Current State of Affairs with Regard to Continuing Medical Education for Technicians in Radiology in Francophone West Africa

Background: This study aimed to determine the level of continuing medical education (CME) of medical imaging technicians in French-speaking West Africa. Materials and methods: This opinion survey was administered to radiology technicians in French-speaking West Africa from 1st June to 31st October 2020, i.e. over a period of 5 months concerning their level of CME and their need for CME. Results: Out of 100 technicians, 69% were men. The mean age was 40 years, with extremes ranging from age 23 to age 57. The majority of technicians (64%) worked in the public sector and 78% had work experience of less than 11 years. Most technicians were holders of a Bachelor’s degree (73%). The types of CMEs they knew were congresses, seminars, and modular training in 46% of the cases. The most available CMEs were seminars (63%). All technicians agreed on the need for CME and 96% said it had an impact on the delivery of radiology services. Technicians who had received CME at least once represented 61%. For 90% of technicians, the specific CME sought was management in radiology (33.33%) and radiation protection (25.81%). Conclusion: The need for CME is increasingly indisputable to radiology technicians in French-speaking West Africa;however, it remains a luxury for them, due to its scarcity and its high cost.

Prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians

This study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease(CVD)and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians in China.Accordingly,we included scientists and technicians from representative research institutions,medical institutions,colleges,universities,and businesses in China,and the data were collected from July 1,2019 to March 31,2021 via online questionnaires.The parameters evaluated in this study included age,sex,marital status,educational background,monthly income,sleep hours,sleep problems,smoking,alcohol consumption,work-related stress,work burnout,cardiovascular symptoms,CVD,family history,and depressive and anxiety symptoms.A total of 14530 scientists and technicians were included,comprising 7144 men and 7386 women.We found 34.9%men and 16.6%women with CVD,35.1%men and 21.4%women with depressive symptoms,28.7%men and 13.8%women with anxiety symptoms,and 22.0%men and9.5%women with CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms.This study focused on the details of women.Younger women(age≤35 years)had the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms(24.9%),anxiety symptoms(16.2%),and comorbidity(11.2%).It was established that,despite traditional risk factors,unmanageable work burnout,depressive symptoms,and anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher risk of CVD in women;insomnia,overwhelming work stress,unmanageable work burnout,and CVD were linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms and anxiety;insomnia,overwhelming work stress,and unmanageable work burnout were related to CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms.A bidirectional relationship was noted between CVD and depression or anxiety in female scientists and technicians,and insomnia and overwhelming work stress were positively associated with comorbidity.It is suggested that effective measures should be taken to protect female scientists and technicians from CVD and psychological distress.

医院卫生技术人员对静脉血栓栓塞症防治认知差异及影响因素分析

目的 探讨我国医疗情境下静脉血栓栓塞症(venous thromboembolism, VTE)认知差异及影响因素,为制定有效的VTE防治管理策略和培训计划提供依据。方法 采用定性和定量相结合的方法,通过分层抽样对医院在岗卫生技术人员进行问卷调查,涵盖医生、护士、技师、药师及医院管理者。问卷内容包括个人基本信息、对VTE防治的认知情况、态度及难点,针对以上数据进行描述性分析、单因素和多元线性回归分析。结果 共收集有效问卷915份。调查显示卫生技术人员对VTE防治的认知总体较高,但存在显著差异。性别、人员类别、教育程度和职称是影响VTE认知的主要因素。与药师相比,规范化培训医师、护士、医师及医疗管理人员的VTE认知得分较高。较高的教育程度和职称水平与更高的VTE防治认知呈正相关。在态度方面,大部分卫生技术人员对VTE防治持积极态度,但也担忧额外工作压力和患者的依从性。结论 人员类别、教育程度和职称是影响卫生技术人员VTE防治认知的主要因素。建议加强对不同类别卫生技术人员的VTE防治知识培训,特别针对初级和中级医务人员,建议提升其专业能力和参与意愿,同时强化跨科室合作和患者教育,以提高VTE防治的效果。

Infection Control Measures among Healthcare Workers: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice

Background: Nosocomial infections are some of public health problems globally and continue to be increased regardless of the hospital’s efforts on infection control measures and are contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality and cost. The absence of infection control policies, guidelines and trained professionals also contributes to the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to assess the Knowledge, attitude and practices towards infection control measures among healthcare workers at Old Mutare Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to acquire information. A purposive sampling method was used to select 22 nurses, 15 nurse Aids and 2 laboratory technicians (Lab Tech). A self-administered questionnaire with four components addressing demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and practices was used to collect data that was completed by a checklist. Results: The study findings revealed a poor knowledge of infection control measures among the nurse’s aide. The attitude and practices among participants were impartially good in all variables. The participants had scored over 50% towards their attitude and their practices on infection control. A significant statistical difference was found between the professional status of the participants and the ability to explain how one can get Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and awareness of infection control programs in their hospital (rs = 0.640, 0.645) with P < 0.05 (0.01, 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Despite of having a fair attitude and practice towards infection control, the participants had presented poor knowledge;therefore, it had been recommended that in service training and workshop should be planned by the administration to update their knowledge and attain full compliance towards their practice.

Do mannequin chests provide an accurate representation of a human chest for simulated decompression of tension pneumothoraxes?

BACKGROUND:Tension pneumothorax(TPX) is an uncommon but life-threatening condition.It is important that this uncommon presentation,managed by needle decompression,is practised by paramedics using a range of educationally sound and realistic mannequins.The objective of this study is to identify if the chest wall thickness(CWT) of training mannequins used for chest decompression is an anatomically accurate representation of a human chest.METHODS:This is a two-part study.A review of the literature was conducted to identify chest wall thickness in humans and measurement of chest wall thickness on two commonly used mannequins.The literature search was conducted using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,MEDLINE,CINAHL,and EMBASE databases from their beginning until the end of May 2012.Key words included chest wall thickness,tension pneumothorax,pneumothorax,thoracostomy,needle thoracostomy,decompression,and needle test.Studies were included if they reported chest wall thickness.RESULTS:For the literature review,4 461 articles were located with 9 meeting the inclusion criteria.Chest wall thickness in adults varied between 1.3 cm and 9.3 cm at the area of the second intercostal space mid clavicular line.The Laerdal? manikin in the area of the second intercostal space mid clavicular line,right side of the chest was 1.1 cm thick with the left 1.5 cm.The MPL manikin in the same area or on the right side of the chest was 1.4 cm thick but on the left 1.0 cm.CONCLUSION:Mannequin chests are not an accurate representation of the human chest when used for decompressing a tension pneumothorax and therefore may not provide a realistic experience.

Establishing Standardized Biomedical Laboratory Technician Education for the Development of Biotech no logy Research in China

Chinese scientists have been actively engaged in biotechnology research since the mid-2Oth century.However,biotechnology education,especially biomedical laboratory technology education,is relatively scarce in China.More and more cutting-edge equipment and techniques have been introduced into biomedical laboratories in China,but there is a lack of high-quality techni&ans to apply these advancements to scientific research.In addition,the traditional education and apprenticeship systems have been demonstrated little progress.To address this gap,West China Hospital of Sichuan University established a 2-year educational program for laboratory technology in 2006 based on the residency training program.The project integrates scientific methods into the research laboratory technician training in relevant disciplines,and has developed a systematic,scientific,and effective standardized training system to cultivate high-level and stable experimental technician team for the need of advanced laboratories,which has been demonstrated gready improve the efficiency of biomedical researchers and laboratory facilities.In this article,we introduce the practical experience in establishment and development of a standardized training system for biomedical laboratory technicians to ensure the sustainable development of medical researches.

Undergraduate paramedic students cannot do drug calculations

Previous investigation of drug calculation skills of qualified paramedics has highlighted poor mathematical ability with no published studies having been undertaken on undergraduate paramedics. There are three major error classifications. Conceptual errors involve an inability to formulate an equation from information given, arithmetical errors involve an inability to operate a given equation, and finally computation errors are simple errors of addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. The objective of this study was to determine if undergraduate paramedics at a large Australia university could accurately perform common drug calculations and basic mathematical equations normally required in the workplace. A cross-sectional study methodology using a paper-based questionnaire was administered to undergraduate paramedic students to collect demographical data, student attitudes regarding their drug calculation performance, and answers to a series of basic mathematical and drug calculation questions. Ethics approval was granted. The mean score of correct answers was 39.5% with one student scoring 100%, 3.3% of students （n=3） scoring greater than 90%, and 63% （n=58） scoring 50% or less, despite 62% （n=57） of the students stating they ＇did not have any drug calculations issues＇. On average those who completed a minimum of year 12 Specialist Maths achieved scores over 50%. Conceptual errors made up 48.5%, arithmetical 31.1 % and computational 17.4%. This study suggests undergraduate paramedics have deficiencies in performing accurate calculations, with conceptual errors indicating a fundamental lack of mathematical understanding. The results suggest an unacceptable level of mathematical competence to practice safely in the unpredictable prehospital environment.

Drug calculation ability of qualified paramedics:A pilot study

BACKGROUND: The inability of paramedics to perform accurate calculations may result in a compromise of patient safety which may result from under or over dosing of drugs, incorrect joules for defibrillation, or a major adverse event such as death. The objective of this study was to identify the drug calculation and mathematical ability of qualified operational paramedics.METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design with a paper-based calculation questionnaire. Twenty paramedics enrolled in an intensive care paramedic course were eligible to participate in the study. The questionnaire consisted of demographic, drug calculation(seven questions), and mathematical(five) questions. Students were given no notice of the impending study and use of a calculator was not permitted.RESULTS: All eligible students participated in the study. The average time employed as a paramedic was 7.25 years, SD 2.5 years, range four years to twelve years. Four(20%) students got all 12 questions correct, and five(41.6%) got 50% or less. The average score was 8.6(71.7%) correct, SD 2.8 correct, range 3 to 12 correct questions. There were eight(40%) conceptual errors, 12(60%) arithmetical errors, and five(25%) computational errors.CONCLUSION: The results from this study supports similar international studies where paramedic's ability to undertake mathematical and drug calculations without a calculator varies, with some results highlighting the paramedics mathematical skills as a potential risk to patient safety. These results highlight the need for regular continuing mathematical and drug calculation practice and education to ensure a lower error rate.

SENIOR DRILLING TECHNICIAN JAMPA TASHI

＂Theory without practice is sterile,＂ Jampa Tashi said. ＂Drilling is surely not rocket science, but it takes seven or eight years of hands-on experience to get the hang of it＂.

Study on the Performance Evaluation of Expatriate Technician in Multinational Corporations

Performance evaluation of expatriate technicians is an important way for multinational corporations to effectively manage their expatriate technicians,which is crucial to the technological innovation of multinational corporations.This paper designs the performance evaluation index system of expatriate technicians,which includes work efficiency,professional competence,work attitude,and personal traits.Then,based on the C-POWA operator,the evaluation method of expatriate technicians is put forward.Lastly,using the index and method of evaluation of expatriate technician,four expatriate technicians’performance are evaluated,and the results reveal that the index and method we put forward are scientific and practical.

PEOPLE & POINTS

MIGRANT WORKER TAKES ON NEW ROLE Ju Xiaolin,a rail technician holding a senior high school diploma,was elected vice（haimnan of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions（ACFTU）on January 17.Ju,53,is the first migrant worker to hold such a high post,