Utilizing Data Mining Techniques for Enhancing Physical Education Teaching Quality: A Sports Science Perspective / Utilización de técnicas de minería de datos para mejorar la calidad de la enseñanza de la educación física: una perspectiva de las ciencias del deporte

Quality physical education (PE) instruction plays a pivotal role in the development of talent and the overall success of educational institutions. Recent scholarly investigations have unveiled significant challenges within the realm of PE teaching. Consequently, it becomes imperative to establish a comprehensive PE teaching quality evaluation system that leverages data mining techniques. This study endeavors to design a robust model for evaluating PE teaching quality based on association rules mining. The process begins by defining evaluation indices specific to PE teaching quality. Subsequently, a meticulous analysis of the influencing factors affecting PE teaching quality is conducted. The results generated by the model presented herein closely align with established standard values, demonstrating superior evaluation quality. This model, rooted in data mining techniques, offers a promising reference point for future assessments and improvements in the domain of physical education teaching quality. In conclusion, the fusion of data mining methodologies within the sports science perspective provides a compelling framework for enhancing the quality of physical education teaching. This approach not only addresses existing challenges but also paves the way for more effective talent development and the advancement of educational institutions.(AU)

Assessing how well students understand the molecular basis of evolution by natural selection.

Researchers have called for undergraduate courses to update teaching frameworks based on the Modern Synthesis with insights from molecular biology, by stressing the molecular underpinnings of variation and adaptation. To support this goal, we developed a modified version of the widely used Assessing Conceptual Reasoning of Natural Selection (ACORNS) instrument. The expanded tool, called the E-ACORNS, is explicitly designed to test student understanding of the connections among genotypes, phenotypes, and fitness. E-ACORNS comprises a slight modification to the ACORNS open-response prompts and a new scoring rubric. The rubric is based on five core concepts in evolution by natural selection, with each concept broken into elements at the novice, intermediate, and expert-level understanding. Initial tests of the E-ACORNS showed that (1) upper-level undergraduates can score responses reliably and quickly, and (2) students who were just starting an introductory biology series for majors do not yet grasp the molecular basis of phenotypic variation and its connection to fitness.

An Exploratory-Descriptive Study on the Impact of COVID-19 on Teaching and Learning: The Experiences of Student Nurses in the Rural-Based Historically Disadvantaged University of South Africa.

Covid-19 has disrupted normal working conditions as people were not allowed to assemble in one place. There is a limit that is placed on the number of people congregating in public areas, and these measures also affect the education system worldwide. The purpose of the study was to explore nursing students' experiences in a historically disadvantaged rural-based university on the impact of Covid-19 on teaching and learning. The study employed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design among nursing students who were purposively sampled to participate in the study. A qualitative self-administered open-ended online google form was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was employed for this study. All ethical measures were respected during this study. Interviews were conducted with 68 participants, including 12 undergraduate second-year students, 7 third-year students, and 49 fourth-year students. A total of 51 females and 17 males participated in this study. The study yielded several themes, including participants' expression of their experiences related to teaching and learning during the national lockdown, participants' views on the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning/research, and Participants suggested sustainable strategies to promote teaching and learning during the national lockdown. In conclusion, the role of preceptors in all clinical areas should be strengthened to improve clinical teaching and learning. The researchers recommend strengthening collaboration among university lecturers for sharing ideas and finding innovative solutions appropriate for handling any pandemic that threatens teaching and learning processes.

Linguistic metaconcepts can improve grammatical understanding in L1 education evidence from a Dutch quasi-experimental study.

This mixed-method quasi-experimental study examined whether metaconceptual grammar teaching impacts on (a) students' L1 grammatical understanding, (b) their 'blind' use of grammatical concepts and (c) their preference of using explicit grammatical concepts over everyday concepts in explaining grammatical problems. Previous research, involving single group pre-postintervention designs, found positive effects for metaconceptual interventions on secondary school students' grammatical reasoning ability, although a negative side effect seemed to be that some students started using grammatical concepts 'blindly' (i.e., in an inaccurate way). While there are thus important clues that metaconceptual grammar teaching may lead to increased grammatical understanding, there is a great need for more robust empirical research. The current study, involving 196 Dutch 14-year old pre-university students, is a methodological improvement of previous work, adopting a switching replications design. Bayesian multivariate analyses indicate medium to large effects from the metaconceptual intervention on students' grammatical understanding. The study found a similar effect of the intervention on students' ability to use explicit grammatical concepts over everyday concepts in tackling grammatical problems. No evidence for increased 'blind' concept use as a negative byproduct of the intervention was found. Additional qualitative analyses of in-intervention tasks provided further evidence for the effectiveness of metaconceptual interventions, and seemed to indicate that cases of blind concept use, rather than being a negative side effect, might actually be part of a gradual process of students' growing understanding of grammatical (meta)concepts. We discuss these findings in relation to previous work and conclude that linguistic metaconcepts can improve L1 grammatical understanding.

Delivering the National Diabetes Prevention Program: Assessment of Enrollment in In-Person and Virtual Organizations.

The aim of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is to make an evidence-based lifestyle change program widely available to the more than 88 million American adults at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The National DPP allows for program delivery using four delivery modes: in person, online, distance learning, and combination. The objective of this study was to analyze cumulative enrollment in the National DPP by delivery mode. We included all participants who enrolled in CDC-recognized organizations delivering the lifestyle change program between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, and whose data were submitted to CDC's Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. During this time, the number of participants who enrolled was 455,954. Enrollment, by delivery mode, was 166,691 for in-person; 269,004 for online; 4,786 for distance-learning; and 15,473 for combination. In-person organizations enrolled the lowest proportion of men (19.4%) and the highest proportions of non-Hispanic Black/African American (16.1%) and older (65+ years) participants (28.2%). Online organizations enrolled the highest proportions of men (27.1%), younger (18-44 years) participants (41.5%), and non-Hispanic White participants (70.3%). Distance-learning organizations enrolled the lowest proportion of Hispanic/Latino participants (9.0%). Combination organizations enrolled the highest proportions of Hispanic/Latino participants (37.3%) and participants who had obesity (84.1%). Most in-person participants enrolled in organizations classified as community-centered entities (41.4%) or medical providers (31.2%). Online and distance-learning participants were primarily enrolled (93.3% and 70.2%, respectively) in organizations classified as for-profit businesses or insurers. Participants in combination programs were enrolled almost exclusively in organizations classified as medical providers (89%). The National DPP has reached nearly half a million participants since its inception in 2012, but continued expansion is critical to stem the tide of type 2 diabetes among the many Americans at high risk.

Implementing and optimizing a communication curriculum in medical teaching: Stakeholders' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: The relevance of communication in medical education is continuously increasing. At the Medical Faculty of Hamburg, the communication curriculum was further developed and optimized during this project. This article aims to describe the stakeholders' perceived challenges and supporting factors in the implementation and optimization processes. METHODS: The initial communication curriculum and its development after a one-year optimization process were assessed with a curricular mapping. A SWOT analysis and group discussions were carried out to provide information on the need for optimization and on challenges the different stakeholders faced. RESULTS: The curricular mapping showed that the communication curriculum is comprehensive, coherent, integrated and longitudinal. In both the implementation and the project-related optimization processes, support from the dean, cooperation among all stakeholders and structural prerequisites were deemed the most critical factors for successfully integrating communication content into the curriculum. CONCLUSION: The initiative and support of all stakeholders, including the dean, teachers and students, were crucial for the project's success. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Although the implementation of a communication curriculum is recommended for all medical faculties, their actual implementation processes may differ. In a "top-down" and "bottom-up" approach, all stakeholders should be continuously involved in the process to ensure successful integration.

Critical Perspectives to Advance Educational Equity and Health Justice.

A robust body of research supports the centrality of K-12 education to health and well-being. Critical perspectives, particularly Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), can deepen and widen health justice's exploration of how and why a range of educational inequities drive health disparities. The CRT approaches of counternarrative storytelling, race consciousness, intersectionality, and praxis can help scholars, researchers, policymakers, and advocates understand the disparate negative health impacts of education law and policy on students of color, students with disabilities, and those with intersecting identities. Critical perspectives focus upon and strengthen the necessary exploration of how structural racism, ableism, and other systemic barriers manifest in education and drive health disparities so that these barriers can be removed.

Comparison of affective responses during school physical education classes with different recovery times / Comparação das respostas afetivas durante aulas de educação física escolar com diferentes tempos de recuperação

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the effect of exercise recovery time on the affective responses during a circuit training in physical education classes. Forty-six apparently healthy young adolescents (twenty-one girls) (12.85 ± 0.94 years; 49.7 ± 8.93 kg; 1.59 ± 0.08 cm; 19.51 ± 3.28 kg/m2) participated in this study. Were submitted participants for two physical education classes, based on circuited model of the same intensity, but with different recovery times (2 min and 1 min). The study was carried out in two phases: baseline and intervention. Affect, Arousal, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion data were analyzed using paired t-tests, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. The class with longer rest time (2 min) provided greater affection (t(45) = 3.586; p < 0,001) and less perceived effort (t(45) = 2.295; p = 0,026). The intensity manipulation strategy was effective in providing different affective responses, in which classes perceived as more intense, resulting in the decline of affect.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi verificar o efeito do tempo de recuperação do exercício nas respostas afetivas durante um treinamento em circuito nas aulas de educação física. Quarenta e seis jovens adolescentes aparentemente saudáveis (vinte e uma meninas), com (12.85 ± 0.94 anos; 49.7 ± 8.93 kg; 1.59 ± 0.08 cm; 19.51 ± 3.28 kg/m2), participaram do estudo. Os participantes foram submetidos a duas aulas de educação física escolar, baseados em modelo de circuitos de mesma intensidade, porém com tempos de recuperação diferentes (2 min e 1 min). O estudo foi realizado em duas fases: base e intervenção. Os dados de Afeto, Ativação e Percepção Subjetiva do Esforço, foram analisados através de testes t pareados, considerando um nível de significância de p < 0,05. A aula com maior tempo de descanso (2 min) proporcionou maior afeto (t(45) = 3.586; p < 0,001) e menor esforço percebido (t(45) = 2.295; p = 0,026). A estratégia de manipulação da intensidade foi efetiva para proporcionar respostas afetivas diferentes, em que a aula percebida como mais intensa resultou no declínio do afeto.

Implementación de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la asignatura Medicina Interna / Implementation of information and communications technologies in Internal Medicine undergraduate courses

La informatización de la sociedad es una exigencia social que favorece la búsqueda de información y la actualización de contenidos mediante el trabajo colaborativo. Este trabajo se propuso evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa para la utilización de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la asignatura Medicina Interna. Se realizó un estudio cuasi experimental en la Sede Universitaria del Municipio Gibara, en el período de septiembre de 2018 a junio del 2019. La población estuvo representada por 29 estudiantes y ocho profesores que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y de exclusión, a quienes se les aplicaron cuestionarios de entrada y de salida. Entre los medios personales disponibles para el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación predominó el Smartphone (100 por ciento). La intervención demostró que los conocimientos sobre búsqueda, gestión y procesamiento de la información fueron adecuados en el 94,59 por ciento y reflejó que el 100 por ciento de los casos utilizó los métodos tradicionales en las actividades docentes de Medicina Interna. La evaluación de la alternativa por los profesores y estudiantes fue valorada de adecuada por el 100 por ciento de los participante(AU)

Informatization of society is a social need leading to collaborative information search and content updating. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention fostering the use of information and communications technologies in the teaching-learning process of Internal Medicine undergraduate courses. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the branch university campus of the Municipality of Gibara from September 2018 to June 2019. The study population was 29 students and eight teachers meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, who answered input and output questionnaires. Smartphones prevailed among the personal aids available for the use of information and communications technologies (100percent). The intervention showed that knowledge about the search for, management and processing of information was adequate in 94.59percent, whereas 100percent of the participants use traditional methods in Internal Medicine teaching activities. The alternative method was evaluated as adequate by 100percent of the participant teachers and students(AU)

Evaluating chief resident readiness for the teaching assistant role: The Teaching Evaluation assessment of the chief resident (TEACh-R) instrument.

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Surgery has mandated chief residents complete 25 cases in the teaching assistant (TA) role. We developed a structured instrument, the Teaching Evaluation and Assessment of the Chief Resident (TEACh-R), to determine readiness and provide feedback for residents in this role. METHODS: Senior (PGY3-5) residents were scored on technical and teaching performance by faculty observers using the TEACh-R instrument in the simulation lab. Residents were provided with their TEACh-R scores and surveyed on their experience. RESULTS: Scores in technical (p < 0.01) and teaching (p < 0.01) domains increased with PGY. Higher technical, but not teaching, scores correlated with attending-rated readiness for operative independence (p 0.02). Autonomy mismatch was inversely correlated with teaching competence (p < 0.01). Residents reported satisfaction with TEACh-R feedback and desire for use of this instrument in operating room settings. CONCLUSION: Our TEACh-R instrument is an effective way to assess technical and teaching performance in the TA role.

A Qualitative Study on the Experience and Training Needs of ICU Nurses for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) as perceived by nurses, obstacles in the nursing process, and need for IAD training and management. METHODS: This single-setting descriptive qualitative study was conducted from June 5, 2018, to June 22, 2018. Ten nurses working in the respiratory ICU of a local hospital participated in semistructured interviews. The content analysis method was used to analyze, summarize, and refine the interview data. RESULTS: The experience of ICU nurses with IAD can be divided into four types: nursing based on experiential knowledge, seeking self-improvement, disunity of cleaning methods and wiping skills, and postponement of nursing care because of priority allocation. Obstacles in the nursing process include a lack of relevant nursing knowledge and awareness, as well as the medical supplies needed. The goals of training and management include establishing IAD preventive nursing procedures, providing IAD care products, enhancing the practicality of training content and diversifying training methods, and establishing an information system to assist nurses caring for patients with IAD. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge and behavior of ICU nurses regarding IAD need to be improved. Training and management are imperative. Facilities and nurse managers should actively seek solutions to stated obstacles, formulate training methods suitable for clinical needs, and promote the standardization of nursing for IAD.

Competencia intercultural con educación interprofesional en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud, una revisión sistemática / Intercultural competence with interprofessional education in health sciences students, a systematic review

Tanto la formación en Competencia Intercultural como la Educación Interprofesional mejoran los resultados en salud. No se encontraron revisiones sistemáticas, en la literatura especializada, que analicen ambos factores juntos en los últimos diez años. Caracterizar aspectos metodológicos de investigaciones empíricas de Competencia Intercultural con Educación Interprofesional en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud, describir aspectos curriculares de la formación en Competencia Intercultural con Educación Interprofesional, y analizar la efectividad de dichas experiencias educativas. Se desarrolló una revisión sistemática de las bases de datos Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, PubMed y ProQuest desde el 2010 a 2020. Existe un predominio de artículos realizados en Estados Unidos y Australia, con enfoque mixto, no experimentales, tamaño muestral acotado y uso de encuestas de percepción. Los contenidos abordaron el conocimiento intercultural general y la atención de salud, con experiencias de tipo extracurricular, presenciales, de corta duración y para un acotado número de carreras. Destacaron las estrategias de aprendizaje en equipo y Service Learning Experience. La efectividad de las experiencias educativas resultó poco concluyente; no obstante, se sugieren ciertas pautas en base a lo analizado. Resulta imprescindible desarrollar mayor investigación a nivel latinoamericano y que se incluyan las mejoras metodológicas señaladas. La formación debería focalizarse en desarrollar la autoconciencia cultural como base para la comprensión mutua, esto requiere de un equipo docente con competencias pedagógicas y culturales, además de sanitarias. Finalmente, es fundamental investigar sobre los factores que permiten un mayor desarrollo de estas competencias en el estudiantado.

There is a direct impact on health service outcomes when professionals are trained in intercultural competence and interprofessional education. No systematic reviews were found in the specialized literature that examined both factors together over the last ten years. To characterize the methodological aspects of empirical research regarding Intercultural Competence with Interprofessional Education in Health Sciences students, To describe the curricular aspects of training in Intercultural Competence with Interprofessional Education, and To analyze the effectiveness of said educational experiences. A systematic review of the Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, and ProQuest databases was carried out from 2010 to 2020. There is a predominance of articles composed in the United States and Australia, with a mixed approach, not experimental, limited sample size, and use of survey perception. The contents dealt with general intercultural knowledge and health care, with extracurricular, faceto-face, short-term experiences, and for a limited number of majors. Team learning strategies and stood out Service Learning Experience. The effectiveness of the educational experiences was inconclusive; however, certain guidelines are recommended based on what has been analyzed. It is crucial to develop more research at a Latin American level including the methodological improvements. Training should focus on developing cultural self-awareness as a basis for mutual understanding, this requires a teaching team with pedagogical and cultural skills, as well as health knowledge. Finally, it is fundamental to investigate the factors that allow more comprehensive development of these competencies in the student body.

American Association of Immunologists Recommendations for an Undergraduate Course in Immunology.

Identifying the "essential" components of an undergraduate immunology lecture course can be daunting because of the varying postgraduate pathways students take. The American Association of Immunologists Education Committee commissioned an Ad Hoc Committee, representing undergraduate, graduate, and medical institutions as well as the biotechnology community, to develop core curricular recommendations for teaching immunology to undergraduates. In a reiterative process involving the American Association of Immunologists teaching community, 14 key topics were identified and expanded to include foundational concepts, subtopics and examples, and advanced subtopics, providing a flexible list for curriculum development and avenues for higher-level learning. Recommendations for inclusive and antiracist teaching that outline opportunities to meet the needs of diverse student populations were also developed. The consensus recommendations can be used to accommodate various course settings and will bridge undergraduate and graduate teaching and prepare diverse students for subsequent careers in the biomedical field.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation training based on WeChat App on pulmonary function, adverse mood and quality of life of COVID-19 patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a fatal epidemic has swept across the world, especially in India where the epidemic situation is the most serious. For COVID-19 patients, pulmonary rehabilitation training plays a significant role. However, it is still a controversial issue regarding the efficacy of WeChat APP-based pulmonary rehabilitation training in improving lung function, quality of life and bad mood of COVID-19 patients. To clarify this issue, a meta-analysis was conducted in this present study, so as to provide a basis for rehabilitation guidance of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, medRxiv, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese Science Citation Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wan-fang databases in May 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials and evaluate the effects of WeChat APP-based pulmonary rehabilitation training for COVID-19. Two researchers independently carried out data extraction. On the other hand, literature quality evaluation on the quality and meta-analysis of the included literature was performed with Revman5.3 software. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence on the effects of WeChat APP-based pulmonary rehabilitation training on lung function, bad mood, and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MKXCH.

[Cardiovascular Health School Program (PESCA). Methodology and initial results: 2018-2020]. / Programa Escolar de Salud Cardiovascular (PESCA). Metodología y primeros resultados: 2018-2020.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: despite the fact that 40 % of children in Spain, ages 6 to 9, are overweight or obese, and 2/3 of them are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, there is a lack of protocolized efficient interventions to fight this important health problem. The PESCA project aims to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity with a transversal model focused on a school intervention, but also involving families and primary care doctors, to increase the quantity and quality of physical activity (PA) and improve eating habits. Methods: a 5-step protocol was carried out at schools: 1) family and personal background questionnaire for children; 2) body mass index (BMI); 3) bioimpedance corporal composition (BIA); 4) hand grip dynamometry (DIN); and 5) medical physical examination. As a result, each subject received a medical report about his/her diagnosis of body weight and composition and cardiovascular health, and also recommendations to improve eating habits and increase physical activity. Results: in the first two years of PESCA, the weekly time of physical activity has significantly increased among participants (up to 20.12 %; p < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of overweight/obesity has significantly declined in both girls and children under 6 years of age (35.78 % and 58.92 %; p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: the school, pediatrician, and family working together on a transversal intervention has shown effectiveness in reducing the lack of diagnosis and prevalence of overweight and obesity in children.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el 40 % de los niños entre los 6 y 9 años en España presentan exceso de peso infantil (EPI). Más de 2/3 padecerán enfermedad cardiovascular en la vida adulta. Aun así, no existe un modelo protocolarizado de acción con el que combatir, de forma eficaz, el problema. El objetivo del programa PESCA es la reducción de la prevalencia del EPI a través de un modelo transversal de actuación que, tomando como centro la red escolar y su profesorado, implique a las familias y la red de atención primaria de salud para actuar mediante la mejora cualitativa y cuantitativa de la actividad física (AF) y los hábitos de alimentación. Métodos: el protocolo incluye 5 pasos que se realizan en el centro escolar: 1) cuestionario de antecedentes personales y familiares de cada alumno; 2) índice de masa corporal (IMC); 3) bioimpedancia de composición corporal (BIA); 4) dinamometría de mano (DIN), y 5) exploración física facultativa. Como resultado, cada sujeto participante recibe un informe facultativo con su diagnostico individualizado de peso corporal y salud cardiovascular, y recomendaciones de mejora en cuanto a AF y hábitos de alimentación. Resultados: en los dos primeros años del programa se ha objetivado un aumento del tiempo semanal dedicado a la AF entre los sujetos participantes (hasta un 20,12 %; p < 0,001) y un descenso significativo en la prevalencia del EPI en las niñas y los menores de 6 años (35,78 % y 58,92 %; p < 0,05, respectivamente). Conclusión: la actuación transversal de colegio, pediatra y familia permite disminuir tanto el déficit diagnóstico de la obesidad y el sobrepeso infantiles como su prevalencia.

A comparison of motorcycle instructor candidate selection practices in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: An essential aspect of motorcycle rider education is how the instructor selection process impacts student learning, sometimes referred to as the human element, as it is a significant factor influencing curriculum success. Student and program achievements are partially contingent on instructors who understand the curriculum and facilitate student learning during instruction. Previous research on motorcycle rider education has emphasized a need for the examination of instructor selection and development, stating that quality education is reliant on instructors who are competent and qualified. METHOD: By applying an exploratory study method, state and military Motorcycle Safety Education Program Managers and Instructor Trainers were examined and compared through telephonic interviews to develop a greater understanding of instructor candidate selection criteria and vetting processes. RESULTS: The results suggest that changes in instructor candidate selection systems may improve decisions about a candidate's job and organizational fit. CONCLUSIONS: Study conclusions indicate that use of multiple and thorough assessments to determine a candidate's motivation, social disposition, and emotional intelligence before preparation courses may better identify candidates and align potential job and organization fit within the discipline. Practical Application: Applications of the findings would include a standardized selection process with improved interviews and pre-course auditing, and candidate expectation management before the selection to attend preparation or certification courses. The efforts potentially decrease long-term costs and deficiencies when candidates have an inconsistent job or organizational fit, departing from organizations after short periods or by not providing consistent quality instruction to students. The study recommendations, when implemented, can improve most educational disciplines where instructors are selected for technical instructional positions where students risk injury or harm.

Theoretical knowledge and skill retention 3 and 6 months after a European Newborn Life Support provider course.

INTRODUCTION: The European Resuscitation Council Newborn Life Support Course (ERC- NLS) aims at training healthcare professionals, involved in perinatal care, in order to intervene efficiently and promptly to assist transition or resuscitate neonates who require help at birth. However, limited data exists for the retention of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills provided by the course. This study aims to evaluate the degree of knowledge and skill retention 3 and 6 months after the ERC-NLS provider course. METHODS: This is a prospective study. Theoretical knowledge was evaluated using the ERC-approved NLS written test (50 True/False questions). Evaluation of technical skills included performance, on an Advanced Life Support neonatal maniquin (LAERDAL), of airway management, ventilation and support of circulation (21 detailed skills). The effect of certain factors on theoretical skill retention was also evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen (n = 116) participants were initially recruited in the study (12 males and 104 females). Theoretical knowledge was evaluated in 113 participants (3 participants missed follow-up appointments) and technical skills in 80 participants. The mean score for theoretical knowledge was 86.24% ± 5.3, 80.88% ± 7.43 and 80.04% ± 7.04 at baseline, at 3 and 6 months, respectively. This difference was significant among the three time points (baseline vs 3 months: p < 0.001; baseline vs 6 months: p < 0.001; 3 month's vs 6 months: p = 0.034). Although gender did not have an effect, doctors and participants of higher education yielded higher score of success. Regarding technical skills, 9 skills showed a continuous decline of performance from baseline to 6 months, while no difference existed for 12 skills. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals after the NLS provider course retain satisfactory levels of theoretical knowledge and technical skills even at 6 months post-training, although, there is a decline compared to baseline. Further research is needed in order to establish the proper time and type of refreshment course in order to improve outcomes.