Estimating the productivity of radiologists in Brazil: the search for a benchmark

Abstract Objective: To determine the average productivity of radiologists, as measured by number of reports issued per 6-h shift, evaluating variables that could affect the results. Materials and Methods: This was a study utilizing an online questionnaire sent to radiologists affiliated with the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging. The questions were related to the demographic profile and professional practice characteristics (form of remuneration, primary imaging method employed, and subspecialty) of the radiologists, as well as their individual productivity (average personal productivity) and the productivity considered reasonable in a 6-h shift. The association between productivity and the practice characteristics of the radiologists was determined by using Poisson regression to calculate the prevalence ratio. Results: A total of 510 radiologists completed the questionnaire. The great majority of the respondents (84%) reported that their remuneration is directly related to their productivity. The productivity varied according to the subspecialty, work environment, and remuneration model. Conclusion: We demonstrated that the productivity of radiologists is associated with the characteristics of their employment. We hope that this study will encourage other studies aimed at evaluating the productive capacity of the radiologists in Brazil, addressing the various functions they perform in their daily routine, including activities other than issuing reports.

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Government Policy for the Procurement of Food from Local Family Farming in Brazilian Public Institutions

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10071604 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1604

Author(s):

Panmela Soares ◽

Suellen Secchi Martinelli ◽

Mari Carmen Davó-Blanes ◽

Rafaela Karen Fabri ◽

Vicente Clemente-Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Government Policy ◽

Technical Assistance ◽

Food Service ◽

Productive Capacity ◽

Management Support ◽

Food Services ◽

Family Farming ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sustainable Food

This study aims to explore and compare Brazilian public institutional food services’ characteristics concerning the implementation of the government policy for the procurement of food from family farming (FF) and the opinions of food service managers on the benefits and difficulties of its implementation. We conducted a cross-sectional study employing an online questionnaire. The results were stratified by purchase. The Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests were applied. Five hundred forty-one food services’ managers participated in the study. Most claimed to buy food from FF, and this acquisition was more frequent among those working in institutions of municipalities <50,000 inhabitants, and educational and self-managed institutions. Those buying from FF developed more actions to promote healthy and sustainable food. Most recognized that the purchase could boost local farming and the economy and improve the institution’s food. However, the managers believe that the productive capacity of FF, the lack of technical assistance to farmers, production seasonality, and the bureaucratic procurement process hinder this type of purchase. The self-management of food services and the small size of the municipality might be associated with implementing the direct purchase policy from FF, which can contribute to building healthier and more sustainable food systems. However, the lack of public management support and the weak productive fabric may pose an obstacle to its maintenance or dissemination. The strengthening and consolidation of these policies require more significant government investments in productive infrastructure for family farming.

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Factors That Affect E-Learning Platforms after the Spread of COVID-19: Post Acceptance Study

Data ◽

10.3390/data6050049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Rana Saeed Al-Maroof ◽

Khadija Alhumaid ◽

Iman Akour ◽

Said Salloum

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Model ◽

Critical Mass ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Perceived Ease Of Use ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Learning Platform ◽

E Learning ◽

Learning Platforms ◽

Vaccination Hesitancy

The fear of vaccines has led to population rejection due to various reasons. Students have had their own inquiries towards the effectiveness of the vaccination, which leads to vaccination hesitancy. Vaccination hesitancy can affect students’ perception, hence, acceptance of e-learning platforms. Therefore, this research attempts to explore the post-acceptance of e-learning platforms based on a conceptual model that has various variables. Each variable contributes differently to the post-acceptance of the e-learning platform. The research investigates the moderating role of vaccination fear on the post-acceptance of e-learning platforms among students. Thus, the study aims at exploring students’ perceptions about their post-acceptance of e-learning platforms where vaccination fear functions as a moderator. The current study depends on an online questionnaire that is composed of 29 items. The total number of respondents is 630. The collected data was implemented to test the study model and the proposed constructs and hypotheses depending on the Smart PLS Software. Fear of vaccination has a significant impact on the acceptance of e-learning platforms, and it is a strong mediator in the conceptual model. The findings indicate a positive effect of the fear of vaccination as a mediator in the variables: perceived ease of use and usefulness, perceived daily routine, perceived critical mass and perceived self-efficiency. The implication gives a deep insight to take effective steps in reducing the level of fear of vaccination, supporting the vaccination confidence among educators, teachers and students who will, in turn, affect the society as a whole.

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The Role of Campus Data in Representing Depression Among College Students: Exploratory Research (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12503 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Guang Mei ◽

Weisheng Xu ◽

Li Li ◽

Zhen Zhao ◽

Hao Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Correlation Analysis ◽

Personal Information ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Machine Learning Algorithms ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Online Questionnaire

BACKGROUND Depression is a predominant feature of many psychological problems leading to extreme behaviors and, in some cases, suicide. Campus information systems keep detailed and reliable student behavioral data; however, whether these data can reflect depression and we know the differences in behavior between depressive and nondepressive students are still research problems. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavioral patterns of depressed students by using multisource campus data and exploring the link between behavioral preferences and depressive symptoms. The campus data described in this paper include basic personal information, academic performance, poverty subsidy, consumption habit, daily routine, library behavior, and meal habit, totaling 121 features. METHODS To identify potentially depressive students, we developed an online questionnaire system based on a standard psychometric instrument, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). To explore the differences in behavior of depressive and nondepressive students, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. In order to investigate the behavioral features of different depressive symptoms, factor analysis was used to divide the questionnaire items into different symptom groups and then correlation analysis was employed to study the extrinsic characteristics of each depressive symptom. RESULTS The correlation between these factors and the features were computed. The results indicated that there were 25 features correlated with either 4 factors or SDS score. The statistical results indicated that depressive students were more likely to fail exams, have poor meal habits, have increased night activities and decreased morning activities, and engage less in social activities (eg, avoiding meal times with friends). Correlation analysis showed that the somatic factor 2 (F4) was negatively correlated with the number of library visits (r=–.179, P<.001), and, compared with other factors, had the greatest impact on students’ daily schedule, eating and social habits. The biggest influencing factor to poor academic performance was cognitive factor F1, and its score was found to be significantly positively correlated with fail rate (r=.185, P=.02). CONCLUSIONS The results presented in this study indicate that campus data can reflect depression and its symptoms. By collecting a large amount of questionnaire data and combining machine learning algorithms, it is possible to realize an identification method of depression and depressive symptoms based on campus data.

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The Role of Campus Data in Representing Depression Among College Students: Exploratory Research

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/12503 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e12503 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guang Mei ◽

Weisheng Xu ◽

Li Li ◽

Zhen Zhao ◽

Hao Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Correlation Analysis ◽

Personal Information ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Machine Learning Algorithms ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Online Questionnaire

Background Depression is a predominant feature of many psychological problems leading to extreme behaviors and, in some cases, suicide. Campus information systems keep detailed and reliable student behavioral data; however, whether these data can reflect depression and we know the differences in behavior between depressive and nondepressive students are still research problems. Objective The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavioral patterns of depressed students by using multisource campus data and exploring the link between behavioral preferences and depressive symptoms. The campus data described in this paper include basic personal information, academic performance, poverty subsidy, consumption habit, daily routine, library behavior, and meal habit, totaling 121 features. Methods To identify potentially depressive students, we developed an online questionnaire system based on a standard psychometric instrument, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). To explore the differences in behavior of depressive and nondepressive students, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. In order to investigate the behavioral features of different depressive symptoms, factor analysis was used to divide the questionnaire items into different symptom groups and then correlation analysis was employed to study the extrinsic characteristics of each depressive symptom. Results The correlation between these factors and the features were computed. The results indicated that there were 25 features correlated with either 4 factors or SDS score. The statistical results indicated that depressive students were more likely to fail exams, have poor meal habits, have increased night activities and decreased morning activities, and engage less in social activities (eg, avoiding meal times with friends). Correlation analysis showed that the somatic factor 2 (F4) was negatively correlated with the number of library visits (r=–.179, P<.001), and, compared with other factors, had the greatest impact on students’ daily schedule, eating and social habits. The biggest influencing factor to poor academic performance was cognitive factor F1, and its score was found to be significantly positively correlated with fail rate (r=.185, P=.02). Conclusions The results presented in this study indicate that campus data can reflect depression and its symptoms. By collecting a large amount of questionnaire data and combining machine learning algorithms, it is possible to realize an identification method of depression and depressive symptoms based on campus data.

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Courageous conversations in supervision

Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work ◽

10.11157/anzswj-vol31iss3id649 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 78-86

Author(s):

Allyson Davys

Keyword(s):

Social Workers ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Professional Competence ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Shared Understanding ◽

Power Difference ◽

Contracting Process ◽

Supervision Relationships ◽

Courageous Conversations

INTRODUCTION: Courageous conversations, commonly identified as conversations which are associated with some form of emotion, are features of many social workers’ daily routine. In supervision, such conversations are typically required to address issues of supervisee professional competence, ethical issues or the supervision relationship and/or process. These conversations, which are challenging, are at times avoided and, at other times, may be poorly handled.APPROACH: Following identification of the obstacles which may impede addressing challenging issues in professional practice, this article focuses the supervisor’s role in courageous conversations. The importance of building a supervision environment which can support robust conversations is highlighted. Here the contracting process, where the expectations of supervision are negotiated and the power inherent in the supervision relationship can be identified, is considered foundational. The skills and attributes needed by the supervisor to manage these difficult encounters are explored and three kinds of interventions are identified as helpful: relational, reflective, and confrontational. A framework for a courageous conversation is provided which highlights the need for clarity about the motivation, purpose and desired goals. Finally, a structure for the proposed conversations is presented.IMPLICATIONS: With an understanding of the dynamics and of the skills required, supervisors can better prepare themselves for courageous conversations. When supervision relationships are based on negotiation and shared understanding about power, difference and expectations, hard issues can be raised and honestly confronted and at the same time the integrity of all involved can be maintained.

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COVID-19-like symptoms and their relation to SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in children and adults of an Italian birth cohort

10.21203/rs.3.rs-34027/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maja Popovic ◽

Chiara Moccia ◽

Elena Isaevska ◽

Giovenale Moirano ◽

Costanza Pizzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

Muscle Pain ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Low Grade ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Disease Clusters ◽

Almost All

Abstract Background Emerging COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive lockdowns in a number of countries, but yet unknown number of cases positive to SARS-CoV-2 escapes surveillance systems. Methods Mothers participating in an Italian NINFEA birth cohort were invited to complete an online questionnaire on COVID-19-like symptoms in the household. We estimated the population prevalence of COVID-19-like symptoms in children and adults, assessed their geographical correlation with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases by province, analysed their clustering within families, and estimated their sensitivity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) for COVID-19 diagnosis in individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2.Results Information was collected on 3184 households, 6133 adults, and 5751 children. There was a strong geographical correlation between the population cumulative incidence of COVID-19 and the prevalence of muscle pain, fatigue, low-grade fever, and breathing difficulties in adults (Spearman’s rho ≥0.70). Having at least one family member with a COVID-19 diagnosis, compared with none tested for SARS-CoV-2, was associated with an increased prevalence ratio of almost all COVID-19-like symptoms in adults, and only of low-grade fever (37-37.5oC; prevalence ratio 5.27; 95% confidence intervals: 2.37 to 11.74) and anosmia/dysgeusia in children. Among adults with COVID-19, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever had a sensitivity ≥70%. In individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2, with a 16.6% prevalence of COVID-19, breathing difficulties and nausea/vomiting had the highest PPVs, with point estimates close to 60%, and with NPVs close to 90%. Among tested Piedmont residents, with a COVID-19 prevalence of 18.5%, breathing difficulties and anosmia/disguesia reached PPVs above 80%.Conclusion Geographical prevalence of COVID-19-like symptoms in adults may inform on local disease clusters, while certain symptoms in family members of confirmed COVID-19 cases could help identification of the intra-familial spread of the virus and its further propagation in the community. Low-grade fever is frequent in children with at least one household member with COVID-19 and possibly indicates child infection.

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Social workers’ approaches to ethical dilemmas

Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1177/14680173211010251 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146801732110102

Author(s):

Rogelio Gómez-García ◽

Jezabel Lucas-García ◽

Siro Bayón-Calvo

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Social Workers ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Latent Class ◽

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Underlying Structure ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Study Objective ◽

Low Incidence ◽

Professional Interventions

Summary The study objective was the identification of social workers’ ethic profiles in their professional interventions. To conduct this pilot study, we used data from a national survey ( N = 1071) carried out in Spain. The information was collected through an online questionnaire. Findings Results show that social workers face a variety of ethical dilemmas in their professional practice. Through exploratory factor analysis, it was revealed that the underlying structure of the questionnaire consisted of three categories: direct service to individuals and families, design and implementation of social welfare policy and programmes and relationships among professional colleagues. Through latent class analysis, four unique social workers’ ethical profiles were identified: professionals with minimum incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas, professionals with low incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas, professionals with a notable incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas and, finally, professionals with high incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas. A third of the social workers in the sample showed a very low probability to be conflicted by ethical dilemmas. Applications The pilot study is expected to serve as a catalyst for discussion of social workers’ ethical conduct and professional practice, to promote professional ethics training and education and to support the development of professional guidelines.

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Health and social welfare professionals’ self-rated competence and feedback following a simulation-based coaching intervention in small and medium-sized enterprises

Clinical Nursing Studies ◽

10.5430/cns.v7n4p30 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Mari Helena Salminen-Tuomaala ◽

Elina Kangasluoma ◽

Kirsi Paavola ◽

Sami Perälä ◽

Sirke Uitto

Keyword(s):

Social Welfare ◽

Great Majority ◽

Development Project ◽

Learning Needs ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Electronic Learning ◽

Coaching Intervention ◽

Health And Social Care ◽

Simulation Based ◽

Social Fund

Objective: To examine how health and social welfare professionals in small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) rated their theoretical, practical, and interaction competencies following simulation-based coaching, and to collect feedback for the coaching intervention.Methods: This quantitative survey is part of a wider research and development project conducted in Finland in the years 2017-2019 with assistance from the European Social Fund and carried out in collaboration between two educational institutions. Respondents were 107 nurses and other health and social care professionals in 20 SMEs. Data collection took place using an online questionnaire in May 2019. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows 25.Results: The great majority of the participants were satisfied with the coaching intervention. Respondents rated their theoretical, practical, and interaction competencies as good. They also felt confident about their skills in learning, problem-solving, and action-based learning. Among the most salient learning needs were the use of digital tools, social media, and electronic learning environments, and the need to practice remote counseling.Conclusions: The results indicate a need to provide continuing education on information and communication technology for health and social welfare professionals in small and medium-sized companies.

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Physical Culture and Sports Activities in Self-Preserving Behavior of Students

BIO Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/bioconf/20212901002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 01002

Author(s):

Olga Pavlovna Kokoulina ◽

Yuliya Alekxandrovna Davydova ◽

Ekaterina Vladimirovna Kargapolova ◽

Oleg Nikolaevich Glazynov

Keyword(s):

Physical Education ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Physical Culture ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Eastern Health ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Sport Activities ◽

Training Exercises ◽

Sports Activities

The purpose of the research is to identify the role of physical culture and sports activities on the practice of students’ self-preservation behavior. The materials: The research was based on an online questionnaire which was held among 2503 students in REU Plekhanov (Moscow) in October 2019 under E. V. Kargapolova leadership. The results: The most common practices of self-preservation behavior are walking outside, physical education classes and regular sports. The most preferable kinds of sports for students were football, basketball and volleyball. The less preferable were Eastern health practices. Nevertheless, only half of students were regularly engaged in physical education activities. Most of respondents consider they are able to make a set of training exercises and a rational diet. Conclusions: There are several contradictions in students’ behavior values of self-preservation and their practices of sport activities. The majority of respondents understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, students do not always follow these practices in their daily routine. There is a strong correlation between their health and regular sport assessment, especially. This was due to the presence of a physical education system in higher educational institutions. That’s why universities are the most important platform for sports activities.

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Bridging the gap between real estate research and professional practice in Nigeria

Property Management ◽

10.1108/pm-12-2020-0087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Tunbosun Biodun Oyedokun ◽

Rotimi Boluwatife Abidoye ◽

Solomon Pelumi Akinbogun

Keyword(s):

Real Estate ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Academic Research ◽

Real Estate Market ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Activities ◽

Research Findings ◽

Real Estate Research ◽

The Impact

PurposeBeyond contributing to literature, research findings are expected to reinforce existing best practices while also serving as a springboard for formulating new and more efficient methods of undertaking economic activities. However, academic research is sometimes divorced from implementation and research findings are not always translated into practice. This study, therefore, assesses the impact of real estate research activities and findings on the practice of real estate surveying and valuation in Nigeria as the largest real estate market in Africa.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain relevant data from Estate Surveyors and Valuers across the country. The survey questions cover reading of academic papers from the field of real estate and the reasons for doing so; whether they have made any changes to their professional practice based on findings from academic papers; and possible barriers to adoption academic research findings in your practice. Mean score ranking and principal component analysis were employed for data analysis.FindingsOut of a total of 61 participants, only 35 have made a change to their professional practice based on findings from academic papers they have read. “Personal development and enlightenment” ranks first on the list of reasons for reading academic papers among the participants while barriers to the adoption of academic research findings relate mainly to education, dissemination and lack of guidance on how to apply research findings.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates how findings from real estate research are being applied and identifies possible barriers that must be addressed to improve the level of application and consequently, the value of academic studies.Originality/valueThe study provides evidence on barriers to the adoption of academic research and contributes to the global effort to bridge the gap between academia and practice.

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