Preparing historically underrepresented trainees for biomedical cancer research careers at Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah Health.

Given the well-documented inequities in health care outcomes by race, ethnicity, and gender, many health career pipeline programs have focused on supporting the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce. The State of Utah, is vast, but sparsely populated outside the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. More than 96% of our nearly 85,000 square miles is designated rural (<100 people/square mile) or frontier (<7 people/square mile). The Salt Lake City area is home to the Hunsman Cancer Institute, the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, also noted the limited diversity in the biomedical cancer research workforce. Our primary objective was to increase the number of underrepresented trainees who pursue higher education with the goal of a career in cancer research. PathMaker is a regional, competitive pipeline program that nurtures high school or undergraduate trainees from historically underrepresented backgrounds towards a career in cancer research. Our faculty and staff team collaboratively developed a cohort model curriculum that increased student awareness of research career options; provided academic and professional development, cultural and social support, evolutionary success strategies, active mentorship, and leadership skill development; and fostered an environment of continuous evaluation and improvement. Since pilot program initiation in May 2016, the PathMaker Research Program (PathMaker) has engaged a total of 44 underrepresented trainees in cancer research labs at Huntsman Cancer Institute, the majority still in college. Eleven trainees graduated college: five employed in STEM, one pursuing a PhD in STEM; two in medical school, and three are lost to follow-up. Alumni report high levels of satisfaction with PathMaker and will be followed and supported for academic success. PathMaker is a replicable model to increase diversity and inclusion in the biomedical cancer research workforce.

In-service nurse mentoring in 2020, the year of the nurse and the midwife: learning from Bihar, India.

In-service nurse mentoring is increasingly seen as a way to strengthen the quality of health care in rural areas, where healthworkers are scarce. Despite this, the evidence base for designing large-scale programs remains relatively thin. In this capacity-building article, we reflect on the limited evidence that exists and introduce features of the world's largest program, run by CARE-India since 2015. Detail on the mechanics of large-scale programs is often missing from empirical research studies, but is a crucial aspect of organizational learning and development. Moreover, by focusing on the complex ways in which capacity-building is being institutionalized through an embedded model of in-service mentorship, this article bridges research and practice. We point to a number of areas that require further research as well as considerations for program managers designing comparable workforce strengthening programs. With careful planning and cross-national policy learning, we propose that in-service nurse mentoring may offer a cost-effective and appropriate workforce development approach in a variety of settings.

To Be Seen, Heard, and Valued: Strategies to Promote a Sense of Belonging for Women and Underrepresented in Medicine Physicians.

Lingering unconscious biases and daily cues continue to permeate and persist in academic medicine environments in the form of the exclusion of physicians who are women or racially/ethnically underrepresented in medicine. Academic medicine environments must change so that women and underrepresented in medicine racial/ethnic groups are seen, heard, and valued. A shared awareness among faculty, administrators, and trainees can inform the development of intentional strategies to alter individual behaviors, academic spaces, and institutional processes to cultivate a sense of belonging. Shifting the norms in medicine and the course of historical exclusion will require professional development in areas of inclusive teaching practices, skills to cultivate mentoring relationships with diverse trainees, and fostering discussions about the relevance of personal identity, as well as attention to the symbolism and imagery in institutional messages (e.g., portraits on the walls, website, marketing campaigns) and to the value of including community involvement in productivity metrics.

Can traditional bonesetters become trained technicians? Feasibility study among a cohort of Nigerian traditional bonesetters.

BACKGROUND: Traditional bonesetters (TBS) provide the majority of primary fracture care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They are widely patronized and their services are commonly associated with complications. The aim of the study was to establish the feasibility of formal training of TBS and subsequent integration into the healthcare system. METHODS: Two focus group discussions were conducted involving five TBS and eight orthopaedic surgeons in Enugu Nigeria. Audio-recordings made during the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: Training of TBS, their experiences and challenges; perception of traditional bonesetting by orthopaedic surgeons; need for formal training TBS and willingness to offer and accept formal training to improve TBS practice. Participants (TBS group) acquired their skills through informal training by apprenticeship from relatives and family members. They recognized the need to formalize their training and were willing to accept training support from orthopaedists. The orthopaedists recognized that the TBS play a vital role in filling the gap created by shortage of orthopaedic surgeons and are willing to provide training support to them. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of providing formal training to TBS by orthopaedic surgeons to improve the quality of services and outcomes of TBS treatment. This is critical for integration of TBS into the primary healthcare system as orthopaedic technicians. Undoubtedly, this will transform the trauma system in Nigeria and other LMICs where TBS are widely patronized.

Nurses' and auxiliary nurse midwives' adherence to essential birth practices with peer coaching in Uttar Pradesh, India: a secondary analysis of the BetterBirth trial.

BACKGROUND: The BetterBirth trial tested the effect of a peer coaching program around the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist for birth attendants in primary-level facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India on a composite measure of perinatal and maternal mortality and maternal morbidity. This study aimed to examine the adherence to essential birth practices between two different cadres of birth attendants-nurses and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs)-during and after a peer coaching intervention for the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of birth attendant characteristics, coaching visits, and behavior uptake during the BetterBirth trial through birth attendant surveys, coach observations, and independent observations. Descriptive statistics were calculated overall, and by staffing cadre (staff nurses and ANMs) for demographic characteristics. Logistic regression using the Pearson overdispersion correction (to account for clustering by site) was used to assess differences between staff nurses and ANMs in the intervention group during regular coaching (2-month time point) and 4 months after the coaching program ended (12-month time point). RESULTS: Of the 570 birth attendants who responded to the survey in intervention and control arms, 474 were staff nurses (83.2%) and 96 were ANMs (16.8%). In the intervention arm, more staff nurses (240/260, 92.3%) received coaching at all pause points compared to ANMs (40/53, 75.5%). At baseline, adherence to practices was similar between ANMs and staff nurses (~ 30%). Overall percent adherence to essential birth practices among ANMs and nurses was highest at 2 months after intervention initiation, when frequent coaching visits occurred (68.1% and 64.1%, respectively, p = 0.76). Practice adherence tapered to 49.2% among ANMs and 56.1% among staff nurses at 12 months, which was 4 months after coaching had ended (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, ANMs and nurses responded similarly to the coaching intervention with the greatest increase in percent adherence to essential birth practices after 2 months of coaching and subsequent decrease in adherence 4 months after coaching ended. While coaching is an effective strategy to support some aspects of birth attendant competency, the structure, content, and frequency of coaching may need to be customized according to the birth attendant training and competency. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT2148952; Universal Trial Number: U1111-1131-5647.

Educational hypermedia in nursing assistance at birth: building and validation of content and appearance / Hipermedia educativa sobre asistencia de enfermería al parto: construcción y validación de contenido y apariencia / Hipermídia educativa sobre assistência de enfermagem ao parto: construção e validação de conteúdo e aparência

ABSTRACT Objective: to build an educational hypermedia about nursing care at usual risk birth and to perform validation of content and appearance. Method: methodological research carried out following the following stages: content and planning of modules; media production and organization of tutorial units; organization of student space, tutor and communication between them; availability of hypermedia; assessment by experts in nursing and informatics; and implementation of proposed suggestions. Results: educational hypermedia showed to be a validated material, since it presented an optimum index of global content of 0.97 and statistical significance in the binomial test for the content and appearance. Conclusion: it is believed that the use of this material with undergraduate students in nursing will contribute to the quality of obstetric care, considering that it is an illustrated technology capable of favoring teaching-learning about normal humanized childbirth.

RESUMEN Objetivo: construir una hipermedia educativa sobre la asistencia de enfermería al parto de riesgo habitual y realizar la validación de contenido y de apariencia. Método: investigación metodológica, realizada siguiendo las siguientes etapas: el levantamiento del contenido y la planificación de los módulos; la producción de los medios de comunicación y la organización de las unidades de tutoría; organización del espacio del alumno, tutor y de comunicación entre ellos; elaboración de la hipermedia; disponibilidad de la hipermedia; evaluación por especialistas en Enfermería e Informática; y aplicación de las sugerencias propuestas. Resultados: la hipermedia educativa se mostró como un material validado, ya que presentó un óptimo índice de validez de contenido global de 0,97 y significancia estadística en el test binomial para el contenido y apariencia. Conclusión: se cree que el uso de este material con alumnos de la graduación en Enfermería contribuirá con la calidad de la asistencia obstétrica, teniendo en vista que se constituye en una tecnología ilustrada capaz de favorecer la enseñanza-aprendizaje sobre parto normal humanizado.

RESUMO Objetivo: construir uma hipermídia educativa sobre a assistência de enfermagem ao parto de risco habitual e realizar a validação de conteúdo e de aparência. Método: pesquisa metodológica, realizada seguindo as seguintes etapas: levantamento do conteúdo e planejamento dos módulos; produção das mídias e organização das unidades tutoriais; organização do espaço do aluno, tutor e de comunicação entre eles; elaboração da hipermídia; disponibilização da hipermídia; avaliação por especialistas em Enfermagem e Informática; e implementação das sugestões propostas. Resultados: a hipermídia educativa mostrou-se como um material validado, visto que apresentou um ótimo índice de validade de conteúdo global de 0,97 e significância estatística no teste binomial para o conteúdo e aparência. Conclusão: acredita-se que o uso deste material com alunos da graduação em Enfermagem contribuirá com a qualidade da assistência obstétrica, tendo em vista que se constitui em uma tecnologia ilustrada capaz de favorecer o ensino-aprendizagem sobre parto normal humanizado.

Educational hypermedia in nursing assistance at birth: building and validation of content and appearance.

OBJECTIVE: to build an educational hypermedia about nursing care at usual risk birth and to perform validation of content and appearance. METHOD: methodological research carried out following the following stages: content and planning of modules; media production and organization of tutorial units; organization of student space, tutor and communication between them; availability of hypermedia; assessment by experts in nursing and informatics; and implementation of proposed suggestions. RESULTS: educational hypermedia showed to be a validated material, since it presented an optimum index of global content of 0.97 and statistical significance in the binomial test for the content and appearance. CONCLUSION: it is believed that the use of this material with undergraduate students in nursing will contribute to the quality of obstetric care, considering that it is an illustrated technology capable of favoring teaching-learning about normal humanized childbirth.

Implementation and outcomes of guideline revisions for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Mother Support Programme, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

About 40% of the new HIV infections in Ethiopia are among children < 15 years of age. The great majority of these infections occur through Mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT). For prevention of MTCT, the national guidelines has been revised to incorporate scientific advances in HIV prevention, treatment and care. Since 2005, the country has been implementing a peer mentor programme called Mother Support Group (MSG), which provides psychosocial and adherence support for HIV positive mothers. This study examined implementation of PMTCT guidelines revisions and outcomes of HIV exposed babies in the MSG in Addis Ababa. Retrospective routine data were collected between 2005 and August 2013 from seven randomly selected primary health facilities. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression models. Several guidelines revisions were made between 2001 and 2013 in HIV testing approaches, prophylactic antiretroviral options, infant feeding recommendations and infant HIV testing algorithms. Revisions on the CD4 thresholds were associated with a significant increase in the proportion of women initiating antiretroviral treatment from 0 in 2005 to 62% in 2013. Revisions in infant feeding recommendations led to a 92.3% reported practice of exclusive breastfeeding in 2013 compared to 60.9% in 2005. Two and four percent of the HIV exposed babies were HIV positive by six and 18 months respectively. Not receiving prophylactic ART and receiving mixed feeding were independent predictors for babies having an HIV positive antibody test at 18 months. The rate of HIV status disclosure increased significantly year by year. Over the years, the PMTCT recommendations have moved from having a solo focus on PMTCT to holistic and inclusive approaches emphasizing survival beyond HIV prevention. The data reflect favourable outcomes of HIV exposed babies in terms of averted MTCT though serious gaps in data quality remain. For successful implementation of Option-B plus, the identified gaps in the MSG need to be addressed.

Formalising the precepting process: A concept analysis of preceptorship.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the terminology associated with preceptorships, articulate an operational description of preceptorship that may be useful in formalising the precepting process and provide guidance for constructing a clinical environment where precepting can thrive. BACKGROUND: Precepting facilitates the transition of nurses into new roles. Precepting may improve patient outcomes and safety, as well as enhance nursing satisfaction. Most research focuses on preceptor preparation and perceptions. A comprehensive operational description of what is required to formalise the precepting process is missing from the literature. DESIGN: This concept analysis was completed using a combination of Walker and Avant's and Rodger's methods. METHODS: Existing literature relating to preceptorship was reviewed. Critical attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents were identified. Model, contrary, related and borderline cases were developed. RESULTS: Preceptorships have the specific attributes of being (i) one-on-one relationships, (ii) embedded within formalised programmes, (iii) that evolve over set amounts of time, (iv) to systematically facilitate practical experiences. Antecedents include how precepting is triggered and organisational supporting activities that may facilitate effective precepting. Consequences include new hire preparedness, confidence and increased retention. Empirical referents are provided for assessing hands-on clinical expertise, individualisation of precepting programmes and the preceptor-preceptee relationship. CONCLUSIONS: This concept analysis provides a holistic view of the precepting process that shifts the focus from the people or checklist to formalised preceptorships. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Continuity throughout an organisation's system streamlines the process of hiring new employees and transitioning nursing students to practice. Organisational policies, dedicated resources and engagement in systematically improving the precepting process are critical. Nurse managers must promote and support formalised preceptorships by providing preceptors and preceptees the time and space needed and fostering a culture that supports preceptorships.

Peer to peer mentoring: Outcomes of third-year midwifery students mentoring first-year students.

PROBLEM: Undergraduate midwifery students commonly experience anxiety in relation to their first clinical placement. BACKGROUND: A peer mentoring program for midwifery students was implemented in an urban Australian university. The participants were first-year mentee and third-year mentor students studying a three-year Bachelor degree in midwifery. The program offered peer support to first-year midwifery students who had little or no previous exposure to hospital clinical settings. Mentors received the opportunity to develop mentoring and leadership skills. AIM: The aim was to explore the benefits, if any, of a peer mentoring program for midwifery students. METHODS: The peer mentoring program was implemented in 2012. Sixty-three peer mentors and 170 mentees participated over three academic years. Surveys were distributed at the end of each academic year. Quantitative survey data were analysed descriptively and qualitative survey data were analysed thematically using NVivo 10 software. FINDINGS: Over 80% of mentors and mentees felt that the program helped mentees adjust to their midwifery clinical placement. At least 75% of mentors benefited, in developing their communication, mentoring and leadership skills. Three themes emerged from the qualitative data, including 'Receiving start-up advice'; 'Knowing she was there' and 'Wanting more face to face time'. DISCUSSION: There is a paucity of literature on midwifery student peer mentoring. The findings of this program demonstrate the value of peer support for mentees and adds knowledge about the mentor experience for undergraduate midwifery students. CONCLUSION: The peer mentor program was of benefit to the majority of midwifery students.