A qualitative analysis of dental professionals’ beliefs and concerns about providing aerosol generating procedures early in the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) initiated a rapid review of the evidence related to the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dental practice. To support this review, a survey was distributed to better understand the provision of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in dentistry. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to dental professionals asking about their current practice and beliefs about AGPs. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Analysis revealed confusion and uncertainty regarding mitigation of AGPs. There was also frustration and scepticism over the risk of SARS-COV-2 transmission within dental settings, the evidence underpinning the restrictions and the leadership and guidance being provided, as well as concern over financial implications and patient and staff safety. Discussion The frustration and concerns expressed by respondents mirrored findings from other recent studies and suggest there is a need for reflection within the profession so that lessons can be learned to better support staff and patients. Conclusion Understanding the profession’s views about AGP provision contributed to the SDCEP rapid review and provides insights to help inform policymakers and leaders in anticipation not only of future pandemics but in considering the success of any large scale and/or rapid organisational change.

The strength and conditioning practices and perspectives of soccer coaches and players

Strength and conditioning (S&C) is implemented across various sports and levels, but there is limited understanding of the personnel responsible for this, including their S&C practices and perspectives. Whereas recent evidence has shown that coaches and players are often tasked with the responsibility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate: 1) the personnel responsible for delivering S&C across different levels of soccer, 2) the practices and perspectives of soccer coaches and players, and 3) to ascertain whether the practices employed align with contemporary evidence and guidelines. Forty-two soccer coaches and 30 soccer players completed an online survey with six sections: (a) informed consent, (b) background information, (c) education, qualifications, and prescription, (d) views on S&C, (e) exercise selection and preferences, and (f) issues and improvements. Frequency analysis was used to report responses to fixed-response questions and thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Most respondents reported S&C to be ‘important’ to ‘very important’ for all soccer, physical fitness, and injury parameters, with perspectives being predominantly aligned with S&C guidelines and research in soccer. Although S&C coaches were mostly responsible for delivering S&C sessions, over 60% of respondents disclosed S&C sessions were delivered independently or by support staff. This is problematic given only four coaches held S&C qualifications, and issues and improvements were mostly regarding a lack of S&C expertise and education. This study provides valuable information for S&C and soccer organizations. Particularly regarding the additional support required to ensure those responsible for delivering S&C in soccer have the appropriate knowledge and qualifications.

Rare health conditions 54: arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Edwards syndrome, and offering spiritual support

The purpose of this series is to highlight a range of rare health conditions. Rare health conditions are those that affect no more and usually fewer than 1 person in every 2000 and many HCAs and nurses will encounter some of these conditions, given the high number of them. This 54th article will examine two of these conditions, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and Edwards syndrome, along with an exploration of the idea of support staff offering spiritual support to those with rare health conditions and their families.

Identifying Common Student Experiences That Affect Success in a Crisis Context (COVID-19)

Learning experiences and educational opportunities around the world have been disrupted due to the outbreak of COVID-19. This chapter outlines a case study involving foundation-level students enrolled at an urban university in Aotearoa New Zealand. The case study is designed to gain a deeper understanding of student experiences during this time of crisis. Student narratives are analysed to identify common experiences and gain a clearer understanding of the self-reported factors that students identified as affecting their success, allowing academic and support staff to improve the pre-degree experience for foundation students. Affordable access to connectivity, increased pastoral care, and a digitally responsive curriculum were identified as key considerations to addressing inequities present in a crisis context (COVID-19) within the educational context and wider community.

“Everyone Thought My Library Assistant was My Mum”. Visually Impaired and Blind Students’ Experiences of Interactions with Support and Other Staff in Higher Education.

This article explores visually impaired (vi) and blind students’ experiences of support as an undergraduate student in UK higher education (he) by focusing specifically on relationships and interactions between vi and blind students and support staff within Higher Education. Participants within this research show how their experiences highlight an uneven and often exclusionary Higher Education landscape. Constructions of disability and impairment show a complex relationship between support provision as it is offered and experienced. The findings overall suggest the experience of support is more than the placing together of student and support worker and concerns the management of this relationship, particularly around underlying assumptions about being vi. Support is not unnecessary or unwelcome, instead, the complexity of the relationship, the additional work associated with support experienced by these students, combine to shape academic experience.

Attitudes and Behaviors of Health Care Professionals Towards Preventive Measures Against COVID-19

The purpose of this study is that healthcare professionals play the most significant role in tackling pandemic COVID-19 and are considered as the most vulnerable and at-risk population for infection. An effective response to a pandemic depends on the attitudes and behaviors of physicians, nursing, staff, lab technicians, and other support staff. The study was conducted to explore the attitudes and behaviors of health care professionals towards preventive measures against COVID-19. The study was designed following the positivistic research paradigm hence cross-sectional survey research was selected as the most appropriate design. For the purpose of data collection, a self-administered structured questionnaire was developed and used. The survey was conducted during the month of March 2020 in Punjab through an online data collection method from 150 health care professionals working in various public sector hospitals in Punjab. The questionnaire was uploaded on the survey monkey website and shared on various social media platforms to collect data in order to get responses. Results show that self-reported anxiety level is high among physicians and nurses as compared to technical and support staff. Data shows that there are significant differences in attitudes and behaviors towards preventive measures against pandemic COVID-19 between physicians and nurses especially about the adoption of various techniques for improving immunity. It was also found that there are significant attitudinal and behavioral differences according to sex, region of residence, and marital status of health care professionals.

Perceptions of professional soccer coaches, support staff and players toward virtual reality and the factors that modify their intention to use it

A small evidence base supports the use of virtual reality in professional soccer, yet there is a lack of information available on perceptions and desire to use the technology from those employed at professional soccer clubs. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare and quantify the perceptions of virtual reality use in soccer, and to model behavioural intentions to use this technology. This study surveyed the perceptions of coaches, support staff, and players in relation to their knowledge, expectations, influences and barriers of using virtual reality via an internet-based questionnaire. To model behavioural intention, modified questions and constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology were used, and the model was analysed through partial least squares structural equation modelling. Respondents represented coaches and support staff (n = 134) and players (n = 64). All respondents generally agreed that virtual reality should be used to improve tactical awareness and cognition, with its use primarily in performance analysis and rehabilitation settings. Generally, coaches and support staff agreed that monetary cost, coach buy-in and limited evidence base were barriers towards its use. In a sub-sample of coaches and support staff without access to virtual reality (n = 123), performance expectancy was the strongest construct in explaining behavioural intention to use virtual reality, followed by facilitating conditions (i.e., barriers) construct which had a negative association with behavioural intention. Virtual reality has the potential to be a valuable technology within professional soccer although several barriers exist that may prevent its widespread use.

Spanish Validation of the Emotional Reactions to Challenging Behaviours Scale in Employees Working with People Exhibiting Intellectual Disabilities

The Emotional Reactions to Challenging Behaviours Scale (ERCBS) was designed to evaluate the emotional states of support staff facing challenging behaviours from recipients. Employees working with People Exhibiting Intellectual Disability (PEIDs) are exposed to challenging behaviours. Exposure to challenging behaviours can affect the occupational well-being of these employees. It is thus important for investigators to have instruments assessing employees’ emotional reactions to challenging behaviours reliably and validly. In this study, we translated the ERCBS into Spanish and inquired into the psychometric and structural properties of the adapted instrument. We relied on a sample of 232 employees working with PEIDs. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the ERCBS was best modelled as a two-factor measure involving a negative emotion factor and a positive emotion factor. The two factors were highly correlated (0.547), suggesting that a distinction between “emotional” and “non-emotional” individuals might be relevant when using the ERCBS. Alpha and omega reliabilities were satisfactory. ERCBS scores did not differ between men and women. ERCBS scores correlated negatively with participants’ age and years of service with PEIDs. Our study suggests that the Spanish version of the ERCBS can be used to assess emotional reactions to challenging behaviours among employees working with PEIDs.

Respect, Relationships and “Just Spending Time with Them”: Critical Elements for Engaging Aboriginal Students in Primary School Education

While disparities in educational outcomes for Aboriginal children have narrowed in early childhood education and for Year 12 completions, these positive trends are not replicated in the intervening years where attendance, reading, writing, and numeracy targets have been missed. Erratic attendance in the primary years has the greatest impact on achievement; literacy and numeracy scores decline as absences increase. Family functioning and health, caregiver expectations, past encounters with the education system and socio-economic disadvantage are all implicated in poorer rates of attendance. In response to community concerns, an Aboriginal/mainstream partnership was forged in 2011 and began work in 2016 to address patterns of attendance and achievement among Aboriginal primary students in a regional city in Western Australia. This paper describes the innovative, community-led “More Than Talk” program and presents findings from teaching and support staff interviews two years after implementation. Qualitative methods were employed to analyse the data, develop themes, and ensure rigour. Findings highlighted the cascading impact of erratic attendance and the role of strong relationships, respect, and investment of time with children as critical elements in student engagement and wellbeing. Community-led, collaborative educational programs have the potential to positively impact Aboriginal students’ engagement and contribute to culturally responsive environments. If sustained, such efforts can enable learning to flourish.