities, and organisations more generally.

Allergy teaching is suboptimal and heterogeneous in the undergraduate medical curriculum in the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Frances Reid ◽  
Mamidipudi Thirumala Krishna ◽  
Claire Bethune
Keyword(s):  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
British Society ◽  
Undergraduate Teaching ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Similar Survey ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Training

AimTo record the level of allergy teaching occurring in UK medical schools. The UK has experienced an ‘allergy epidemic’ during the last 3–4 decades. Previous government reviews have emphasised the importance of allergy education and training, treating common allergies in primary care with referral pathways to a specialist and the creation of regional networks. It is acknowledged that the delivery of allergy teaching in UK medical schools is variable, despite the well-recognised need.MethodsAll consultant members of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology involved in teaching medical students were invited to partake in qualitative research, employing an online questionnaire for data collection. Participants were asked to comment on the format of the allergy teaching delivered, the student participation and the clinical opportunities provided. Students were recruited to complete a similar survey as supporting evidence.Results44 responses were collected, representing 64.7% of medical schools in the UK. Clinical allergy placements were compulsory in 31.8% of medical schools that responded. In 36.4%, it was reported that less than 10% of students had an opportunity to take an independent history from a patient with allergic disease, or practise using an epinephrine autoinjector. 90.9% responded that an allergy rotation was not offered to final year students.ConclusionsAllergy undergraduate teaching is suboptimal and heterogeneous in UK medical schools and there is a real need for standardisation as a means to enhance quality of care.

Securities markets and protection of small investors in public shareholding companies of United Arab Emirates

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Nashat Jaradt
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Securities Markets ◽  
Legal Cases ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Small Investors ◽  
The Subject

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the laws in relation to the role of the securities markets in protecting small investors and examine legal cases that have recently been observed in this area. Design/methodology/approach A research-based qualitative analysis was undertaken to determine the governing authorities on the subject of international trade contracts globally. Various internet searches were conducted and information was collected to represent the subject at large and to the best and most current understanding. The information was assessed in its joined context to prepare recommendations for best practice. Findings In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the rights of small investors in public shareholding companies are protected through many different legal stipulations that all must adhere to in order to offer stock. Through an examination of the laws of the UAE in relation to securities markets’ roles and responsibilities, a clear picture of protection is created that ensures small investors’ risks are minimized. In this regard, the UAE has implemented additional regulations in comparison to any other country as evident through the Doing Business Report (2014). Research limitations/implications The review of available documents is limited to UAE and hence cannot be generalized into a broader context. Originality/value This paper work contributes the research about the existing conditions of securities markets of protected small investor in UAE stock exchange market as serious as that of protecting the national economy.

A qualitative investigation of benchmarking barriers in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1677-1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yewande Adetoro Adewunmi ◽  
Hikmot Koleoso ◽  
Modupe Omirin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine benchmarking barriers among Nigerian facilities management (FM) practitioners. Design/methodology/approach Data collection were through semi-structured interviews with 34 FM heads from three selected cities in Nigeria. Out of this number, 16 were from Lagos, ten from Abuja while eight managers were from Port Harcourt, respectively. These managers were selected using purposive sampling based on their experience in the field of FM across the various sectors of the economy. The interviews were analysed with Nvivo 10 software qualitative computer software. Findings Those that do informal benchmarking face challenges with data, employees lack of confidence in new initiatives and poor support of senior management, the companies that use best practice benchmarking face constraints of access to information and employees unwillingness to change and comply to company set standards, unwillingness of benchmarking partners to understand the usefulness of the project, and problems that emanate from the quality of data obtained. Practical implications The results therefore suggest that to improve the practice of best practice benchmarking there is need to improve both quantity and quality of data for the exercise and enhance standard practice. Originality/value The study established a new category of benchmarking barriers called the market category of benchmarking barriers and further distinguished benchmarking barriers based on two forms of benchmarking which is informal and formal benchmarking. Also there are limited studies on benchmarking barriers in developing countries.

Choice of governance structure and earnings quality

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Kent ◽  
Richard Anthony Kent ◽  
James Routledge ◽  
Jenny Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of voluntary governance mechanisms in Australia. Design/methodology/approach This study identifies similar choices of corporate governance by Australian firms and tests the effectiveness of the choices made based on the earnings quality of reported firms. Cluster analysis is conducted using governance best practice variables, firm size and an earnings quality variable. Findings This paper’s results support the voluntary governance approach for smaller firms, but suggest that mandatory governance requirements could be beneficial for larger firms. Evidence suggests that a benefit accrues for larger firms with the adoption of governance best practice. Cluster analysis indicates that larger firms tend to exhibit higher levels of adoption of governance best practice than smaller firms. Originality/value This paper adds to the literature by providing important information regarding the suitability of adoption of voluntary governance mechanisms in Australia.

Knowledge sharing and social capital in globally distributed execution

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen van Dijk ◽  
Paul Hendriks ◽  
Ivan Romo-Leroux
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
Level Versus ◽  
Distributed Execution ◽  
Group Characteristics ◽  
Globally Distributed

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess whether social capital explains level and quality of knowledge sharing in globally distributed execution. More specifically, the study examined how knowledge sharing in combined European–Asian teams of a globally operating engineering and construction company was affected by these teams’ social capital. Design/methodology/approach Social capital was approached via constructs covering its structural, relational and cognitive dimensions. Data for 325 employees were collected via an online questionnaire and analysed using multiple regression models. Findings The analyses confirm that components of social capital offer powerful explanations of both the level and the quality of knowledge sharing. The study also found many differences in how social capital affects the level versus the quality of knowledge sharing and also in how it works in the European versus the Asian situations. No social capital factor appeared to significantly predict both level and quality knowledge sharing in the European and Asian situations alike. Originality/value This study is novel in empirically establishing how knowledge sharing in globally distributed execution is affected by teams’ social capital as an integrative construct bringing together individual and group characteristics.

CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgical treatment of spinal tumors for pain control and quality of life

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 540-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Degen ◽  
Gregory J. Gagnon ◽  
Jean-Marc Voyadzis ◽  
Donald A. McRae ◽  
Michael Lunsden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cyberknife Radiosurgery ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Initial Score ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors conducted a study to assess safety, pain, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes following CyberKnife radiosurgical treatment of spinal tumors. Methods. Data obtained in all patients with spinal tumors who underwent CyberKnife radiosurgery at Georgetown University Hospital between March 2002 and March 2003 were analyzed. Patients underwent examination, visual analog scale (VAS) pain assessment, and completed the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months following treatment. Fifty-one patients with 72 lesions (58 metastatic and 14 primary) were treated. The mean follow-up period was 1 year. Pain was improved, with the mean VAS score decreasing significantly from 51.5 to 21.3 at 4 weeks (p < 0.001). This effect on pain was durable, with a mean score of 17.5 at 1 year, which was still significantly decreased (p = 0.002). Quality of life was maintained throughout the study period. After 18 months, physical well-being was 33 (initial score 32; p = 0.96) and mental well-being was 43.8 (initial score 44.2; p = 0.97). (The mean SF-12 score is 50 ± 10 [standard deviation].) Adverse effects included self-limited dysphagia (three cases), diarrhea (two cases), lethargy (three cases), paresthesias (one case), and wound dehiscence (one case). Conclusions. CyberKnife radiosurgery improves pain control and maintains QOL in patients treated for spinal tumors. Early adverse events are infrequent and minor. The authors await long-term follow-up data to determine late complications and tumor control rates.

Arteriovenous malformations of the brain

1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 562-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. C. Forster ◽  
Ladislau Steiner ◽  
Sten Håkanson
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Indications For Surgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The quality of survival of 150 patients with arteriovenous malformations of the brain is presented. The mean period of follow-up was over 15 years. The surgically operated and conservatively managed groups are compared, a comparison that in the long run appears to favor the operated cases. The results are discussed and indications for surgery summarized.

An updated survey of factors influencing property valuation accuracy in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rotimi Boluwatife Abidoye ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Abdul-Rasheed Amidu ◽  
Ashad Ali Javad
Keyword(s):  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Property Valuation ◽  
Current State ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Training ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study updates and extends the current work on the issue of accuracy of property valuation. The paper investigates the factors that contribute to property valuation inaccuracy and examines different strategies to achieve greater accuracy in practice.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire was designed and administered on the Australian Property Institute (API) registered valuers, attempting to examine their perceptions on the current state of valuation accuracy in Australia. The variables/statements from responses are ranked overall and compared for differences by the characteristics of respondents.FindingsUsing mean rating point, the survey ranked three factors; inexperience valuers, the selection, interpretation and use of comparable evidence in property valuation exercise and the complexity of the subject property in terms of design, age, material specification and state of repairs as the most significant factors currently affecting valuation inaccuracy. The results of a Chi-square test did not, however, show a significant statistical relationship between respondents' profile and the perception on the comparative importance of the factors identified. Except for valuers' age and inexperience valuers and valuers' educational qualification and inexperience valuers and the selection, interpretation and use of comparable evidence in property valuation exercise. Also, the three highly ranked strategies for reducing the level of inaccuracy are: developing a global mindset, use of advanced methodology and training valuers on market forecasting skills.Practical implicationsIn order for valuers to provide state-of-the-art service to the public and to remain relevant, there is a need to accurately and reliably estimate valuation figures. Hence, the strategies highlighted in this study could be considered in a bid to reduce property valuation inaccuracy in practice.Originality/valueThis study provides an updated overview of the issue of property valuation inaccuracy in the Australia valuation practice and examines the strategies to reduce it.

The development and application of a decision-useful measure of environmental best practice for the mining industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Hutchings ◽  
Craig Deegan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Iso 14001 ◽  
Corporate Accountability ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe failure of environmental reporting to meet the needs of stakeholders is partly due to the gap, or inconsistency, between information disclosed in corporate reports and the underlying quality of environmental management. Within the context of the mining industry, this paper present a novel approach to close this gap. By measuring and reporting the comprehensiveness of environmental management – in a manner consistent with the qualitative characteristics applied within financial reporting – this paper contends that stakeholders can, as a result, better assess the environmental risk of mining operations and hold organisations more accountable for their environmental commitments.Design/methodology/approachUsing interviews and surveys, this paper draws on the knowledge of experienced environmental practitioners to measure the otherwise intangible quality of “environmental management”. The accounting metric developed is then used to quantify the comprehensiveness of environmental management of thirty Australian-based mine sites.FindingsThe findings suggest: (1) the accounting metric presented in this paper could better inform the decisions of both internal and external stakeholders; (2) significant variation in the comprehensiveness of environmental management exists within corporate entities and across the mining industry; (3) ISO 14001 is generally an indicator – but not a guarantee – of strong environmental management and (4) ISO 14001 self-declarations are largely symbolic.Originality/valueThe accounting metric presented in this paper could better inform user decisions, enhance corporate accountability and drive continuous improvement in environmental management. It could also provide a foundation for similar customised metrics in other industries and across other areas of sustainability.

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