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.

Online International Peer Interaction:An Exploration of Impacts on Comprehensive Competencies,Global Perspectives,and Cross-Cultural Communication Skills

With the increasing trend of globalization and the rapid advancement of information technology,online learning platforms such as Zoom are becoming increasingly influential in the field of education.The focus of this study was the online international peer interaction based on the Zoom platform,detailing how such interaction programs are conducted and exploring in depth the specific impacts of this interaction mode on students’comprehensive competencies,global perspectives,and cross-cultural communication skills.This research not only provides new practical references for online learning and international education but also offers new research perspectives and directions for educators and researchers.

Current Status of Key Competencies among Medical Students: A Latent Profile Analysis

The purpose of this study was to understand the overall level of key competencies of medical students and explore the potential profile of key competencies, promoting quality education, and improving the quality talent cultivation in medical colleges. A stratified random sampling method selected 734 medical students from four medical colleges in Chongqing Province of China. A general information questionnaire and a key competencies survey questionnaire were used to conduct the survey. The overall score and scores of each dimension of key competencies were analyzed. Latent profile analysis was conducted to classify the key competencies of medical students and compare the distribution differences of demographic variables among different categories. The results showed that 26% of medical students have never heard of the concept of key competencies, and 59% of them are not familiar with the content related to key competencies. The score of key competencies is 3.66 ± 0.60, with the highest score in the dimension of responsibility and the lowest score in the dimension of humanistic accomplishment. The latent profile analysis classified them into three categories: “low key competencies group (14.71%)”, “medium key competencies group (36.79%)”, and “high key competencies group (48.50%)”. The R3STEP regression analysis results showed statistically significant differences in educational level and whether they served as student cadres among different key competencies categories of medical students. This paper discusses three different potential key competencies categories among medical students, and the overall level of key competencies is relatively good. However, medical students lack a comprehensive and systematic understanding of key competencies. Humanistic accomplishment, healthy living, and practical innovation are the three dimensions with lower scores and should be given more attention. Medical colleges should integrate the concept of key competencies into teaching and implement it in medical practice to cultivate more high-quality medical talents for society.

College English Teaching Based on the Theory of Core Competencies

The core competencies of college students can influence their further learning,employment,and personal development.This paper explores college English teaching from the three aspects of core competencies:cultural foundation,self-development,and social participation.Adapting to the challenges posed by the new era for the cultivation of foreign language talents,the paper aims to improve students’cultural literacy,independent learning,the ability of problem discovery and problem solving,and critical cultural thinking,so as to make them more competitive in employment and entrepreneurship.

Analysis of The Impact of The Healthcare Roundtable Model on the Major Disease Perceptions and Competencies of Cardiovascular Medicine Nursing Staff

Objective: To analyze the impact of the healthcare roundtable model on the major disease perceptions and competencies of cardiovascular nursing staff. Methods: Forty female nursing staff working in the hospital from April to June 2023 were selected and were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 20 in each group. For 60 days, the control group used the conventional learning and communication model and the observation group used the medical and nursing roundtable model. The cognitive scores of cardiovascular disease-related knowledge, competency scores, and satisfaction with the learning and communication model before and after the implementation of the model in both groups were compared. Results: After the implementation, the cognitive scores related to cardiovascular disease-related knowledge, competency scores, and satisfaction with the learning and communication model in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The healthcare roundtable model improved the knowledge and competence of cardiovascular internal medicine nursing staff in major diseases, and it is worth popularizing.

Core competencies and perceived training needs of nurses in the background of Internet plus nursing service:a qualitative descriptive study

Background:The Internet plus nursing service program is being piloted in China,which has become a new home nursing service model led by nurses.To enable safe and effective homecare service delivery,nurses working in the program need a high level of competency.However,the content of these core competencies and the training needs of nurses for Internet plus nursing services are still unknown.Aim:To describe nurses’perceptions of core competencies and training needs to work in the Internet plus nursing service program,thereby providing a reference for the development of training programs.Methods:A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews was conducted on 15 nurses with experience of working in the Internet plus nursing service program.Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim,and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Core competencies involved comprehensive assessment competence,direct care practice competence,health education and consulting competence,risk estimation and response competence,and communication competence.Training needs involved complex operational items,knowledge of chronic disease management,professional communication,risk identification and response,nursing standards,norms,and procedures,and utilization of information technology.Conclusions:The training system may be developed based on nurses’core competencies and their training needs to promote professional development of the Internet plus nursing service.

Exploring internship nursing students’ perception of gerontological nursing competencies: A descriptive study at Cairo University Hospitals

Objective:This research study explores the perceptions of gerontological nursing competencies,attitudes toward older individuals,and the willingness to provide care for the elderly among internship nursing students.Materials and Methods:A convenience sample of 350 internship nursing students from Cairo University Faculty of Nursing participated in the study.Data were collected using a set of comprehensive tools,including personal data and work experience assessment,the Hartford geriatric nurse competency tool,Kogan’s attitudes toward old people scale,and the modified elderly patient care inventory.Results:Descriptive analysis revealed balanced gender representation,with 60%identifying as female.Seventy percent of participants reported prior experience in gerontological care.Self-assessed competency scores indicated moderate proficiency in communication,physiological changes,and functional status assessment.Areas such as pain management and restraint use demonstrated potential gaps in self-perceived skills.Attitudes toward older individuals were predominantly positive,and the willingness to provide care showed positive tendencies,with a minor degree of hesitation noted.Conclusion:The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in nursing education to address competency gaps,enhance positive attitudes,and alleviate potential hesitations in caregiving for older individuals.As the elderly population continues to grow,nursing education programs must prepare future practitioners to deliver comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of older adults.

Cultivation of Core Competencies of History in Middle Schools:Taking the Lesson of Primitive Farming Life as an Example

The cultivation of history teaching in middle schools involves many aspects and multi-level teaching factors such as classroom teaching objectives,teaching methods and teaching means.Taking the Lesson of Primitive Farming Life in the seventh grade volume 1 of People’s Education Press as an example,this paper discussed the cultivation of core competencies of history in middle schools,to improve the implementation process of history courses and promote the cultivation of students’discipline competencies.

Comparing Basic Social Competencies among Nursing Students before and during the Pandemic

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the practical curriculum in over 80% of Japanese nursing universities is shorted. The study aimed to clarify the change in basic social competencies among nursing students by comparing their scores before and during the pandemic. Method: Retrospective data from 235 responses from 3rd-grade nursing students were analyzed. The data were separated into two groups—158 respondents before-pandemic and 77 respondents during-pandemic. Respondents were asked to complete a measurement scale two months after the beginning of the 3rd-grade module. Results: Our results showed the during-pandemic group’s averages were higher than the before-pandemic group’s. During the pandemic, nursing students using home-based online learning could not self-evaluate accurately because they could not practice in the field. Conclusion: Nursing students who were studying during the during-pandemic self-assessed themselves higher than those who were studying during the before-pandemic because they could not compare with the other students, and the results showed that misunderstandings may arise.

Transversal Competencies of a Clinical Mentor in Nursing Graduate Studies

Introduction: The focus of clinical mentoring in nursing specialists is to develop both generic or transversal skills, as well as specific skills needed to assess their profile and become a graduate student under the guidance of experts. Objective: The objective of this study is to diagnose the transversal competencies of clinical mentors from the Unique Program of Nursery Specialties (UPNS) in student body training. Method: This study utilized a descriptive and phenomenological interpretative approach. Twelve informants from UPNS participated, and the variables were clinical mentoring and transversal competencies from novice and senior mentors. Two focus groups were conducted for data collection, and data analysis was performed according to Strauss and Corbin. All participants provided signed informed consent. Results: Post-analysis of qualitative data revealed three categories with subcategories. Category 1: Strengths of clinical mentors in three dimensions. Sub-categories: 1.1) PD: Academic and personal companionship;1.2) PD: Guidance with humanist focus and feedback from mentor to student in real scenarios;1.3) PD: Guidance in the teaching-learning process;1.4) DD: Integration of theoretical-practical knowledge and development of advanced abilities in nursing for clinical practice;1.5) CD: Responsibility and commitment from student’s characteristics to group’s general statements. Category 2: Competencies that lead the clinical mentor in pedagogy, discipline and generic dimensions, reported 9 subcategories six of them focused on the didactics of clinical mentors, and three on the interpersonal communication between mentors. Category 3: Opportunity areas to develop by the clinical mentor. From a mentor’s perspective, eight subcategories revealed transversal competencies that define a clinical mentor for UPNS. In this state, competencies are oriented toward the pedagogical and interpersonal communication dimensions, but central aspects are recognized between disciplines, namely, precise theoretical-practical knowledge, clinical experience in the field of specialty, certification as a specialist, and updated knowledge. Conclusions: The profile of clinical mentors from UPNS clearly identifies transversal competencies in clinical teaching and interpersonal communication, both of which are important. In terms of professional competencies, there are leaders in nursing specialty, meaning that these competencies are specific in such cases.

Project Manager＇s Competencies in Czech Lottery Industry Enterprise

The presented paper analyses competencies of project manager of the enterprises operating on Czech lottery market. The contribution of the paper consists of two parts. The first part focuses on the basic terminology issues and anchors concepts such as project manager and competencies. The second part is dedicated to the analyzing and evaluation of the competencies of ideal project manager of the enterprises operating on Czech lottery market and subsequent presentation and verification. For the analyzing and evaluation of the competencies of ideal project manager, the questionnaire of the scale type with the grade valuation 1-6 was applied within the frame of 20 enterprises operating on the lottery market in Czech Republic. The respondents were from the AG CZ, Ltd. and the competitors of this enterprise. Analyzed data were after the evaluation worked up into the form of graphs. The final output of this paper is the definition of the competencies of ideal project manager operating on Czech lottery market. The paper arose thanks to the project supportted by The Ministry of Education, Slovakia （Project KEGA No. 001DTI-4/2015, proposal of behavior strategies in the difficult social situations in the management of secondary school using the innovative predictive software tools） in cooperation of Dubnicky, Technological lnstitut in Dubnica nad Vahom with AG CZ, Ltd. and The Institute of Technological and Business in Ceske Budejovice.

Cultivation of Students’Four Core Competencies in American English Class

In the 21^st century,students’core competencies will be the main competitive factors in a fast-changing society.Stu⁃dents will benefit a lot from them in their future job hunting and life-long learning.Developing their students’competencies be⁃comes a first and foremost task in American English class.

A Comparative Study on the Cultivation Path of Key Competencies and STEAM Competencies

The concept of STEAM education is essentially a multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary,integrated talent training model,based on the transformation of the world economic system and the response to the impact of education reform throughout the world.In recent years,schools in China have put forward educational theories for the integration and grafting of STEAM education based on the different cognition in Key Competencies and STEAM Competencies.This article first discusses the two initial concepts to identify cognitive bias;then,the curriculum design to explore the implementation of the two different strategies and the effect of the evaluation criteria described.

Multidimensional Rasch Analysis of Twentyfirst Century Core Competencies--Perspective of University Students in China

This study aimed to explore university students'perceptions on the importance of core competencies for the 21st century.A crosssectional survey research using a self-report questionnaire involving 48 Likert-type items was used to collect data from 869 university students in China who voluntarily participated.Multidimensional analysis with Rasch rating scale model found the data fitted the Rasch model well.The results showed that Chinese university students placed strong importance on the majority of competencies listed in the modified questionnaire of 21st Century Core Competencies for Higher Education,especially in competence groups of Interpersonal Communication and Character and Civic Literacy but less so in those of Creativity and Problem Solving and Global and International Perspective.

Diversified Teaching Methods in Nursing:Using Animal Experimentation to Promote Core Professional Competencies in Basic Nursing Training

Objective： The aim of this project was to train highly professional and specialized nursing students from medical colleges to adapt to bedside clinical care by exploring and discussing various methods of injection and IV infusion in animal experimentation to hone the core professional nursing competencies. Methods： Two classes from the 2012 senior graduating nursing class were randomly selected by a computer to conduct the diversified practical teaching methods based on animal experimentation. A hospital environment was simulated by requiring students to perform different types of injections and practical IV infusion techniques. A comprehensive evaluation of the core professional competencies, as well as other integrated competencies, was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the teaching methods. Results： Two-sampled, pairwise u-tests were performed between the scores of the experimental （nursing class 2） and control （nursing class 1） groups. These findings showed that the overall test scores were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group and that the average P-values for the competencies in various categories were 〈0.01, which indicated statistically significant results. Conclusions： Based on the data from this project, diversified teaching methods for basic nursing training founded on animal experimentation can help nursing students perfect their core professional competencies and improve their overall professional standing. The introduction of animal experimentation requires further verification, and an increased acknowledgement of its benefits through the widespread dissemination of this information.

Personal Tacit Knowledge and Global Learning Professional Competencies—Multi-Dimensional Relationships

Global learning professional competencies (GLPCs) are essential for college students to be able to address the impact of globalization in the 21st century. Organizations and society-at-large look to higher education to prepare college students with GLPCs. In addition, there is a body of literature that suggest personal tacit knowledge enhance GLPCs. However, researchers have done little from an empirical perspective to determine the relationship between the use of P-T K and enhancement of GLPCs, hence the purpose of this study. The statistical results revealed significant correlations, p st century knowledge society through use of P-T K.

Occupational Competencies Required by Secondary School Graduates in Palm Wine Tapping for Sustainable Income in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study focused on occupational competencies required by secondary school graduates in palm wine tapping for sustainable income in Enugu State. Four research questions guided the study. Survey research design was adopted. It was carried out in Enugu State. The population for the study was 2,781 registered palm wine tappers. The sample for study was 556 （10%） of palm wine tappers. A random sampling technique was used for the study. A 49 structured competency item questionnaire was used for data collection. Three experts validated the instrument. Cronbach Alphal reliability method was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument. A reliability coefficient of 0.98 was obtained. 556 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents 541 copies were retrieved and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that 48 competencies were required by secondary school graduates in palm wine tapping occupation for sustainable income in Enugu State. Recommendation was made based on the findings of the study.

Emerging Technologies As Drivers for Developing Organizational Innovation Competencies

This article will analyze importance of emergent technologies as drivers for developing organizational innovation competencies. The relevance of this research is based on the approach to emergent technologies articulating them with the competencies development models and organizational innovation theories. To formulate the research problem, two analytical dimensions were considered： emergent technologies and organizational innovation competencies anchored to the following research question： What are the organizational innovation competencies that rise from emergent technologies adoption by companies？ Based on the literature review of prospective studies conducted in economic clusters in Portugal, the organizational innovation competencies that raised from the adoption of emerging technologies were investigated and identified： internet, mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, and nanotechnologies. The methodology used was document analysis, based on the prospective sectorial studies on Portuguese industry.

Identifying the core competencies of backup nurses in the acute care hospital through a modified Delphi process

Background:The backup nurses are created to meet emergencies in the case of inadequate nursing staff and emergency circumstances,and there are no clear definitions of the core competencies for training and evaluation of backup nurses in the acute care hospitals in China.Methods:This study used a modified Delphi process where an initial list of potential competencies is established following a framework of training need analysis(TNA),literature review,and focus groups.This process generated as a list of 47 core competencies,which is presented to an expert panel(n=20)for consideration in two rounds.Results:As determined by the survey,a combination of 26 core competencies in three specified categories is identified:professional practice ability,critical thinking ability,and interpersonal skills.A total of 154.99 h is required to complete all 26 core competencies,and each item has a corresponding evaluation method.Conclusions:The core competencies provide a scientific basis for the hospital nursing managers to train and evaluate backup nurses,and it may ensure consistency in standards across the country.

The Communicative Competencies Depicted in “Buthsarana”

The characteristic of any literary tradition is to enhance the knowledge of human beings psychologically,biologically,and philosophically.This characteristic is seen in most of the literary creations of classical Sinhala literary tradition.The literary features of classical Sinhala literary tradition are enriched with its own communication competencies,which are created to up lift the noble and spiritual qualities.This study was completed by studying the communication competencies depicted in classical Sinhala literary tradition,in relation to“Buthsarana”,which was written by Vidyachakrawarthi,in the early part of Dambadeniya Era.Accordingly,the research was done based on the features such as narrative style,writing techniques,language techniques,performing ability,and social analysis.Vidyachakrawarthi in his book brings forth the“Nava Arahaadi Budu Guna”(Nine Great Qualities)of Lord Buddha using the devotive path to enhance the wisdom of devotees.In that process Vidyachakrawarthi uses a creative communication method.An inherent narrative style,prose writing rules and styles are used to present the content regularly.Moreover,the content of the stories has been created by occupying language techniques and social analysis,while making it easy to understand the“Nava Arahaadi Budu Guna”of Lord Buddha.Therefore,a perspicuous narrative style and creative language competency are included in“Buthsarana”.The agreement of the format and the content specialties are capable of providing the reader with inter cultural understanding,building cultural relationships,new ways of thinking,by creating devotion in the minds of the reader.Therefore,“Buthsarana”has provided the society with physical and mental motivation.Thus it could be shown that,with the success of the format and the communication competency included,“Buthsarana”is an effective communication mode which is capable of awaking the critical thinking of the reader.