Learning Spinal Manipulation: Objective and Subjective Assessment of Performance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between objective spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) biomechanical parameters and subjective assessments provided by patients, clinicians, and expert assessors. METHODS: Chiropractic students (N = 137) and expert instructors (N = 14) were recruited. Students were asked to perform a thoracic SMT alternately on each other on a force-sensing table while being observed by an expert instructor. Students who performed (clinicians) and received (patients) SMT, and expert instructors, independently scored each SMT performance using visual analog scales. Correlations between these subjective scores and SMT biomechanical parameters were calculated. The following parameters were evaluated: peak force, preload force, thrust duration, and drop in preload force. Spinal manipulation therapy comfort was also assessed by patients, clinicians, and expert instructors. RESULTS: Results of the study indicate that thrust duration assessed by instructors and patients was the only parameters significantly correlated with the table data (r = .37; P < .001 and r = .26; P = .002). Comfort assessed by clinicians was significantly correlated with their own assessments of thrust duration (r = .37; P < .001) and preload force (r = .23; P = .007), whereas comfort assessed by instructors was significantly correlated with their own assessment of thrust duration (r = .27; P = .002) and drop in preload force (r = -.34; P < .001). Objective biomechanical parameters of performance did not predict perceived comfort. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results from the subjective assessments of SMT performance are weakly correlated with objective measures of SMT performance. Only the thrust duration evaluated by expert instructors and patients was associated with scores obtained from the table. Perceived comfort of the procedure seems to be associated mostly with perceived thrust duration and preload characteristics.

An educational intervention improved knowledge of dietary supplements in college students.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported on the prevalence of dietary supplements among college students; it was deduced that their intake of supplements increased according to their grade (i.e., 13.1% in the first grade to 20.5% in the sixth grade). We also reported that some students had experienced adverse events in Japan due to their intake of these supplements. However, awareness of dietary supplements among college students remains limited, even among pharmaceutical students. Being appropriately educated about them is important for pharmaceutical students, both for themselves as well as for their future careers as pharmacists. METHODS: We conducted a lecture-based educational intervention about dietary supplements on 328 college students in Japan-184 from pharmaceutical science and 144 from environmental science or food and life science disciplines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention on college students' understanding of dietary supplements. The intervention involved a lecture that covered the quality of dietary supplements, how they differed from drugs, and a summary of their adverse events. The lecture was evaluated using a 14-question questionnaire. We then compared the pre- and post-intervention responses to the same questionnaire using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The questions were assessed using a Likert scale that ranged from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree"; the latter being the preferred answer. RESULTS: Before the intervention had taken place, the students' understanding of dietary supplements was shown to be deficient. Conversely, post-intervention, their knowledge levels had significantly improved, especially concerning agreement on whether "Dietary supplements are safe because they are just food items". Pre-intervention, 2.7% strongly agreed and 37.5% agreed; post-intervention, 1.2% strongly agreed and 15.6% agreed. On whether "Dietary supplements made from natural ingredients or herbs are safe", at the pre-intervention stage 2.8% strongly agreed and 44.0% agreed and post-intervention, 2.2% strongly agreed and 16.9% agreed. On whether "Dietary supplements made from food items are safe", 4.0% strongly agreed and 43.6% agreed pre-intervention and 0.9% strongly agreed and 16.6% agreed post-intervention. Despite there being a greater number of pharmaceutical students who had a correct understanding of dietary supplements before the intervention, these students still showed improvement after the lecture. CONCLUSION: An intervention in the form of a single educational lecture has the capacity to improve college students' understanding of dietary supplements. It is important for pharmacists to be appropriately educated about dietary supplements when they consult with patients. We will evaluate the long-term effects of the intervention on the alumni (pharmacists) in a subsequent study.

Risk of professional accidental exposure to biological agents in health care workers: a retrospective analysis carried out in a southern Italian tertiary hospital.

Worldwide the needlestick injuries of health care workers (HCWs) still represent a major health problem. The authors aimed to evaluate the risk of HCW needlestick injuries in a tertiary university hospital in southern Italy in relation to some HCW characteristics (age, sex, professional profile, work department) and the source of infection. All HCWs of the University Hospital "Federico II" in Naples, Italy, attending the Infectious Diseases Unit after potential accidental contact to blood-borne viruses through needlestick injuries were enrolled during a 22-year period. HCWs underwent clinical analysis and were administered a specific questionnaire to collect (in anonymous fashion) data about age, sex, professional profile and work department. From 1995 to 2016 1,477 needlestick injuries in the same number of people (one accident per person) were recorded by our service. The HCWs were predominately males (n = 806, 55%) and the mean age was 39.4 years (±10.1 SD). The job categories most involved were: physicians (41%), followed by nurses (33%) and healthcare assistants (HCAs, 10%). The incidence proportion was calculated for these highest-risk categories in three defined time points (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the study period): 104/2149 (4.86%) in 1995, 41/2498 (1.64%) in 2005 and 25/2057 (1.22%) in 2015. Most injuries occurred in General Surgery (14.21%), Gynecology and Obstetrics (9%) and Pediatrics (6.49%). In about 34% the HCWs had been exposed to HCV infected fluids. Over time, a significant decrease in accidental exposure was recorded for physicians (p= 0.019), nurses (p< 0.0001) and HCAs (p< 0.0001). Our results confirm that some profiles, namely physicians, nurses and healthcare assistants, are still at risk of needlestick injuries, especially in surgical areas, including obstetric wards. Further primary and secondary prevention strategies are needed to decrease the incidence of new cases of needlestick injuries.

Guided Hands-On Activities Can Improve Student Learning in a Lecture-Based Qualitative Biomechanics Course.

A qualitative biomechanics (functional anatomy) course is a typical course in kinesiology curriculum. Most evidence suggests that biomechanics learning could be improved with the inclusion of laboratory experiences. However, implementing laboratories into biomechanics curriculum is difficult due to cost and time constraints. This study was conducted to evaluate whether hands-on activities in lecture improve qualitative biomechanics learning. A lecture format was compared to the same course with guided and unguided hands-on activities included during lecture. Test performance and student evaluations were compared between lecture formats to determine if hands-on experiences improve learning. The hands-on group performed better on the same test questions and they evaluated their overall course activities as beneficial to their learning. The findings suggest that guided hands-on experiences may improve learning compared to unguided activities. The hands-on experiences seem to provide an embodied cognitive learning experience, facilitating retention of learned material through three-dimensional and tactile mental representations. Findings from this research are currently shaping how biomechanics is taught to students at this university and could at other universities as well.

Preparing Osteopathic Students for the Single Graduate Medical Education Accreditation System: Evaluating Factors for Match Success in Emergency Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: With the development of and progression toward a single graduate medical education accreditation system combining the current Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) residency programs, the total number of students competing for the same postgraduate training spots will continue to rise. Given this increasing competition for emergency medicine (EM) residency positions, understanding factors that contribute to match success is important to ensure a successful match for osteopathic medical students. METHODS: Our anonymous survey to evaluate factors that led to a successful match was sent out to residents in current ACGME-, AOA-, and dually-accredited programs via the AOA program director listserv and the Council of Residency Directors (CORD) e-mail listserv in 2017. RESULTS: We had 218 responses. Responses showed that osteopathic graduates had less affiliation with EM residencies, their home institutions provided less information regarding standardized letters of evaluations (SLOE), and that successful osteopathic graduates seemed to learn about them while on EM elective rotations. These students also had less direct EM mentorship and were generally unsatisfied with the level of mentorship available. Osteopathic graduates in current ACGME programs were also more likely to have taken the United States Medical Licensing Examination compared to their AOA resident counterparts. CONCLUSION: Osteopathic medical schools can improve their graduates' chances of successfully matching in EM by establishing mentorship programs and educating their students early about SLOEs.

Prevalencia de estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primer semestre de tercero, cuarto y quinto año, y de estilos docentes de la carrera de Cinesiología, Universidad de Antofagasta Guido / Prevalence of the learning styles of students in the first semester of the third, fourth and fifth years, and of the teaching styles of the Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, University of Antofagasta

Introducción. Este artículo caracterizó los estilos de aprendizaje y estilos docentes de estudiantes y docentes de la carrera de cinesiología, identificando los estilos de aprendizaje de 124 estudiantes y los estilos docentes de 21 docentes de dicha carrera, para proponer estrategias educativas que aporten al modelo pedagógico de la universidad y al mejoramiento del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Sujetos y métodos. Utilizando el cuestionario de estilos de aprendizaje de Honey-Alonso, y para describir los resultados, se consideró el baremo general de preferencia en estilos de aprendizaje de Alonso et al y las puntuaciones de los estudiantes según su nivel académico. Los estilos docentes fueron explorados mediante el cuestionario de estilos de enseñanza validado para Chile. Resultados. Los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes son diferentes según su nivel académico, y son de predominio teórico-pragmático en tercer año, y activo-reflexivo en cuarto y quinto años. Los estilos docentes resultaron ser preferentemente formal y funcional, y favorecen los estilos de aprendizaje reflexivo y pragmático. Conclusiones. Los autores estiman que las modificaciones de los estilos de aprendizaje responden a las características del currículo y las características de los estilos docentes antes y después del tercer año, y a partir de los resultados propondrán al departamento las estrategias de enseñanza que aporten a la docencia y optimización de la calidad del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los estudiantes de la carrera (AU)

Introduction. This article characterises the learning and teaching styles of the students and the teaching staff in the Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology by identifying the learning styles of 124 students and the teaching styles of 21 members of the teaching staff of this degree course, with the aim of proposing educational strategies that contribute to the pedagogical model of the university and to improve the teaching and learning process. Subjects and methods. The Honey-Alonso learning styles questionnaire was utilised, and the results were described using the general scale of preference in learning styles of Alonso et al. and students’ scores according to their academic level. The teaching styles were explored by means of the teaching styles questionnaire, validated for Chile. Results. Students’ learning styles differ according to their academic level, and are predominantly theoretical-pragmatic in the third year and active-reflective in the fourth and fifth years. The teaching styles were preferably formal and functional and favour reflective and pragmatic learning styles. Conclusions. The authors estimate that the modifications of the learning styles are due to the characteristics of the curriculum and the characteristics of the teaching styles before and after the third year. From the results, they will propose, for consideration by the department, teaching strategies that contribute to teaching and optimise the quality of the teaching and learning process of the students of this degree course (AU)

Paramedic and midwifery student exposure to workplace violence during clinical placements in Australia - A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES:   The objective of this pilot study was to identify the type of workplace violence experienced by undergraduate paramedic and midwifery students. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional methodology with the self-administered paper-based Paramedic Workplace Violence Exposure Questionnaire to elicit undergraduate paramedic and midwife responses to workplace violence whilst on clinical placements. There were 393 students eligible for inclusion in the study. A convenience sample was used. The anonymous questionnaire took 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Descriptive statistics are used to summarise the data with a two-tailed t-test used to compare groups. RESULTS: The main form of workplace violence was verbal abuse 18% and intimidation 17%.  There was a statistically significant difference between midwifery and paramedic students for intimidation (t(134)=-3.143, CI: -0.367 to -0.082, p=0.002) and between females and males for sexual harassment (t(134)=2.029, CI: 0.001 to 0.074, p=0.045), all other results were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study is the first of its kind in Australia and internationally to identify exposure rates of workplace violence by undergraduate paramedic students during clinical placements and one of very few to identify midwifery students' exposure rates of workplace violence. The study identified that students were exposed to a range of workplace violence acts from verbal abuse through to sexual harassment. These findings highlight a need for investigation of workplace violence exposure of medical, nursing and allied health students during the clinical phase of their studies.

Percepción sobre las competencias específicas de formación profesional del cinesiólogo / Perception of the professional training specific competences of the physiotherapist

Objetivo: La presente investigación se interesó en conocer la percepción que profesionales del equipo de salud tienen sobre las competencias de formación del cinesiólogo. Sujetos y métodos: Un total de 102 participantes de profesiones afines a la cinesiología contestaron el instrumento que contenía el total de las competencias específicas propuestas para el perfil de egreso. Mediante un diseño no experimental transversal correlacional, los participantes voluntarios opinaron individualmente sobre la cuestión. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados indican que existe acuerdo sobre la relevancia de las competencias del perfil, aunque hay algunas diferencias de énfasis según la profesión. Aquellos profesionales que desarrollan labores vinculadas directamente con el trabajo del cinesiólogo otorgaron una mayor importancia a las competencias del área clínica. Además, áreas históricas de conflicto como la gestión y administración fueron menos valoradas por profesionales que suelen ejercer estos roles. Se discuten los resultados en torno a sus posibles aplicaciones para la actualización de los perfiles de egreso profesional

Aim: The present study covers the perception of the physical therapist unique knowledge and competence among the allied health care professionals. Subjects and methods: A total of 102 professionals participated related to the work of a therapist answering the questionnaire that covered all areas of specific skills and scope necessary at time of graduation. A non-experimental transversal cross co relational study was used to interview the volunteer’s subjects who gave their personal opinion. Results and conclusions: The outcome indicated there are agreement among allied health care professional about the importance of the competence of the physical therapist although they advise of some differences in the emphasis according from their specific area of work. Those who work closely to a therapist developed a higher importance to the scope of the physical therapist as a clinician. Beside common areas of conflict such as health administration were least appreciated by other allied health care workers who normally are employed in this area. The results are reviewed to apply them in the adjustments for future curriculum in physical therapy schools

Estilos de aprendizaje y su relación con la necesidad de reestructuración de las estrategias de aprendizaje de los estudiantes universitarios de primer año / Learning styles and the relationship with the need for restructuring learning strategies among university students of first year

OBJETIVO: Determinar la relación entre los estilos de aprendizaje y la necesidad de reestructuración de las estrategias de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primer año de las carreras de licenciatura en Nutrición y licenciatura en Kinesiología y Fisiatría, de la Facultad de Medicina, Fundación Héctor A. Barceló, IUCS, Santo Tomé, Corrientes, desde el modelo de la programación neurolingüística. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal y analítico, en agosto de 2014, mediante un muestreo no probabilístico intencional con alumnos regulares de ambos sexos. Las variables estudiadas fueron dos: estilos de aprendizajes, y estrategias y factores de aprendizaje. RESULTADOS: Se evaluó a 114 alumnos y se encontró un predominio del estilo auditivo en el aprendizaje. Se halló además una relación significativa entre los estilos de aprendizaje y la necesidad de reestructuración de las estrategias utilizadas por los alumnos (χ2 = 11,44; p = 0,003). El 95% de los alumnos necesitan reestructurar cuatro o más áreas de estrategias y factores de aprendizaje. CONCLUSIONES: Es imprescindible que el docente realice el autoanálisis de sus estilos de aprendizaje para comprender cuáles son sus decisiones y estrategias preferidas de enseñanza que inciden en el aprendizaje de sus alumnos. Si bien predomina el estilo auditivo en el grupo estudiado, es necesario incentivar la práctica de metodologías educativas que tiendan a que el alumno utilice los tres sistemas de representación, para que pueda potenciarse las que son subutilizadas

AIM: To determine the relationship between learning styles and the need for restructuring learning strategies among university students of first year from Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Kinesiology, at Hector A. Barceló Foundation, IUCS, Santo Tomé, Corrientes, from the model of the neuro-linguistic programming. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, analytical, and transversal study was performed in August 2014, through nonprobability intentional sampling with regular students of both sexes. The variables considered were styles of learning strategies and learning factors. RESULTS: 114 students were assessed and it was found a predominance of auditory style learning. It was found, in addition, a significant relationship between learning styles and the need for restructuring the strategies used by the students (χ2 = 11.44; p = 0.003). 95% of students needed restructure four or more strategies and factors of learning areas. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential that teachers perform a self-analysis of their learning styles to understand their decisions in classroom and best teaching strategies for student’s learning. Although, the auditory style in the group dominated, it’s necessary to encourage the practice of educational methodologies that tend to make the student use the three systems of representation, so that they can develop those that are sub-utilized

The role and working conditions of Movement Science students employed in sport and recreational facilities: An Italian multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational facilities before graduation. OBJECTIVE: The employment conditions of Movement Science students working in sport/recreational facilities were investigated, and the management and structural features of the facilities were evaluated, including safety policies. Regional differences were also considered. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to undergraduate and graduate students (N = 4,217) in 17 Universities. Students' perceptions of the quality of the facilities where they had been employed was evaluated using multivariate analysis. A latent class model with covariates was used to evaluate how variables relating to participants, employment facilities or regions influence their opinions. RESULTS: A high proportion of MS students were employed in sporting facilities (undergraduate level: 33% ; graduate level: 55%), in most cases without any formal employment contracts. Both the structural and hygienic features, as well as the professional knowledge of the staff, were considered good to excellent by the majority of participants (about 70%). Communication of the basic behavioral rules was considered adequate by 61-63% of undergraduate students and 71-75% of graduate students, while nearly half of the participants were dissatisfied with the staff safety training. Correlations between the perceived good structural/hygienic conditions, the presence of regulations and training programs for the staff were investigated. Differences regarding occupational level and safety training among different regions of Italy were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Italian students in Movement Science were easily employed in sport/recreational facilities, but frequently without a formal contract. This is a consequence of the lack of specific regulations in the field of recreational/leisure employment and could have negative implications, especially in terms of safety.

Perceptions and practices of self-medication in healthcare and nonhealthcare university students in South India.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to study and compare knowledge, attitude and practices regarding self-medication in healthcare and nonhealthcare university students. METHODS: Suitably constructed, structured and pretested questionnaires were distributed to 350 students in each group; data were documented in SPSS software version 20.0 and analyzed using χ2-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires only were analyzed, which were 314 and 310 in healthcare and nonhealthcare groups, respectively. The majority of students practiced self-medication (84.4% vs. 68.1%; p<0.001) with the most common indications being fever (46.4% vs. 37.9%; p<0.001) and cough and common cold (30.9% vs. 37%; p=0.004). Most commonly self-medicated drugs were antipyretics (67.9% vs. 52.6%; p=0.03) and multivitamins (28.7% vs. 16.8%; p<0.001). A few of them experienced adverse drug reactions due to self-medication (6.8% vs. 1.9%; p<0.001). Independent risk factors for self-medication were younger age group (OR=2.93, CI 95% 1.09-7.85), storage of medicines at home (OR=2.49, CI 95% 1.21-5.12), healthcare students (OR=2.54, CI 95% 1.72-3.74), higher knowledge scores (OR=1.65, CI 95% 1.08-2.52), those consuming homeopathic preparations (OR=9.19, CI 95% 1.24-68.11), multivitamins (OR=6.7, CI 95% 2.88-15.6) or health supplements (OR=6, CI 95% 2.15-16.74), participants who strongly agreed that self-medication is a part of self-care (OR=3.97, CI 95% 1.56-10.09), and those self-medicating with an old prescription for same illness (OR=0.04, CI 95% 0.01-0.15) or over advice from home (OR=0.11, CI 95% 0.04-0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Though self-medication is common in university students, there is a dearth in their knowledge regarding the same. This highlights the need for increasing awareness among students regarding hazards of self-medication.

Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions of Spirituality in Training.

Spirituality is recognized as an essential and integral component of a holistic approach in occupational therapy practice. However, little is known about occupational therapy students' perceptions regarding spirituality in learning context. This study used qualitative exploratory, descriptive design to explore the occupational therapy students' perceptions about spirituality in training. Using purposive sampling, four semi-structured interviews were conducted with two students, a lecturer and an occupational therapist. In addition, two focus groups were conducted with students in order to collect data. Data collected were audio-taped; transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. The analysis resulted in emergence of four themes: "Unique to every individual," "Spirituality in occupational therapy," "To be or not to be taught," and "The Real world." Participants perceived spirituality as an individually experienced. The study contributes to the body of knowledge base of occupational therapy education regarding spirituality. However, there is a need for guidelines to integrate spirituality in occupational therapy training.

Conocimientos y actitudes sobre terapias alternativas y complementarias en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud / Knowledge and attitudes about alternative and complementary therapies in students of health sciences

Introducción: Las terapias alternativas y complementarias (TAC) han generado en el contexto sanitario actual tanto seguidores como detractores. Objetivo: Explorar los conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes sobre las TAC en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud. Método: Estudio descriptivo desarrollado en la Universidad del País Vasco (Espa˜na) en el curso académico 2013-2014. Una muestra representativa de estudiantes cumplimentó un cuestionario anónimo con preguntas sobre conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes sobre el uso de las TAC. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos para cada ítem y disciplina. La comparación entre proporciones se realizó mediante la estimación de intervalos de confianza al 95%.Resultados: Un total de 605 alumnos completaron el cuestionario (32.6% enfermería; 32.2% medicina; 28.6% farmacia; 6.6% fisioterapia). Las terapias más conocidas en las que los alumnos habían recibido formación fueron la homeopatía (25.3%) y la acupuntura (12.6%). Ambas terapias fueron percibidas como bastante o muy efectivas por el 32.7 y el 44.1% de los encuestados. Se objetivó una mayor proporción de estudiantes de enfermería y fisioterapia con actitudes favorables hacia las TAC, que de estudiantes de medicina y farmacia. El 27.4% de los estudiantes recomendaría a sus pacientes acudir a las TAC como primera medida terapéutica ante determinado tipo de circunstancias, y el 27.1% consideró que las terapias no avaladas por la ciencia deberían ser descartadas de la praxis clínica. El 59.2% reclamó la necesidad de formación sobre éstas terapias en la universidad y el 67.9% consideró que los profesionales debían poseer capacidades para educar e informar a sus pacientes. Conclusiones: Existe gran desconocimiento sobre las TAC. Homeopatía y acupuntura son las más conocidas y la percepción sobre su efectividad es desigual entre estudiantes, siendo los de enfermería y fisioterapia quienes presentan actitudes más favorables hacia las TAC.

Concepto de calidad en educación en la formación del profesional de cinesiología / Concept of educational quality in physical therapists' undergraduate professional training

Objetivo: Conocer el concepto de calidad educativa en la formación del profesional de cinesiología. Sujetos y métodos: Un total de 90 participantes egresados y estudiantes de último año de la carrera de cinesiología contestaron el instrumento de evaluación que contenía los criterios de calidad en educación propuestos para la formación del profesional de cinesiología. Mediante un diseño no experimental transversal correlacional, los participantes voluntarios opinaron individualmente sobre la cuestión. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados indican que, en general, todos los criterios se consideraron importantes, pero existen algunas diferencias entre profesionales y estudiantes sobre la relevancia de los criterios de calidad en educación. Los profesionales egresados de la carrera de cinesiología otorgan una mayor importancia a los criterios de calidad en educación relacionados con la excelencia y la evaluación. Además, jerarquizan como importantes criterios de calidad vinculados con los recursos, procesos y resultados. Por otro lado, los estudiantes dan gran importancia a los criterios relacionados con el proceso de formación, como son los recursos, la evaluación y la excelencia. Se discuten los resultados en torno al concepto de calidad y sus posibles aplicaciones en la mejora de los procesos educativos y, por tanto, en la formación profesional

Aim: To explore the concept of quality in education during the undergraduate years of physical therapy student's training. Subjects and methods: A total of 90 senior students and graduated physical therapists answered the questions from a survey instrument containing the whole quality variables in education, proposed during the curriculum program of physical therapists. A non experimental transversal cross correlational study was used. Results and conclusions: The results indicate there are significant differences among graduates and the student's perceptions about the relevance of quality components of the educational experience. The graduated therapists attributed greater importance to the areas of education related to excellence and evaluation. They also prioritized aspects of quality connected with the resources, process and outcomes. Conversely, the students gave greater importance to the areas associated with the learning process; such as the resources of the institution, assessment and better education. Outcomes related to the concept of educational quality and its possible applications in the improvement of the learning process and overall professional development are discussed

Incidencia de factores socioculturales como ruralidad y género en el rendimiento académico del primer semestre de estudiantes de la carrera de cinesiología / Incidence of sociocultural factors like rurality and gender in the academic performance of the kinesiology program students

Objetivo. Determinar si las variables socioculturales como 'origen rural', medido con el nuevo índice de ruralidad del Centro Latinoamericano para el Desarrollo Rural (Rimisp), y el 'género' se relacionan con rendimiento académico, entendido como promedio numérico tras el primer semestre lectivo. Sujetos y métodos. Se evaluó a los alumnos de la carrera de cinesiología en la Universidad Santo Tomás-Talca pertenecientes a las cohortes de 2010 y 2011. Los datos de género e índice de ruralidad se asociaron al rendimiento académico. Resultados. No existe relación estadísticamente significativa entre rendimiento académico y género, pero sí entre índice de ruralidad y rendimiento académico (p = 0,05) durante el primer semestre lectivo de la carrera de cinesiología en la sede de Talca. Conclusión. Los alumnos provenientes de localidades rurales (tipologías 1 y 2) superan en rendimiento a sus pares urbanos; el género no es un factor relevante a considerar en el rendimiento (AU)

Aim. To determine if variables like rurality, measured with the new rurality index from the Latin American Centre for Rural Development (Rimisp), and gender are related with academic performance in the form of the average final mark of the first semester. Subjects and methods. Kinesiology students from cohorts 2010 and 2011 were assessed. Data of gender and rurality were associated with academic performance. Results. There is no relation of statistical significance between academic performance and gender. However, there is a relation of statistical significance (p = 0.05) between the rurality index and academic performance during the first academic semester of the kinesiology program at University of Santo Tomás-Talca. Conclusion. Students coming from rural areas (typology 1 and 2) surpassed their urban counterparts and that gender is not a relevant factor to be considered in academic performance (AU)

[Midwives and smoking--attitudes, smoking status and counselling competence in the course of training]. / Hebammen und Rauchen--Einstellungen, Rauchstatus und Beratungskompetenz im Ausbildungsverlauf.

Tobacco consumption is a major public health threat. Midwives can contribute to the reduction of tobacco use among pregnant women and young families. It can be assumed that personal smoking behaviour and knowledge of harmful effects influences counselling activities. The aim of this study was to assess smoking status, nicotine dependency and the will to change of midwifery students in german-speaking countries. Broad data on this population is not available so far. In 2010, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among Austrian, German and Swiss midwifery schools. Sociodemographic characteristics, smoking habits, personal attitudes towards smoking, knowledge of cessation strategies, perceived self-efficacy and competence to counsel pregnant women regarding their smoking habits of midwifery trainees were examined. 1 126 students and 38 teaching midwives answered this questionnaire (RR=61.8%). 22.7% are daily or occasional smokers. 6.8% have to be considered as medium and heavy smokers. 98.1% consider cessation counselling for pregnant and breast-feeding women as a midwife's task, while 76.5% feel competent enough to do so. 75.5% rate cessation counselling through midwives as effective stop-smoking procedures compared to blurry knowledge on related health risks and effective stop-smoking strategies. The self-reported smoking prevalence is considerably lower than in previous studies and other populations. Knowledge of harmful effects and of effective treatment options needs improvement. Counselling competence needs to be included in a broader way in midwifery curricula.

Valoración del perfil e ingesta de nutrientes de un grupo de estudiantes iberoamericanos de postgrados en nutrición / Assesing the profile and nutritional intakes of an ibero-american group of nutrition postgraduate students

Introducción: Los hábitos alimentarios tienen una gran influencia sobre la salud de las personas, por ello es de suma importancia profundizar en su estudio para comprobar su adaptación a las recomendaciones actuales y poder realizar políticas de educación nutricional y/o suplementación ajustadas a la realidad. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo con la colaboración de estudiantes de postgrado. Los participantes se seleccionaron mediante muestreo no probabilístico accidental enviando vía mail la información del estudio, realizado mediante un cuestionario sobre sus características socio-demográficas y un registro dietético de 3 días. La muestra estuvo formada por n = 50 participantes. Los registros dietéticos de 3 días se valoraron con el software NutrIber y los datos obtenidos fueron tratados mediante el software estadístico SPSS 15. Resultados y discusión: El perfil de los estudiantes es de 80% mujeres y 20% hombres, con edad media de 33,7 ± 9,32 años, e índice de masa corporal de 22,91 ± 4,07. Todos los grupos presentan un consumo excesivo de proteínas y lípidos y deficitario en glúcidos. En cuanto a los micronutrientes es destacable que ningún grupo cubre las ingestas recomendadas de yodo, y que ningún grupo de mujeres cubre las recomendaciones de ingesta de fibra, ácido fólico ni hierro. Conclusiones: Son necesarios más estudios para confirmar los resultados hallado, sin embargo, se puede concluir que las poblaciones urbanas de Latinoamérica cada vez se acercan más al modelo de dieta occidental, rica en proteínas y grasas y pobre en glúcidos, fibra y micronutrientes, lo que es indicativo de dietas pobres en cereales integrales, frutas y verduras (AU)

Introduction: Dietary habits have a great influence on people health of, and its study is extremely important to proof adaptation to current recommendations in order to develop nutritional education and/or supplementation policies adjusted to reality. Material and methods: A descriptive cross study with the participation of postgraduate students. Participants were selected using non-probability accidental sampling accidental. Information was sent by e-mail, including a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics and a 3-day dietary record. We obtained a sample of n = 50 participants. The 3-day dietary records were evaluated with NutrIber software and the data obtained were treated using the statistical software SPSS 15. Results and discussion: The profile of the students was 80% females and 20% males, mean age 33.7 ± 9.32 years, and body mass index of 22.91 ± 4.07. All groups have an excessive consumption of proteins and lipids and carbohydrates deficit. At the macrostory is remarkable that no group covers iodine recommended nutrient intake, and that no group of women covers the recommendations for fiber, folic acid and iron intake. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to confirm the results found. However, it can be concluded that urban populations in Latin America are increasingly closer to the model of Western diet, rich in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients, which is indicative of poor diets in whole grains, fruits and vegetables (AU)

Tracing the evolution of chiropractic students' confidence in clinical and patient communication skills during a clinical internship: a multi-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence points to variations in individual students' evolving confidence in clinical and patient communication skills during a clinical internship. A better understanding of the specific aspects of internships that contribute to increasing or decreasing confidence is needed to best support students during the clinical component of their study. METHODS: A multi-method approach, combining two large-scale surveys with 269 students and three in-depth individual interviews with a sub-sample of 29 students, was used to investigate the evolution of change in student confidence during a 10-month long internship. Change in levels of confidence in patient communication and clinical skills was measured and relationship to demographic factors were explored. The interviews elicited students' accounts and reflections on what affected the evolution of their confidence during the internship. RESULTS: At the start of their internship, students were more confident in their patient communication skills than their clinical skills but prior experience was significantly related to confidence in both. Initial confidence in patient communication skills was also related to age and prior qualification but not gender whilst confidence in clinical skills was related to gender but not age or prior qualification. These influences were maintained over time. Overall, students' levels of confidence in patient communication and clinical skills confidence increased significantly over the duration of the internship with evidence that change over time in these two aspects were inter-related. To explore how specific aspects of the internship contributed to changing levels of confidence, two extreme sub-groups of interviewees were identified, those with the least increase and those with the highest increase in professional confidence over time. A number of key factors affecting the development of confidence were identified, including among others, interactions with clinicians and patients, personal agency and maturing as a student clinician. CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the factors perceived by students as affecting the development of professional confidence during internships. One particularly promising area for educational intervention may be the promotion of a pro-active approach to professional learning.

Personal therapy for undergraduate music therapy students: a survey of AMTA program coordinators.

The primary purpose of this study was to gather information in order to understand if and how various modalities of personal therapy are employed with undergraduate music therapy students in the United States. AMTA degree program coordinators were asked about 3 therapy modalities, in particular: verbal therapy, music therapy, and expressive arts therapy (excluding music therapy). It was predicted that less than a quarter of the respondents would indicate that personal therapy of any modality was required in their undergraduate curricula, but that a larger percentage would indicate that it was encouraged. Both hypotheses were supported, with just over 14% of the respondents indicating that they require some form of personal therapy and 32% indicating that they encourage it, with 73% of this latter subgroup encouraging verbal therapy and 46% encouraging music therapy. It was further predicted that, when therapy was required or encouraged, it was most often provided by an individual who was associated with the college/university and that therapy was usually provided in a group format. Respondent comments related to these 2 questions revealed considerable confusion between experiential exercises and personal therapy, leading to dubious validity of some of the numerical data. Qualitative treatment of narrative responses illuminated 4 salient issues regarding personal therapy for undergraduate music therapy students, as follows: (a) the legal and ethical feasibility of making personal therapy a requirement; (b) the cost and availability of qualified professionals; (c) the benefits of personal therapy as an integral facet of undergraduate music therapy training and education; and (d) the appropriateness of personal therapy at the undergraduate level of training.