Technology and Access to Healthcare with Different Scheduling Systems: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: Online consultation scheduling is increasingly common in health services across various countries. This paper reviews articles published in the past five years and reflects on the risks and benefits of this practice, linking it to a recent Portuguese pilot project. METHODS: A search for articles from Web of Science and Scopus published since 2018 was conducted using the terms "online scheduling," "online booking," and "consultations." This search was completed in the last week of 2023. RESULTS: Out of 64 articles retrieved, 26 were relevant to the topic. These articles were reviewed, and their main findings, along with those from other relevant sources, were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Several limitations of online consultations were identified, encompassing ethical, clinical, and economic aspects. While these consultations tend to be less expensive, their accessibility varies based on factors such as the users' age, whether they reside in rural or urban areas, and the technological capabilities of different countries, indicating that access disparities may continue to widen. Confidentiality concerns also arise, varying by medical specialty, along with issues related to payment. Overall, however, both users and health professionals view the advent of online consultation booking positively. In conclusion, despite the risks identified, online consultation booking has the potential to enhance user access to health services, provided that usage limitations and technological disparities are addressed. Research production has not kept pace with rapid technological advancements.

User perceptions and utilisation of features of an AI-enabled workplace digital mental wellness platform 'mindline at work'.

BACKGROUND: The working population encounters unique work-related stressors. Despite these challenges, accessibility to mental healthcare remains limited. Digital technology-enabled mental wellness tools can offer much-needed access to mental healthcare. However, existing literature has given limited attention to their relevance and user engagement, particularly for the working population. AIM: This study aims to assess user perceptions and feature utilisation of mindline at work, a nationally developed AI-enabled digital platform designed to improve mental wellness in the working population. METHODS: This study adopted a mixed-methods design comprising a survey (n=399) and semistructured interviews (n=40) with office-based working adults. Participants were asked to use mindline at work for 4 weeks. We collected data about utilisation of the platform features, intention for sustained use and perceptions of specific features. RESULTS: Participants under 5 years of work experience reported lower utilisation of multimedia resources but higher utilisation of emotion self-assessment tools and the AI chatbot compared with their counterparts (p<0.001). The platform received a moderate level of satisfaction (57%) and positive intention for sustained use (58%). Participants regarded mindline at work as an 'essential' safeguard against workplace stress, valuing its secure and non-judgmental space and user anonymity. However, they wanted greater institutional support for office workers' mental wellness to enhance the uptake. The AI chatbot was perceived as useful for self-reflection and problem-solving, despite limited maturity. CONCLUSION: Identifying the unique benefits of specific features for different segments of working adults can foster a personalised user experience and promote mental well-being. Increasing workplace awareness is essential for platform adoption.

Investigating Patient Use and Experience of Online Appointment Booking in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Online appointment booking is a commonly used tool in several industries. There is limited evidence about the benefits and challenges of using online appointment booking in health care settings. Potential benefits include convenience and the ability to track appointments, although some groups of patients may find it harder to engage with online appointment booking. We sought to understand how patients in England used and experienced online appointment booking. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe and compare the characteristics of patients in relation to their use of online appointment booking in general practice and investigate patients' views regarding online appointment booking arrangements. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study set in English general practice comprising a retrospective analysis of the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) and semistructured interviews with patients. Data used in the retrospective analysis comprised responses to the 2018 and 2019 GPPS analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression. Semistructured interviews with purposively sampled patients from 11 general practices in England explored experiences of and views on online appointment booking. Framework analysis was used to allow for comparison with the findings of the retrospective analysis. RESULTS: The retrospective analysis included 1,327,693 GPPS responders (2018-2019 combined). We conducted 43 interviews with patients with a variety of experiences and awareness of online appointment booking; of these 43 patients, 6 (14%) were from ethnic minority groups. In the retrospective analysis, more patients were aware that online appointment booking was available (581,224/1,288,341, 45.11%) than had experience using it (203,184/1,301,694, 15.61%). There were deprivation gradients for awareness and use and a substantial decline in both awareness and use in patients aged >75 years. For interview participants, age and life stage were factors influencing experiences and perceptions, working patients valued convenience, and older patients preferred to use the telephone. Patients with long-term conditions were more aware of (odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% CI 1.41-1.44) and more likely to use (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.63-1.67) online appointment booking. Interview participants with long-term conditions described online appointment booking as useful for routine nonurgent appointments. Patients in deprived areas were clustered in practices with low awareness and use of online appointment booking among GPPS respondents (OR for use 0.65, 95% CI 0.64-0.67). Other key findings included the influence of the availability of appointments online and differences in the registration process for accessing online booking. CONCLUSIONS: Whether and how patients engage with online appointment booking is influenced by the practice with which they are registered, whether they live with long-term conditions, and their deprivation status. These factors should be considered in designing and implementing online appointment booking and have implications for patient engagement with the wider range of online services offered in general practice.

An online glaucoma educational course for patients to facilitate remote learning and patient empowerment.

In both face-to-face and teleophthalmology glaucoma clinics, there are significant time constraints and limited resources available to educate the patient and their carers regarding the glaucoma condition. Glaucoma patients are often not satisfied with the content and amount of information they receive and have demonstrated a substantial lack of knowledge regarding their condition. Innovative educational tools that facilitate accessible digital remote patient education can be a powerful adjunct to empower patients in becoming healthcare partners.We describe the development of a free, comprehensive, multimodal online glaucoma patient education course for adults with glaucoma, their family and friends and carers, with the aim of providing a readable resource to aid remote learning and understanding of the condition.The working group for the development of the course comprised of consultants, medical practitioners and education specialists and expert patients. Given the specialised nature of ophthalmology and glaucoma, certain aspects can be difficult to conceptualise, and, therefore, clear and adequate explanations of concepts are provided in the course using diagrams, flow charts, medical illustrations, images, videos, written text, analogies and quizzes.The course is available in a short and long version to suit different learning needs which take approximately 2 hours and 10 hours to complete respectively. The contents list allows course takers to find sections relevant to them and it can be taken anywhere, as long as there is Internet access.We invite you to share this resource with your patients and their families, friends and carers.

Association Between Nursing Discussions, Resilience, Workplace Social Support and Burnout: A Quantitative Study in Japan.

Background: Although it is known that resilience is negatively associated with burnout, and that certain interventions can effectively increase resilience, little is known about online resilience-enhancing interventions during the COVID-19 crisis. The aim of this study was to identify the association between an online resilience-enhancing intervention and workplace social support, and burnout among nurses working in the mainland and remote islands of Japan during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: Pretest-posttest was conducted between April 2020 and February 2021, and the questionnaire survey included the bidimensional resilience scale, the Japanese version of Pine's Burnout Measure, and the workplace social support scale. Changes in burnout, resilience, and social support and the associations with nursing discussions as intervention were analyzed. Participants were 98 Nurses with 1 to 10 years of experience from Japan's mainland and remote island hospitals of Kagoshima Prefecture participated in a baseline survey in April 2020. Of these, 76 participated in a secondary survey in September 2020, and 69 participated in the intervention program and a third survey in February 2021. The online intervention over Zoom consisted of small-group nursing discussions based on the broaden-and-build theory. Results: Changes in burnout showed a significant negative association with change in workplace social support (Coef. = -0.019, 95% CI -0.035- -0.003), as did the interaction between change in acquired resilience and intervention (Coef. = -0.088, 95% CI -0.164- -0.011). Conclusion: Change in workplace social support was significantly negatively associated with changes in burnout, as was the interaction of intervention and acquired resilience. Promotion of this intervention and making workplace social support more accessible may contribute to reduce burnout in nurses.

Novas Pontes na Escuta: Laços e Territórios Virtuais no Cuidado dos Migrantes e Refugiados / New Device of Therapeutic Listening: Virtual Bonds and Territories in the Care of Migrants / Nuevos Puentes en la Escucha: Vínculos y Territorios Virtuales en la Atención a Migrantes

experiência do Projeto Ponte no atendimento de grupos terapêuticos online mostra a potência deste dispositivo no atendimento aos migrantes; nosso projeto defronte à pandemia teve de se adaptar a novos parâmetros no atendimento virtual. Participamos de uma rede de serviços específica ao público migrante, essencial na pandemia de COVID-19, para o apoio e continuidade do trabalho. As referências do projeto são: o conceito de interculturalidade, o atendimento grupal no formato slow open, a língua portuguesa e a psicanálise de grupos e vínculos. Nos atendimentos clínicos com migrantes, consideramos os processos de ruptura da migração, a dupla pertença aos países de origem e destino, bem como a dificuldade de se instalar no país de destino, a estranheza da experiência e o lugar de estrangeiro que o migrante ocupa. Por isso adotamos o dispositivo grupal, onde o migrante encontra um lugar para a construção e elaboração da migração, bem como para estabelecer uma possível pertença.

The experience of Ponte Project in attending therapeutic groups online shows the power that this device provokes in attending migrants; this work with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic had to adapt to the new parameters of virtual therapy. We also participate in a network in the psychological consultation of the migrant public, essential for the continuity of the project's work. The theoretical framework of the project has always been based on: the concept of interculturality, a slow-open group, Portuguese language and Psychoanalysis with groups and bonds. In clinical sessions with the migrants we will consider the processes of rupture caused by migration, the double belonging, as well as the difficulty of settling in the country of destination, all the strangeness caused by this experience and also the place of foreigner that the migrant occupies. That is why we chose to work with groups, where the migrant finds a place to elaborate the effects of migration, in addition to establishing a possible place of belonging.

La experiencia del Proyecto Puente en la atención terapéutica grupal en línea muestra la potencia de este dispositivo en la atención a migrantes. Nuestro proyecto, frente a la pandemia, tuvo que adaptarse a los nuevos parámetros para la atención virtual. Participamos en una red de servicios específicos para el público migrante, esencial en la pandemia del COVID-19, para brindar apoyo y continuidad al trabajo. Las referencias del proyecto son: el concepto de interculturalidad, la atención grupal en el formato slow open, la lengua portuguesa, el psicoanálisis de grupo y los vínculos. En las sesiones clínicas con migrantes consideramos los procesos de ruptura de la migración, la doble pertenencia a los países de origen y destino, la dificultad de integración en el país de destino, la extrañeza de la experiencia y el lugar de extranjero que ocupa el migrante. Por eso adoptamos el dispositivo grupal, donde el migrante encuentra un lugar para la construcción y elaboración de la experiencia migratoria, permitiéndole así establecer una posible pertenencia.

Training and implementation of handheld ultrasound technology at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana: a virtual learning cohort study

A virtual point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education program was initiated to introduce handheld ultrasound technology to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana, a low-resource setting. We studied ultrasound competency and participant satisfaction in a cohort of 20 physicians-in-training through the urology clinic. The program consisted of a training phase, where they learned how to use the Butterfly iQ ultrasound, and a mentored implementation phase, where they applied their skills in the clinic. The assessment was through written exams and an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE). Fourteen students completed the program. The written exam scores were 3.36/5 in the training phase and 3.57/5 in the mentored implementation phase, and all students earned 100% on the OSCE. Students expressed satisfaction with the program. Our POCUS education program demonstrates the potential to teach clinical skills in low-resource settings and the value of virtual global health partnerships in advancing POCUS and minimally invasive diagnostics.

SupportPrim-a computerized clinical decision support system for stratified care for patients with musculoskeletal pain complaints in general practice: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders represented 149 million years lived with disability world-wide in 2019 and are the main cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Current treatment recommendations are based on "one-size fits all" principle, which does not take into account the large degree of biopsychosocial heterogeneity in this group of patients. To compensate for this, we developed a stratified care computerized clinical decision support system for general practice based on patient biopsychosocial phenotypes; furthermore, we added personalized treatment recommendations based on specific patient factors to the system. In this study protocol, we describe the randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of computerized clinical decision support system for stratified care for patients with common musculoskeletal pain complaints in general practice. The aim of this study is to test the effect of a computerized clinical decision support system for stratified care in general practice on subjective patient outcome variables compared to current care. METHODS: We will perform a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 44 general practitioners including 748 patients seeking their general practitioner due to pain in the neck, back, shoulder, hip, knee, or multisite. The intervention group will use the computerized clinical decision support system, while the control group will provide current care for their patients. The primary outcomes assessed at 3 months are global perceived effect and clinically important improvement in function measured by the Patient-Specific Function Scale (PSFS), while secondary outcomes include change in pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (0-10), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), general musculoskeletal health (MSK-HQ), number of treatments, use of painkillers, sick-leave grading and duration, referral to secondary care, and use of imaging. DISCUSSION: The use of biopsychosocial profile to stratify patients and implement it in a computerized clinical decision support system for general practitioners is a novel method of providing decision support for this patient group. The study aim to recruit patients from May 2022 to March 2023, and the first results from the study will be available late 2023. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered in ISRCTN 11th of May 2022: 14,067,965.

Online practical assessment in biochemistry designed on Bloom's taxonomy to assess the student's competency: Prior exposure of the students to online tools beneficial.

Online assessments are needed during the prevailing pandemic situation to continue educational activities while ensuring safety. After conducting the online practical assessment (OPrA) in Biochemistry, we analyzed the students' responses. The blueprint of the OPrA was prepared by the faculty, referring to the various levels and domains of Bloom's taxonomy. Four components were chosen for the online assessment: digital spotters, enumerating the steps of objective structured practical examination, interpretation of quantitative estimation, and case discussion. Each faculty assessed about 12-13 students in separate breakout rooms over 15-20 min on all four components. Feedback on the conduct of the examination was collected from the students and faculty anonymously and analyzed. Out of the 200 students who attended the online assessment, only one scored less than 50%, majority of them scored between 71% and 90%. Under the individual exercises, the average score of students in "Spotters" was 9.8 out of 10; in "OSPE," 8.7 out of 10; in "Quantitative experiments," 15.2 out of 20 and in "Case discussion," 22.4 out of 30. Around 20% had previous experience attending the OPrA. They differed in their opinion from the rest of the students on five aspects; time allotted for the assessment (p value = 0.02, χ2  = 5.07), students using unfair means during the online viva (p value = 0.02, χ2  = 5.57), their computing skills (p value = 0.001, χ2  = 19.82), their performance (p value = 0.001, χ2  = 8.84), and overall conduct of the examination (p value = 0.001, χ2  = 15.55). OPrA tools may be designed referring to Bloom's taxonomy, and prior exposure to the online tools may benefit the students.

[Diagnostic delay in rare diseases: between fear and resilience]. / Demora diagnóstica en enfermedades raras: entre el miedo y la resiliencia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of diagnosis delay in rare diseases and analyze psychosocial needs related to this delay in patients. METHOD: The qualitative approach has been used by conducting online group interviews with patients and family members in the Valencian Region (Spain) and a content analysis has been carried out. Two categories were differentiated: with diagnostic delay of 1 year or more and without diagnostic delay. Five interviews were conducted with a total of 25 participants. RESULTS: The content analysis showed unequal aspects vs. common aspects, in persons with or without diagnostic delay. People with delay expressed the need to feel supported in order to live with continuous uncertainty. People without delay verbalized the importance of adequate communication between patients and professionals. The problems by the COVID-19 were common in both groups; the participants expressed that they did not feel unattended in their disease by the health services. CONCLUSIONS: High resilience and coping capacity has been identified in people with rare disease, regardless of whether they have suffered diagnostic delay or not. The professional psychosocial support during the diagnostic process of these rare diseases is essential.

Semantic analysis of words for the Virtual Tool for Speech Assessment / Análise semântica de palavras do Instrumento Virtual de Avaliação da Fala

ABSTRACT Purpose: to carry out the semantic analysis of a list of words that will compose a virtual tool for speech assessment for children and adolescents. Methods: twenty-three participants, aged between 2 years old and 17 years and 11 months old, from the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, assigned the concept of 91 words. Data analysis was performed quantitatively, considering the concept of each word as correct or incorrect. Content Validity Ratio (RVC) and Gwet's first-order agreement coefficient (AC1) statistical calculation were calculated. Results: from the word list analyzed, 42 stimuli presented CVR = 1; 30 words obtained CVR = 0.9; 11 with CVR = 0.8; six with CVR = 0.7; two had CVR = 0.4. Gwet's AC1 statistical calculation resulted in AC1 = 0.92 [CI = 0.90 - 0.94] for semantic analysis. Conclusion: the list consisted of 91 semantically validated words that can be used to assess the speech production of children and adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar a análise semântica da lista de palavras que comporá um Instrumento Virtual de Avaliação da Fala para crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: vinte e três participantes, com idades entre 2 e 17 anos e 11 meses, atribuíram o conceito de 91 palavras. A análise dos dados foi realizada de forma quantitativa, considerando a conceituação de cada palavra como correta ou incorreta. Foi realizado cálculo da Razão de Validade de Conteúdo (RVC) e o cálculo estatístico first-order agreement coefficient (AC1) de Gwet. Resultados: da lista de palavras analisada, 42 estímulos apresentaram RVC=1; 30 palavras obtiveram RVC=0,9; 11 com RVC=0,8; seis com RVC=0,7; duas apresentaram RVC=0,4. O cálculo estatístico AC1 de Gwet resultou em AC1=0,92 [IC=0,90 - 0,94] para a análise semântica. Conclusão: a lista ficou constituída de 91 palavras validadas semanticamente e que podem servir para avaliação da produção de fala de crianças e adolescentes.

Synchronous online lecturing or blended flipped classroom with jigsaw: an educational intervention during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the education system throughout the world. This study aimed to compare synchronous online lecturing with blended flipped classroom plus jigsaw in terms of their effects on the students' learning, communication skills and critical thinking disposition. METHODS: This is an educational intervention conducted at the Nursing and Midwifery School of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Two incoming students of nursing and midwifery were selected by complete enumeration. Then synchronous online lecturing was given to one group (n = 40) and blended flipped classroom and jigsaw to the other (n = 44). After that, given the prevailing conditions, both methods were performed fully online. Then Participants completed an online questionnaire. A researcher-made learning questionnaire, the Interpersonal Communication Skills Questionnaire developed by Fetro, and Ricketts' Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory were used to assess the study variables. RESULTS: The mean learning scores in the blended group were slightly higher but this difference was not significant (P = 0.767). In the blended group, the mean scores of communication skills were significantly higher after the intervention in all the dimensions, except for empathy & intimacy and listening skills. In the online lecture group, there was no significant difference between before and after the intervention. Communication skills (P < 0.001) scored significantly higher in the blended group after the intervention than that in the synchronous online lecturing group in all the dimensions except for empathy & intimacy. In the online lecture group, there was no significant difference in critical thinking disposition between before and after the intervention. In the blended group, the overall score of critical thinking disposition and its dimensions was significantly higher after the intervention (P < 0.001), except for the perfection dimension. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean total score of critical thinking disposition and its dimensions before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Given the global circumstances, the blended method was more effective in promoting learning outcomes and communication skills than synchronous online lectures. Furthermore, it seems that this new approach could improve critical thinking.

Pilot trial comparing COVID-19 publication database to conventional online search methods.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Literature review using search engines results in a list of manuscripts but does not provide the content contained in the manuscripts. Our goal was to evaluate user performance-based criteria of concept retrieval accuracy and efficiency using a new database system that contained information extracted from 1000 COVID-19 articles. METHODS: A sample of 17 students from the University of Vermont were randomly assigned to use the COVID-19 publication database or their usual preferred search methods to research eight prompts about COVID-19. The relevance and accuracy of the evidence found for each prompt were graded. A Cox proportional hazards' model with a sandwich estimator and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to analyse these data in a time-to-correct answer context. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that students using the new information management system answered significantly more prompts correctly and, in less time, than students using conventional research methods. Bivariate models for demographic factors indicated that previous research experience conferred an advantage in study performance, though it was found to be independent from the assigned research method. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this pilot randomised trial present a potential tool for more quickly and thoroughly navigating the literature on expansive topics such as COVID-19.

Digitalization of the Logistics Process in Short Food Supply Chains. An online Viable System Model application during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This paper reports an ongoing exercise concerning the design of a logistics App to support operations within Farmers' Markets in Mexico. This exercise is part of a wider research agenda focused on 'Supporting Alternative Food Networks' (SAFeNET). This is a research agenda to conceive, build, implement, and develop better-informing decision-making processes that support effective and efficient AFNs (also known as Short Food Supply Chains) logistics operations in a digital environment, through smooth flows of goods and information among producers, AFNs coordinators, and consumers. This view calls for taking a systemic approach to help collectives of people to improve their autonomy and viability. Initial plans were to conduct this collaborative design exercise, using the Viable System Model (VSM) as a conversational tool. Accordingly, a series of face-to-face interviews and a focus group were planned. However, the lockdown due to COVID-19 forced researchers to abandon the face-to-face option and conduct the primary data collection online. The VSM intervention had to be adapted for its use on an online platform, in such a way that the platform would support knowledge building interactively, with a series of participants. This paper describes the format and visual appearance of the online VSM framework, its application, and the lessons learned through this exercise. Two points deserve to be highlighted: First, although the exercise outcome was very valuable for the next stage of the design, the participants' capacity for collective and individual reflection during the workshop was limited. Second, participants continued adding comments via the adopted online visual collaboration platform after the workshop ended, showing an understanding of the process and commitment beyond the researchers' expectations. The outcomes from this experiment are promissory, suggesting that online Systems Thinking interventions deserve further development.

Exploring the Health and Social Needs of Community Residents Using an Online Community Care Platform: Linkage to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of the Comprehensive Health and Social Need Assessment (CHSNA) system, which identifies community residents' health and social needs, and to link these needs with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). METHODS: Adult community residents in a metropolitan city in Korea were recruited. They were asked to assess their health and social needs via the CHSNA system, which was integrated into an online community-care platform. Three assessment steps (basic health assessment, needs for activities of daily living, and in-depth health assessment) associated with five ICF components were used to evaluate physical health impairment, difficulties in activities and participation, and environmental problems. The final list of health and social needs was systematically linked to the domains and categories of the ICF. Only data from participants who completed all three assessment steps were included. RESULTS: Wide ranges of impairments and difficulties regarding the daily living activities, physical health, and environmental status of the community were recorded from 190 people who completed assessments of their health and social needs by the CHSNA system. These participants reported various health and social needs for their community life; common needs corresponded to the ICF components of body functions and activities/participation. CONCLUSIONS: The ICF may be suitable for determining the health-related problems and needs of the general population. Possible improvements to the present system include providing support for completing all assessment steps and developing an ICF core set for an enhanced understanding of health and social needs.

The use of eportfolios in pre-registration health professional clinical education: An integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: ePortfolios are increasingly used in health professional clinical education. However, the nature of ePortfolios varies greatly amongst programs, as does the software, purpose, and institutional cost. OBJECTIVES: An integrative review of the literature was conducted to determine how ePortfolios are being used in pre-registration health programs to enhance clinical learning. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of relevant databases (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Resources Information Center, Cochrane, Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, Turning Research Into Practice, and Web of Science) was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Retrieved papers were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool and findings were analysed. REVIEW METHODS: A total of 272 records were identified. Thirty papers were assessed in detail. Five themes were identified by content analysis; feedback and communication; student-centred learning; experiences and competencies; access, attitudes, and digital literacy; and technological support. CONCLUSIONS: ePortfolios offer a range of pedagogical benefits. Clinical learning is enhanced by student-focused ePortfolio design which includes clear learning outcomes; development of relationships with peers and instructors via ongoing communication and feedback; use of templates; links to time-saving applications; and guided, assessed reflections. Poor technological support, negative attitudes by clinical supervisors, unreliable access, instructor-focused design, and excessive or repetitive documentation in ePortfolio design hindered clinical learning.

The Role of Online Videos in Teaching Procedural Skills in Postgraduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review was to outline the extent of available literature including the prevalence of video quality appraisal tools, characterize how online videos were used, and identify the gaps in the literature with implications for future research. DESIGN: The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Six databases were searched: (1) MEDLINE (Ovid), (2) EMBASE, (3) Cochrane, (4) ERIC, (5) CINAHL PLUS, and (6) Google Scholar for Medical Subject Headings terms online videos, postgraduate health education, and health professional/s. RESULTS: A total of 6948 articles were identified, of which 78 were included in the review. The articles included were primarily either experimental or observational studies, with most being from North America. Twelve concepts were identified: (1) procedural skills teaching; (2) video assessment; (3) validation of an assessment tool; (4) video feedback; (5) coaching; (6) broadcasting; (7) learner characteristics; (8) video characteristics; (9) video quality; (10) a quality assessment tool; (11) platforms and video library; and (12) health information governance. CONCLUSIONS: While there is a diverse and growing body of literature on this area, information is lacking about the quality appraisal of online videos.

Comparative assessment of factors affecting anxiety levels among adults attending online meditation sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic induced the governments around the world to impose harsher preventive measures like stay at home order, lock down etc., to contain the spread of infection. This measure increased the stress of the general population through isolation of masses, loss of employment, and loss of recreation. There is a dearth of quality data showing anxiety levels among the population and association of novel nonpharmaceutical measures such as online meditation with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional comparative study based on an online survey. The study population included 74 adult participants, out of which 30, included in the study group were attending structured online meditation sessions and 44 of the participants as a comparison group after matching age, gender, location of residence, and socioeconomic status. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was applied to ascertain factors contributing to the anxiety levels of the participants. RESULTS: Both the groups of participants were comparable in terms of their demographic characteristics. The mean generalized anxiety disorder (GAD 7) score among the participants of online meditation program was significantly lower as compared to those not attending any online meditation. 6.7% of the participants of online meditation had GAD 7 score more than 10 as compared to 13.6% among the comparison group (P value 0.7). CONCLUSION: "At home" mental health promotion measures such as structured online meditation can serve an important role in mitigating the mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the community. Further researches are needed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of such measures.

Nursing students' perceptions of online learning and its impact on knowledge level.

BACKGROUND: Online learning in nursing education has been demonstrated to exert positive effects on knowledge, skills, learning attitudes, and confidence in performance. However, a noteworthy caveat has been that such benefits could vary depending on the content of pedagogical materials. AIM: To examine the impact of online-tutorials in place of face-to-face tutorials on knowledge level and understand the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials. METHODS: This study adopted a mixed method experiential design in which the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials are embedded within the trial. Two cohort of nursing students enrolled for the module on Psychology for Nurses were recruited to evaluate the impact of online-tutorials compared to face-to-face tutorials in terms of knowledge level. Apart from the dissimilar mode of delivery, both cohorts experienced the same teaching structure, content, and assessments. Examination results from these two cohorts were compared upon completion of the course. For the online group, additional one-to-one interviews were conducted to further understand the impacts exerted by online learning on the level of knowledge among them. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the knowledge level of the two cohorts. Responses elicited during the interviews revealed five themes: lack of motivation; limited teamwork; missed learning opportunities; decreased interactions; and differences between online and face-to-face learning. CONCLUSION: Online-tutorials may be a feasible pedagogical approach but the motivation to learn, teamwork and quality of discussion may be compromised due to the lack of socialization and interactions between students and tutors.

A virtual research showcase and judging platform created from a patchwork of workplace applications.

Background: Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic placed on libraries' existing workflows and operations, many librarians developed and debuted new services that addressed novel needs that emerged during the pandemic. This report describes how two electronic resource librarians at regional hospitals within a healthcare corporation used exhibition platforms to showcase resident research in an online format as a complement to in-person resident research programming. Case Presentation: Over the course of the pandemic, two exhibition platform variants were implemented, one year apart. This case report describes how each platform was developed. The first online event was conducted using a virtual exhibit platform to minimize in-person contact. The second online event, held the following year, blended a traditional live event with virtual elements using the online exhibit platform. To ensure completion of tasks, project management techniques were adopted throughout the event planning process. Conclusions: The pandemic created opportunities for hospitals to explore transforming meetings from primarily live and onsite into hybrid and fully virtual events. While many corporate hospitals have transitioned back to primarily in-person programming, newly adopted online practices such as online judging platforms and automation of continuing medical education tasks will likely remain. As in-person restrictions within healthcare settings are lifted or eased at uneven rates, organizations may continue to explore the value of in-person meetings versus the video conference experience of the same meeting.