Effective & Efficient Implementation of OBE Framework within Constrained Pakistani Environment to Attain Desired Learning Outcomes

Outcome-based-education (OBE) is an educational theory that bases each part of an educational system around goals (outcomes). Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) introduced the OBE in Pakistani engineering higher-education-institutions (HEIs),from 2018, in the replacement of previously followed Syllabus& Curriculum based education system. Key to success of OBE System is its continuous-quality-improvement (CQI) mechanism. The CQI mechanism design should be based on accurate assessment process and flawless evaluation of OBE System parameters; otherwise the OBE System’s benefits cannot be achieved. However, some HEIs have not devised an effective CQI mechanism and they still using classical procedures and academic tools in implementation of the OBE Framework, which cannot give desired results from the new System. This paper presents that; instead of presently employed loose-control, a modified stringent control strategy for academic activity and employment of latest technology, can make the CQI mechanism, more effective and efficient. This paper therefore presents a two-fold contribution. At first, the implementation problems of the OBE System are critically analyzed. Secondly, few modifications in the existing approaches have been introduced to achieve the desired results from the recently adopted OBE system.

Integration of Medication Safety Training and Development of a Culture of Safety in Pharmacy Education

Medication safety events with the potential for patient harm do occur in health care settings. Pharmacists are regularly tasked with utilizing their medication knowledge to optimize the medication use process and reduce the likelihood of error. To prepare for these responsibilities in professional practice, it is important to introduce patient safety principles during educational experiences. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) have set forth accreditation standards focused on the management of medication use processes to ensure these competencies during pharmacy didactic learning and postgraduate training. The experience described here provides perspective on educational and experiential opportunities across the continuum of pharmacy education, with a focus on a relationship between a college of pharmacy and healthcare system. Various activities, including discussions, medication event reviews, audits, and continuous quality improvement efforts, have provided the experiences to achieve standards for these pharmacy learners. These activities support a culture of safety from early training.

Taguchi Philosophy of Engineering Quality

Most technology development engineers use traditional reliability engineering methods to calibrate the objective functions of their new systems to meet various marketing requirements. Quality is related to products and services to customer satisfaction. Cost reduction and quality improvement is vital to business. Therefore it is no surprise that both consumers and management are so obsessed with the term quality that a separate branch of quality engineering has been developed. Quite a few glorified terminologies have cropped up such as total quality management (TQM), Quality Function Development (QFD), ISO9000, Continuous quality improvement or KAIZEN, and more popularly six sigma design. These are management-oriented and rather incomprehensible to an average engineer. In contrast, Taguchi methods are easier to comprehend and adopt. They are also based on some common sense ideas. The management's interest was evoked owing to the claimed economic consequences of Taguchi methods of reduced cost with improved quality and consequent consumer satisfaction.

Systematic review of performance-enhancing health worker supervision approaches in low- and middle-income countries

Background The strength of a health system—and ultimately the health of a population—depends to a large degree on health worker performance. However, insufficient support to build, manage and optimize human resources for health (HRH) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) results in inadequate health workforce performance, perpetuating health inequities and low-quality health services. Methods The USAID-funded Human Resources for Health in 2030 Program (HRH2030) conducted a systematic review of studies documenting supervision enhancements and approaches that improved health worker performance to highlight components associated with these interventions’ effectiveness. Structured by a conceptual framework to classify the inputs, processes, and results, the review assessed 57 supervision studies since 2010 in approximately 29 LMICs. Results Of the successful supervision approaches described in the 57 studies reviewed, 44 were externally funded pilots, which is a limitation. Thirty focused on community health worker (CHW) programs. Health worker supervision was informed by health system data for 38 approaches (67%) and 22 approaches used continuous quality improvement (QI) (39%). Many successful approaches integrated digital supervision technologies (e.g., SmartPhones, mHealth applications) to support existing data systems and complement other health system activities. Few studies were adapted, scaled, or sustained, limiting reports of cost-effectiveness or impact. Conclusion Building on results from the review, to increase health worker supervision effectiveness we recommend to: integrate evidence-based, QI tools and processes; integrate digital supervision data into supervision processes; increase use of health system information and performance data when planning supervision visits to prioritize lowest-performing areas; scale and replicate successful models across service delivery areas and geographies; expand and institutionalize supervision to reach, prepare, protect, and support frontline health workers, especially during health emergencies; transition and sustain supervision efforts with domestic human and financial resources, including communities, for holistic workforce support. In conclusion, effective health worker supervision is informed by health system data, uses continuous quality improvement (QI), and employs digital technologies integrated into other health system activities and existing data systems to enable a whole system approach. Effective supervision enhancements and innovations should be better integrated, scaled, and sustained within existing systems to improve access to quality health care.

Auditing integrated stroke care to support quality improvement activities: development of a peer-to-peer audit framework

PurposeTo organize stroke care, multiple stakeholders work closely together in integrated stroke care services (ISCS). However, even a well-developed integrated care program needs a continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycle. The current paper aims to describe the development of a unique peer-to-peer audit framework, the development model for integrated care (DMIC), the Dutch stroke care standard and benchmark indicators for stroke.Design/methodology/approachA group of experts was brought together in 2016 to discuss the aims and principles of a national audit framework. The steering group quality assurance (SGQA) consisted of representatives of a diversity of professions in the field of stroke care in the Netherlands, including managers, nurses, medical specialists and paramedics.FindingsAuditors, coordinators and professionals evaluated the framework, agreed on that the framework was easy to use and valued the interesting and enjoyable audits, the compliments, feedback and fruitful insights. Participants consider that a quality label may help to overcome necessity issues and have health care insurers on board. Finally, a structured improvement plan after the audit is needed.Originality/valueAn audit offers fruitful insights into the functioning of an ISCS and the collaboration therein. Best practices and points of improvement are revealed and can fuel collaboration and the development of partnerships. Innovative cure and care may lead to an increasing area of support among professionals in the ISCS and consequently lead to improved quality of delivered stroke care.

Designing and Implementing e-School Systems: An Information Systems Approach to School Management of a Community College in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Purpose–Colleges and Universities have been established to provide educational services to the people. Like any other organization, the school has processes and procedures similar to business or industry that involve admissions, processing of data, and generation of reports. Those processes are made possible through a centralized system in storing, processing, and retrieval of data and information, the majority of the schools in the country are already adopting computer-based systems to address their needs especially on their student and school-related transactions. The absence of a computer system and the complexity of the transactions of the college which makes the personnel be loaded with paper works in storingand keeping student records and information is the motivating factor why the School Management Information System has been designed and developed for a community college in the northern part of Mindanao.Method-This paper discusses the Major Functionalities and Modules of the systemthroughits implementation methodology which is the AgileModel and its impact on the delivery of services and procedures in the overall operation of the college.Results–The project has been evaluated based on ISO 25010,a quality model used for product/software quality evaluation systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, SMIS has been Functional, Usable, and Reliable with an average for every criterion above 4.04indicating very good performance based on a Likert scale descriptive interpretation.Conclusion–Based on the preceding findings of the study, the respondents agreed that the developed e-school system was functional and lifted the transaction process of the school. The faculty and staff have benefited from making use of the system. The overall quality and performance of the system was verygood in terms of functionality, usability, andreliability.Recommendations–It is recommended that future development such as the smartphone and tablet-based attendance monitoring should be integrated, a kiosk for grades and schedule viewing should also be placed inside the campus that is connected to the database server. Online student information systems should also be developed for the benefit of the students and parents, in easily monitoring school-related activities and requirements.Research Implications–The study enabled the centralization of school and student data in storing, processing and retrieval. The System has been implemented in the college and has been updated now and then for continuous quality improvement.

High-Stakes Assessments in Online Competency-Based Higher Education

Assessment is the cornerstone of competency-based higher education because the outcome of the assessment ultimately determines whether the student has demonstrated competence in a job-related skill and is thus able to advance in one's career. As a result, the assessment development process must be sufficiently thorough and data-driven to produce high quality assessments. To address concerns and changes in higher education, a multi-stage, longitudinal assessment development cycle is proposed. In Stage 1, assessment specifications and design are established. Stage 2 culminates in the building of assessment forms and standard setting. Stage 3 involves administration and scoring of assessments. Stage 4 focuses on evaluating the validity of assessments via several assessment quality indicators (AQIs). Finally, these stages repeat over time due to a variety of factors such as aberrations in the AQI metrics and the results of large-scale validity studies, resulting in continuous quality improvement of assessments.

Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning based Information Retrieval Framework for Assessing Students Performance

Improving the quality of education is a challenging activity in every educational institution. Through this research paper, a model has been proposed representing the challenges in order to manage the trade-off to maintain the philosophy of continuous quality improvement and strict control based on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Several standards criteria, performance parameters, and Key Performance Indicators are studied and suggested for a quality self-assessment approach. After the data is collected, the significant features are selected for analysis of data using dedicated gain, which are designed by integrating the information gain and the dedicated weight constants. After that, deep learning methodologies like regression analysis, the artificial neural network, and the Matlab model are used for evaluating the academic quality of institutions. Finally, areas of development have been recommended using the probabilistic model to the administrators of the institutions based on the prediction made using a deep neural network.

Critical Factors in Process Quality of Engineering Construction Projects during Building Design Phase

Quality in construction is an important topic in the design phase due to the quick change in technological advancement. The current study focuses on the identification, measurement, and analysis of the critical elements which impact the process quality of building construction projects during the design stage in Pakistan. Elements were graded using the conservative Relative Importance Index (RII) and Grey Absolute Decision Analysis (GADA). The findings indicate that during the design phase, the critical element impacting process quality is the quality of codes and standards and was facilitated using a questionnaire survey. Similarly, the teamwork of parties in design firms and constructability analysis of the design are key factors during the design phase in Pakistan. Measures for the improvement of process quality in Pakistan were suggested. The building construction projects need to be modified to cover the important aspects of constructability analysis, continuous working on training programs, and many other related activities. These are performed through a proper commitment to continuous quality improvement in building construction projects. The results are important for improving process quality during the construction projects' design phase.