Implementation of an international medical student pen-pal club:survey outcomes of perceptions in cultural competency and global health

Background:Pen-pal clubs(PPC)are used worldwide for students to learn about different cultures and other skillsets without the need for travel.Many medical students are interested in global health opportunities abroad but costs,scheduling,and other barriers allow few to participate in such experiences.It is important that medical students have nuanced global medical perspectives and can contribute to the global medical community.Objective:The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that an international medical student PPC improves medical students'perspectives of cultural competency and global health engagement.Methods:In 2021,a novel medical student PPC was established that began between an American and Japanese medical school.Following a shareholders meeting,it was decided that the number of medical schools involved globally be expanded through previous institutional affiliations and online presences.In total,the club connected 50 American medical students and 52 medical students from 17 high-and middle-income countries.The primary form of communication was online;pen-pals were encouraged to communicate monthly using provided topics,although frequency and way of communication was their discretion.In February 2022,American PPC members were emailed a qualitative survey to assess the PPC's impact.Results:The survey was completed by 42%of American PPC members,95%of which were 22-26 years.Participants were preclinical medical students,60%whom were female and the majority either white(47%)or Asian(43%).Overall,the PPC positively influenced American medical students'perception of global medicine,medical education,and their cultural competency after joining the PPC compared to prior(P=0.004).Conclusion:PPCs encourage medical students to think from a global perspective and foster open-mindedness within varying social and cultural contexts.Having a global communication platform for students during medical school education may be an additional way to train aspiring global leaders.

Post competency training in standardized training of resident physicians and integrated postgraduates

We focus on the importance and necessity of post-competency-based training in medical education alongside its current challenges and opportunities.Integrating post competency training into standardized educational frameworks is increasingly recognized as a critical component of preparing residents and postgraduates for real-world clinical practice.Post competency training represents a commitment to excellence in medical education,striving to produce competent,skilled practitioners to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.

How Emotion Nurtures Mentality:The Influencing Mechanism of Social-Emotional Competency on the Mental Health of University Students

Social-Emotional Competency(SEC),regarded as a critical psychological resource for individuals to adapt to social environments,is an effective protective factor for students’mental health,impacting their future success and well-being.Analyzing the impact of SEC on university students’mental health can offer valuable insights for nurturing talents with healthy psychological and physical development.Based on data from two large-scale surveys of Chinese university students,this study designed two comprehensive Multiple Mediation Models involving SEC,stress,coping strategies,and stress reaction to explore the pathway of emotion nurturing mentality.Study 1 utilized a parallel mediation model to examine the relationships between SEC,academic stress,interpersonal stress,and stress reactions.The results indicated that SEC negatively predicted academic stress,interpersonal stress,and stress reactions.Additionally,academic and interpersonal stress mediated the relationships between SEC and stress reactions in parallel.Extending these findings,Study 2 further investigated the role of coping strategies.By constructing a multiple-chain mediation model,it examined the predictive relationships among SEC,academic stress,interpersonal stress,three types of coping strategies,and stress reactions.The findings indicated that SEC negatively predicted stress,problemavoiding strategy,and stress reactions,while positively predicting problem-solving and assistant-seeking strategies.Furthermore,the two stress types and three coping strategies significantly mediated the relationship between SEC and stress reactions.This indicated that higher SEC was associated with reduced stress and more adaptive coping strategies and subsequently contributed to more favorable stress reactions.This research explored the impact of university students’SEC on mental health and its relational mechanisms,aiming to provide theoretical reference and practical insights for future efforts in cultivating SEC among university students to adjust academic and interpersonal stress,to enhance problem-solving and stress resistance capabilities,and to maintain their mental health.

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 on the Problems and Solution Paths in the Conduct of Elderly Competency Assessment

Exploring the problems existing in the process of carrying out an elderly competency assessment aims to provide useful references for its improvement.Starting from the importance of elderly competency assessment in the field of elderly services,this paper analyses the problems in the process of carrying out elderly competency assessment and explores the corresponding solutions.The analysis finds that problems in the process of carrying out elderly competency assessment are inevitable,but as long as the study continues to explore and innovate and actively seek solution paths,the study will be able to overcome these difficulties and provide the elderly with better and more efficient elderly services.

A Study on Aligning Nursing Curriculum with Hospital Clinical Competency Requirements

The purpose of this study is to coordinate the alignment between the nursing curriculum and hospital clinical competencies,identify the reasons for the gaps,evaluate the impact of these gaps on the nursing profession,and propose strategies to bridge these gaps.This study will help strengthen nursing education,improve nursing students’skills,and help students adapt to complex clinical environments.

Necessary prerequisites for evidence-based practice:results of investigating nurses'informatics competency and information literacy skills

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between nursing informatics(NI)competency and information literacy skills for evidencebased practice(EBP)among intensive care nurses.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 nurses working in intensive care units(ICUs).The study data were collected through demographic information,Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool(NICAT),and information literacy skills for EBP questionnaires.The intensive care nurses received competent and low-moderate levels for the total scores of NI competency and information literacy skills,respectively.They received a moderate score for the use of different information resources but a low score for information searching skills,different search features,and knowledge about search operators,and only 31.5%of the nurses selected the most appropriate statement.NI competency and related subscales had a significant direct bidirectional correlation with information literacy skills for EBP and its subscales(P<0.05).Nurses require a high level of NI competency and information literacy for EBP to obtain up-to-date information and provide better care and decision-making.Health planners and policymakers should develop interventions to enhance NI competency and information literacy skills among nurses and motivate them to use EBP in clinical settings.

Corroborative Activities and Recognition Between Community Comprehensive Care Unit’s Nurses and Care Managers in Supporting Discharge of Elderly from Hospital - A Secondary Publication

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the collaborative activities and mutual recognition between community comprehensive care unit nurses (Ns) and care managers (CM) in supporting the discharge of the elderly from the hospital. Methods: A total of 300 nurses working in community comprehensive care wards and 360 care managers working in B City in A Prefecture were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Results: The highest percentage of responses regarding necessary collaborative activities with multiple professions in supporting hospital discharge were the same for Ns and CMs. The items regarding practice with the highest percentages were “relationship as a team” for Ns, and “user-centered awareness” for CM. While these professionals were willing to share information about their patients’ lives after discharge, the percentage of those explaining their expertise was low. It is thought that collaborative activities focusing on these aspects would lead to more appropriate discharge support.

以Competency为导向的临床专科师资培养的构建和教学能力的提升

目的:研究在新形势下以Competency为导向的临床教师理论教学和实践教学在眼科研究生住院医师规范化培训中的应用和评价,及对研究生规培学生在临床过程中以Competency为导向学习和工作态度、能力、思维、运用等多方面受到的影响和作用。方法:选择在校研究生规培学生作为研究对象,随机抽样分为正常组和实验组,正常组采用传统教学方法,实验组采用以Competency为导向的临床教师教学,学习后采用调查问卷和实践技能水平考试评估教学成果。结果:对教师评价,实践技能考试实验照组均优于正常组。结论:以Competency为导向的教学理念在各个层面教学中的应用,可以为不同人才培养层次分别构建系统、连续、阶梯式的人才培养体系,为共性培养下的个性化培养提供理论依据,对于推动我国医学教育的科研创新、临床思维培养,具有一定价值。

Competency-based management effects on satisfaction of nurses and patients

Purpose:To evaluate the effect of competency-based management in improving nurse and patient satisfaction.Methods:According to the competency-based management objectives and principles,821 nurses were classified into different levels based on clear nurse qualifications and post responsibilities.According to the different levels of nursing staff and training plans with different emphases,the goal was for the nursing staff to gradually achieve the corresponding level.Targeted training programs for different levels of nurses were formulated to enable nurses to gradually increase their competency levels.Results:After implementation of competency-based management,nurse job satisfaction and patient satisfaction increased significantly(P<0.01).Additionally,the reported nurse job burnout decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Competency-based management can promote nurses’enthusiasm,reduce job burnout,improve job satisfaction,as well as improve patient satisfaction.

The Status and Role of Competency Model in Enterprise Human Resource Management

The competency model is a widely-used human resource management tool that can be applied to human resource management in different regions,different fields,different enterprises,and positions of different nature,which can improve the objectivity,reliability,authenticity and fairness of enterprise human resource management,give full play to the promotion of human resource management to the development of enterprise operations,and help enterprises achieve development and manage-ment goals.

The Effect of Executive Management Support and Cost Accountant Competency on CMS Design Effectiveness and Its Consequences： An Empirical Research of Manufacturing Business in Thailand＊

The objective of this research is to examine the antecedents and consequences of cost management systems （CMS） design effectiveness of manufacturing businesses in Thailand. The effect of CMS design effectiveness on cost information quality is investigated. Moreover, the effect of cost information quality on business success is investigated. Furthermore, executive management support and cost accountant competency are assumed to become the antecedents of CMS design effectiveness. Electronics manufacturing businesses in Thailand are samples of the research. A mail survey procedure via the questionnaire was used for data collection from accounting controllers. The results indicate that CMS design effectiveness has a positive significant effect on cost information quality. Moreover, cost information quality also has a positive significant effect on business success. Additionally, both executive management support and cost accountant competency have a positive significant effect on CMS design effectiveness.

Patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence to glaucoma case management clinic in China

AIM:To assess glaucoma patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence in case management and identify associated predictors to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study,a total of 119 patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Clinical data was obtained from the case management system.Follow-up adherence was defined as completing each follow-up within±30d of the scheduled time set by ophthalmologists during the study period.RESULTS:Average satisfaction scored 78.65±7,with an average of 4.39±0.58 across the seven dimensions.Age negatively correlated with satisfaction(P=0.008),whilst patients with follow-up duration of 2 or more years reported higher satisfaction(P=0.045).Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that longer follow-up durations were associated with lower follow-up adherence(OR=0.97,95%CI,0.95-1.00,P=0.044).Additionally,patients with suspected glaucoma(OR=2.72,95%CI,1.03-7.20,P=0.044)and those with an annual income over 100000 Chinese yuan demonstrated higher adherence(OR=5.57,95%CI,1.00-30.89,P=0.049).CONCLUSION:The case management model proves effective for glaucoma patients,with positive adherence rates.The implementation of this model can be optimized in the future based on the identified factors and extended to glaucoma patients in more hospitals.

Conflict management styles of nurse managers and influencing factors in children’s hospital, Vietnam

Objective:This study aimed to describe the conflict management styles and identify factors affecting the conflict management styles of nurse managers.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing nurse managers with a questionnaire,including the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II Form B,used to assess an individual’s approach to conflict management across five styles:cooperating,competing,compromising,obliging,and avoiding.Results:A total of 30 nurse managers participated in this study.The mean scores of the cooperating style were the highest at 4.3±0.4,followed by a compromising style at 3.4±0.5,an avoiding style at 3.1±0.6,an accommodating style at 2.9±0.7,and a competing style at 2.8±0.8(χ^(2)=66.624,P<0.001).The mean scores for avoiding style among bachelor’s degree nurse managers(3.2±0.6)were higher than those of master’s degree nurse managers(2.7±0.6)(P=0.036).Nurse managers over 40 years old,holding a managerial position for≥10 years,and frequent conflict handling rated higher mean scores for the cooperating style than their counterparts(P<0.05).Conclusion:The cooperating style was the most commonly used conflict management style among nurse managers.Factors affecting the conflict management style were age,education level,and experience in management and conflict handling.These findings are useful for developing interventions that enhance the competencies of nurse managers in conflict management.

Teaching Reform Based on the Competency Model for Software Engineering-related Courses

This paper explores the reform and practice of software engineering-related courses based on the competency model of the Computing Curricula,and proposes some measures of teaching reform and talent cultivation in software engineering.The teaching reform emphasizes student-centered education,and focuses on the cultivation and enhancement of students’knowledge,skills,and dispositions.Based on the three elements of the competency model,specific measures of teaching reform are proposed for some professional courses in software engineering,to strengthen course relevance,improve knowledge systems,reform practical modes with a focus on skill development,and cultivate good dispositions through student-centered education.The teaching reform’s attempts and practice are conducted in some courses such as Advanced Web Technologies,Software Engineering,and Intelligent Terminal Systems and Application Development.Through the analysis and comparison of the implementation effects,significant improvements are observed in teaching effectiveness,students’mastery of knowledge and skills are noticeably improved,and the expected goals of the teaching reform are achieved.

Personal Thermal Management by Radiative Cooling and Heating

Maintaining thermal comfort within the human body is crucial for optimal health and overall well-being.By merely broadening the setpoint of indoor temperatures,we could significantly slash energy usage in building heating,ventilation,and air-conditioning systems.In recent years,there has been a surge in advancements in personal thermal management(PTM),aiming to regulate heat and moisture transfer within our immediate surroundings,clothing,and skin.The advent of PTM is driven by the rapid development in nano/micro-materials and energy science and engineering.An emerging research area in PTM is personal radiative thermal management(PRTM),which demonstrates immense potential with its high radiative heat transfer efficiency and ease of regulation.However,it is less taken into account in traditional textiles,and there currently lies a gap in our knowledge and understanding of PRTM.In this review,we aim to present a thorough analysis of advanced textile materials and technologies for PRTM.Specifically,we will introduce and discuss the underlying radiation heat transfer mechanisms,fabrication methods of textiles,and various indoor/outdoor applications in light of their different regulation functionalities,including radiative cooling,radiative heating,and dual-mode thermoregulation.Furthermore,we will shine a light on the current hurdles,propose potential strategies,and delve into future technology trends for PRTM with an emphasis on functionalities and applications.

Implementation and evaluation of a pain management core competency education program for surgical nurses

Objective:To investigate the effect of a pain management core competency education program on surgical nurses’pain knowledge and pain management nursing practice behaviors.Methods:An 8-h education program focused on pain management core competency was provided twice in two weeks including the multidimensional nature of pain,pain assessment,pharmacological and nonpharmacological management,and knowledge application was developed and implemented for surgical nurses by a multidisciplinary team.Multimodal teaching approaches such as didactic teaching and vignettes of cases for nurses to discuss were used.The Clinical Pain Knowledge Test(CPKT)was completed by 135 and 107 nurses from 17 surgical wards pre and post-program,respectively.Two hundred and three patients’medical records were randomly sampled according to the number of operations in each ward one week before and in the fifth week after the intervention,respectively.Documentation of patients’postoperative pain management nursing practice behaviors and pain intensity scores were collected.Results:After the intervention,the CPKT scores of nurses significantly increased from 45.6%±12.3%to 54.2%±10.2%(t=5.786,P<0.001).Nurses’postoperative pain management nursing practice improved,with proportion of pain assessment documentation increased from 59.6%(121/203)to 74.9%(152/203)(χ^(2)=10.746,P=0.001),those using pain intensity assessment tools increased from 81.8%(99/121)to 95.4%(145/152)(χ^(2)=13.079,P<0.001),and intramuscular injection of nonopioids decreased from 12.6%(13/103)to 2.7%(3/111)(χ^(2)=7.598,P=0.006).Patients’average worst pain score on the operation day significantly decreased(Z=-2.486,P=0.013),and scores from the first to the third postoperative day also decreased(Z=-2.172,P=0.030).Conclusions:Implementation of a pain management core competency education program for surgical nurses can increase their knowledge of core competencies of pain management,improve selected pain management practices,and decrease patients’postoperative pain intensity.

Overview of the immunological mechanisms in hepatitis B virus reactivation:Implications for disease progression and management strategies

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)reactivation is a clinically significant challenge in disease management.This review explores the immunological mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation,emphasizing disease progression and management.It delves into host immune responses and reactivation’s delicate balance,spanning innate and adaptive immunity.Viral factors’disruption of this balance,as are interac-tions between viral antigens,immune cells,cytokine networks,and immune checkpoint pathways,are examined.Notably,the roles of T cells,natural killer cells,and antigen-presenting cells are discussed,highlighting their influence on disease progression.HBV reactivation’s impact on disease severity,hepatic flares,liver fibrosis progression,and hepatocellular carcinoma is detailed.Management strategies,including anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches,are critically analyzed.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy during immunosuppressive treatments is explored alongside novel immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and prevent reactivation.In conclusion,this compre-hensive review furnishes a holistic view of the immunological mechanisms that propel HBV reactivation.With a dedicated focus on understanding its implic-ations for disease progression and the prospects of efficient management stra-tegies,this article contributes significantly to the knowledge base.The more profound insights into the intricate interactions between viral elements and the immune system will inform evidence-based approaches,ultimately enhancing disease management and elevating patient outcomes.The dynamic landscape of management strategies is critically scrutinized,spanning anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy in preventing reactivation during immunosuppressive treatments and the potential of innovative immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and proactively deter reactivation.

Automating the Competence Matrix of a Quality Control Laboratory with the Relational Database Management Framework—A Case Study with the Analytical Chemistry Unit of a National Regulatory Agency

This study analyzed the concept of time efficiency in the data management process associated with the personnel training and competence assessments in one of the quality control (QC) laboratories of Nigeria’s Foods and Drugs Authority (NAFDAC). The laboratory administrators were burdened with a lot of mental and paper-based record keeping because the personnel training’s data were managed manually, hence not efficiently processed. The Excel spreadsheet provided by a Purdue doctoral dissertation as a remedial to this challenge was found to be deficient in handling operations in database tables, and therefore did not appropriately address the inefficiencies. Purpose: This study aimed to reduce the time it essentially takes to generate, obtain, manipulate, exchange, and securely store data that are associated with personnel competence training and assessments. Method: The study developed a software system that was integrated with a relational database management system (RDBMS) to improve manual/Excel-based data management procedures. To validate the efficiency of the software the mean operational times in using the Excel-based format were compared with that of the “New” software system. The data were obtained by performing four predefined core tasks for five hypothetical subjects using Excel and the “New” system (the model system) respectively. Results: It was verified that the average time to accomplish the specified tasks using the “New” system (37.08 seconds) was significantly (p = 0.00191, α = 0.05) lower than the time measurements for the Excel system (77.39 seconds) in the ANACHEM laboratory. The RDBMS-based “New” system provided operational (time) efficiency in the personnel training and competence assessment process in the QC laboratory and reduced human errors.

Gender and managerial competence:a comparison of male and female first-line nurse managers in Indonesia

Objective:First-line nurse managers are more likely to work according to gender beliefs and stereotypes,which may affect their managerial competence.This study is aimed at comparing managerial competence of male and female first-line nurse managers in public hospitals in Indonesia.Methods:This study employed a descriptive comparative approach with a cross-sectional survey with a total of 256 participants selected from 18 public hospitals.To measure managerial competence,the managerial competence scale for Indonesian first-line nurse managers was used.Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses using mean,standard deviation,and Independent t-test.Results:Managerial competence of male and female first-line nurse managers was not significantly different(P=0.555).Female nurse managers descriptively reported/received higher ranking in facilitating spiritual nursing care,managing self,staffing and professional development,utilizing informatics,and applying quality care improvement.Male nurse managers repor ted higher in leadership and financial management.Conclusions:Female and male first-line nurse managers should be treated equally for leadership and managerial development.