Usabilidade de um aplicativo móvel de apoio aos profissionaisde saúde para cálculos de doses de vancomicina / Usability of a mobile application supporting healthprofessionals on vancomycin dosing calculation

O aplicativo móvel CalcVAN foi desenvolvido para auxiliar os profissionais de saúde para otimizar as doses de vancomicina em pacientes hospitalizados. Porém, é imprescindível avaliar a sua usabilidade antes de disponibilizá-lo para prática clínica. Assim, o objetivo do estudo é avaliar a usabilidade do aplicativo móvel na perspectiva dos profissionais de saúde. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, de avaliação heurística da usabilidade de um aplicativo móvel. Foram convidados profissionais da área de saúde com expertise no tema de gerenciamento de antimicrobianos e vancomicina. O instrumento validado Smartphone Usability questionnaiRE (SURE) foi utilizado para mensuração da usabilidade por meio de um questionário on-line. Vinte e um especialistas participaram do estudo, com média de idade de 32,6 anos, sendo a maioria de mulheres (n = 14, 66,7%), profissionais farmacêuticos (n = 13, 61,9%), com pós-graduação lato sensu (n = 10, 47,6%), que trabalhavam em hospitais públicos ou privados (n = 15, 71,4%) e com média de experiência em 9,7 anos. Com base na interpretação dos resultados obtidos pelo instrumento SURE, a média de usabilidade geral do CalcVAN foi de 83 pontos, com escore menor de 78 e maior de 90 pontos. O teste de usabilidade foi enquadrado nos dois últimos níveis, 70 e 80, onde os profissionais de saúde passaram a concordar fortemente e totalmente, indicando que o aplicativo móvel apresenta uma usabilidade satisfatória. O CalcVAN atingiu uma usabilidade satisfatória e atende as necessidades e exigências dos profissionais de saúde, mostrando--se eficiente para realizar as funções propostas.

The CalcVAN app was developed to assist healthcare professionals in optimizing vancomycin doses for hospitalized patients. However, the usability test before making it available for clinical practice is essential. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the usability of the app from the perspective of health professionals. A descriptive study, a heuristic evaluation of the usability of a mobile application was conducted. Healthcare professionals with expertise in antimicrobial management and vancomycin were invited to participate. The validated Smartphone Usability questionnaiRE (SURE) was used to measure usability through an online questionnaire. Twenty-one experts participated in the study, with a mean age of 32.6 years, mostly of them women (n = 14, 66.7%), pharmacists (n = 13, 61.9%), with postgraduate education (n = 10, 47.6%), working in private or public hospitals (n = 15, 71.4%), and a mean experience of 9.7 years. Overall usability score for CalcVAN was 83 points, ranging from a minimum of 78 to a maximum of 90 points. The usability test registered within the last two levels, 70 and 80, with users expressing strongly and fully agreed, indicating that the app demonstrates satisfactory usability. CalcVAN achieved satisfactory usability, fulfilling the needs and requirements of health professionals, proving to be efficient in performing the intended functions.

Development and validation of an infectious disease control competency scale for public health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases persistently pose global threats, and it is imperative to accelerate the professionalization of public health workforce. This study aimed to develop and validate the infectious disease control competency scale (IDCCS) for public health professionals to fill a theoretical gap and elevate practical capabilities by informing public health professionals' development goals. METHODS: The initial item pool was generated through a literature review, and categorized into three dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, and leadership) based on the competency iceberg model and public health leadership framework. A two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine indicators within the scale. A pilot survey was utilized for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A formal survey was employed for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The weight value of each indicator was calculated using the analytic hierarchy process. RESULTS: An initial scale with three primary items, 14 secondary items, and 81 tertiary items was generated. Twenty experts participated in the two rounds of the Delphi process. Authority coefficients exceeded 0.9 in both rounds. Kendall's W was 0.29 and 0.19, respectively (both P < 0.001). Item analysis presented a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.98, with corrected item-total correlation coefficients ranging from 0.33 to 0.78. EFA demonstrated that cumulative variance explanations for the four primary dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal quality) were 77.463%, 73.976%, 81.174%, and 68.654%, respectively. CFA indicated that all composite reliability values and average variance extracted surpassed 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. The standardized factor loadings of the items ranged from 0.630 to 0.977. Among the seven model fit indices, each of the four dimensions satisfied at least five criteria. A final three-level scale comprising four primary items, 14 secondary items, and 64 tertiary items was constructed. The weight values for the four primary items were 0.4064, 0.2878, 0.2082, and 0.0981, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The IDCCS was established to evaluate the competencies of knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal quality for public health professionals in infectious disease control. This scale demonstrates good reliability and validity, and can be used for performance evaluation, recruitment processes, curriculum development, and individual self-assessment.

The international classification of functioning, disability and health in clinical practice, research findings and their impact on training and education.

At the ICF Research Institute (at MSH Medical School Hamburg) multiprofessional experts collaborate on various research projects with a focus on bio-psycho-social health and education. Initially, the main goal was monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in clinical practice. Over time and based on the initial findings, the research group started developing new approaches to support training and education of health professionals in the use of the ICF. As a result, substantial changes have recently been made in the curriculum and structure of several courses to improve and expand interprofessional teaching at the MSH Medical School Hamburg (MSH). Furthermore, creative didactic approaches in combination with interprofessional education have been developed.

Evaluation of the Continuing Education Training "Beratende für Digitale Gesundheitsversorgung" ("Consultant for Digital Healthcare"): Protocol for an Effectiveness Study.

BACKGROUND: The digital transformation in health care requires training nursing and health professionals in the digitally competent use of digital assistive technologies (DAT). The continuing education training "Beratende für digitale Gesundheitsversorgung" ("Consultant for Digital Healthcare") was developed to fill this gap. The effectiveness of the training program will be assessed in this study. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective is to record and measure the participants' learning success. We will assess whether the previously defined teaching intentions, learning objectives, competencies, and participants' expectations have been achieved and whether a transfer of learning occurred. The secondary objective is participant satisfaction and feasibility of the training. The tertiary objective is the successful transfer of DAT by participants in their institutions. METHODS: Approximately 65 nursing and health care professionals will participate in the pilot phase of the further training and evaluation process, which is planned in a mixed methods design in a nonsequential manner. The different methods will be combined in the interpretation of the results to achieve a synaptic view of the training program. We plan to conduct pre-post surveys in the form of participant self-assessments about dealing with DAT and content-related knowledge levels. Exploratory individual interviews will also be conducted to build theory, to examine whether and to what extent competence (cognition) has increased, and whether dealing (affect) with DAT has changed. Furthermore, an interim evaluation within the framework of the Teaching Analysis Poll (TAP) will occur. The knowledge thereby gained will be used to revise and adapt the modules for future courses. To assess the transfer success, the participants create a practical project, which is carried out within the training framework, observed by the lecturers, and subsequently evaluated and adapted. RESULTS: We expect that the learning objectives for the continuing education training will be met. The attendees are expected to increase their level of digital competence in different skills areas: (1) theoretical knowledge, (2) hands-on skills for planning the application and practical use of DAT, (3) reflective skills and applying ethical and legal considerations in their use, (4) applying all that in a structured process of technology implementation within their practical sphere of work. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of this study and appropriate further training program are to educate nursing and health care professionals in the use of DAT, thereby empowering them for a structured change process toward digitally aided care. This focus gives rise to the following research questions: First, how should further training programs be developed, and which focus is appropriate for addressee-appropriate learning goals, course structure, and general curriculum? Second, how should a training program with this specific content and area be evaluated? Third, what are the conditions to offer a continued program? INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/57860.

A quantitative survey of correctional mental health professionals on current healthcare and treatment practices for transgender incarcerated persons.

There is a need for updated survey literature collected from correctional mental health professionals working within prison settings. Up to date research can add to the literature addressing the best practices for mental health treatment of the transgender incarcerated population in order to provide health care professionals and correctional staff with more effective, efficient, and widely understood intervention practices to facilitate the well-being and safety of this population. Guided by three research aims, 50 mental health professionals from 21 states throughout the United States were surveyed in this quantitative survey regarding their work with the transgender incarcerated population. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the type of care and coordination of care provided by correctional mental health professionals.

Health Professionals' Views on the Use of Conversational Agents for Health Care: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of conversational agents for health promotion and service delivery. To date, health professionals' views on the use of this technology have received limited attention in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how health professionals view the use of conversational agents for health care. METHODS: Physicians, nurses, and regulated mental health professionals were recruited using various web-based methods. Participants were interviewed individually using the Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc) videoconferencing platform. Interview questions focused on the potential benefits and risks of using conversational agents for health care, as well as the best way to integrate conversational agents into the health care system. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded to NVivo (version 12; QSR International, Inc) for thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 health professionals participated in the study (19 women, 5 men; mean age 42.75, SD 10.71 years). Participants said that the use of conversational agents for health care could have certain benefits, such as greater access to care for patients or clients and workload support for health professionals. They also discussed potential drawbacks, such as an added burden on health professionals (eg, program familiarization) and the limited capabilities of these programs. Participants said that conversational agents could be used for routine or basic tasks, such as screening and assessment, providing information and education, and supporting individuals between appointments. They also said that health professionals should have some oversight in terms of the development and implementation of these programs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide insight into health professionals' views on the use of conversational agents for health care, particularly in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of these programs and how they should be integrated into the health care system. These collective findings offer useful information and guidance to stakeholders who have an interest in the development and implementation of this technology.

Determining factors associated with vaccination coverage in the first year of life in Brazil (2013-2022).

Access to vaccination has emerged as a growing global public health concern; however, there has been limited research on characteristics of local governments that are associated with vaccination coverage. The objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of vaccination coverage in Brazil for the first year of life between 2013 and 2022. We focused on variables pertaining to the available resources of local governments and their investments in infrastructure and human resources in the health sector. We used binomial generalized linear mixed models to estimate the association of these variables with vaccination coverage in Brazilian municipalities. Our results show that municipalities with better fiscal capacity were more effective in delivering vaccines. Municipalities that rely more on federal and state resources had lower vaccination coverage. Additionally, investment in health professionals was often negatively correlated with vaccination coverage. The study underscores the importance of better understanding the relationship between local government characteristics and vaccination coverage, particularly in regions where local governments are responsible for vaccine delivery.

Qualitative Insights Into Healthcare Professionals' Perceived Barriers in Providing Equitable and Patient-Centered Care to Members of the LGBTQI+ Community in Greece.

LGBTQI+ individuals often face health disparities, with encumbered outcomes. We investigated the perspectives of a wide range of Greek health professionals using a battery of questionnaires examining LGBTQI+ health-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical preparedness, while exploring the potential challenges they face when providing care for LGBTQI+ patients via qualitative analysis of their free text answers. In total, 220 health professionals participated, including physicians, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, social workers, nutritionists, medical laboratory professionals, pharmacists, radiographers, and health promotion specialists. Four main themes were revealed concerning the barriers to providing equitable and patient-centered care to LGBTQI+ individuals: (1) Inadequate knowledge (1a. Distinctive health issues of the LGBTQI+ community, 1b. Community-related terminology), (2) Insufficient communication skills (2a. General approach of LGBTQI+ patients, 2b. Addressing LGBTQI+ individuals, 2c. Managing critical attitudes of colleagues/third parties), (3) Personal perceptions (3a. Attitudes toward the LGBTQI+ community, 3b. Perceptions on the necessity of sexual health history), and (4) Ambiguous bureaucratic procedures. Self-identification, contact with community members in personal life, as well as LGBTQI+ patients' openness during the encounter were reportedly enabling inclusive care. Most participants (83.2%) expressed willingness for further training on LGBTQI+ health issues. Going forward, study participants identified this field, in conjunction with communication skills, as important areas of focus for training health providers and empowering them to provide equitable, patient-centered, high-quality care to the LGBTQI+ community.

Health Professionals' Perceptions about Prostate Cancer-A Focus Group Study.

Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 20% of new cancer cases and 10.5% of cancer-associated mortality in Portugal. Associated risk factors include advanced age, family history, genetic alterations, and race/ethnicity. However, the role of lifestyle factors is often underestimated. To explore health professionals' perceptions of PCa risk factors, a qualitative study with three focus groups (FG), with a total of twenty-one general practitioners and urologists, was conducted via videoconference between February and April 2023. Seven themes emerged, including general perceptions of PCa; PCa risk factors; nutritional impact; the role of physical activity; alcohol consumption and smoking; sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases roles in PCa; and screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods. Despite agreeing that healthy lifestyles could promote better PCa outcomes and quality of life, participants did not specify any lifestyle factors that could promote or prevent this disease, posing challenges to lifestyle changes, particularly among older adults. Non-invasive screening methods, such as biomarkers and alternative treatments, are crucial for future research. This study underscores the need for further investigation into the correlation of lifestyle factors with PCa and highlights the necessity of health professionals in encouraging their patients to adopt healthier lifestyles, while offering important insights into awareness, prevention, and alternative screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods, which could help reduce false positives and treatment side effects.

A randomised study to evaluate the potential added value of shared meditation involving people with cancer, health professionals and third persons compared to meditation conducted with patients only: design of the Implic-2 protocol.

BACKGROUND: In oncology, the suffering of patients and the burnout of health professionals are key issues. Mindfulness meditation is a holistic approach that can help to improve well-being. While numerous studies have shown the benefits of meditation for both patients and health professionals, the added value of offering shared meditation to groups of patients, health professionals and third persons has not been assessed. Beyond strengthening the relationship between carers and patients, opening up meditation sessions to third parties (neither carers nor patients) enables patients to escape the stigma of their illness. We previously conducted a pilot study that validated the feasibility and the relevance of shared meditation with a specifically designed programme. METHODS/DESIGN: IMPLIC-2 is a two-arm randomised study designed to assess the added value of this meditation programme (optimised following the pilot study), particularly for cancer patients (our target population). People motivated to follow the programme, without previous regular practice of meditation and able to participate in the sessions are eligible. The study will include 96 participants: 16 health professionals, 16 third persons and 64 patients. The latter will be randomized in two arms: the experimental arm ("Shared" meditation) consisting of 4 mixed groups of 8 patients, 4 health professionals and 4 third parties, and the control arm ("Patient" meditation) consisting of 2 groups of 16 patients. Validated questionnaires will be used to measure the effects of the programme, notably in terms of quality of life, perceived stress, feelings of self-efficacy, qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion, and carers' burn-out. Participants' perception of a change in their quality of life and satisfaction will be measured at the end of the programme. A complementary qualitative focus-group approach will be used to optimise implementation of the programme beyond the study. DISCUSSION: The well-being of oncology patients would be improved. Dealing with overworked carers would have a beneficial impact on the way they interact with patients. In addition, encounters between the three types of population will allow otherness to be viewed differently and alleviate suffering by promoting collective humanity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06041607, registered: 09/18/2023. PROTOCOL VERSION: Version n°1.2 dated from 08/29/2023.

Patient Perspectives on AI for Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to health and health care is rapidly increasing. Several studies have assessed the attitudes of health professionals, but far fewer studies have explored the perspectives of patients or the general public. Studies investigating patient perspectives have focused on somatic issues, including those related to radiology, perinatal health, and general applications. Patient feedback has been elicited in the development of specific mental health care solutions, but broader perspectives toward AI for mental health care have been underexplored. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand public perceptions regarding potential benefits of AI, concerns about AI, comfort with AI accomplishing various tasks, and values related to AI, all pertaining to mental health care. METHODS: We conducted a 1-time cross-sectional survey with a nationally representative sample of 500 US-based adults. Participants provided structured responses on their perceived benefits, concerns, comfort, and values regarding AI for mental health care. They could also add free-text responses to elaborate on their concerns and values. RESULTS: A plurality of participants (245/497, 49.3%) believed AI may be beneficial for mental health care, but this perspective differed based on sociodemographic variables (all P<.05). Specifically, Black participants (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.03-3.05) and those with lower health literacy (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.78) perceived AI to be more beneficial, and women (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.99) perceived AI to be less beneficial. Participants endorsed concerns about accuracy, possible unintended consequences such as misdiagnosis, the confidentiality of their information, and the loss of connection with their health professional when AI is used for mental health care. A majority of participants (80.4%, 402/500) valued being able to understand individual factors driving their risk, confidentiality, and autonomy as it pertained to the use of AI for their mental health. When asked who was responsible for the misdiagnosis of mental health conditions using AI, 81.6% (408/500) of participants found the health professional to be responsible. Qualitative results revealed similar concerns related to the accuracy of AI and how its use may impact the confidentiality of patients' information. CONCLUSIONS: Future work involving the use of AI for mental health care should investigate strategies for conveying the level of AI's accuracy, factors that drive patients' mental health risks, and how data are used confidentially so that patients can determine with their health professionals when AI may be beneficial. It will also be important in a mental health care context to ensure the patient-health professional relationship is preserved when AI is used.

Health professionals' perceptions of electronic health records system: a mixed method study in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Electronic Health Record systems (EHRs) offer significant benefits and have transformed healthcare in developed countries. However, their implementation and adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains low due to challenges and competing interests. Health professionals' perception of EHRs can influence their adoption and continued use. The objectives of this study are to explore the perception of health professionals regarding implemented EHR systems in three hospitals in Ghana and identify factors influencing their perception and satisfaction. METHODS: In this study, we employed a concurrent mixed method design to collect data from study participants from May to June 2023. The quantitative part employed a descriptive-survey and the qualitative (in-depth interview) techniques was applied. After obtaining written informed consent from each respondent, a structured survey questionnaire was filled out by the health professionals from three hospitals. An a priori power calculation was used to determine the sample size for the quantitative component. Two hundred and sixty-three (263) health professionals completed the questionnaire from the three facilities. A purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen [1] participants for the interviews. A semi-structured interview guide was used for the in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes using QSR Nvivo 12 software before thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that 213 (80.99%) health professionals perceived the EHRs as beneficial to patients and were generally satisfied. An overwhelming majority, 197 (74.90%) of the health professionals, were satisfied with its use and expressed interest in continuing to use the system. The majority of health professionals viewed the EHRs to have improved their work and workflow processes and provided the desired results. However, few other health professionals were dissatisfied with the system because they viewed the EHRs as frustrating due to unstable internet connectivity and power supply. Other concerns were related to the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. They believe access to patient information should be on a need-to-know basis, and patient information should not be accessible to all other clinicians except those involved directly in their care processes. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that health professionals have a positive perception of the implemented EHRs, are highly satisfied with them, and are interested in continuing to use them. However, health professionals' concerns about the unstable power supply, poor internet connectivity, security, and confidentiality of patient's information need attention, to mitigate their frustrations and boost their confidence in the system.

Understanding the predictors of health professionals' intention to use electronic health record system: extend and apply UTAUT3 model.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems is a critical challenge, particularly in low-income countries, where behavioral intention plays a crucial role. To address this issue, we conducted a study to extend and apply the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 3 (UTAUT3) model in predicting health professionals' behavioral intention to use EHR systems. METHODS: A quantitative research approach was employed among 423 health professionals in Southwest Ethiopia. We assessed the validity of the proposed model through measurement and structural model statistics. Analysis was done using SPSS AMOS version 23. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, and mediation and moderation effects were evaluated. The associations between exogenous and endogenous variables were examined using standardized regression coefficients (ß), 95% confidence intervals, and p-values, with a significance level of p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The proposed model outperformed previous UTAUT models, explaining 84.5% (squared multiple correlations (R2) = 0.845) of the variance in behavioral intention to use EHR systems. Personal innovativeness (ß = 0.215, p-value < 0.018), performance expectancy (ß = 0.245, p-value < 0.001), and attitude (ß = 0.611, p-value < 0.001) showed significant associations to use EHR systems. Mediation analysis revealed that performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and technology anxiety had significant indirect effects on behavioral intention. Furthermore, moderation analysis indicated that gender moderated the association between social influence, personal innovativeness, and behavioral intention. CONCLUSION: The extended UTAUT3 model accurately predicts health professionals' intention to use EHR systems and provides a valuable framework for understanding technology acceptance in healthcare. We recommend that digital health implementers and concerned bodies consider the comprehensive range of direct, indirect, and moderating effects. By addressing personal innovativeness, performance expectancy, attitude, hedonic motivation, technology anxiety, and the gender-specific impact of social influence, interventions can effectively enhance behavioral intention toward EHR systems. It is crucial to design gender-specific interventions that address the differences in social influence and personal innovativeness between males and females.

Stakeholders' perspectives on adverse effects of ECT: A qualitative thematic analysis.

Background: In the Indian context, published systematic research on the opinions of mental health professionals and other stakeholders (patients and caregivers) regarding the different adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not available. This type of study allows for an in-depth exploration of complex phenomena, such as the perspectives of mental health professionals, which can provide a rich understanding of their experiences regarding ECT and also helps to understand the views of mental health professionals regarding the adverse effects of ECT during the post-ECT recovery period and its management. Conversely, the perception of patients and caregivers regarding the adverse effects of ECT can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the treatment and its impact on the patients who receive it. Purpose: To explore the understanding of participants about the various adverse effects following ECT and their perception of managing different adverse effects of ECT during the post-ECT recovery period. Methods: A qualitative approach using focus group discussion (FGD) was used. A convenience sampling technique was followed for selecting the participants. FGDs were conducted with stakeholders including mental health professionals, patients, and caregivers. Five FGDs were conducted with psychiatry residents, nursing officers from the ECT suite, and different psychiatry wards at NIMHANS. Four FGDs were held separately for patients receiving ECT and their caregivers, admitted to various psychiatry wards at NIMHANS. A total of 28 mental health professionals, 20 patients, and 20 caregivers participated. The number of participants for FGDs was decided based on data saturation. The FGDs, lasting 30-40 minutes each, occurred between October 2022 and December 2022. The FGDs were audio-recorded with prior permission from the participants. All the participants were informed about the study. Written informed consent was obtained. All FGDs were transcribed. Thematic analysis was done using Atlas. ti software. Results: The broad categories identified were adverse events associated with ECT during the ECT procedure, adverse events associated with ECT after the ECT procedure, prevalence of different adverse effects according to mental health professionals, effects of adverse effects on the continuity of ECT, and difficulties encountered by mental health professionals throughout the management. Other broad categories were found after conducting FGDs with caregivers and patients, which were patients' experience as per the caregivers over the course of ECT, caregivers' and patients' willingness to continue ECT, unfavorable impacts of ECT experienced by the patients immediately after ECT sessions, and, later till the end of that day, suggestions of the caregivers and patients to improvise the management of ECT-related adverse effects and management of adverse effects by the treating team. Conclusion: The findings will develop a standard operating procedure that may help nursing officers monitor and identify the adverse effects immediately after ECT and minimize the complications during the post-ECT recovery period.

Academic education of midwives in Germany (part 2): Opportunities and challenges for the further development of the profession of midwifery. Position paper of the Midwifery Science Committee (AHW) in the DACH Association for Medical Education (GMA).

The objective of academic training is to prepare midwives as independent healthcare professionals to make a substantial contribution to the healthcare of women in their reproductive years as well as to the health of their children and families. This article therefore describes the professional and educational requirements derived from the legal midwifery competencies within the new midwifery act. Furthermore, it identifies the conditions that need to be established to enable midwives in Germany to practise to their full scope in compliance with statutory responsibilities. Educational science, academic efforts, policymaking and accompanying research should work in synergy. This in turn enables midwives to achieve the maximum scope of their skills, with the objective of promoting physiological pregnancies and births. Consequently, it can strengthen early parenthood in alignment with the national health objectives of "health around childbirth". The academisation of the midwifery profession presents a profound opportunity for professional development in Germany. It is essential that midwives receive training based on the principles of educational science and care structures that are yet to be developed. This can enable them to perform within the wide range of their professional tasks to the highest standards, thereby ensuring the optimal care of their clients. Moreover, there is a chance to implement sustainable improvements in healthcare provision for women and their families during the reproductive phase and the period of parenthood in Germany.

Environmental Sustainability in Oral Health Professional Education: Approaches, Challenges, and Drivers-ADEE Special-Interest Group Report.

INTRODUCTION: This paper reports on the scholarship activity of the 'Sustainability in Dentistry' Special-interest Group (SiG), which met at the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) annual conference in Liverpool on 25 August 2023. The aim of this study was to (i) identify current teaching practices and approaches to embedding Environmental Sustainability (ES) in the curriculum in ADEE attendee schools and (ii) explore existing barriers/challenges to incorporating ES in dental education and consider potential solutions. METHODOLOGY: A mixed-methods approach was used to fulfil the aims of this study. A pre-workshop questionnaire was used to explore current teaching practices, challenges and drivers of embedding ES in the curriculum. An interactive workshop at the in-person meeting in Liverpool was used to propose key strategies to overcome the most frequent challenges to embedding ES in the curriculum. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (56%) reported that their institutions do not currently teach ES. Traditional didactic forms of teaching were mostly reported to teach ES in non-clinical environments, and a transition to more environmentally sustainable materials and instruments was the most popular response for clinical teaching. Key barriers to embedding ES in the curriculum were identified, including time constraints and the overloaded curriculum, a lack of expertise/knowledge to teach and lack of practical guidance to support educators, limited learning resources for staff and students and resistance from colleagues regarding the relevance of ES in dentistry. The special-interest group participants proposed strategies to overcome these challenges that centred around 14 themes. CONCLUSION: This paper reports recent scholarship activity by ADEE's 'Sustainability in Dentistry' SiG. Key strategies for overcoming the most common challenges to embedding ES in the curriculum are also discussed.

Bridges between two medical realities: Perspectives of Indigenous medical and nursing students on snakebite care in the Brazilian Amazon.

In the Brazilian Amazon, snakebite envenomations (SBEs) disproportionately affect Indigenous populations, and have a significantly higher incidence and lethality than in non-Indigenous populations. This qualitative study describes the Indigenous and biomedical healthcare domains for SBE care from the perspective of the Indigenous medical and nursing students in Manaus, Western Brazilian Amazon. In-depth interviews were conducted with five Indigenous students from the Amazonas State University, between January and December 2021. The interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. We organized an explanatory model with five themes: (1) participants' identities; (2) causality levels in Indigenous and biomedical systems; (3) therapeutic itineraries in Indigenous and biomedical systems; (4) ideological implications of adding biomedical devices to Indigenous healing systems; and (5) therapeutic failure in and efficacy of Indigenous and biomedical systems. From a noncolonial perspective and seeking to increase the quality and acceptability of health care for the Indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon, the training of Indigenous health professionals presents itself as a promising strategy. For this goal, universities should serve as empowering settings for Indigenous health students that support them in their growth and development, raise their awareness of injustice, and catalyze change toward a culturally adapted and effective service for the users.

Awareness and Perception of Dental, Medical, and Paramedical Students Toward the Use of Clear Aligners in Orthodontic Treatment in Belagavi, India.

Background The advent of clear aligners represents a significant shift in orthodontic treatment, offering an aesthetic and convenient alternative to traditional braces and helping maintain better oral hygiene as it is removable. This study investigates the awareness and perception of clear aligners among dental, medical, and paramedical students in Belagavi, India. Methodology A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in February 2024 among students from a private medical university in Belagavi. A validated questionnaire (content validity ratio = 0.88; Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.86), developed through expert consultation and pilot testing, assessed the awareness and perception of students on clear aligners. Simple random sampling was used to select 480 participants. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and binary logistic regression. Results The study found that awareness and perception of clear aligners were the lowest among medical and paramedical students in comparison with dental students. A positive linear correlation was seen between awareness and perception scores. When specialty was taken into consideration, medical/dental students were 2.55 times more aware and had 2.78 times more positive perceptions toward clear aligners compared to paramedical students. Conclusions There was a notable disparity in the awareness and perception of clear aligners among dental, medical, and paramedical students. Medical and paramedical students displayed lower awareness and unfavorable perception toward clear aligners in comparison with dental students.

Stigmatizing intimate relationships in schizophrenia: a study comparing mental health professionals, health students and the general population.

BACKGROUND: Discrimination in intimate relationships (IR) is frequently reported among persons with schizophrenia. Despite ongoing effort of international organizations to combat mental illness stigma, there remain a limited understanding of specific IR-related stereotypes. AIMS: The study aimed to i) identify the stereotypes related to IR of persons with schizophrenia held by Mental Health Professionals (MHP), health students and the general population, and ii) explore the effects of several factors associated with these stereotypes. METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods approach. A survey developed collaboratively with persons with lived experience of mental health conditions (PWLE) was disseminated among MHP, health students and the general population. RESULTS: The majority of the nine IR-related stereotypes previously identified by PWLE were endorsed by the participants (N = 532). PWLE were perceived as particularly incompetent in the domain of IR (e.g. to achieve couple project). Stereotypes endorsement varied among the groups. Continuum beliefs, perceived similarities and recovery beliefs were negatively associated with stereotype endorsement. CONCLUSIONS: The general population, MHP and health students endorsed several stereotypes regarding IR of persons with schizophrenia. The results provide support for the role of theoretical beliefs in IR stigmatization, suggesting they may be relevant targets for evidence-based stigma reduction programs.