An educational approach for early student self-assessment in clinical periodontology

Background Self-assessment is a mandated educational requirement for use in dental undergraduate programmes. It is weakly supported for use in early clinical training and studies are criticized for the conceptual and methodology shortfalls. The aim of the study was to compare the alignment of student self-assessment to both staff assessment and written exams in early clinical training using an educational approach. Methods In 2014-2015, 55 third-year dental students completed three educational sessions comprising of (a) classroom teaching (lecture, video) with post-lesson written exam and (b) clinical activity with student self-assessment, staff assessment and student reflection. An intra-individual analysis approach, staff validation, and student scoring standardization were implemented. Cognitive (clinical competency) and non-cognitive (professionalism) items were separated in the analyses. Results There were medium correlations (Spearman’s rho, r) between student self-assessment and staff assessment scores for cognitive items (r, 0.32) and for non-cognitive items (r, 0.44) for all three combined sessions. There were large correlations for individual sessions. Compared to the post-lesson written exam, students showed small correlation (r, 0.22, 0.29) and staff showed medium correlation (r, 0.31, 0.34) for cognitive and non-cognitive items. Students showed improvements in their mean scores for both cognitive (t-test; p > 0.05) and non-cognitive items (t-test; p = 0.000). Mean scores of students were not different statistically from that of staff (p > 0.05). Conclusions Students may adequately act as self-assessors at the beginning of their clinical work in periodontology. Self-assessment may potentially improve the clinical performance. Self-assessment may be nurtured through clear guidelines, educational training strategies, feedback and reflection leading to better evaluative judgement and lifelong learning.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Knowledge, Perception and Attitude among Italian Pediatric Dentists

Background: Pediatric dentists could play a key role in the prevention of human papilloma virus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OP-cancer). The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, perception, and attitude on HPV-related OP-cancer, HPV infection, and HPV vaccination among Italian pediatric dentists. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Pediatric dentists received, by email, a link to participate in the questionnaire online. The questionnaire comprised four parts: (i) demographic information, (ii) knowledge on HPV-related OP-cancer, HPV infection, and HPV vaccine, (iii–iiii) perceptions and attitude on HPV-related OP-cancer, HPV infection, and HPV vaccine. Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney test and Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: A total of 271 pediatric dentists completed the questionnaire. Results showed a good overall knowledge; a positive perception of their role in HPV disease prevention; a good attitude in discussing sensitive topics; a need for acquiring more information about HPV’s connection to cancer, HPV infection, and HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Improving educational training programs, as well as informing about prevention of HPV-related OP-cancer, will place pediatric dentists in the front line of HPV diseases primary prevention.

Delivering Higher Education in public Health Emergencies

With the general closure of universities and schools in Sierra Leone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital learning has become a credible alternative to maintain students in educational, training, and research links. The study responds to three primary questions: 1) What digital learning modalities have shown to be most effective for providing continuity in learning amid temporary or permanent school closures? 2) What digital learning modalities are promising for their use but evidence for their use evidence about them is still lacking? 3) What are the challenges and considerations when planning for and implementing digital learning? The study utilised qualitative research methods: interviews; focus group discussions; qualitative survey; and document reviewing. A stratified sample of 260 participants (161 male and 99 female) was randomly drawn from teachers, education officials and information technology experts. This paper provides snapshots of the different distance learning initiatives and program that have been implemented, including both the promises they offer.

Evaluation of pharmacy students’ knowledge and perceptions of transitions of care services

Introduction: Studies support incorporation of pharmacists and pharmacy students to improve health and financial outcomes during transition of care (TOC). Standardisation of TOC educational training is currently lacking in pharmacy curricula. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a convenience sample at one college of pharmacy. Students participated in an anonymous Qualtrics survey including items on TOC service understanding and educational training. Results are reported as means and standard deviation for continuous data; frequencies and percentages for categorical data. Results: Of 116 survey responses, 112 provided informed consent. Seventy-eight percent of respondents stated they have learned about TOC and 66% felt they understood what TOC entails. When asked to identify disease states commonly targeted for TOC, 77% responded incorrectly to this item. When asked to select TOC clinical activities, 66% incorrectly selected medication dispensing. Ninety-six percent of respondents replied that additional educational training on TOC would be beneficial. Conclusion: There is a discrepancy in students’ perception of TOC services with their actual knowledge of TOC services based on survey responses.

The Effect of Educational Training on Surgical Site Infection Management for Operating Room Nursing Staff

Purpose: This study tested the effectiveness of brochure- and video-based education on managing surgical site infections by operating room health personnel.Methods: From April 20 to May 4, 2021, 34 operating room health personnel were subjected to training on surgical site infection management using brochures and educational videos. A survey was then conducted on knowledge, perception, and adherence regarding surgical site infection management.Results: After receiving training on surgical site infection management, the knowledge score increased significantly (15.15±2.09 vs.19.70±1.96, p<.001). However, the perception and adherence scores were already near perfect before the intervention and did not further increase after the intervention.Conclusion: It is necessary to develop and utilize continuous and substantive educational programs to improve perception and adherence of surgical site infection management.

Knowledge and Skills on Triage among Nurses Working in Emergency Departments in Referral Hospitals in Rwanda

BackgroundUnpredictable numbers of patients attending emergency departments highlight the need for Triage. Triage which is the prioritization of patient care based on severity of illness or injury, prognosis, and availability of resources is effective when clinicians are knowledgeable and skilled to perform it.ObjectiveTo assess knowledge and skills on triage among nurses working in emergency departments of Rwandan referral hospitals.MethodsCross-sectional analytical design was adopted. ninety-six (96) nurses working in emergency departments were selected using proportionate stratified sampling method. Each hospital was considered as a stratum. A self-administered questionnaire and observation checklist were use as instruments. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used in analysis.ResultsThe majority of participants (63.6%) demonstrated low level of triage knowledge and almost a half (47.9%) of participants had low level of triage skills. Nurses experience in emergency department, level of education and triage training were not found to significantly influence triage knowledge and skills positively (P>0.05).ConclusionDeficit in triage knowledge and skills were revealed among nurses working in emergency departments in Rwanda. Accredited continuous educational training on triage should be regularly provided to enhance knowledge and skills of emergency department nurses on Triage.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):398-405

Formation of the modern paradigm of management in the legal and cultural space

Purpose of the article. The study reveals the theoretical and practical problems of implementing legal projects in Ukraine through the prism of creativity and the role of the director in the structure of legal education activities. Professional educational training of future directors is a specific educational process aimed at the development of graduates as highly experienced creative figures. The essence of the above training will allow developing in a wider range of cultures and law. It is the skillful organization of the educational and artistic process, in particular, future professionals at all stages from directing to the realization of creative vision in the student body, ultimately aimed at the development and self-realization of artistic and creative abilities of youth and their moral and ethical education. Methodology. In theoretical and methodological terms, the analyzed and presented aspects were previously presented in the works of K.S. Stanislavsky, B.E. Zakhava, I.G. Sharoev, A.A. Goncharov, and others. In higher education, all plans are needed - creative and organizational indivisible holistic learning process, which will allow students to put into practice their powerful knowledge in terms of management. Relevant approaches to their study are identified. The methodology is to find a conceptual and creative activity of the director, revealing his ability to qualitatively implement legal materials through the prism of cultural activities in the educational process, influencing in parallel and the educational component. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the disclosure of the organic combination of functions of director-creator, director-organizer, and director-manager, for the quality implementation of the legal-cultural project "I have the right". Conclusions. New forms of cultural realization are being expanded and offered to teachers, which will help in the future to answer the question of how to find creative directing techniques for implementing cultural projects together with state legal institutions, indicating the right vector of general improvement and development of society. Key words: director, director-organizer, organization management, directing practice, cultural creation, cultural space, dramatization, Ukrainian legal culture, legal consciousness, culture, legal educational activities

A Survey Study of Public Health Nurses’ Knowledge in Disaster Management in Indonesia

AIM: This descriptive survey study examines the level of public health nurses’ (PHNs) knowledge regarding disaster management. The knowledge was examined according to three disaster phases, including preparedness, response, and recovery phase. MATERIALS & METHODS: A stratified proportionate random sampling method was employed to recruit 252 PHNs of Aceh Province, Indonesia. The data were collected during November and December of 2010 by using the questionnaire developed by the researchers. They were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and minimum and maximum scores. Additional analyses were performed to identify potential contributing factors to the PHNs' knowledge using the Spearman rank correlation (rs) and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The finding showed that PHNs' knowledge in disaster management was moderate (M=70.73%, SD=8.41), and nearly half of the subjects (42.5%) were categorized in this level. The lowest mean score was found in the response phase (64.75%), and four items with the lowest percentage of correct answers were also found in this phase. CONCLUSION: The low level of knowledge for the response phase can be used to flag health policymakers and public health centers (PHC) to develop appropriate educational training and disaster drills for PHNs in collaboration with stakeholders in the community.

Modern problems of ensuring information security in the educational and pedagogical sphere

The article deals with the problems of information security and its provision in relation to society and its educational environment, processes and relations, subjects and objects. The necessity of forming the corresponding subject-information competence of subjects, personal culture of information security is shown.It is noted that the information security of educational subjects is a specific part of the general security of education as its qualitative development in the developing information society in accordance with its properties and requirements. The concept of information security in the field of education is formulated in the context of a general concept and in the aspect of its specificity in education, its educational and educational processes, as well as in the aspect of personal, psychological, age and other properties of subjects of education. This presupposes the presence of a corresponding purposefulness of general education, which also acquires the quality of informational education, and its expression in the content of education and subject-oriented educational training. In particular, this applies to the general education subject “Informatics” as the main resource of information education, in the process of forming the relevant knowledge, competencies and personal qualities.The necessity of mandatory inclusion of the relevant topics in the content of information education in the context of information security and information protection has been substantiated: the state and problems of information security, personal security; goals and objectives of information security; legal and other aspects of information protection, means of protecting electronic data in the field of education.

Intervention is Urgently Needed to Address Poor Awareness of South Asian Family Caregivers for Dementia Care: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: “The National Dementia Strategies” in Canada emphasizes improving the knowledge of formal and informal caregivers for better care for the person living with dementia. Aim: This study aimed at exploring awareness and the attitudes of South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers towards dementia care. Methods: It was purposive sampling and a qualitative study. The study included 45 family caregivers (>55 years) for the face-to-face interviews in Toronto, Ontario. The study used semi-structured questions. The duration of the data collection was between February and March 2020. Results: The study included the three areas related to dementia, such as a) the awareness of dementia, b: awareness of prevention and treatment as well as the awareness of caregivers about what is needed for better dementia care, and c) attitudes of caregivers towards dementia care. Many caregivers described dementia as memory loss and forgetfulness. According to the caregivers, anxiety, depression, and aging were the risk factors of dementia. The caregivers commonly perceived dementia as an unpreventable and incurable disease. Moreover, many caregivers did not know about the appropriate health providers who diagnosed and treated dementia, and they were not aware of non-pharmacological care of dementia. The caregivers perceived dementia as a shameful disease. They would not go for diagnosis if they had risks for dementia and would hide their dementia after diagnosis. Many caregivers confessed that training was essential to improve knowledge about dementia, but they did not want to be a caregiver for the person living with dementia. Conclusion: The South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers had not enough awareness about dementia, prevention, and treatment. Dementia was associated with shame, and they had less interest in dementia care. Urgent educational training is needed in their language to improve knowledge, reduce stigma, engage them in dementia care, and achieve the goals of the National Dementia Strategies.