Association of Laboratory Science Education and Certification with Laboratory Errors: The Value of Education and Certification Study.

OBJECTIVES: With the exception of states that require licensure, there is no uniform requirement for certification or for education from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited laboratory science program for employment in a laboratory, under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988. The objective of the Value of Education and Certification (VEC) study was to determine if lack of NAACLS-accredited education and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification was associated with laboratory errors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used personnel and testing/reporting error data from 739 laboratorians, involving five laboratory partners. RESULTS: MLS-certified individuals were 33% less likely to make errors (p=0.0473) and MLT-certified individuals were 71% less likely to make errors (p=0.0014) compared to those who were not certified. MLS-certified laboratorians were twice as likely to make testing/reporting errors compared to those who were MLT certified, which was significant (p=0.0238). Education level and accredited laboratory education were not associated with testing/reporting errors. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that lack of MLS and MLT certification are independently associated with laboratory testing/reporting errors.

Revealing rural motivations in pharmacy students pursuing a graduate certificate program.

INTRODUCTION: To assist recruitment and retention efforts and influence the need for an increased supply of future rural pharmacists, this study examines perceptions and key motivators of pharmacy students who chose to participate in the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate (RPHC) program and pursue pathways to rural practice. METHODS: We interviewed six RPHC students prior to or shortly after beginning their first semester in the RPHC program. Interview questions assessed applicants' reasons for pursuing the RPHC, perceptions of living in and providing healthcare in rural and small communities, awareness of barriers and health disparities in rural areas, and qualities needed to be a successful rural pharmacist. We analyzed data with the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method, a common approach to qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Interest in pursuing rural pharmacy grew out of growing up in a rural area, as well as a desire to serve and help others. Students expected that completing the RPHC would strengthen their skillsets to provide the best care by addressing barriers such as difficulty accessing care and health literacy. Being a learner of one's community was the primary quality identified as necessary to be a successful rural pharmacist. CONCLUSION: This study identified primary motivators and perceptions that led students to pursue a rural health program at one US pharmacy school. The results can be used to identify and train good candidates for rural pharmacy practice, strengthening the rural pharmacy workforce to better meet communities' needs.

Why should Medical Societies increasingly attend to their Specialist Title exams and why should medical professionals obtain it?

Medical societies must maintain high standards of competence and quality when awarding specialist titles, defining the certification criteria, taking into account the needs and realities of the health system and medical practice.

Implementation of quality indicators for vulvar cancer in gynaecological cancer centres certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG).

PURPOSE: In 2018, the first guideline-based quality indicators (QI) for vulvar cancer were implemented in the data-sheets of certified gynaecological cancer centres. The certification process includes guideline-based QIs as a fundamental component. These indicators are specifically designed to evaluate the level of care provided within the centres. This article aims to give an overview of the developing process of guideline based-QIs for women with vulvar cancer and presents the QIs results from the certified gynaecological cancer centres. METHODS: The QIs were derived in a standardized multiple step process during the update of the 2015 S2k guideline "Diagnosis, Therapy, and Follow-Up Care of Vulvar Cancer and its Precursors" (registry-number: no. 015/059) and are based on strong recommendations. RESULTS: In total, there are eight guideline-based QIs for vulvar cancer. Four QIs are part of the certification process. In the treatment year 2021, 2.466 cases of vulvar cancer were treated in 177 centres. The target values in the centres for pathology reports on tumour resection and lymphadenectomy as well as sentinel lymph nodes have increased since the beginning of the certification process and have been above 90% over the past three treatment years (2019-2021). DISCUSSION: QIs based on strong guideline recommendations, play a crucial role in measuring and allowing to quantify essential aspects of patient care. By utilizing QIs, centres are able to identify areas for process optimization and draw informed conclusions. Over the years the quality of treatment of vulvar cancer patients measured by the QIs was improved. The certification system is continuously reviewed to enhance patient care even further by using the outcomes from QIs revaluation.

Innovation and evaluation of vocational pharmaceutical education system under the 1 + X certificate system in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The 1 + X certificate system, introduced in China in 2019, integrates academic credentials with vocational skill certificates to meet the heightened demand for skilled talents in the growing economy. This study aims to innovate and evaluate the vocational pharmaceutical education system under the 1 + X certificate framework, specifically addressing the gap between theoretical education and workplace requirements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational approach analyzed 490 pharmacy students over two academic years. The 2021 cohort underwent 1 + X integrated education, while the 2020 cohort followed conventional education. We collaborated closely with industry partners to identify and compile typical job competencies, formulating work projects aligned with industry demands. Combining the skill level standards and assessment content of "1+X Pharmaceutical Purchasing and Sales" and "1+X Pharmaceutical Preparation", we revised the course standards, incorporating typical work projects into the 2021 pharmacy professional teaching curriculum. This constituted the fundamental content of the 1 + X education reform. Statistical analysis compared course scores and 1 + X certificate examination performance. RESULTS: The 2021 cohort, under the 1 + X educational model, demonstrated higher average scores in pharmacy courses, with significant improvements in pharmacology (1 + X vs. Traditional education: 58.40 ± 14.20 vs. 53.44 ± 14.67), clinical pharmacotherapy (72.74 ± 10.28 vs. 63.15 ± 11.03), and pharmaceutical distribution and marketing (79.34 ± 10.96 vs. 67.50 ± 15.82). 1 + X certificate pass rates and satisfaction with the model were also higher than the 2020 cohort. CONCLUSION: The 1 + X certificate system is useful for developing talent in Chinese vocational education, effectively integrating assessments with industry standards. Future research should aim at evaluating long-term outcomes and improving quantitative skills assessments for enhanced effectiveness.

Certification and licensing of public health professionals in Taiwan.

This Viewpoint reviews the debate about whether the professionalization of public health practice should be approached through a certification and licensure system. It introduces the recent attempt at professionalizing public health in Taiwan with the newly enacted Public Health Specialists Act of 2020, regulating the Public Health Specialist (PHS) through a state-mandated certificate. The Viewpoint discusses the implications of this new PHS Act on Taiwan's public health education and professionalization. The PHS model in Taiwan is one of the first of its kind around the globe. Advocates of public health professionalization and public health educators could benefit from Taiwan's experience.

A digital teleneuropsychology platform for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: from concept to certification as a medical device.

BACKGROUND: Innovative digital solutions are shaping a new concept of dementia care, opening additional venues for prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Hereby, we report the development of a tablet-based teleneuropsychology platform (Tenèpsia®), from concept to certification as Medical Device (MD) Class IIA, as per new MD regulation 745/2017. METHODS: The platform was designed for the remote cognitive evaluation and created thanks to the effort of a collaborative working group including experts from three Italian scientific societies and Biogen Italia S.r.l. (hereafter "Biogen"), and developers from Xenia Reply and Inside AI. The development strategy was guided by converting traditional paper-and-pencil tests into digital versions while maintaining comparable neuropsychological features and optimizing patient accessibility and user experience. The experts focused on the choice and adaptation of traditional neuropsychology measures for a 45-min teleneuropsychology assessment. RESULTS: The developers created a web and a mobile interface, respectively, for the professional (neuropsychologist) and non-professional (patient and caregiver) use. Recording of voice, drawing and typing information was enabled. Instant dashboards provide a quick overview of the patient's condition. Simulation activities were performed to obtain MD certification, valid across Europe. CONCLUSION: Neuropsychology services will benefit from the implementation in clinics of harmonized digital tools with adequate scientific and technological standards. The use of digital cognitive testing for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is expected to enhance patient and clinician outcomes through simplified, digital objective data collection, sparing of time and resources, with a positive impact on healthcare costs and access to treatments, reducing inequalities and delays in diagnosis and cure.

Maintenance of Certification-The Value to Patients and Physicians.

This Viewpoint discusses the ABIM's continuing efforts to innovate and streamline maintenance of certification, including the recently launched Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA), to better accommodate physicians' schedules and desires for flexibility.