Attitude and communication skills of German medical students

Objective While the development of communication competencies in medical schools plays a pivotal role in the curriculum, studies show that students’ communication skills and patient-centred attitudes may vary based on gender and ethnicity. The goal of this study was to investigate the socio-demographic factors that influence medical students’ communication abilities and, more specifically, to what extent their attitude toward communication skills learning and patient orientation associate with communication abilities. Our population included medical students admitted in 2017. Used tools included a communication score, the patient-provider orientation and communication skills attitudes scales. Results Three hundred and sixty-five students participated in the study (56.4% female, 85.2% German native speakers, mean age 24.2 ± 3.5 years). Female and German native speaking students had a better communication skills OSCE performance, were more patient-oriented and had more positive attitudes toward communication skills learning than male and non-native speaking students. There was a significant association between gender, native tongue, attitudes towards communication skills learning and communication skills OSCE performance. In conclusion, to support medical students to improve their communication proficiency and attitudes towards the importance of clear communication and patient-oriented care, medical educators should consider teaching and assessment strategies that address socio-cultural aspects of communication.

TRAINING OF FUTURE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS FOR IMPROVING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

The aim of the paper is to study the problem of future aircraft maintenance engineers’ training for improving professional communication. Higher aviation educational institutions ensure that graduates master communication skills and acquire communication competencies that allow them to solve typical tasks of their work. Due to internalization and globalization of aviation sphere, communication in the international airports is carried out in English. However, the level of English proficiency of future aircraft maintenance engineers is not sufficient to communicate effectively while performing professional tasks. To solve the problem the pedagogical conditions of future aircraft maintenance engineers’ training for improving professional communication are suggested (enhancing motivation to communicate through active interaction and creating situations of success in the classroom; modeling professional communicative situations to ensure the practical orientation of training; use of technological innovations for self-analysis and self-education). The defined pedagogical conditions are implemented through specially chosen methods: interactive (ice-breaking, warming up activities, training exercises, etc.), case study, role playing, ICT (based on Learning Management Systems MOODLE).

Methods of Effective Use of Films in the Formation of Linguistic and Intercultural Communication Competencies

This study presents an analysis of the theory of the development of intercultural competence and the theory of the use of films in the formation of intercultural communicative competence in teaching foreign languages, as well as approbation of the method of using films in content courses for the formation of this competence in the courses of the Kazakh language. The development of intercultural communicative competence is the development of the ability to build harmonious and productive relationships between representatives of different cultures. Intercultural competence, recognized as one of the key components of learning in the new century, increases the need to adapt teaching methods and materials in order to increase the intercultural awareness of future professionals. To be competitive in the international arena, to be ready for new opportunities and various challenges, modern young professionals need to be able to form and develop skills of interaction and cooperation in a multicultural environment, intercultural and business relations, critical thinking, and the development of skills in the use of advanced digital technologies.The results of a study conducted as part of the course “Cultural Studies and Kazakh Culture” with the participation of 45 advanced level students showed that the practice of intercultural competence develops their positive attitude towards their culture and the culture of other countries and encourages them to develop general language competence.

MODERN REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETENCIES OF SCIENTIFIC AND PEDAGOGICAL EMPLOYEES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The current state of the problem of informatization of education in Ukraine has been analyzed. It is shown that information technologies largely determine the nature and direction of higher education, and their active implementation in the educational process contributes to effective training of future competitive professionals. The main aspects of solving the problem of informatization are considered: computerization of educational institutions and acquisition of information and communication competencies by research and teaching staff of universities.

Students’ Sensemaking of Self-Other Relations in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions

This paper discusses how Malaysian university students relate to the culture of others on campus based on sensemaking. More specifically, it articulates the sensemaking idea of self-other relations in which the individuals make sense of their experiences as they interact with others, how they view others around them and the others’ responses through socialising and their reflections of such acts. The paper is driven by the idea that to be effective global citizens, students should acquire intercultural competence by understanding their own social acts through interacting with others. Such competence is witnessed and enacted during interactions with culturally diverse others. The interactions are often taken for granted given that these acts are observable only among the interlocutors. The self-other understanding in interpersonal interaction requires people to understand not only what is said and meant in the process but also how to display proper conduct in performing the acts. Drawing from a series of focus group interviews with students in three Malaysian universities, the findings reveal that these students comprehended interaction with others using the language that reflects mindful acts, varied accommodating moves and appropriate cultural mannerisms. Such findings reflect the students’ meaning making of the interactions. It reveals the ways in which the students make sense of how the interactions influenced them and the conversant partners. The paper provides some implications including the need to embrace proper communication competencies in intercultural interactions in the campus and in other social or public spheres. Keywords: Sensemaking, self-other relations, mindful language, intercultural competence, Malaysia.

The use of distance learning technologies in a pedagogical university: a comparative analysis of students’ attitude in 2020-2021

The article provides the analysis of modern trends in the development of higher pedagogical education and the influence of digitalization on the educational process in a pedagogical university. The issue of the formation of information and communication competencies of students and teaching staff in the context of digitalization is considered as well as the attitude of students towards distance and blended forms of study. The experience of implementing distance and blended learning at the Faculty of History of the Armavir State Pedagogical University in is analyzed basing on surveys carried out in 2020-2021.The results shown here serve to show us the importance and place of distance education, post-pandemic.

Beyond eyesight: communicative competence of senior high school student with visual impairment

Research on the performance of students with visual impairment based on educational setting has not been conducted. It was the purpose of this paper to find out the communicative competence of senior high school student with visual impairment. This student including his mother, teacher, classmate and schoolmate participated in the research undertaking. Case study was the mode of inquiry in this study. It utilized triangulation method such as classroom observation, interview and review of available documents. As a result of this study, it was found out that the student has high communicative competence. This means that he is competent communicator in the context in public, meeting, and group or dyad to strangers, acquaintances or friends. It was also suggested that further studies should assess the differential impact of a variety of courses on students’ communication competencies in diverse contexts and describe a communication approach to develop communicative competency of student with visual impairment.

Effects of Pet Therapy in Elderly Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders: A Brief Review

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are disturbances highly related to age. This means that, with the increasing trend in life expectancy, there is also an increase in this diagnosis, although NCDs are not exclusively found in the population over 65 years old. Likely, they will increase in the coming years together with improvements in diagnosis. In addition to the use of medicines and rehabilitative techniques, pet therapy is also used. Pet therapy makes use of animals with therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, and recreational purposes for people affected by physical, neuromotor, and psychiatric disorders. Pet therapy seems to be functional for increasing social and communication competencies, facilitating verbal and body language, increasing self-esteem, improving quality of life, and reducing anxiety/stress. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study was based on scientific papers and publications obtained from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Moreover, other articles from further cross-references were included. Specific database research criteria were (a) articles published in 2018 or later, (b) samples containing only adults over 65 years old, (c) written in English or Italian, and (d) on the topic of animal-assisted intervention. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Uncertain results were obtained. Although a positive effect was found, the included articles were of insufficient methodological rigor. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Although many studies reported positive results, these could not be generalized because of the numerous biases present (e.g., small sample size, lack of methodological rigor, lack of protocol, etc.). Future studies, therefore, should seek to address the limitations found in the analyzed studies.