Critical Issues of Working during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Italian Healthcare Workers’ Experience

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted on healthcare services’ organization and healthcare workers’ mental health, increasing the risk of psychological symptoms and burnout. Italy has been one of the most affected countries, especially the northern regions, even with exceptions in some rural provinces. Aim: We chose to investigate the mental health conditions of healthcare workers operating in the rural province of Rovigo (a small town in Veneto, northern Italy), where relatively few deaths and contagions were reported during the pandemic, even if Veneto—globally—was one of the most affected regions of Italy. We wanted to verify the psychological outcomes of health workers operating in a context where the impact of the pandemic appeared to be relatively mild. Methods: Through an online survey, we investigated perceived difficulties at work and in daily life, perceived loneliness and social support, coping strategies, and level of psychological distress (sample size: 749; mean age = 48.04 years, SD = 10.66). The questionnaire had both open- (2) and close-ended questions (5 single-choice and 13 multiple-choice). We verified possible associations between sex, age group, work department and percentage of responses with chi-square tests of independence on each question. Data cleaning excluded all contradictory answers from the multiple-choice questions from the analyses (final sample size: 640). Results: Frontliners and non-frontliners reported a similar experience of the COVID-19 pandemic (without significant differences in perceived difficulties, coping strategies and sources of support). Nevertheless, they still reported various forms of negative emotions (e.g., helplessness—40.94%; sadness—36.56%; frustration—32.66%) and lack of support from the health organization (especially frontliners—28.72%). However, psychological help was scarcely requested. Conclusions: Despite the province not being massively affected by the pandemic, healthcare workers felt the need for clearer and more supportive guidance. They seem to perceive collective opportunities to share needs and difficulties as more useful than individual interventions (as those provided by the ad hoc created listening service).

VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS OF MUSLIMS LIVING IN NORTHERN CYPRUS REGARDING FAITH TOURISM

Background and purposes: Alternative tourism activities are becoming more important for the future of Northern Cyprus. In this context, faith tourism, which has gained popularity in recent years, has special importance for Northern Cyprus, a country with essential structures of different religions. In this paper, the importance of faith tourism, which supposedly contributes to the tourism of Northern Cyprus, is revealed through the public's perspectives. Methodology: Data was collected through the questionnaire distributed to 60 respondents. The questionnaire consists of two sections; the first section includes two questions on the socio-demographic characteristics and the second section consists of 10 multiple choice questions to determine the opinions and expectations of people living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on faith tourism. Findings: It is found that the Muslim people living in Northern Cyprus have a positive view towards faith tourism, and they have general information about the sites. In addition, they are tolerant of this form of tourism. Contribution: This study is significant in terms of showing the potential of faith tourism in the Northern Cyprus. In this article, a number of suggestions have been presented on how this type of tourism can be developed, especially by taking the opinions and expectations of the people. Keywords: Tourism, faith tourism, Northern Cyprus, island, religion, Islam. Cite as: Gökbulut, B., & Yeniasır, M. (2022). Views and expectations of Muslims living in northern Cyprus regarding faith tourism. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 59-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp59-78

Promoting Critical Thinking and Learning in a Large-Enrolment Humanities Class

To promote the development of critical thinking abilities in an introductory undergraduate humanities course in the context of mass higher education, we implemented a course design that employed a series of scenario-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and informal peer discussions. Using an online survey to gather perception data and self-reported behavioral data, this study examines the extent to which the course design was effective at promoting critical thinking and student experience. Deductive analysis of students’ qualitative responses indicate that the course design was successful in promoting students’ development of critical thinking. Both deductive and inductive analysis of students’ qualitative responses also suggest that students largely had favorable attitudes towards this course design, though there are also some who express concerns. Our design may be useful for instructors and instructional designers aiming to promote critical thinking and learning in university courses.

Management of Pediatric Septic Shock and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Thailand: A Survey of Pediatricians

Introduction: Pediatric septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome (pARDS) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). While standardized guidelines for sepsis and pARDS are published regularly, their implementation and adherence to guidelines are different in resource-rich and resource-limited countries. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey to ascertain variation in current clinician-reported practice in pediatric septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the clinician skills in a variety of hospital settings throughout Thailand.Methods: We conducted an electronic survey in pediatricians throughout the country between August 2020 and February 2021 using multiple choice questions and clinical case scenarios based on the 2017 American College of Critical Care Medicine's Consensus guideline for pediatric and neonatal septic shock and the 2015 Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference.Results: The survey elicited responses from 255 pediatricians (125 general pediatricians, 38 pulmonologists, 27 cardiologists, 32 intensivists, and 33 other subspecialists), with 54.5% of the respondents having <5 years of PICU experience. Among the six sepsis scenarios, 72.5 and 78.4% of the respondents had good adherence to the guidelines for managing fluid refractory shock and sedation for intubation, respectively. The ICU physicians reported greater adherence during more complex shock. In ARDS scenarios, 80.8% of the respondents reported having difficulty diagnosing ARDS mimic conditions and used lesser PEEP than the recommendation. Acceptance of permissive hypercapnia and mild hypoxemia was accepted by 62.4 and 49.4% of respondents, respectively. The ICU physicians preferred decremental PEEP titration, whereas general pediatricians preferred incremental PEEP titration.Conclusion: This survey variation could be the result of resource constraints, knowledge gaps, or ambiguous guidelines. Understanding the perspective and rationale for variation in pediatricians' practices is critical for successful guideline implementation.

PENGARUH ICE BREAKING TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK PADA PEMBELAJARAN TEMA 8 SUB TEMA 2 KELAS II SEKOLAH DASAR

This research is motivated by the low student learning outcomes in class II thematic learning. An effort to overcome these problems is to use Ice Breaking in thematic learning. This study aims to see the effect of applying Ice Breaking on thematic learning outcomes of second grade students of SD Negeri 21 Pulau Punjung. This study uses a True Experimental Design in the form of a posttest-only control design. The population in this study were all second grade students of SD Negeri 21 Pulau Punjung. The sample in this study was taken using systematic sampling. The data collection technique was carried out by giving a posttest in the form of a written test consisting of 17 multiple choice questions and 3 description questions. The results of the t-test analysis technique showed a significance level of 0.017 <0.05 so that H0 was rejected and Ha was accepted. This means that there is an effect of applying ice breaking to the thematic learning outcomes of second grade students of SD Negeri 21 Pulau Punjung, Dharmasraya Regency.

How does Rasch modeling reveal difficulty and suitability level the fraction test question?

This article explains how to analyze test items in arithmetic operation with fractions to obtain the items' level of difficulty and fitness. Data were collected by using multiple-choice questions given to 50 fourth-grade students of an elementary school in Tasikmalaya city. The answers were then analyzed using the Rasch model and Winsteps 3.75 application, a combination of standard deviation (SD) and logit mean values (Mean). The score data of each person and question were used to estimate the pure score in the logit scale, indicating the level of difficulty of the test items. The categories were difficult (logit value +1 SD); very difficult (0.0 logit +1 SD); easy (0.0 logit -1 SD); very easy (logit value –SD). Three criteria were used to determine the level of difficulty and fitness of the questions: the Outfit Z-Standard/ZSTD value; Outfit Mean Square/MNSQ; and Point Measure Correlation. It resulted in a collection of test items suitable for use with several levels of difficulties, namely, difficult, very difficult, easy, and very easy, from the previous items, which had difficult, medium, and easy categories. Rasch model can help categorize questions and students' ability levels.

General and Paediatric Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding the use of Silver Diammine Fluoride for the Management of Dental Caries: A National Survey in the Netherlands

Background: Silver Diammine Fluoride (SDF) is a topical medication used to arrest cavitated carious lesions non-invasively. The primary aim of this research was to investigate, and analyse the relationships between; knowledge, attitudes and practices (including barriers and facilitators) as they relate to SDF use for the management of dental caries by general dental practitioners (GDPs) and paediatric dentists (PDs) in the Netherlands. A secondary aim was to explore any differences between these groups.Methods: A sample of 600 Dutch GDPs (random selection from 9,777 registered) and all 57 registered PDs were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey, consisting of four sections: 1) participant characteristics, 2) knowledge (through responses to summative questions), 3) attitudes (through agreements using 5-point Likert scale), and 4) practices, use, barriers and facilitators (through multiple choice questions). Results: Response rates were: GDPs 23% (n=140) and PDs 47% (n=27). Knowledge: out of 15 questions testing understanding of SDF, the mean correct answers were GDPs 6.7; SD 2.6 and PDs 7.4, SD 2.2 (no statistically significant differences). Mean overall attitude score showed positivity towards SDF use in both groups. Compared to GDPs, PDs were more likely to use SDF (p<0.001) and expected this to increase (p=0.03). The main barrier for users was parental acceptance (47%) and for non-users it was lack of knowledge (60%). The main facilitator for both users and non-users was gaining knowledge through courses and workshops, followed by written information leaflets about SDF for parents.Conclusions: Less than half knowledge questions about SDF were answered correctly. Despite low knowledge, attitude towards its use was positive. Practitioners believed that its use would be facilitated by professionals having more accessible information and training and by the availability of parent information leaflets. SDF was used more frequently by PDs than GDPs.

Clinical versus Dental Laboratory Survey Regarding Modern Fixed Implant Supported Prosthetic in Romania

(1) Background: The success of prosthetic treatment with implant support depends on the combined effort of the team doctor-technician, each of them being responsible for the validation of execution stages. (2) Methods: we composed an online questionnaire with 18 multiple choice questions, using the Google Forms application. It was filled out by an equal number of prosthodontic specialists and dental technicians. Differences and associations were evaluated by Likelihood Ratio test, Linear by Linear association test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Pearson Chi-Square test and the Fisher’s Exact test. (3) Results: Differences and similarities were found between the statements of prosthodontic specialists and dental technicians. Years of experience are correlated with the number of restorations, impression techniques and types of restoration (p ≤ 0.05). Similar answers for both groups were registered for preferred screw retained type of prosthetic abutment and most frequently reported complications. (4) Conclusions: The different perspectives of the two members of the prosthodontic team regarding the leading role in the treatment plan, type of abutment, impression technique and prosthetic design of implant fixed restorations has been revealed in our study. Similar education curricula and standards for continuing training courses after graduation are necessary for prosthodontic specialists and technicians in Romania.

Quizizz as Indonesian Learning Media During The COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 epidemic, this research aimed to improve students' fundamental Indonesian knowledge using Quizizz as a game-based learning tool. Description qualitative research technique. The study sample consisted of 33 students from the first semester of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program. The research instrument is multiple-choice questions about standard and non-standard words and Indonesian writing, which is included in the quizizz website. The data analysis technique was carried out in four stages; 1) data collection, data reduction; data presentation; and concluding. Based on the analysis results, it was found that the quizizz learning media in learning Indonesian can increase student interest in learning and is very effective in increasing knowledge of writing or spelling Indonesian and standard Indonesian grammar. Quizizz also prepares lecturers and students for global education expectations. Online interactive games can help enhance language education and boost digital literacy among the youth, both of which are essential for the fourth industrial revolution.