Ophthalmic exam and ophthalmology residents’ subspecialty preference

AIM:To evaluate residents’perceptions and attitudes toward the various aspects of a comprehensive ophthalmic examination,and to determine if these factors correlate with their choices for fellowship and future career plans.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study.A questionnaire on the perception of the ophthalmic exam was sent via SurveyMonkey to ophthalmology residents throughout Israel.Eighty of them(one-half of all ophthalmology residents in 2019)completed it.The first part related to how they perceived each component of the ophthalmic evaluation.The second part related to their future fellowship plans.The Chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables and Student’s t-test and One-way ANOVA were used to compare continuous variables.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied as needed to detect interactions between variables and to exclude confounder effects.RESULTS:Slit-lamp examination of the anterior and posterior segments ranked as the most likeable aspects,whereas gonioscopy,ocular motility examination and visual acuity assessment were least likeable.Anterior segment and retina subspecialties were the ones most sought after.Forty-nine respondents(61.3%)noted a direct correlation between their preferred parts of comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations and their choice of subspecialty.Perceptions of selected components of those evaluations were significantly associated with responders’intentions to pursue anterior segment,retina,or oculoplastic fellowships(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Perspectives of residents toward the ophthalmic examination,and most specifically its individual components,play an important role in their choice of subspecialty training.

The Impact of the Digital Economy on Rural Residents’Working Hours:Mechanisms and Empirical Evidence

The rapid development of the digital economy has provided a new impetus for rural residents to extend their working hours.Based on the data collected by the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey(CLDS)in 2014,2016,and 2018,this paper measured the development level of the digital economy in China from the perspectives of internet development and digital financial inclusion,and tested the mechanisms of how the digital economy affected rural residents’working hours.The results showed that the digital economy extended rural residents’working hours by expanding information channels and enhancing human capital,and this mechanism was affected by heterogeneity in rural residents’educational background,age,and social capital.Building on these findings,this paper holds that to increase rural residents’income by extending their working hours and achieving common prosperity for all,it is necessary to expand the opportunities for rural residents to participate in skills training and promote their accumulation of human capital.

The Prediction for the Consumer Price Index of Residents in Perspective of Time Series Method in Case of Chongqing

The consumer price index (CPI) measures the relative number of changes in the price level of consumer goods and services over time, reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the price level of goods and services purchased by residents. This article uses the ARMA model to analyze the fluctuation trend of the CPI (taking Chongqing as an example) and make short-term predictions. To test the predictive performance of the model, the observation values from January to December 2023 were retained as the reference object for evaluating the predictive accuracy of the model. Finally, through trial predictions of the data from May to August 2023, it was found that the constructed model had good fitting performance.

Clinical competency:perceptions of nursing interns and clinical mentors

Objective:To assess the clinical competency of nursing interns and the perception of clinical nurse mentors toward student nurses'clinical competency.Methods:A study was carried out among 104 nursing interns and 26 clinical nurse mentors using the purposive sampling technique.A self-repor ted perception scale was used to collect the data.Results:In general,most nursing interns perceived themselves as clinically competent during the internship.The clinical nurse mentors too repor ted that the current internship is helping the nursing interns in becoming competent.Conclusions:Frequent clinical evaluation,buddy system,provision of stipends,good leadership,and coordination between the academic institute and hospital are repor ted as the critical motivating factors for improving the clinical competency of student interns.

A Study of the Residents’Perception on the Socio-cultural Impact of Coastal Tourism

In the process of tourism development,destination residents,as an important interest group,their perception and attitude towards the impact of tourism has a vital significance to the success of the development of coastal tourism industry.This research studies the perception and attitude to the socio-cultural impact of community residents who live in coastal tourism destination Qingdao through an empirical case study.The results of the study draw that residents’perception of positive influences produce positive effects on their attitude while perception of negative impact generates negative effects.Cluster analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used to divide Qingdao community residents into four types,namely optimistic supporters,pessimistic opponents,rational supporters,and neutral.Through the different categories of demographic analysis and logistic regression model analysis,the influence degree of residents’subjective factors posed on tourism effect perception has been explored.The research adds a new applied case study for a comprehensive understanding of impacts of coastal tourism destinations.

Perceptions of emergency medicine residents on the quality of residency training in the United States and Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: We compare educational environments(i.e. physical, emotional and intellectual experiences) of emergency medicine(EM) residents training in the United States of America(USA) and Saudi Arabia(SA).METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using an adapted version of the validated Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure(PHEEM) survey instrument from April 2015 through June 2016 to compare educational environments in all emergency medicine residency programs in SA and three selected programs in the USA with a history of training Saudi physicians. Overall scores were compared across programs, and for subscales(autonomy, teaching, and social Support), using chi-squared, t-tests, and analysis of variance.RESULTS: A total of 219 surveys were returned for 260 residents across six programs(3 SA, 3 USA), with a response rate of 84%. Program-specific response rates varied from 79%–100%. All six residencies were qualitatively rated as "more positive than negative but room for improvement". Quantitative PHEEM scores for the USA programs were significantly higher: 118.7 compared to 109.9 for SA, P=0.001. In subscales, perceptions of social support were not different between the two countries(P=0.243); however, role autonomy(P<0.001) and teaching(P=0.005) were better in USA programs. There were no significant differences by post-graduate training year.CONCLUSION: EM residents in all three emergency medicine residency programs in SA and the three USA programs studied perceive their training as high quality in general, but with room for improvements. USA residency programs scored higher in overall quality. This was driven by more favorable perceptions of role autonomy and teaching. Understanding how residents perceive their programs may help drive targeted quality improvement efforts.

Residents’ Perceptions of the Tourism Impacts on a Mature Destination: The Case of Madeira Island

Residents play a fundamental role in the quality of tourists’experiences and satisfaction derived from a visit and,thus,in the success of a tourism destination.This paper addresses the perceptions that residents have the impacts of tourism on Madeira Island,a mature tourism destination.Based on data extracted from a survey administered to residents during August and September 2018,we inquired on the extent to which they maintain a positive perception of the impacts of the tourist industry.The survey tried to address the residents’perceptions of economic,cultural,social,or environmental impacts.In the analysis of the data,both descriptive and multivariable statistical methods were used.The empirical results attained indicate that residents feel that there is no excess of tourism on the island.They do not fail to realize that there are a few negative consequences,but the positive ones got better scores on average.Being an inhabitant of an urban or a rural site did not seem to influence differently the perceptions gathered on the contribution of tourism to the overall development of Madeira Island.This type of analysis can serve as a useful tool for tourism planners and managers in order to prevent or minimize eventual negative impacts of the tourism industry as felt by the local inhabitants and,thus,for creating the required policies.

A Comparison between Patients’ and Residents’ Perceptions of Patient Centeredness and Communication Skills among Physicians Working at Jordan University Hospital

Aim: This research aims to evaluate patient-centeredness and communication skills from the patients’ point of view and that of the physicians’ point of view and compares the two outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 418 patients and 94 residents. Instrument of the study was a structured questionnaire that aimed to evaluate patient centeredness and communication skills of the residents. Results: Residents gave themselves a significantly higher score than the score given to them by patients in most studied aspects such as the extent to which the doctor discussed the patient’s problem, the extent to which the doctor explained the problem, the doctor introduced himself, the doctor greeted the patient properly and others. The only aspect for which patients gave residents higher score than that residents gave themselves was the extent to which the doctor asked the patient about what is expected to be done (ECG, CT scan, giving antibiotics, …). Conclusion: A transformation from doctor centered approach to patient centered approach is needed.

Urban Residents' Consumption Risk Perception about the Dairy Products

Based on the continuous downturn puzzle of Chinese dairy consumption,with the perception of consumption risk as a starting point,the paper deeply analyzes the main factors which cause the downturn of dairy product consumption of Chinese residents. The results show that the income elasticity of dairy consumption of Chinese urban residents is still notable; the occurrence of dairy safety incidents improves the perception of consumption risk,and accordingly it reduces the promoting role of income to the dairy consumption; the safety incident is the key factor which leads to the fall of dairy consumption of urban residents in recent years,and the perception of consumption risk of lower income group is clearly higher than that of higher income group.

A tale of duality:Community perceptions towards the ecotourism impacts on Simien Mountains National Park,Ethiopia

This study aims to analyze how park households perceive the economic,sociocultural,and environmental impacts of ecotourism in Simien Mountain National Park(SMNP),Ethiopia.We combined qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection.A sequentially embedded mixed design that gives priority to quantitative data was used.We also employed a multistage sampling technique to select respondents from three districts or woredas,namely Debark,Janamora,and Beyeda woredas.Finally,397 participants were involved in the study from a random selection of three villages from each district or woreda.Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire,interviews,and focus group discussions.Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods,including means,standard deviations,analysis of variance(ANOVA),and logistic regression models.The findings from a logistic regression analysis revealed that ecotourism participation had a significant relationship with gender(B=1.850,P=0.023),level of education(B=0.238,P=0.032),geographical location(B=0.420,P=0.041),and occupation(B=0.920,P=0.019).This investigation suggested that males and individuals with a higher educational background are more likely to possess optimistic perspectives concerning the impacts of ecotourism.Furthermore,individuals residing in districts relatively near ecotourism destinations,those engaged in tourism-related work,and younger participants were recognized as having optimistic viewpoints regarding the impacts of ecotourism.In conclusion,the study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to maximize ecotourism’s benefits and minimize negative effects in SMNP.To achieve this,it is recommended that the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Agency,the Ministry of Tourism,and local government should work together to develop sustainable tourism plans that enhance local livelihoods and park conditions.Efforts should focus on increasing the participation of females and individuals with lower education levels through training and resource provision.

FUZZY SYNTHETIC EVALUATION ON RESIDENT'S PERCEPTIONS OF TOURISM IMPACTS——Case of Jiuzhaigou National Park, Sichuan Province, China

Tourism can have both positive and negative outcomes for residents in tourism destinations. It is a good method to analyze the status of tourism impact by means of investigating residents’ perceptions of it. Various methods have been used in previous authoritative studies. However, owing to inherent imprecision, difficulties always exist in some conventional methodologies when describing the interpretation of linguistic or measured uncertainties for real-world random phenomena. The purpose of this research is to present the fuzzy synthetic evaluation method to investigate residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts. At first, basic attributes and a hierarchical framework of tourism impacts are defined and formed. Secondly, the weighted vectors are determined according to the knowledge and experience of experts. Thirdly, the weighted evaluation matrices are aggregated to get the fuzzy sets of tourism impacts. In the last stage, the final fuzzy sets are defuzzified to get the rank of the residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts. A case study in Jiuzhaigou National Park of China is provided to demonstrate the application of this method.

Consumer Perceptions of Noni Juice Health Benefits during a 90-Day In-Home Use Test

Noni juice, made from the fruit of Morinda citrifolia, is a health-promoting food from the Pacific Islands with an extensive history of traditional use. Human clinical trials have revealed that noni juice has antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, regular noni juice consumers in Europe and traditional healers in Fiji were surveyed to identify potential noni juice health benefits. But to better understand the perception of its health benefits among those with no previous experience with noni juice, an in-home study was conducted in the United States. Three hundred and nineteen adults with untreated chronic health conditions were provided with a 90-day supply of a blinded (unlabeled) commercial noni juice product (Tahitian Noni® Juice), instructed to consume 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) each day, and responded to a questionnaire given on days 30, 60 and 90 to evaluate product appeal and perceived effectiveness. A total of 299 people (94%) felt that their health improved in some way after drinking TNJ for 90 days. More than 80% of the subjects reported feeling better or healthier in general. Most participants also concurred with more than two dozen additional positive health perception statements, especially on days 60 and 90. More than 70% of consumers also indicated that noni juice helped them feel better than other wellness supplements they had tried in the past, including other so-called “super fruit” products. These findings seem to corroborate the results of clinical trials and previous consumer surveys regarding the potential for noni juice to provide discernable health benefits when used consistently over time. Such findings may help guide additional placebo-controlled clinical trials in which specific effects may be evaluated more rigorously.

Men’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions on Family Planning in Tourourou Village, Gogui Rural Commune, Nioro Circle, Kayes Region of Mali

Introduction: The involvement of men in reproductive health programmes and more specifically in family planning has always been of concern to the various development actors at both national and international levels. Objective: To study the births, ideas and opinions of men on Family Planning in the village of Tourourou. Material and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study from February 1 to July 31, 2020 in the village of TOUROUROU on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Men on Family Planning. We included in our study, all men residing in TOUROUROU whose age is between 14 and 99 years, who agreed to participate in the study. Results: Our study involved 200 men. The 25 - 29 age group was the most represented with 25.5%. The Soninke had represented 41%. In our study, 97.5% of men had heard of family planning, 62% had spontaneously cited at least one modern contraceptive method, and the pill ranked first with 64.5%. Radio and friends were the most frequent sources of information with 57.5% and 54.5% respectively. Birth spacing was the most cited family planning goal by men in 43.5% of cases. Men supported the practice of family planning in 50.5% of cases. Conclusion: In the village of Tourourou men play a crucial role in decision-making concerning the health of the couple and the family, their effective involvement in Reproductive Health especially in Family Planning will contribute enormously to the improvement of the health of the family.

Knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China

Objective:To access the level of knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization(AEFI)surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey involving 768 vaccination workers.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by using SAS 9.3 software.Knowledge,perceptions,and practice on AEFI surveillance were summarized using frequency tables.The mean±SD value was used as the cut-off for defining good(values≥mean)and poor(values<mean)knowledge,perceptions or practice.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic variables associated with knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards AEFI.Results:The proportions of good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance were 78.13%,57.81%and 66.15%,respectively.Having a higher education background,longer years of experience,previous training on AEFI and≥30 years of age were factors associated with good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance among vaccination workers.Conclusions:Over half of the respondents had good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance work.Interventions on improving the vaccination workers’knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance should be considered in order to develop a more effective surveillance system.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perceptions for Salt/Sodium Reduction in the Gastronomic Sector of Costa Rica

Excess sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. This study examined food services in Costa Rica as a major source of sodium. The research included six cafeterias, six fast food establishments, 13 restaurants, and 15 diners using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Interviews were conducted with workers to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding salt reduction. The findings were analyzed to determine effective intervention strategies. Participants showed regular knowledge about salt/sodium. While they recognized the link with high blood pressure, understanding of other health problems was limited. Positive attitudes were observed toward healthy cooking and reducing sodium in pre-prepared food, especially in restaurants. Over 70% expressed a desire to reduce salt in food services, with more than 80% indicating a need for staff training, particularly in cafeterias lacking knowledge of low-salt preparations. High-sodium ingredients were prevalent, with saltshakers and sauces readily available. However, some individuals were reluctant to reduce salt/sodium intake, citing concerns about taste, food variety, and customer complaints. Obstacles to reducing salt/sodium levels included limited accessibility and the cost of low-sodium ingredients. The data collection tools and methodologies used in this study can serve as a foundation for future investigations and strategies to reduce salt consumption in food services. The study recommends government support for transforming the gastronomic sector and implementing regulations and knowledge enhancement. Collaboration with the productive sector is crucial for creating healthy environments. This research presents valuable evidence regarding the utilization of salt and sodium in the gastronomic sector, thereby assisting in the decision-making process for public health initiatives and the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. It highlights the significance of tackling sodium reduction in food services to encourage the adoption of healthy culinary practices and enhance the overall health of the population.

Daily activities and training experiences of urology residents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Indonesia: A nationwide survey

Objective:To explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic on the training experiences of urology residents in Indonesia.Methods:A cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire(SurveyMonkey)involved all registered urology residents in Indonesia.The questionnaire was structured in Bahasa Indonesia,composed of 28 questions,and divided into three sections:demographic characteristics,current daily activities,and opinions regarding training experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak.The survey was distributed to all respondents via chief of residents in each urology center from May 26,2020 to Jun 2,2020.Results:Of the total 247 registered urology residents,243 were eligible for the study.The response and completeness rate for this study were 243/243(100%).The median age of respondents was 30(range:24e38)years old,and 92.2%of them were male.Among them,6(2.5%)respondents were confirmed as COVID-19 positive.A decrease in residents’involvement in clinical and surgical activities was distinguishable in endourological and open procedures.Most educational activities were switched to web-based video conferences,while others opted for the in-person method.Smart learning methods,such as joining a national or international speaker webinar or watching a recorded video,were used by 93.8%and 80.7%of the respondents,respectively.The respondents thought that educational activities using web-based video conferences and smart learning methods were effective methods of learning.Overall,the respondents felt unsure whether training experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were comparable to the respective period before.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected urology residents’training experiences.However,it also opened up new possibilities for incorporating new learning methodologies in the future.

Healthcare-Associated Infections: Experiences and Perceptions of Nurses at the Ziniaré District Hospital in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a worldwide concern because of their magnitude and their human and financial cost. While nurses’ non-compliance of hygiene and asepsis measures is questioned, the rationale behind it is not fully understood. We hypothesized that nurses’ experiences and perceptions are one of the reasons for their non-compliance with prevention recommendations. Also, nurses’ caring approach would play an important role in patient safety. The objective of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences and perceptions of HAIs in a district hospital in Burkina Faso with the aim of developing a culture of safety in health care practices. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through unstructured interviews with twenty nurses from the Ziniaré district hospital. Data analysis followed the qualitative phenomenological method according to Giorgi. Results: Phenomenological analysis yielded the following themes: “an ignored reality”;“a denied responsibility”;and “a vulnerable problem”. These results show that nurses’ perception of the extent and seriousness of HAIs is low, and that they deny responsibility for their occurrence. As a result, HAIs are not always perceived as a concern. However, nurses deplore the situation, but remain optimistic about resolving the problem. Conclusion: These nurses’ perceptions of HAIs could explain their non-compliance with prevention recommendations. Corrective action could be redirected by raising awareness, continuing training, improving working conditions and involving all players, including patients and their families, in the fight against HAIs. .

“There Are Many Cases That You Carry with You That Leave Scars”: Burnout and Secondary Trauma among Pediatric Residents in Routine and Covid Times

The current research joins previous studies in examining post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout among healthcare workers. The research focuses on the experiences of pediatric residents working in an emergency department both in normal times and during the Covid pandemic. Research conducted prior to and during the Covid pandemic outbreak shows negative psychological effects among healthcare workers. Most of that research was conducted within the positivistic-quantitative paradigm. The current study is qualitative and focuses on pediatric residents who provide medical services to a unique population in a peripheral region of Israel, namely the Bedouin-Arab population. The research questions are the following: What characterizes pediatric residents’ work, in general and during the pandemic? Do they show signs of burnout and secondary trauma? How do they perceive their work with the Bedouin-Arab population, especially during the pandemic? The study, conducted within the phenomenological genre, included 14 pediatric residents in a large hospital in Israel’s periphery. Semi-structured clinical interviews were employed, in addition to questionnaires that examined PTSD and burnout to enhance the reliability of the findings. The results show that all residents reported stressful incidents in which patients’ physical integrity was threatened. The residents described the special nature of the medical cases they treated in routine times and during the pandemic outbreak, which stems mostly from the specific characteristics the population of Israel’s periphery. While at the early stages of the pandemic, the residents experienced reduced work pressure, they reported substantial difficulties later in the crisis, which intensified their sense of physical and emotional stress. Most residents reported feeling inadequately prepared for dealing with traumatic events. According to the results, most residents displayed secondary trauma (12 participants in interviews and 11 in questionnaires), which can be classified into categories based on the DSM-5. In the interviews, all 14 participants reported various signs of burnout. The questionnaires indicated burnout symptoms among 10 participants. Giving a voice to pediatric residents, the study highlights the complexity of their routine work as well as their role during the Covid crisis. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made for policymakers. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness to the implications of the residents’ rough work conditions in routine and emergency times and to the need to develop social support and intervention programs that might improve their well-being during their professional work.