scholarly journals Sustainable Higher Education via Telecollaboration: Improving Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-561
Author(s):  
Oksana Polyakova ◽  
Ruzana Galstyan-Sargsyan
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Cooperation Model ◽  
International Learning ◽  
University Training

Introduction. Due to globalisation, the modern workforce is significantly diversified. Therefore, there is a need to modernise and embrace innovation in 21st-century education to prepare international professionals to work in cross-cultural teams via digital platforms. While research in the recent past has primarily focused on the refinement of future expert competences in tertiary education, only a handful of studies have been done to establish how plurilingual and pluricultural competence can be digitally developed at the inter-university level. In this light, this study sought to bridge this gap in the research on the sustainable cooperation model. Materials and Methods. The design for the methodological plan of integrating plurilingualism and pluriculturalism in university teaching was premised on the need to promote networking among students from different universities and countries. Its major stages based on the Collaborative Online International Learning approach included three stages: find a partner, prepare the project and carry out the project. A virtual exchange experiment across two institutions of higher learning in Spain and Finland helped analyse plurilingual and pluricultural competence achievement by means of questionnaires. Results. A special Collaborative Online International Learning approach used to explore plurilingual and pluricultural competence and the effectiveness of online-assisted language interaction, teamwork or intercultural cooperation. The study’s findings confirmed that plurilingual and pluricultural competence among students could also be developed using virtual cooperation, thus supporting cost-effective options of sustainable university training. Discussion and Conclusion. The project had a positive impact on reaching sustainable education goals by highlighting intercultural interaction prospects. Besides, it displays real challenges such as different schedules, grading systems, timing, motivation or virtual interaction among learners and ways of overcoming them. Regardless of the fundamental idea of formative exploration, our study presents some findings that lecturers, language training practitioners and policymakers willing to apply telecollaboration will be deserving of thought.

scholarly journals The Utilisation of Payment Models Across the HIV Continuum of Care: Systematic Review of Evidence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Rua ◽  
Daniela Brandão ◽  
Vanessa Nicolau ◽  
Ana Escoval
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Continuum Of Care ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Payment Models

AbstractThe increasing chronicity and multimorbidities associated with people living with HIV have posed important challenges to health systems across the world. In this context, payment models hold the potential to improve care across a spectrum of clinical conditions. This study aims to systematically review the evidence of HIV performance-based payments models. Literature searches were conducted in March 2020 using multiple databases and manual searches of relevant papers. Papers were limited to any study design that considers the real-world utilisation of performance-based payment models applied to the HIV domain. A total of 23 full-text papers were included. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, the multiple types of interventions and its implementation across distinct areas of HIV care, direct comparisons between studies were deemed unsuitable. Most evidence focused on healthcare users (83%), seeking to directly affect patients' behaviour based on principles of behavioural economics. Despite the variability between interventions, the implementation of performance-based payment models led to either a neutral or positive impact throughout the HIV care continuum. Moreover, this improvement was likely to be cost-effective or, at least, did not compromise the healthcare system’s financial sustainability. However, more research is needed to assess the durability of incentives and its appropriate relative magnitude.

scholarly journals A Reference Framework to Combine Model-Based Design and AR to Improve Social Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2031
Author(s):  
Fabio Grandi ◽  
Riccardo Karim Khamaisi ◽  
Margherita Peruzzini ◽  
Roberto Raffaeli ◽  
Marcello Pellicciari
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Digital Models ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Digital Contents ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Virtual Simulations ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Information

Product and process digitalization is pervading numerous areas in the industry to improve quality and reduce costs. In particular, digital models enable virtual simulations to predict product and process performances, as well as to generate digital contents to improve the general workflow. Digital models can also contain additional contents (e.g., model-based design (MBD)) to provide online and on-time information about process operations and management, as well as to support operator activities. The recent developments in augmented reality (AR) offer new specific interfaces to promote the great diffusion of digital contents into industrial processes, thanks to flexible and robust applications, as well as cost-effective devices. However, the impact of AR applications on sustainability is still poorly explored in research. In this direction, this paper proposed an innovative approach to exploit MBD and introduce AR interfaces in the industry to support human intensive processes. Indeed, in those processes, the human contribution is still crucial to guaranteeing the expected product quality (e.g., quality inspection). The paper also analyzed how this new concept can benefit sustainability and define a set of metrics to assess the positive impact on sustainability, focusing on social aspects.

scholarly journals Trends and Opportunities of Tertiary Education in Safety Engineering Moving towards Safety 4.0

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Vendula Laciok ◽  
Katerina Sikorova ◽  
Bruno Fabiano ◽  
Ales Bernatik
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Safety Engineering ◽  
Safety And Health

Industry and related work and workplaces are constantly changing as a result of the implementation of new technologies, substances and work processes, changes in the composition of the workforce and the labor market, and new forms of employment and work organization. The implementation of new technologies represents certain ambivalence. Next to the positive impact on workers’ health, new risks and challenges can arise in the area of process and occupational safety and health of people at work. On these bases, it follows the need for predicting and handling the new risks, in order to ensure safe and healthy workplaces in the future. The aim of most forecasting studies is not only to identify new emerging risks, but also to foresee changes that could affect occupational safety and health. However, a number of questions still require proper investigation, i.e., “What impact do new emerging risks have on tertiary education in the area of Safety engineering? Has tertiary education already reacted to progress in science and research and does it have these innovations in its syllabus? How are tertiary graduates prepared for the real world of new technologies?” This paper represents a first attempt in the literature to provide answers to the raised questions, by a survey approach involving academics, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) industrial experts and university students in the Czech Republic. Even if statistical evaluation is limited to a single Country and to a small sample size, the obtained results allow suggesting practical recommendations that can contribute to ensuring new challenges in the area of education by addressing relevant culture issues needed to support new workplace realities according to the newly defined Safety 4.0.

scholarly journals Self-fill oxygen technology: benefits for patients, healthcare providers and the environment

Breathe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis Murphie ◽  
Nick Hex ◽  
Jo Setters ◽  
Stuart Little
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
List Type ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Unlimited Supply ◽  
Technology Benefits

“Non-delivery” home oxygen technologies that allow self-filling of ambulatory oxygen cylinders are emerging. They can offer a relatively unlimited supply of ambulatory oxygen in suitably assessed people who require long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), providing they can use these systems safely and effectively. This allows users to be self-sufficient and facilitates longer periods of time away from home. The evolution and evidence base of this technology is reported with the experience of a national service review in Scotland (UK). Given that domiciliary oxygen services represent a significant cost to healthcare providers globally, these systems offer potential cost savings, are appealing to remote and rural regions due to the avoidance of cylinder delivery and have additional lower environmental impact due to reduced fossil fuel consumption and subsequently reduced carbon emissions. Evidence is emerging that self-fill/non-delivery oxygen systems can meet the ambulatory oxygen needs of many patients using LTOT and can have a positive impact on quality of life, increase time spent away from home and offer significant financial savings to healthcare providers.Educational aimsProvide update for oxygen prescribers on options for home oxygen provision.Provide update on the evidence base for available self-fill oxygen technologies.Provide and update for healthcare commissioners on the potential cost-effective and environmental benefits of increased utilisation of self-fill oxygen systems.

scholarly journals Design and evaluation of two blended learning approaches: Lessons learned

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing Sum Cheung ◽  
Khe Foon Hew
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Face To Face

<span>In this paper, we share two blended learning approaches used at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. We have been using these two approaches in the last twelve years in many courses ranging from the diploma to graduate programs. For the first blended learning approach, we integrated one asynchronous communication tool with face to face tutorials, classroom discussions, and a reflection session. For the second blended learning approach, we integrated two asynchronous tools with face to face tutorials in a course. We discuss the theoretical foundation of the two blended learning approaches. In addition, we share insights from these two blended learning approaches, based on the students' data (online postings, questionnaires, reflection logs, and interviews), as well as our own reflections. Finally, we describe and discuss several important lessons learned that could inform the design of future instructional strategies in implementing blended learning in university teaching and learning settings.</span>

scholarly journals Socio-economic variables of children with undernutrition and their controls in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78
Author(s):  
S.M. Abdullahi ◽  
A.M. Yakubu ◽  
M.A. Bugaje ◽  
S.M. Akuyam
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Education ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Islamic Education ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Under Nutrition ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Low socio-economic and educational levels of parents are important risk factors for under-nutrition in children. The distribution ofhealth and diseases in childhood had been shown to be strongly influenced by the social characteristics like occupation and educational attainment. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic status among children with Protein Energy Malnutrition and the Controls in Zaria usingthe modification of the method earlier used by Oyedeji. Method: This study was a case control health- based descriptive study to determine the socioeconomic and demographic variables in  undernourished children in Zaria. Using systematic sampling method, a total of 132 children (cases and controls) between 6 and 59 months of age were selected for assessment of socioeconomic and demographic variables. Results: Nineteen (28.8%) of the study group belong to social class III as compared to 12 (18.2%) for the controls. As for the educational levels of the parents, among the cases, 28 (42.4%) had Islamic education, 25 (37.9%) had secondary education, 10 (15.1%), 2 (3.0%) and 1 (1.5%) had primary,  tertiary and no formal education respectively. For the controls, 7 (10.6%) had Islamic education, 34 (51.5%) had secondary education, 13 (19.7%) and 12 (18.1%) had primary and tertiary education respectively. There was none with no formal education, The statistical analysis showed significant  difference (P= 0.0009) between cases and controls for maternal educational levels only among the demographic data. Conclusion: This study has been able to establish low socio- economic factors among undernourished children studied. Keywords: Under-nutrition, socioeconomic factors, educational levels, children

scholarly journals School vision screening programmes in reducing uncorrected refractive error among children in Low and Middle-Income countries-LMIC (systematic review)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-105
Author(s):  
Abraham Opare ◽  
Leila H Abdullahi ◽  
Deon Minnies ◽  
Colin Cook ◽  
Maylene Shung-King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
School Vision ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

ackground: The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error among school-age children is on the rise with detrimental effect on academic performance and socio-economic status of those affected. School vision screening programmes appear to be an effective way of identifying children with uncorrected refractive errors so early intervention can be made. Despite the increasing popularity of school vision screening programmes over the past few years, there is a lot of debate on its effectiveness in reducing the proportion of children with uncorrected refractive error in the long term, especially in settings where resources are limited. Some studies argue that school vision screening programmes are effective while other studies have reported otherwise. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of school vision screening programmes in reducing uncorrected refractive error among children in low and middle income countries using evidence from published studies. Methods and findings: A comprehensive and systematic strategy was used to search various databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) which contains the Cochrane Eyes and vision Trial Register, the Cochrane Library, Medline (1980-2018), CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Web of Science, the WHO’s Library Information System, Africa-Wide and Scopus. The search was restricted to articles published in English. Randomized control trials, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies and cohort studies were included in this review. Participants included school children with refractive error. Full-text review of search results, data extraction and risk of bias assessment was done by two independent reviewers. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach and data were pooled using the random-effect model. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. This review found moderate certainty evidence indicating that school vision screenings may be effective in reducing uncorrected refractive error among school children by 81% (95% CI: 77%; 84%), 24% (95% CI: 13%; 35%) and 20% (95% CI: 18%; 22%) at two, six, and more than six months respectively after its introduction. Results: Results of this review also suggest that school vision screening may be effective in achieving 54% (95% CI: 25%; 100%), 57% (95% CI: 46%; 70%), 37% (95% CI: 26%; 52%), and 32% (95% CI: 14%; 72%) spectacle-wear compliance among school children at less than three months, at three months, at six months and at more than six months respectively after its introduction (low to moderate certainty evidence). This review further found moderate to high certainty evidence indicating that school vision screening, together with provision of spectacles, may be relatively cost effective, safe and has a positive impact on the academic performance of school children. Conclusion: The findings of this review show that school vision screening, together with provision of spectacles, may be a safe and cost-effective way of reducing the proportion of children with uncorrected refractive error, with long-term positive impact on academic performance of children. Most of the studies included in this review were, however, conducted in Asia. Research to investigate the effectiveness of school vision screening programmes in other parts of the world like Africa where few studies have been conducted is highly recommended

scholarly journals Access to Anti-Diabetic Medicines among Patients Attending Tertiary Health Facilities in Oyo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Oladapo Akinyemi ◽  
Babatunde Ayeni ◽  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Oluwatomi Owopetu
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
P Value ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Close Relatives

Objective: The management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is long-term and can be expensive. This study aimed to describe access to anti-diabetic medicines among patients in tertiary health care facilities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The study sites were the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho. It was conducted among 366 diabetic patients who had been attending the endocrinology clinic of these two tertiary health institutions for at least one year. Data analysis was done with the Statistical Program for Social Sciences. Results: Female participants were 186 (50.8%) and 298 (85.6%) depended on close relatives to purchase their drugs. Those who had difficulties affording their anti-diabetic medications were 142 (38.8%) and 80 (56.3%) preferred buying a cheaper brand of anti-diabetic medication. Also, 136 (37.2%) respondents had missed their required drugs at some point due to insufficient funds. Males who were able to afford their anti-diabetic medication were 96 (53.3%) compared to 128 (68.8%) females (P-value= 0.002). Those with no formal education had the highest proportion of respondents who could not easily afford anti-diabetic drugs (60.9%), those with tertiary education had the highest proportion of respondents who could afford their medication (77.5%), (P-value=< 0.001). Among those in the 61-70 years age group, 78 (66.1%) achieved glycaemic control compared to 34 (42.5%) of those above 70 years (P-value=< 0.001). Conclusion: To improve affordability, subsidizing the cost of anti-diabetic medications and encouraging patients to enrol in the Health Insurance Scheme will be beneficial.

Evaluation of a pilot interprofessional education programme for eating disorder training in mental health services

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McDevitt ◽  
V. Passi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Case Based Learning ◽  
Case Based

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an Interprofessional Education (IPE) programme in eating disorders for mental health practitioners using a case-based learning approach.MethodsA total of 25 mental health clinicians were asked to evaluate their IPE programme as part of training for the National Clinical Programme in Eating Disorders. They completed a Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), a learner reaction questionnaire after each session and a final open evaluation at 4 months. Non-parametric statistical analysis was employed to analyse learner attitudes and reactions, and qualitative information was coded.ResultsA total of 23 (92%) clinicians from five disciplines participated. Baseline attitudes towards IPE were positive on all RIPLS subscales, and those with prior IPE experience had most positive views as to its benefits for teamwork and patient care (p=0.036). Learner reactions on content, delivery, outcome and structure indicated that individual learning experience was strongly positively endorsed. Change in clinical practice behaviour was reported in terms of communication, clinical activity, outcome evaluation and confidence. Barriers included other demands on time, organisational support, not having enough patients or co-workers to practice skills, and knowledge differentials between learners.ConclusionsIPE using a case based learning approach is an effective and acceptable means of developing specialist training across existing service, team and professional boundaries. It has potential for positive impact on knowledge, clinical behaviour and service delivery. Recommendations include the introduction of IPE group guidelines, wider circulation of learning points and content, and the use of self-competency ratings and reflective logs.

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