Transforming Education with Photogrammetry:Creating Realistic 3D Objects for Augmented Reality Applications

Augmented reality(AR)is an emerging dynamic technology that effectively supports education across different levels.The increased use of mobile devices has an even greater impact.As the demand for AR applications in education continues to increase,educators actively seek innovative and immersive methods to engage students in learning.However,exploring these possibilities also entails identifying and overcoming existing barriers to optimal educational integration.Concurrently,this surge in demand has prompted the identification of specific barriers,one of which is three-dimensional(3D)modeling.Creating 3D objects for augmented reality education applications can be challenging and time-consuming for the educators.To address this,we have developed a pipeline that creates realistic 3D objects from the two-dimensional(2D)photograph.Applications for augmented and virtual reality can then utilize these created 3D objects.We evaluated the proposed pipeline based on the usability of the 3D object and performance metrics.Quantitatively,with 117 respondents,the co-creation team was surveyed with openended questions to evaluate the precision of the 3D object created by the proposed photogrammetry pipeline.We analyzed the survey data using descriptive-analytical methods and found that the proposed pipeline produces 3D models that are positively accurate when compared to real-world objects,with an average mean score above 8.This study adds new knowledge in creating 3D objects for augmented reality applications by using the photogrammetry technique;finally,it discusses potential problems and future research directions for 3D objects in the education sector.

Getting physical with medical education:Exercise based virtual anatomy review classes for medical students

The benefits of regular physical activity are well known.Yet,few studies have examined the effectiveness of integrating physical activity(PA)into curricula within a post-secondary setting.To investigate the incorporation of PA into medical curriculum,we developed a series of optional exercise-based review sessions designed to reinforce musculoskeletal(MSK)anatomy course material.These synchronous sessions were co-taught by a group fitness instructor and an anatomy instructor.The fitness instructor would lead students through both strength and yoga style exercises,while the anatomy instructor asked questions about relevant anatomical structures related to course material previously covered.After the sessions,participants were asked to evaluate the classes on their self-reported exam preparedness in improving MSK anatomy knowledge,PA levels,and mental wellbeing.Thirty participants completed surveys;a majority agreed that the classes increased understanding of MSK concepts(90.0%)and activity levels(97.7%).Many(70.0%)felt that the classes helped reduce stress.The majority of respondents(90.0%)agreed that the classes contributed to increased feelings of social connectedness.Overall,medical students saw benefit in PA based interventions to supplement MSK course concepts.Along with increasing activity levels and promoting health behaviours,integrating PA into medical curriculum may improve comprehension of learning material,alleviate stress and foster social connectivity among medical students.

Humanization in Educational Environments;Aspects Necessary for Living in School Today

While it is true,quality has always been measured through statistics and percentages,often forgetting the training of the whole person.Now,when we talk about issues such as humanism and education supported by technology,we can fall into extremes:it is common to label technology as the provider of all the evils of today’s civilization;or the opposite assumption;to argue that incorporating technologies into education would be the panacea for all the problems it faces and finally,to assume that the subject of the humanities is more typical of actions and attitudes of the past than as a current need,giving vitality to any educational process.However,and fortunately for the educational community,today there are global efforts to make the educational task a human action that minimizes inequities and the abysmal differences that exist in countries like ours.Fernando Reimers says:“Equal educational opportunities must be the priority objective of educational policies,the aim of education must be to contribute to creating just societies”.This requires improving the learning environments of the poor,but not only along the paths that have been started over the last decade.This aspect pointed out by Reimers is precisely the central aspect that all educational action must contemplate;the educational policies that are implemented in our country must guarantee,above all,the construction of a just and egalitarian society,strengthening the cultural wealth that we have,with respect to the diversity of people,their past,their present and especially their future.

Exploring the 2023 Reformation of Financial Systems in Higher Education Institutions and Examining the Practical Aspects of its Execution

As China’s economy has experienced rapid growth,the economic landscape for higher education institutions’financial systems has become increasingly intricate.Consequently,there has been a heightened demand for enhanced financial management in these institutions.Notably,in 2012,the country’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education introduced a new financial system for higher education institutions,and in 2022,the Ministry of Finance publicly revised this system to further standardize financial practices within higher education institutions,align with financial management requirements,and foster the development of these institutions.This paper offers an extensive examination of the updated financial system for higher education institutions compared to the previous version,delving into aspects such as the financial management framework,professionalization criteria for financial directors,enhancements in managing the proceeds from technology and research achievements,and the incorporation of management accounting reports.Additionally,it provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by financial management in higher education institutions and outlines strategies for addressing these issues.

Virtual reality for preoperative patient education: Impact on satisfaction, usability, and burnout from the perspective of new nurses

BACKGROUND Traditional paper-based preoperative patient education is a struggle for new nurses and requires extensive training.In this situation,virtual reality technology can help the new nurses.Despite its potential benefits,there are studies on patient satisfaction but there is limited information on the usability of virtual reality(VR)technology for new nurses in giving preoperative education to patients.AIM To investigate the impact on satisfaction,usability,and burnout of a system using VR technology in preoperative patient education.METHODS The study involved 20 nurses from the plastic surgery ward and 80 patients admitted between April and May 2019.Each nurse taught four patients:Two using traditional verbal education and two using virtual reality.The System Usability Scale,After-Scenario Questionnaire,and Maslach Burnout Inventory(MBI)were employed to evaluate the impact of these education methods.RESULTS The VR education groups showed a statistically higher satisfaction than the traditional verbal education groups.Among the three subscales of the MBI,emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment improved statistically significantly.VR was also better in terms of usability.CONCLUSION This study suggests VR enhances usability and reduces burnout in nurses,but further research is needed to assess its impact on depersonalization and objective measures like stress and heart rate.

Impact of stage-specific limb function exercises guided by a selfmanagement education model on arteriovenous fistula maturation status

BACKGROUND The exercise of limb function is the most economical and safe method to promote the maturation of arteriovenous fistula(AVF).However,due to the lack of a uni-fied exercise standard in China,many patients have insufficient awareness of the importance of AVF,leading to poor effectiveness of limb function exercise.The self-management education model can effectively promote patients to take pro-active health-related actions.This study focuses on the characteristics of patients during the peri-AVF period and conducts a phased limb function exercise under the guidance of the self-management education model to observe changes in fac-tors such as the maturity of AVF.AIM To assess the impact of stage-specific limb function exercises,directed by a self-management education model,on the maturation status of AVFs.METHODS This study is a randomized controlled trial involving 74 patients with forearm AVFs from the Nephrology Department of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province,China.Patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table method.The observation group underwent tailored stage-specific limb func-tion exercises,informed by a self-management education model which took into account the unique features of AVF at various stages,in conjunction with routine care.Conversely,the control group was given standard limb function exercises along with routine care.The assessment involves the maturity of AVFs post-intervention,post-operative complications,and the self-management level of the fistula in both groups patients.Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23.0.Count data were represented by frequency and percentage and subjected to chi-square test comparisons.Measurement data adhering to a normal distribution were presented as mean±SD.The independent samples t-test was utilized for inter-group comparisons,while the paired t-test was used for intra-group comparisons.For measurement data not fitting a normal distribution,the median and interquartile range were presented and analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.RESULTS At the 8-wk postoperative mark,the observation group demonstrated significantly higher scores in AVF symptom recognition,symptom prevention,and self-management compared to the control group(P<0.05).However,the variance in symptom management scores between the observation and control groups lacked statistical signi-ficance(P>0.05).At 4 wk after the operation,the observation group displayed a superior vessel diameter and depth from the skin of the drainage vessels in comparison to the control group(P<0.05).While the observation group did manifest elevated blood flow rates in the drainage vessels relative to the control group,this distinction was not statistically significant(P>0.05).By the 8-wk postoperative interval,the observation group outperformed the control group with notable enhancements in blood flow rates,vessel diameter,and depth from the skin of drainage vessels(P<0.01).Seven days following the procedure,the observation group manifested significantly diminished limb swelling and an overall reduced complication rate in contrast to the control group(P<0.05).The evaluation of infection,thrombosis,embolism,arterial aneurysm stenosis,and incision bleeding showed no notable differences between the two groups(P>0.05).By the 4-wk postoperative juncture,complications between the observation and control groups were statistically indistinguishable(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Stage-specific limb function exercises,under the guidance of a self-management education model,amplify the capacity of AVF patients to discern and prevent symptoms.Additionally,they expedite AVF maturation and miti-gate postoperative limb edema,underscoring their efficacy as a valuable method for the care and upkeep of AVF in hemodialysis patients.

Effect of health education based on information-motivationbehavioral skills model on patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction

BACKGROUND Vestibular dysfunction(VH)is a common concomitant symptom of late peri-pheral vestibular lesions,which can be trauma,poisoning,infection,heredity,and neurodegeneration,but about 50%of the causes are unknown.The study uses the information-motivation-behavioral skills(IMB)model for health education,effectively improve the quality of life,increase their self-confidence,reduce anxiety and depression,and effectively improve the psychological state of patients.AIM To explore the effect of health education based on the IMB model on the degree of vertigo,disability,anxiety and depression in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction.METHODS The clinical data of 80 patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the retrospective research objects,and they were divided into the control group and the observation group with 40 cases in each group according to different nursing methods.Among them,the control group was given routine nursing health education and guidance,and the observation group was given health education and guidance based on the IMB model.The changes in self-efficacy,anxiety and depression,and quality of life of patients with unilateral VH were compared between the two groups.RESULTS There was no significant difference in General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)scale scores between the two groups of patients before nursing(P>0.05),which was comparable;after nursing,the GSES scale scores of the two groups were higher than those before nursing.The nursing group was higher than the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)and anxiety and depression subscales between the two groups before nursing(P>0.05).After nursing,the HADS score,anxiety,and depression subscale scores of the two groups of patients were lower than those before nursing,and the nursing group was lower than the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After nursing,the Dizziness Handicap Inventory(DHI)scale and DHI-P,DHI-E and DHI-F scores in the two groups were decreased,and the scores in the nursing group were lower than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Health education based on the IMB model can effectively improve patients'quality of life,increase self-efficacy of patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction,enhance patients'confidence,enable patients to resume normal work and life as soon as possible,reduce patients'anxiety and depression,and effectively improve patients'psychological status.

Parental Educational Expectations,Academic Pressure,and Adolescent Mental Health:An Empirical Study Based on CEPS Survey Data

Background:This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescent mental health problems,with academic pressure as a moderating variable.Methods:This study was based on the baseline data of the China Education Panel Survey,which was collected within one school year during 2013–2014.It included 19,958 samples from seventh and ninth graders,who ranged from 11 to 18 years old.After removing missing values and conducting relevant data processing,the effective sample size for analysis was 16344.The OLS(Ordinary Least Squares)multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between parental educational expectations,academic pressure,and adolescents’mental health problems.In addition,we established an interaction term between parents’educational expectations and academic pressure to investigate the moderating effect of academic stress.Results:The study found that adolescents whose parents had high educational expectations reported less mental health problems.(β=−0.195;p<0.001).Additionally,adolescents who had high academic pressure reported more mental health problems.(β=0.649;p<0.001).Furthermore,the study found that academic pressure had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescents’mental health problems(β=0.082;p<0.001).Conclusion:Parental educational expectations had a close relationship with adolescents’mental health problems,and academic pressure moderated this relationship.For those adolescents with high levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became stronger.On the contrary,for those adolescents with low levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became weaker.These findings shed new light on how parental educational expectations affected adolescent mental health problems and had significant implications for their healthy development.

Evaluation of the effects of health education interventions for hypertensive patients based on the health belief model

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke,and its prevalence is increasing worldwide.Health education interventions based on the health belief model(HBM)can improve the knowledge,attitudes,and behaviors of patients with hypertension and help them control their blood pressure.AIM To evaluate the effects of health education interventions based on the HBM in patients with hypertension in China.METHODS Between 2021 and 2023,140 patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.The intervention group received health education based on the HBM,including lectures,brochures,videos,and counseling sessions,whereas the control group received routine care.Outcomes were measured at baseline,three months,and six months after the intervention and included blood pressure,medication adherence,self-efficacy,and perceived benefits,barriers,susceptibility,and severity.RESULTS The intervention group had significantly lower systolic blood pressure[mean difference(MD):-8.2 mmHg,P<0.001]and diastolic blood pressure(MD:-5.1 mmHg,P=0.002)compared to the control group at six months.The intervention group also had higher medication adherence(MD:1.8,P<0.001),self-efficacy(MD:12.4,P<0.001),perceived benefits(MD:3.2,P<0.001),lower perceived barriers(MD:-2.6,P=0.001),higher perceived susceptibility(MD:2.8,P=0.002),and higher perceived severity(MD:3.1,P<0.001)than the control group at six months.CONCLUSION Health education interventions based on the HBM effectively improve blood pressure control and health beliefs in patients with hypertension and should be implemented in clinical practice and community settings.

Exclusive breastfeeding greater than 50%, success of education in a university hospital in Bogotá: Case-control study

BACKGROUND Maintenance rates of exclusive breastfeeding(EBF)worldwide are low,thus,one of the objectives of the summary of policies on breastfeeding(BF)in world nutrition goals for 2025 are that at least 50%of infants under six months of age receive EBF that year.The Objective of this study is to document the rates of EBF in children born in San Ignacio University Hospital(HUSI)and identify factors associated with maintenance.AIM To document the percentages of EBF in those that were born at HUSI and identify factors associated to their maintenance.METHODS This is a study of cases and controls in an analytic,retrospective cohort that took children born alive between January 2016 and January 2019 at HUSI located in the city of Bogotá,Colombia.RESULTS Receiving information about BF at HUSI was able to maintain EBF up until 4 mo(OR=1.65;95%CI:1.02-2.66).The presence of gynecologic and obstetric comorbidities(OR=0.32;95%CI:0.12-0.83),having mastitis(OR=0.56;95%CI:0.33-0.94),and receiving information from mass media(OR=0.52;95%CI:0.31-0.84)are factors associated with not maintaining EBF.CONCLUSION Receiving education at a Women-and Child-Friendly Institution was the only significant factor to achieve EBF until 4 mo,with a frequency greater than the one reported in the country,which matches multiple studies where counseling and individualized support on BF achieve this purpose.Knowledge about BF and early detection of obstetric/gynecologic complications must be strengthened among the healthcare staff in charge of mothers during post-partum.Additionally,strategies must be promoted to continue BF such as creating milk banks with the objective of increasing BF rates even when mothers return to work.

近十年国外比较教育研究文献的知识图景——基于ProQuest Education Database 2013-2023年数据

研究以ProQuest Education Database为数据源搜集样本,使用Python软件对2013-2023年国外比较教育研究文献进行知识图景分析。对研究文献高频关键词、核心发文机构、关键词网络中心性以及年度突现词频等采用知识图谱可视化的方法呈现,以此清晰、直观地识别英文研究论文中比较教育领域高频研究主题关键词,从而确定国外比较教育研究领域在2013-2023年间的文献研究焦点与主题演变。通过分析发现,包含高等教育国际化、教师教育与国际大规模学业评价、可持续发展教育,以及后疫情时代教育复苏、教育数字化与教育公平相关的国际比较研究关注度日趋增长。未来我国比较教育学应紧跟时代发展,立足本国教育实情,加强微观教育实践领域的研究,同时也应增强教育理论研究并拓展多种方法综合运用。

颈动脉斑块MRI特征与同侧急性脑梗死患者DWIGASPECTS的相关性研究

目的:探讨颈动脉斑块MRI特征与同侧急性脑梗死患者DWI-ASPECTS的相关性。方法:回顾性搜集我院85例颈动脉斑块患者的临床及影像资料,所有患者均于出现脑血管症状2周内行颈动脉高分辨率MRI和常规颅脑MRI平扫。将患者分为DWI-ASPECTS≤7分组和DWI-ASPECTS>7分组,比较两组间临床、实验室资料和颈动脉斑块定量、定性指标的差异。通过Logistic回归筛选DWI-ASPECTS评分的预测因子。结果:25例(29.4%)DWI-ASPECTS≤7分,60例(70.6%)DWI-ASPECTS>7分。DWI-ASPECTS≤7分组患者纤维帽变薄/破裂(分别为80.0%和35.0%,P<0.001)、斑块内出血(分别为72.0%和21.7%,P<0.001)、钙化(分别为76.0%和45.0%,P=0.009)和富脂质坏死核心(分别为72.0%和45.0%,P=0.023)的发生率均高于DWI-ASPECTS>7分组;此外,DWI-ASPECTS≤7分组患者显示出更高的斑块负荷,DWI-ASPECTS≤7分组与DWI-ASPECTS>7分组的最大管壁厚度[分别为(4.38±1.68)和(3.47±1.78)mm,P=0.033]、平均管腔面积[分别为(15.33±11.57)和(22.88±13.95)mm 2,P=0.019]、最小管腔面积[分别为(11.52±11.23)和(18.98±13.52)mm 2,P=0.017]、平均管壁面积[分别为(62.81±14.32)、(55.66±14.93)mm 2,P=0.045]、最大管壁面积[分别为(66.70±14.57)、(59.56±15.19)mm 2,P=0.049]、平均标准化管壁面指数[分别为(81±14)%、(71±16)%,P=0.011]、最大标准化管壁指数[分别为(86±14)%、(76±16)%,P=0.012)]差异均有统计学意义。DWI-ASPECTS≤7分组中NIHSS评分>4分的患者比例更高(分别为48%和23.3%,P=0.025),高密度脂蛋白浓度更低[分别为(1.24±0.28)、(1.10±0.28)mmol/L,P=0.043]。Logistic回归分析结果显示,纤维帽变薄/破裂(OR=4.133,95%CI:1.151~14.836,P=0.030)和斑块内出血(OR=6.409,95%CI:1.737~23.646,P=0.005)与较低的DWI-ASPECTS评分显著相关。结论:颈动脉斑块中存在纤维帽变薄/破裂和斑块内出血的急性脑卒中患者DWI-ASPECTS评分更低,有助于评估患者的病情严重程度。

ASPECTS评分及多模态CT定量分析在AIS预后预测中的应用

目的探讨ASPECTS评分及多模态CT中各参数在急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)预后预测的应用价值。方法收集2019年1月-2023年4月诊断为AIS并在蚌埠医学院第一附属医院就诊的患者,在治疗前均行多模态CT(包括NCCT、CTA、CTP)检查的患者93例,3个月后随访并根据改良Rankin量表评分(mRs)将患者分为预后良好组(mRs≤2)和预后不良组(mRs>2),收集两组患者的临床资料及多模态CT定量参数比较其在预测AIS中预后中有无意义。结果一般资料分析可见预后不良组患者入院基线NIHSS评分、远端侧支循环及ASPECTS评分均与预后良好组之间有一定的统计学差异(P<0.05);CT灌注定量参数分析可见预后不良组CBF较低,而MTT、Tmax、TTP较预后良好组延长,且具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。其中NIHSS、远端侧支循环及Tmax为影响AIS预后的独立危险因素。结论NIHSS、远端侧支循环、ASPECTS及多模态CT可以对AIS的预后进行评测。均具有较好的预测效能,其中Tmax及NIHSS预测效能最好。

Reform of Hospitality English Teaching Based on the Educational Concept of Outcome-Based Education(OBE)

The Outcome-Based Education(OBE)educational concept,proposed by renowned American educator Spady,aims to guide students in mastering learning laws and ultimately achieving expected learning outcomes.The application of OBE educational concept in Hospitality English curriculum not only can effectively enhance the learning effect but also promote the reform of the Hospitality English curriculum,thus improving students’learning enthusiasm.Therefore,taking the Hospitality English curriculum as an example,this paper points out the existing problems in the teaching of this course and suggests the reform measures based on the OBE teaching concept,hoping to provide guidelines for related educational work.

Making the case for the evolving role of social media in health professions education and a literature review on the application of some in ophthalmology

Background and Objective:Social media(SoMe)has emerged as a tool in health professions education(HPE),particularly amidst the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Despite the academia’s initial skepticism SoMe has been gaining traction in supporting learning communities,and offering opportunities for innovation in HPE.Our study aims to explore the integration of SoMe in HPE.Four key components were outlined as necessary for a successful integration,and include designing learning experiences,defining educator roles,selecting appropriate platforms,and establishing educational objectives.Methods:This article stemmed from the online Teaching Skills Series module on SoMe in education from the Ophthalmology Foundation,and drew upon evidence supporting learning theories relevant to SoMe integration and models of education.Additionally,we conducted a literature review considering Englishlanguage articles on the application of SoMe in ophthalmology from PubMed over the past decade.Key Content and Findings:Early adopters of SoMe platforms in HPE have leveraged these tools to enhance learning experiences through interaction,dialogue,content sharing,and active learning strategies.By integrating SoMe into educational programs,both online and in-person,educators can overcome time and geographical constraints,fostering more diverse and inclusive learning communities.Careful consideration is,however,necessary to address potential limitations within HPE.Conclusions:This article lays groundwork for expanding SoMe integration in HPE design,emphasizing the supportive scaffold of various learning theories,and the need of furthering robust research on examining its advantages over traditional educational formats.Our literature review underscores an ongoing multifaceted,random application of SoMe platforms in ophthalmology education.We advocate for an effective incorporation of SoMe in HPE education,with the need to comply with good educational practice.

Flexner's legacy and the future of medical education:Embracing challenge and opportunity

This editorial comments on the article by Alzerwi.We focus on the development course,present challenges,and future perspectives of medical education.Modern medical education is gradually undergoing significant and profound changes worldwide.The emergence of new ideas,methodologies,and techniques has created opportunities for medical education developments and brought new concerns and challenges,ultimately promoting virtuous progress in medical education reform.The sustainable development of medical education needs joint efforts and support from governments,medical colleges,hospitals,researchers,administrators,and educators.

Challenges of Bioethics Education in Pediatric Basic Nursing Education: A Faculty Perspective

In the field of pediatric nursing, in the perinatal period, numerous ethical issues arise alongside the advancement of medical technology. However, sufficient education on bioethics is not provided in the pediatric nursing domain of basic nursing education. The purpose of this research is to examine the current status of bioethics education in the pediatric nursing domain of basic nursing education and explore the challenges perceived by the pediatric nursing faculty regarding bioethics education. The research method was a questionnaire survey on 100 randomly selected pediatric nursing faculty members from nursing universities across Japan. The results revealed that although bioethics issues were considered important, the emphasis remained primarily on addressing bioethics as part of nursing that respects children’s rights. Furthermore, respondents expressed difficulties regarding teaching methods and content related to bioethics.

Transforming education:Developing a practice-ready workforce

The well-known question,why do people keep doing the same thing but expect a different result,applies to nursing education.Healthcare delivery systems are in constant evolution yet much of nursing education operates with traditional teaching approaches expecting to produce graduates suitable for rapidly changing healthcare delivery systems.Nursing is a practice-based discipline with its own body of knowledge situated within the context of dy-namic nursing practice.It is the responsibility of nursing academia to prepare graduates suitable for practice.If we are to change prac-tice,we must rethink education.The impact and interruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to questions on best prac-tices to guide nursing education into the future.

Computing Science in Transdisciplinary Education

Transdisciplinary collaboration has achieved remarkable results in many fields,and many global challenges also require transdisciplinary collaboration.Therefore,transdisciplinary education and research is one of the inevitable trends in the future development of universities.In this context,HKUST has made innovative changes in transdisciplinary education and research.First,we set three missions for the development of HKUST in transdisciplinary education and research.Second,we established the HKUST Guangzhou Campus to carry out a new revolution in transdisciplinary education and research.In addition,Big Data,AI,and computer science play a vital role in transdisciplinary research and collaboration,and we also need to rethink the role of computer science and how to better refer to supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Ultrasound Scanning Competencies in Midwifery Education in Zambia: Findings from a Desk Review and Needs Assessment

Introduction: Ultrasound is an essential component of antenatal care. Midwives provide most of the antenatal care but they do not perform ultrasound as it has been beyond their scope of practice. This leaves many women in Low and Middle-Income Countries without access to ultrasound scanning. The aim of this study was to identify competencies in ultrasound scanning in midwifery education. Methods: A desk review and needs assessment were conducted between July and October 2023. Articles and curricula on the internet, Google scholar and PubMed were searched for content on ultrasound scanning competencies. A Google form consisting of 20 questions was administered via email and WhatsApp to 135 participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Results: The desk review showed that it is feasible to train midwives in ultrasound scanning. The training programs for midwives in obstetric ultrasound were conducted for 1 week to 3 months with most of them running for 4 weeks. Content included introduction to general principles of ultrasound, physics, basic knowledge in embryology, obstetrics, anatomy, measuring foetal biometry, estimating amniotic fluid and gestational age. Experts like sonographers trained midwives. Theory and hands on were the teaching methods used. Written and practical assessments were conducted. Needs assessment revealed that majority of participants 71 (53%) knew about basic ultrasound training for midwives. All participants (100%) said it is necessary to train midwives in basic ultrasound scan in Zambia. Some content should include, anatomy, measuring foetal biometry, assessing amniotic fluid level, and gestational age determination. Most participants 91 (67%) suggested that the appropriate duration of training is 4 - 6 weeks. Conclusion: Empowering every midwife with ultrasound scanning skills will enable early detection of any abnormality among pregnant women and prompt intervention to save lives.