Evaluating the performance of Tunisian higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISETs) using a stochastic frontier analysis.

Benefiting from low repetition and dropout rates, as well as their excellent employability rate of their students, the Higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISETs) have acquired a strategic position in the Tunisian higher education system. This paper aims to use the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) method to measure the efficiency of Tunisian Higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISETs) and to determine the factors that cause performance differences. The results indicate that ISETs appear well managed, although some of them warrant a more detailed analysis (below-average efficiency). Also, it was found that the ISETs situated in the most industrialized part of the country, the Central-East, record highest scores of efficiency, while those in the South-East show more homogeneous efficiency. The results underscore the importance of focusing support and improvement efforts on ISETs located in less developed regions or those with lower efficiency levels. Moreover, the negative relationship between the age of institutions and their efficiency suggests that reforms to institutional practices may be necessary for older establishments. Finally, institutes that are located in one of the main cities will not necessarily be more efficient than the others. The findings presented in this paper have targeted and practical implications for the development of the ISET network in Tunisia.

Insights From a New National Academies Report on Caregiving.

This Viewpoint details the findings of a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on family caregiving among those in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

Mapping of MPH programs in terms of geographic distribution across various universities and institutes of India-A desk research.

Background: Landscaping studies related to public health education in India do not exclusively focus on the most common Masters of Public Health (MPH) program. The field of public health faces challenges due to the absence of a professional council, resulting in fragmented documentation of these programs. This study was undertaken to map all MPH programs offered across various institutes in India in terms of their geographic distribution, accreditation status, and administration patterns. Methodology: An exhaustive internet search using various keywords was conducted to identify all MPH programs offered in India. Websites were explored for their details. A data extraction tool was developed for recording demographic and other data. Information was extracted from these websites as per the tool and collated in a matrix. Geographic coordinates obtained from Google Maps, and QGIS software facilitated map generation. Results: The search identified 116 general and 13 MPH programs with specializations offered by different universities and institutes across India. India is divided into six zones, and the distribution of MPH programs in these zones is as follows, central zone has 20 programs; the east zone has 11; the north zone has 35; the north-east zone has 07; the south zone has 26; and the west zone has 17 MPH programs. While 107 are university grants commission (UGC) approved universities and institutes, only 46 MPH programs are conducted by both UGC approved and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accredited universities and institutes. Five universities are categorized as central universities; 22 are deemed universities; 51 are private universities; and 29 are state universities. Nine are considered institutions of national importance by the UGC, and four institutions are recognized as institutions of eminence. All general MPH programs span 2 years and are administered under various faculties, with only 27 programs being conducted within dedicated schools or centers of public health. Conclusion: The MPH programs in India show considerable diversity in their geographic distribution, accreditation status, and administration pattern.

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #19: Breastfeeding Promotion in the Prenatal Period (Revised 2024).

Background: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine revised the 2015 version of this clinical protocol to review the evidence and provide recommendations related to breastfeeding promotion in the prenatal period. Key Information: Promoting and normalizing breastfeeding in the prenatal period can improve breastfeeding outcomes including initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Ideally, prenatal interventions should be a part of a comprehensive longitudinal breastfeeding support program. Recommendations: Clinicians or other health workers should discuss breastfeeding at each prenatal visit. Counseling topics should include the health benefits of breastfeeding versus not breastfeeding, the basics of breastfeeding (e.g., physiology, positioning), what to expect of hospital-based and immediate postpartum breastfeeding support (i.e., Baby-Friendly Ten Steps), and the risks of unnecessary supplementation. Medical, anatomical, and other risk factors for breastfeeding challenges should be identified, and targeted anticipatory guidance should be given. Prenatal counseling should include distribution of structured breastfeeding education at low literacy levels and in the parent's preferred language. Counseling should be culturally sensitive and patient-centered, including family members when appropriate. Prenatal support may integrate various health workers (e.g., medical doctors, midwives, community health workers, lactation consultants, among others) and include various modalities including telecommunication. Enhancing breastfeeding education for prenatal care providers is also imperative. Additional themes related to implementation of recommendations for specific populations are also reviewed.

[The history of the institute of higher and additional professional education of the Endocrinology Reserch Centre].

The Endocrinology Reserch Centre is proud not only of its achievements in the area of personalized approach to the examination and treatment of patients in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, the use of modern diagnostic and treatment technologies, but also of its rich history of training scientific and medical personnel. For many years the Center has been attracting the best and most talented graduates of higher medical institutions, becoming the "alma mater" for young doctors - endocrinologists, pediatric endocrinologists and nutritionists. Specialists, graduates of NMRC, make a significant contribution to the development of medicine, conducting research, creating innovative methods of treatment and helping patients not only in our country, but also abroad. However, the State Research Center of the Russian Federation FGBU «NMRC Endocrinology¼ is famous not only for its high-quality and comprehensive training, but also for its experienced, dedicated teaching staff, giving students unique opportunities for professional growth. The purpose of this article is to reflect the most important milestones in the development of education at NMIC Endocrinology, which began its formation more than a century ago, during the most difficult period of transition for our country.

A Brief Overview of the Development and Significance of Modern Scientific Medicine in China: Take Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College as an Example.

Since the early 20th century, China has gradually established a clinical, educational, and research system centered around modern scientific medicine, which has now become the dominant force in China's medical and health system and services, with the construction and development of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College as the most prominent symbol. The scientific medicine in the new era requires close cooperation across multiple disciplines and fields to build a high-quality and efficient medical and health service system. It also involves combining the excellent traditional Chinese culture with Western medicine to explore a unique path of modern scientific medicine with Chinese characteristics.

Patient engagement in a Canadian health research funding institute: implementation and impact.

BACKGROUND: Patient engagement (PE) or involvement in research is when patient partners are integrated onto teams and initiatives (not participants in research). A number of health research funding organisations have PE frameworks or rubrics but we are unaware of them applying and reporting on their own internal PE efforts. We describe our work at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR IMHA) to implement, evaluate and understand the impact of its internal PE strategy. METHODS: A co-production model was used involving patient partners, a PE specialist and staff from IMHA. A logic model was co-developed to guide implementing and evaluating IMHA's PE strategy. Some of evaluating the PE strategy and understanding its impact was a collaboration between the Public and Patient Engagement Collaborative (McMaster University) and IMHA. RESULTS: IMHA convened a PE Research Ambassador (PERA) group which co-led this work with the support of a PE specialist. In doing so, PERA had a number of meetings since 2020, set its own priorities and co-produced a number of outputs (video, publications, webinars, blog and modules called the How-to Guide for PE in Research). This work to evaluate and measure impacts of IMHA's PE strategy revealed positive results, for example, on PERA members, Institute Advisory Board members and staff, as well as beyond the institute based on uptake and use of the modules. Areas for improvement are mainly related to increasing the diversity of PERA and to improving accessibility of the PE outputs (more languages and formats). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a PE strategy within CIHR IMHA resulted in several PE activities and outputs with impacts within and beyond the institute. We provide templates and outputs related to this work that may inform the efforts of other health research funding organisations. We encourage health research funders to move beyond encouraging or requiring PE in funded projects to fully 'walk the talk' of PE by implementing and evaluating their own PE strategies.

The Italian National Institute of Health helpline to quit tobacco and nicotine dependence: 20 years of activity.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is one of the world's leading preventable causes of death and is a major preventable risk factor of non-communicable diseases. Although smokers are aware of the health risks, their attempts to quit often fail, primarily due to the strong nicotine and/or tobacco dependence. Antismoking helplines have become an integral part of tobacco control efforts in many countries. In Italy, the ISS Antismoking Helpine is active since 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The professional staff of the ISS Antismoking Helpline have gathered socio-demographic and smoking-related data via an electronic form, related to the received calls. The collected data have been processed in a dedicated database and analyzed to monitor the use and the quality of the service. In this study, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to inform about the activity of the helpline over the years. RESULTS: From May 2003 to June 2023 the helpline received 99,423 calls. Most smokers called to receive "support to quit" (82.6%). Counselling was provided in 11.4% of cases, and in the last two years has been strongly increased (40.0% of cases). The percentage of users requesting information on emerging tobacco and nicotine products is 1.2%, even if in 2023 this percentage has risen significantly (6.0%). Two legislative measures (in 2012 and in 2016) required to add the helpline number to all packets of tobacco cigarettes. Accordingly, the offer of counselling increased from 2.6% to 12.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The available resources in tobacco control, including the helpline, are still not sufficient to meet all the users needs. Adequate policies and stable funding to fight tobacco and nicotine dependence need increased commitment from government institutions to ensure equal access to treatments for all Italian citizens.

Navigating the path towards successful implementation of the EU HTA Regulation: key takeaways from the 2023 Spring Convention of the European Access Academy.

BACKGROUND: The European Regulation on Health Technology Assessment (EU HTA R), effective since January 2022, aims to harmonize and improve the efficiency of common HTA across Member States (MS), with a phased implementation from January 2025. At "midterms" of the preparation phase for the implementation of the Regulation our aim was to identify and prioritize tangible action points to move forward. METHODS: During the 2023 Spring Convention of the European Access Academy (EAA), participants from different nationalities and stakeholder backgrounds discussed readiness and remaining challenges for the Regulation's implementation and identified and prioritized action points. For this purpose, participants were assigned to four working groups: (i) Health Policy Challenges, (ii) Stakeholder Readiness, (iii) Approach to Uncertainty and (iv) Challenges regarding Methodology. Top four action points for each working group were identified and subsequently ranked by all participants during the final plenary session. RESULTS: Overall "readiness" for the Regulation was perceived as neutral. Prioritized action points included the following: Health Policy, i.e. assess adjustability of MS laws and health policy processes; Stakeholders, i.e. capacity building; Uncertainty, i.e. implement HTA guidelines as living documents; Methodology, i.e. clarify the Population, Intervention, Comparator(s), Outcomes (PICO) identification process. CONCLUSIONS: At "midterms" of the preparation phase, the focus for the months to come is on executing the tangible action points identified at EAA's Spring Convention. All action points centre around three overarching themes: harmonization and standardization, capacity building and collaboration, uncertainty management and robust data. These themes will ultimately determine the success of the EU HTA R in the long run.