Search

Physical activity improves the well-being of persons living with dementia but few exercise programs include them. The Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) toolkit aims to improve exercise providers' understanding of dementia and ability to support persons living with dementia in physical activity. We evaluated the co-designed DICE toolkit with exercise providers using a mixed-methods approach comprising pre/post questionnaires and interviews and reflection diaries. Among 16 participants, self-efficacy for exercise delivery to persons living with dementia and both knowledge and attitudes toward dementia significantly improved. Thematic analysis suggested participants (a) had a deeper understanding of the variability of dementia, (b) were planning for equitable access for persons living with dementia, (c) planned to promote social connection through exercise, and (d) were optimistic for future engagement with persons living with dementia. The DICE toolkit may improve exercise providers' knowledge and confidence to plan proactively to support persons living with dementia in programs and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic meta-review evaluated the effects of exercise with and without protein interventions on muscle strength and function in older adults with sarcopenic obesity. PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched through February 2021 for relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses with aerobic, resistance, and/or combined training interventions with and without protein supplementation in older adults ≥ 65 years with sarcopenic obesity. This meta-review showed that exercise with and without protein supplementation improved body composition (i.e., decreased percentage body fat) and functional outcomes (i.e., gait speed and grip strength). Because the current literature is limited, determining the effects of exercise and combined protein supplementation in this population requires further investigation. In the meantime, protein recommendations should align with general sarcopenia recommendations. Based upon available findings, tentative exercise recommendations to optimize health outcomes in this population are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The formation, implementation, outcomes, and impact on retention of a health system–based pharmacy technician training program are described. The program seeks to produce graduates who are well equipped for employment within the health system and eligible for certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, thereby developing a consistent source of well-trained technicians to meet the needs of the health system. Summary The program's ideal candidate is one who is seeking to begin or transition to a career in health-system pharmacy. The affordable accredited program provides candidates with the skills needed to become a certified pharmacy technician. A distinguishing feature of the program design is the pace of the curriculum, designed to be completed in 11 weeks. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education at the entry-level accreditation standard. The program is structured to enroll 3 cohorts annually, beginning in April, August, and January. This provides a consistent and dependable bolus of graduates for hiring managers across the health system's pharmacy department. The program supports enrollment by internal and external candidates. In addition to didactic content, the simulation component of the program combines remote and onsite simulations. Following completion of the didactic and simulation content, students receive 2 blocks of acute and ambulatory care shadowing for 111 hours over 2.5 weeks of experiential content. The program realized benefits by partnering with an external digital content provider. First, the platform enabled the team to accelerate the time to program launch. A second benefit of the platform is the ability to conduct the program and update content. In April 2018, the institution launched the program to meet pharmacy technician needs within the organization. As of April 2022, 11 cohorts have successfully completed the program, with a total of 41 graduates. At the time of writing, the retention rate in the health system for those beginning the training program in April 2018 was an impressive 90%. In comparison, the overall retention rate for the pharmacy department during this same period was 31%. The program has a graduation rate of 93% and a job placement rate as a pharmacy technician of 90%. The institution believes that this program has helped provide a consistent supply of well-trained technicians to meet the needs of the health system and that the program provides a superior level of clinical training to technician students at an affordable price. The program represents a novel strategy to efficiently and effectively train pharmacy technicians and has been demonstrated to result in improvements to the health system. Conclusion Establishing a pharmacy technician training program provides a mechanism to ensure continuity and uniformity as healthcare continues to evolve. By providing a source of well-trained pharmacy technicians, the program allows the profession to continue to achieve its overarching aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Results Conclusions Implications for the Profession/ Patient Care Patient or Public Contribution Our study aims to analyse 8 commonly used textbooks to determine how diverse skin tones are represented in paediatric nursing practitioner education.Literature reviewed from 2016 to 2024 demonstrated that the lack of darkly pigmented skin colour representation in health science education leads to diminished patient outcomes for these populations. Our study sought to study representation teaching images and eight commonly referenced nursing textbooks were chosen for this study, given their use in paediatric nurse practitioner education. Of the eight textbooks selected, five were analysed based on inclusion criteria.Two investigators trained in skin prototyping coded each textbook for skin colour representation and coded during 2023–2024. Coders used the widely accepted prototyping scale, the Fitzpatrick Scale (range I‐VI, with I being the lightest colour skin and VI the darkest). Teaching photographs were defined as all photos used to provide insight into a disease or diagnostic technique that included human skin. Two individual coders coded and documented data, ensuring each coder was blinded to the overall results.Our analysis of 5 textbooks revealed that 2112 images met the criteria as teaching images. Of the 2112 teaching images, 593.5 included images of type IV‐VI skin (darkly pigmented skin), resulting in a 28% representation of dark skin tone images. Additionally, 2 of the 82 total illustrations included patients with dark skin tones, indicating a representation of 2.5%. However, chapters addressing conditions of child abuse/neglect (55.95%) and stigmatised social issues (infectious disease, 54.88%) displayed a disproportionate representation of patients from these demographics.Our results highlight the importance of enhancing equitable representation in educational resources for nursing practitioners.There is room to collaborate with other health science institutions to establish clear guidelines for future improvement in expanding teaching images to include diversity representation in education.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The guiding documents of the social work profession establish social justice as central to the discipline and practice of social work, yet there is little consensus on the meaning of the term. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine how faculty and staff in one school of social work defined social justice. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from a school climate survey distributed within one school of social work with an explicitly stated commitment to social justice. Ninety-three staves and faculty responded to the open-ended question: How do you define social justice? Findings: Three themes were identified in how participants defined social justice as a form of evidence-based meaning making: (1) equality, (2) equity, and (3) advocacy and action. Discussion: We conclude this article by discussing implications for how social workers can incorporate a critical approach to defining social justice that extends beyond equality and equity. Specifically, we recommend that the profession work toward a common, evidenced-based understanding of social justice to effectively educate current and future social workers to dismantle systems of oppression at all levels of social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses data privacy concerns and the need for a low computational framework in health sciences education. Introducing hybrid parametric splines as a novel approach in ECG signal modeling, the study explores three cases: parametric cubic spline, parametric quartic spline, and a hybrid approach combining both methods with second-order continuity. Accuracy is assessed using power spectrum analysis, root mean square error (RMSE), percent root mean square difference (PRD), Cross correlation, and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) validated measures. Additionally, statistical analysis, including the Bland-Altman scatter plot, supports the hybrid approach. The hybrid approach achieves a harmonious blend of smoothness, heightened flexibility, and increased accuracy while ensuring computational simplicity. Efficient utilization of fewer data points optimizes storage and processing. Capable of generating diverse ECG signals, it allows flexibility in creating various scenarios. The hybrid approach demonstrates superior accuracy, as evidenced by the obtained RMSE, PRD, Cross correlation, and DTW values of 0.0410, 15.76, 0.98, and 0.49, respectively.Contributing to the advancement of ECG modeling, these findings provide enhanced visualization, analysis, and educational demonstrations in health science education, particularly in cardiovascular physiology. This research offers valuable insights for improving education in cardiovascular health sciences through the application of ECG modeling. By adopting the hybrid approach, educators and researchers can enhance their understanding and teaching of cardiovascular health, ultimately leading to improved education and advancements in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers guidance for creating a benchmark for student achievement or performance in higher education institutions, particularly in a radiology technology program. It outlines the components of a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) assessment pan. Factors considered when creating a benchmark include ability of students to meet a program's minimum level of achievement, positional competence, historical data trends and communities of interest.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming health profession education (HPE) through personalized learning technologies. HPE students must also learn about AI to understand its impact on healthcare delivery. We examined HPE students' AI-related knowledge and attitudes, and perceived challenges in integrating AI in HPE. Methods: This cross-sectional included medical, nursing, physiotherapy, and clinical nutrition students from four public universities in Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt. Data were collected between February and October 2023 via an online survey that covered five main domains: benefits of AI in healthcare, negative impact on patient trust, negative impact on the future of healthcare professionals, inclusion of AI in HPE curricula, and challenges hindering integration of AI in HPE. Results: Of 642 participants, 66.4% reported low AI knowledge levels. The UAE had the largest proportion of students with low knowledge (72.7%). The majority (54.4%) of participants had learned about AI outside their curriculum, mainly through social media (66%). Overall, 51.2% expressed positive attitudes toward AI, with Egypt showing the largest proportion of positive attitudes (59.1%). Although most participants viewed AI in healthcare positively (91%), significant variations were observed in other domains. The majority (77.6%) supported integrating AI in HPE, especially in Egypt (82.3%). A perceived negative impact of AI on patient trust was expressed by 43.5% of participants, particularly in Egypt (54.7%). Only 18.1% of participants were concerned about the impact of AI on future healthcare professionals, with the largest proportion from Egypt (33.0%). Some participants (34.4%) perceived AI integration as challenging, notably in the UAE (47.6%). Common barriers included lack of expert training (53%), awareness (50%), and interest in AI (41%). Conclusion: This study clarified key considerations when integrating AI in HPE. Enhancing students' awareness and fostering innovation in an AI-driven medical landscape are crucial for effectively incorporating AI in HPE curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interprofessional education (IPE) is vital for preparing a competent health workforce. Despite the proven benefits of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP), barriers to its implementation persist. Given the importance of health professionals’ perspectives for IPCP success, we investigated the perceptions of IPCP among final-year health science students at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, while they transition into practice. A cross-sectional online survey conducted from February to April 2023 included 989 students across six health science disciplines, with a response rate of 57.8%. Using the SPICE-R2 questionnaire on a five-point Likert-type scale, we assessed perceptions related to interprofessional teamwork, roles and responsibilities, and patient outcomes. Results showed significant diversity in IPCP perceptions and experiences with IPE. Nursing students consistently demonstrated the highest IPCP perceptions, while medical and public health students scored the lowest. Positive perceptions about IPCP were notably associated with nursing students and those satisfied with the learning process. Dentistry students and those with IPE experience also exhibited more favorable views on teamwork. This study suggests the need to address disparities in IPCP perceptions among student groups, which is essential for enhancing interprofessional collaboration in future health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the need for culturally competent counselors, there is sparse literature on ways counselor educators navigate the processes associated with multicultural training. Using post‐intentional phenomenology, researchers interviewed nine counselor educators about their experience teaching multicultural courses and the challenges they faced in preparing future counselors. Themes related to burden, navigating limited support, the dynamic nature of the course, and achieving multicultural training aims emerged. Implications for counseling programs, academic institutions, and the profession are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a rapidly changing healthcare environment, we need a robust evidence base to inform effective education and training. This study aimed to examine factors perceived to determine career progression in clinical education research in the UK. Six online focus groups were conducted, with 35 participants from a range of medical, dental, nursing, and allied health professions who identified as aspiring or early career clinical education researchers. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis. Two themes and associated subthemes were constructed to illustrate perceived factors impacting on career development: (1) A cultural challenge from clinical norms. Challenges included differences between the epistemological assumptions of biomedical and clinical research, and the underlying philosophy of education research, which is more closely aligned with the knowledge generation of the social sciences. This led to difficulty communicating the impact of education research to patient care. There were also blurred boundaries between education delivery and research, with the latter lacking a clearly defined group identity. (2) Structures, systems and relationships for career progression. Practical considerations included time and funding (or lack thereof), the opportunity to undertake formal training, networking and role models. This research highlights a number of systemic barriers and facilitators to careers in clinical education research and offers targets of intervention to enable a sustainable academic workforce in clinical education research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chiropractic Educators Research Forum convened a conference on June 22, 2024. During this meeting, attendees shared what chiropractic programs are doing, specifically focusing on education research related to technology. Presenters and panelists discussed what technology chiropractic programs should be using to educate chiropractors for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly large language models (LLMs), continuing to make inroads in healthcare, assessing LLMs with human evaluations is essential to assuring safety and effectiveness. This study reviews existing literature on human evaluation methodologies for LLMs in healthcare across various medical specialties and addresses factors such as evaluation dimensions, sample types and sizes, selection, and recruitment of evaluators, frameworks and metrics, evaluation process, and statistical analysis type. Our literature review of 142 studies shows gaps in reliability, generalizability, and applicability of current human evaluation practices. To overcome such significant obstacles to healthcare LLM developments and deployments, we propose QUEST, a comprehensive and practical framework for human evaluation of LLMs covering three phases of workflow: Planning, Implementation and Adjudication, and Scoring and Review. QUEST is designed with five proposed evaluation principles: Quality of Information, Understanding and Reasoning, Expression Style and Persona, Safety and Harm, and Trust and Confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been advocated that the development of medical school curricula must be informed by students, doctors in training, educators, employers, other health and social care professionals and patients, families and carers. Patients are widely employed to teach clinical and interpersonal skills, and while recognised as crucial in health education, they have mostly been offered a passive role. We assessed the impact of patients contributing personal illness narratives in the master curriculum of allied health care professionals on students' learning experiences. Methods: We designed a module (Patient and Society) for a master's degree programme in Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark in collaboration with six patients. The patients contributed to the teaching by sharing and discussing their personal illness narrative. At the end of the module, as part of the exam, we asked the students to reflect on the patients' contribution to the module and how this affected their learning experiences. The 500-word exam responses of 29 students were analysed, in collaboration with six patients, using thematic analysis. Results: Including patients' illness narratives lifted students' academic learning, and their personal and professional development. The stories brought theoretical concepts to life; it helped the students to obtain, retain, and apply academic knowledge. Actively and uninterrupted listening to patients' illness experiences promoted empathy and critical reflection on clinical practice. Faced with the impact of a disease on a person's life, seeing the healthcare system through a patient's lens made students reflect critically on the medical positivist model ruling the health care system focused on just fixing the medical problem with very little room for the illness experience. Conclusion: Our analyses support previous findings indicating that patient narratives are a powerful tool to achieve academic and professional development. Working with patients in health education has the potential to work towards a more inclusive epistemological stance in the health care system and health research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) has been extensively applied to health science education. However, a question still remains as to the optimal way to design AR interfaces to enhance users’ understanding of information that is presented in text format. Utilising the context of indoor air pollution, the current study examines the effects of messages about particulate matter (PM) delivered using different modes of AR visualisation (i.e. overlaying AR visuals onto users’ faces [AR-overlay self] vs. overlaying AR visuals onto users’ surroundings [AR-overlay environment] vs. no use of AR [AR control]). A between-subjects online experiment (N = 306) demonstrated that the AR-overlay environment has a pronounced effect on perceived realism toward 3D-rendered PM, which induced powerful effects on increasing both issue involvement and positive attitudes toward the textual information being presented. Compared to the AR control, the AR-overlay environment demonstrated a serial and positive mediation effect on perceived realism, which subsequently influenced issue involvement and message attitudes. However, overlaying 3D-rendered PM onto one’s face turned out to be a less effective means of eliciting perceived realism. Implications are discussed in the context of how to design effective AR interfaces that can best help users understand health science information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis research interrogates the integration of spirituality in health science education through a semi-structured survey of 23 nursing students as well as semi-structured surveys and focus group interviews conducted with seven lecturers in the school of health sciences at St. Paul’s University, Kenya. The research acknowledges the way in which the COVID pandemic has foregrounded public health issues such as stress, mental health, and trauma in the specific areas of student self-care, nursing practice, curriculum review, and faculty training and development. Conducted by a theologian and health scientist, this study utilizes an integrative model of faith and science to demonstrate the need for integrating spirituality in health science education within the context of Christian higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grit is the perseverance and passion for long-term goals, optimism represents an individual's expectation of a positive outcome in most situations, whereas life satisfaction is a major indicator of well-being. Grit, optimism, and life satisfaction play a role in medical and health science education, as they are associated with academic performance. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between grit, optimism, and life satisfaction among medical and health sciences students at a Malaysian university using the 12-Item Grit Scale, Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Medical students were significantly grittier than optometry students (p = 0.015) and significantly more optimistic than biomedical science students (p = 0.007). Academic performance was significantly correlated with grit (r = 0.135, p = 0.027) and optimism (r = 0.139, p = 0.023). On the other hand, a significant correlation existed between grit and optimism (r = 0.316, p = 0.000) as well as optimism and life satisfaction (r = 0.328, p = 0.000), whereas a correlation was observed between grit and life satisfaction (r = 0.171, p = 0.003). The findings show that interdisciplinary differences in grit and optimism exist and that grit and optimism are related to the academic performance of medical and health sciences students. Grit, optimism, and life satisfaction were interrelated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the CALOHEA project's insights on driving recognition of qualifications in ASEAN medical education. The project involved 31 institutions across ASEAN and European countries, focusing on civil engineering, medicine, and teacher education. Through mechanisms like establishing comparable competencies and measuring student workload, CALOHEA aims to enhance the recognition of medical degrees, facilitating graduates' mobility and career opportunities. The article also highlights challenges and opportunities in the recognition process, proposing strategic actions like capacity building and policy harmonization to overcome barriers and promote international collaboration in medical education. [Extracted from the article]

In 2002, the Institute of Medicine's recommendations emphasized diversifying the health care workforce to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Despite these efforts, the physical therapist profession remains predominantly White. The College of Saint Mary Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program employs deliberate strategies through 2 committees, faculty search and admissions, to foster diversity in both faculty and student populations. The DPT Program Faculty Search Committee, in collaboration with the human resource department, devised a comprehensive 3-phase recruitment process aimed at attracting qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. Through purposeful mission-driven and equity-focused strategies, this approach has yielded a faculty body characterized by diversity, with 80% of faculty members self-identifying as belonging to historically excluded groups. Similarly, the Admissions Committee has adopted proactive measures to ensure a diverse student body. By implementing a holistic admissions process recommended by the Association of American Medical Colleges, including evaluating prerequisite courses and eliminating the Graduate Record Examination requirement, the committee has facilitated more equitable access to the program. Virtual interviews and thorough candidate assessments are conducted to mitigate potential biases in the selection process. As a result, these efforts have allowed us to maintain diverse cohorts, with 20% to 30% of our student body identifying as members of historically excluded groups. Impact Developing and sustaining a physical therapist workforce that reflects the communities it serves necessitates purposeful, mission-driven, and equitable strategies. These strategies aim to broaden the diversity of both faculty and student populations. Through such initiatives, we aim to foster an inclusive environment that reflects our society's richness, enabling us to better understand society's complex needs and mitigate health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The demographic homogeneity of the physical therapist workforce and its educational pathway may undermine the profession's potential to improve the health of society. Building academic environments that support the development of all learners is fundamental to building a workforce to meet societal health care needs. The Benchmarking in Physical Therapy Education study uses the Physical Therapy Graduation Questionnaire to comprehensively assess learner perceptions of the physical therapist academic environment. The present report examined whether racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) physical therapist learners perceive their doctor of physical therapy education differently from their non-REM peers. Methods Five thousand and eighty graduating doctor of physical therapy learners in 89 institutions provided demographic data and perceptions of a range of learning environment domains. Analyses included REM versus non-REM comparisons as well as comparisons among individual race and ethnicity groups. Results Compared with their non-minoritized peers, REM respondents expressed less satisfaction with their education and lower confidence in their preparedness for entry-level practice. REM respondents observed more faculty professionalism disconnects and demonstrated less agreement that their program had fostered their overall psychological well-being. REM respondents experienced higher rates of mistreatment than their peers and reported higher rates of exhaustion and disengagement, the 2 axes of academic burnout. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/a/x (Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and/or Latinx) respondents incurred significantly more educational debt than Asian and White respondents. REM respondents reported greater empathy and greater interest in working in underserved communities. Conclusion REM respondents perceived the physical therapist learning environment more negatively than their non-minoritized peers but expressed strong interest in serving people from underserved communities. These national benchmarks offer academic institutions the opportunity to self-assess their own environment and to work to improve the quality of the educational experience for all learners. Impact In a nationwide benchmarking study, learners from minoritized race and ethnicity backgrounds reported more negative experiences and outcomes during physical therapist education than their non-minoritized peers. These same learners demonstrated high empathy and interest in serving people from underserved (under-resourced) communities. Learning environments that permit all individuals to thrive may be an essential avenue to improve the health of a rapidly diversifying society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To learn about a training programme which develops nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals’ research skills • To understand how the training programme was evaluated • To find out the extent to which participants’ confidence in research-related activities increased during the programme. Background: Research forms an important part of clinical practice for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (NMAHPs). However, it is known there is a lack of confidence in this community in the development and use of research skills. The 4Ps Programme is a bespoke research-training programme that focuses on four areas: place, project, person and plan. Aim: To report an evaluation of the 4Ps Programme that used a survey to record the confidence levels reported by NMAHPs. Discussion: An increase in participants’ confidence was observed across all modules in the 4Ps Programme. This exceeded the standard deviation in the ‘place’ session, demonstrating genuine improvement. It was not possible to demonstrate a significant improvement in all cases. Low response rates affected the quality of the data obtained in the study, which would have benefitted from a more targeted approach to questions and better enabled the tracking of individuals’ improvement over the course of the programme. Conclusion: Participation in bespoke, targeted training related to research could lead to an increase in NMAHPs’ confidence in research-related activities. Efforts need to be made to refine the evaluation approach and improve response rates. Implications for practice: The 4Ps Programme can improve research-related confidence. Improved and further longitudinal evaluation will assess its impact in developing future clinical academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Physical therapist (PT) education programs seek to identify applicants who will be academically successful in the program and pass the licensure examination. Part one of this systematic literature review aimed to understand the value of cognitive variables in PT education admissions. Methods: The initial literature search identified 1,592 articles in databases and relevant journals. Of the 39 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 31 reported on cognitive measures. Results: Seven studies identified one or more sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as significant predictors of students' academic performance in PT programs. Ten studies reported that one or more sections of the GRE predicted National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) performance, wheres 4 studies found no significant relationship. Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) predicted academic performance in the PT program and on the NPTE in more than 10 studies, whereas 4 found no significant relationship. Other components of the academic record, such as prerequisite course grades, undergraduate institution quality, undergraduate degree, and retaking prerequisite courses, had varying relationships with academic and NPTE performance. Discussion and conclusion: These outcomes appear to inform the policies and processes for admissions into PT education programs, evidenced by customary use of applicants' GRE scores and GPAs in admission decisions. The inclusion of both cognitive measures in admission decisions may help ensure that admitted students successfully manage the academic rigor of doctoral education and pass the NPTE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which determined the number of first-time candidates who sat for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists radiography exam on a per capita basis for the years 2020 to 2022 by state and U.S. Census division. Topics include the methods used in the study, the results of the study and the limitations and areas for further study.

The article focuses on incorporating active learning in didactic radiologic technology course. Topics covered include how incorporating active learning elements can change the interaction in the classroom among the students and with the instructor, the diagnostic image analysis learning activity used and the feedback from students regarding the assignment.

The article focuses on incorporating heutagogy in radiologic science education. Topics covered include the key elements incorporated in a heutagogical design, examples of heutagogical concepts and activities for radiologic technologists and how heutagogy empowers radiologic technologists to become self-directed learners. It also discusses the key differences among pedagogy, andragogy and heutagogy in the context of education.

Understanding the fundamental role anatomy education plays in medical training and taking into consideration the nascence of online education in Nigeria, this study evaluated the perceptions of medical and allied‐health students toward online anatomy education both during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Nigeria and for the future. For this study, Google Form questionnaires were distributed via different social and academic platforms to medical and allied‐health students in Nigeria between September 28 and December 17, 2020. A total of 954 students participated in the study and 947 valid responses were recorded. The results showed that 77.6% of the students had reported computer/IT skills and 12.1% admitted that they had never attended an online class. Interestingly, 60% of the respondents disapproved of online learning approaches as effective tools for instructions in the anatomical sciences. Majority of the students (84%) agreed that their performance in anatomy would have been better if the classes were face‐to‐face, while 55% found the online anatomy classes uninteresting. Furthermore, 91.5% agreed that anatomy educators needed advanced skills for online education, while 94.2% agreed that anatomy online teaching needs more advanced technology to be implemented in Nigeria. This study revealed an overall negative perception about the suitability and effectiveness of online anatomy education in Nigerian medical/health training. This study recommends further investigations into the challenges that were presented during online anatomy education at the peak of the pandemic. This will help direct the development and implementation of a workable and sustainable online education model for anatomical sciences in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we discuss and reflect on the essential components of our concurrent session presentation at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) annual conference LM2023, "Implementing Lifestyle Medicine Competencies in Didactic and Clinical Settings for Allied Health Professionals." We illustrate the necessity of interdisciplinary lifestyle medicine approaches through a conscious fusion of analysis and storytelling. This review concludes with a call to action empowering the medical community to embrace interdisciplinary lifestyle medicine approaches in effort to increase access to equitable healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With, Sonography, celebrating its 10th birthday, it is timely to reflect on the changes in ultrasound and the role of the sonographer, across the same period. This paper will present the significant changes that have occurred across the last 10 years in a large public hospital network in Australia across a diversity of themes. In the areas where challenges have emerged, the way these were navigated will be described. Documenting this change in ultrasound provision may be valuable to future planning for all key stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of disability awareness of fitness professionals is a well-established barrier to exercise participation among people with disabilities that is likely related to the lack of disability awareness training for group fitness instructors. The purposes of this study were to develop, implement, and evaluate a disability awareness training for group fitness instructors. A 90-min video training and resource manual were developed. We recruited 10 group fitness instructors from one recreation center to participate. Participants completed baseline, posttraining, and 2-month follow-up testing on survey-based outcomes including disability attitudes, confidence in exercise adaptations, and training satisfaction. Participants' confidence to adapt fitness classes was significantly improved; however, disability attitudes were high in the pretest and not significantly different posttraining. Semistructured interviews were conducted posttraining and revealed three themes: Formal disability training is needed, Managing inclusive class dynamics, and Training suggestions and satisfaction. This training demonstrated a feasible intervention for increasing disability awareness among community-based group fitness instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a core aspect of allied health education. WIL placements typically focus on developing clinical skills, with broader conceptions of work readiness a secondary consideration. Near-peer mentoring (NPM), where senior students mentor junior students, is one WIL placement model that holds promise for developing students' work readiness, along with additional benefits for educators and service users. While there is emerging evidence of the benefits of NPM in allied health, a more comprehensive understanding of the design and outcomes of NPM WIL placements for allied health students, their educators and service users is needed. Methods: A systematic search of seven electronic databases (CINAHL, ERIC, ProQuest Education, Medline, PsychInfo, EMBASE and Scopus) from 2003 to 2022 was conducted with 4195 records reviewed. Included studies reported on near-peer mentoring between at least one of the identified 11 allied health professionals providing services to real people (i.e. not simulation). Data extracted included pedagogical approaches, type of service model and relationship of peers to each other and educator, objectives for implementing the NPM, and effects for students. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Standards for Reporting of Qualitative Research (SRQR). Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority were North American in origin, from the disciplines of pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy, and used a range of research designs. Four types of placement design were observed from incidental co-location of students and observing outcomes through to deliberate preparation of students and/or educators for their roles in a NPM placement. Outcomes for junior students included lowered anxiety leading to increased confidence and motivation to learn and thus enhanced clinical skills. Senior student outcomes included development of educator skills, increased confidence, and enhanced professional reasoning. Service users and educators also benefited from NPM; however, evidence was sparse in these areas. Conclusion: The evidence supports near-peer mentoring as a valuable WIL model to support work readiness, and several general pedagogical designs are evident. Future research should design NPM WIL with a greater integration of educational theory and evaluate outcomes beyond satisfaction and self-reported experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood physical disability. Early and evidence-based rehabilitation is essential for improving functional outcomes in children with CP. However, rehabilitation professionals face barriers to adopting evidence-based practices (EBP)s. The objective of this project is to develop a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to support CP-EBP among pediatric rehabilitation professionals. Methods: We follow an integrated KT approach by collaborating with clinicianand patient-partners. Partners engaged in co-design through team meetings and content review via email. The KT strategy comprises two components: (1) An electronic (e)-KT toolkit was created from summarized evidence extracted from randomized clinical trials on early rehabilitation for children with CP, and (2) a multifaceted online KT training program developed with guidance from a scoping review exploring effective KT strategies. Results: The e-KT toolkit summarizes twenty-two early interventions for children with or at risk for CP aged 0-5 years. Each module features an introduction, resources, parent/family section, and clinician information, including outcomes, intervention effectiveness, and evidence level. The KT training program includes three 10-15 min video-based training modules, text summaries, quizzes, and case studies. Site champions, identified as qualified rehabilitation professionals, were onboarded to support the site implementation of the training program. A champion-training booklet and 1-hour session were designed to equip them with the necessary knowledge/resources. Conclusion: The tailored, multifaceted, and co-designed KT strategy aims to be implemented in pediatric rehabilitation sites to support professional's uptake of CP-EBPs. Lessons learned from its development, including the co-development process and multifaceted nature, hold potential for broader applications in rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Undergraduates' workplace learning is an important part of health sciences education. Educational psychology research considers many different aspects of self-regulated learning at the workplace, including cognition, motivation, emotions, and context. Multivariate longitudinal and diary studies in this field require fewer items than alternatives or even a single item per construct and can reveal the sub-processes of workplace learning and contribute to a better understanding of students' learning. Short instruments are necessary for application in workplace settings, especially stressful ones, to mitigate survey fatigue. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of single items measuring various aspects of workplace learning. Methods: Twenty-nine single items selected from the Workplace Learning Inventory in Health Sciences Education were analyzed for reliability, information reproduction, and relationships within the nomological network. The authors additionally analyzed four generally formulated single items' relationships with the full Workplace Learning Inventory scales and external criteria within the nomological network. Participants were 214 ninth- or tenth-semester veterinary medicine students in Austria and Germany who were learning at varied workplaces during the winter semester of 2021/2022. Results: Of the 29 single items selected from existing scales, 27 showed sufficient reliability, but mixed results were obtained regarding validity. Although the items' relationships within the nomological network were similar to those of the full scales, information reproduction was insufficient for most items. The four general single items showed acceptable validity, but the reliability of these measures of states could not be assessed. Conclusions: This paper reported findings on the psychometric properties of single items for undergraduates' workplace learning in health science education. The findings are crucial for deciding whether to use scales versus single-item measures in future studies. By applying the findings, researchers can be more economical in their workplace learning data collection and can include more constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The integration of Health System Science (HSS) in medical education emphasizes mastery of competencies beyond mere knowledge acquisition. With the shift to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased emphasis on Technology Enhanced Assessment (TEA) methods, such as video assessments, to evaluate these competencies. This study investigates the efficacy of online video assessments in evaluating medical students' competency in HSS. Methods: A comprehensive assessment was conducted on first-year medical students (n = 10) enrolled in a newly developed curriculum integrating Health System Science (HSS) into the Bachelor of Medicine program in 2021. Students undertook three exams focusing on HSS competency. Their video responses were evaluated by a panel of seven expert assessors using a detailed rubric. Spearman rank correlation and the Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were utilized to determine correlations and reliability among assessor scores, while a mixed-effects model was employed to assess the relationship between foundational HSS competencies (C) and presentation skills (P). Results: Positive correlations were observed in inter-rater reliability, with ICC values suggesting a range of reliability from poor to moderate. A positive correlation between C and P scores was identified in the mixed-effects model. The study also highlighted variations in reliability and correlation, which might be attributed to differences in content, grading criteria, and the nature of individual exams. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that effective presentation enhances the perceived competency of medical students, emphasizing the need for standardized assessment criteria and consistent assessor training in online environments. This study highlights the critical roles of comprehensive competency assessments and refined presentation skills in online medical education, ensuring accurate and reliable evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paramedics are expected to record electrocardiograms (ECGs) as part of their clinical assessment; however, it is an extremely difficult skill to learn and understand as it has a high intrinsic cognitive load which can also be challenging to teach effectively. Aims: This article will explore the use of cognitive load theory to assist in the teaching of ECG interpretation within the context of paramedical education. Description: Cognitive load theory can be useful to aid teaching within complex medical and health science domains including clinical skills teaching. Conclusions: The application of cognitive load theory to the teaching of ECG interpretation can be useful as it allows for the development of understanding, building schemata linking information currently being learned to knowledge already gained within the long‐term memory, which can maximise germane load by the appropriate selection of intrinsic load, minimising extraneous load therefore not overloading the working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to explore the perspective of healthcare workers on the resources they need to provide quality rehabilitation for people recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach using reflexive thematic analysis was employed. Focus groups and interviews were performed with nine healthcare workers (one intensive care unit physiotherapist, one respiratory therapist and seven occupational therapists) with experience treating patients recovering from COVID-19 infection within hospital and in the community. Verbatim transcripts were coded and analysed for themes. Results: Healthcare workers perceive an urgent need for resources about recovery from COVID-19 infection to support quality care. They particularly want detailed guidance about potential trajectories of recovery, and what should be expected over time for people with long COVID. Many observed that this group of patients had higher oxygen requirement and experienced slower recovery than others with serious respiratory conditions. Supports for quality care do exist but were not perceived as sufficient by participants. They want any new resources developed to be accessible, quick to access and targeted to specific healthcare worker roles and services settings. Participants identified several barriers to accessing practice supports, including the time poor nature of health care and financial costs to both patients and healthcare workers. Conclusion: Healthcare workers perceive an urgent need for the development of resources to support quality rehabilitation for people recovering from COVID-19 infection, to support best outcomes for this group of patients. Any resources developed must consider identified barriers to their access and use to maximise their impact. What is known about the topic? Workforce development needs related to the management of people recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are relatively unknown, due to the novelty of the virus and sustained pressure on the healthcare system due to the pandemic. What does this paper add? The paper identifies resource gaps and potential improvements from the clinician perspective. It also emphasises the urgent need for tailored, multidisciplinary resources and workforce capacity building. What are the implications for practitioners? Access to accessible updated resources and continuing professional development is critical for allied health clinicians in the evolving field of COVID-19 rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of university students in the endemic region of Algeria in regard to rabies in the remaining years before the plan to eliminate dog-mediated rabies concludes in 2030. This disease is still spreading in Algeria, killing around 15 humans and more than 380 dogs per year despite the panel of applied measures that have been put in place over multiple years. Overall, a medium level of knowledge was obtained among the 409 surveyed students, with low levels reported among certain categories, including students studying in other fields than medical sciences, and there were some gaps of knowledge in terms of disease transmission, symptoms and risk factors. Regarding their attitudes, if an overall positive attitude was reported, some negative attitudes were also observed, especially the belief in the necessity of killing dogs who bite someone regardless of their vaccine status (59.2%). The importance of bite-wound washing is still ignored by most students. These results suggest the need to increase the level of knowledge of the Algerian students, and the public in general, in regard to this deadly disease through awareness campaigns. (1) Background: Rabies is a neglected zoonosis considered to be one of the most significant health threats in the world, responsible of thousands of deaths globally. Algeria is one of the main countries of concern, with more than 15 deaths and more than 100,000 bites by rabid-suspected animals being reported annually. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) toward this disease among university students in the endemic region of Algeria. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional online survey was conducted between June 2023 and March 2024 using a self administered questionnaire. (3) Results: a total of 409 students completed the questionnaire. Overall, 91.2% of them were singles, 70.7% were females, and two-thirds (66%) were between their twenties and thirties in regard to age. The majority were studying for Bachelor's degrees, and the most represented fields of study were Humanities (31.5%) and Natural and Life Sciences (29.1%).The findings revealed a moderate level of knowledge (63% of correct responses), a positive attitude, and appropriate practices. However, the surveyed students have certain gaps in their information regarding disease transmission, its risk factors, and its clinical signs. In addition, some of them have also shown some negative attitudes, including approving of the systematic killing of a dog who bites someone regardless of its vaccine status (59.2%), and inappropriate practices, especially in regard to unawareness of the importance of early washing of bite wounds, which was reported among 64.5% of the surveyed students. The study also revealed the association of health sciences education with knowledge (AOR: 2.723, CI 95%: 1.317–5.634), attitude (AOR: 2.306, CI 95%: 1.113–4.779) and practice (AOR: 3.560, CI 95%: 1.632–7.769), and the effect of the high level of knowledge on the attitude of surveyed students (AOR: 1.607, CI 95%: 1.052–2.456). (4) Conclusion: These results provide the first report regarding rabies KAP among Algerian university students. Based on these results, the health deciders could adopt their preventive strategy by raising awareness of the less-informed categories, which would consequently affect their behaviors regarding this fatal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify continuing professional development (CPD) needs of allied health professionals (AHP) in regional and rural Victoria. Design: This study was an online cross‐sectional design conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. Settings and Participants: AHPs employed at a large multi‐site regional public health service providing acute, subacute, community and outpatient care in Victoria, Australia. Main Outcome Measure(s): The online questionnaire included four sections investigating satisfaction of CPD, prioritised topics for CPD, preference for CPD sourcing and perceived capabilities in delivering education. To investigate prioritised topics of CPD, a tool was adapted from the Hennessy Hicks Training Needs Analysis questionnaire to align with allied health (AH) career pathways. For organisational alignment, a second questionnaire was sent to AH managers. Results: The response rate was 17% (53/316 AHPs) from members of 10 AH professions. The median years of clinical experience for participants was between 2 and 5 years. Participants with 6–10 years of clinical experience reported the lowest level of satisfaction. Research and education were identified as areas of highest training need. Self‐perceived competence in education delivery was proportionately lower in areas of assessment, developing digital learning and constructive alignment. Conclusion: CPD needs for AHPs in a regional and rural health service were shown to vary by career stage and weighted towards developing research and education delivery capabilities. Findings from this study may support public health sector and policy investment in CPD opportunities to support horizontal career progression opportunities, a balance of internal and externally sourced professional development and strategic investment in education delivery capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amassed momentum from recent student protests applied pressure on Higher Education to respond to the calls for curriculum transformation. While decolonisation is viewed as an opportunity to create an inclusive and diverse learning environment, decolonising health curricula seems unachievable because the concept is not clearly defined, resulting in curricula that continue to marginalise and exclude certain groups. This scoping review explores the nature of decolonisation within Health Sciences. Online databases were used to identify 21 sources addressing the nature of decolonisation in Health Sciences. The findings indicate that decolonisation in Health Sciences is described as the process of acknowledging the impact of colonialism; combatting injustice and inequities; reclaiming and revaluing heritage; and interrogating knowledge to find alternative ways. This review added to understanding the nature of decolonisation in the Health Sciences field and its potential as a vehicle for transformation in HE (Higher Education). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Practice education is a crucial component of occupational therapy education, providing students with hands-on experience in real-world settings. Supervisors play a vital role in shaping students' learning experiences, and the Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework, developed in the United Kingdom, serves as a guide for supervisors. However, its applicability in different cultural contexts remains uncertain. This qualitative study explores the perspectives and experiences of supervisors in Singapore who used the Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework to guide their supervision of students. Method: Nine new and five experienced supervisors participated in semi-structured interviews, during a 7-week practice education period. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using template analysis. Findings: Three themes were developed: The Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework brought awareness to supervisors' supervisory techniques and guided their actions; The Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework gave permission to use a range of supervisory strategies; and The Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework could be used as a catalyst for enhancing support for supervisors. Conclusion: The Professional Learning through Useful Support Framework positively influenced supervisor communication and encouraged a purposeful approach to student supervision. Challenges emerged in implementing the concept of 'safe failure' due to cultural attitudes towards success, necessitating cultural adaptation. The study suggests introducing educational opportunities and ongoing support to use the Framework to enhance supervisor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical education, supported by philosophical foundations and diverse approaches, bridges care, prevention, treatment, and improvement, encompassing both basic and clinical sciences. It is essential for specialists to leverage this field to address educational gaps and enhance teaching and learning. While experts excel in their domains, success in education requires understanding the principles of teaching, learning, and evaluation. Medical education, integrating key elements such as curriculum design, technology, leadership, and social accountability, has the potential to revolutionize health science education. Policymakers and managers must prioritize this field to advance both education and healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Ensuring pharmacy technicians are adequately trained and prepared to enter the workforce is an important first step in addressing technician staff shortages. How pharmacy technician learners perceive their experiences after completion of a training program remains unknown. This study evaluated participant outcomes and self-efficacy ratings for common technician competencies after completion of a pharmacy technician training program. Methods Between December 2021 and March 2023, we distributed a survey to participants who successfully completed the program approximately 3 months after their estimated completion date. The survey assessed 6 domains: enrollment and academic progression, utilization of educational resources, self-perceived proficiency on core competencies of a pharmacy technician, employment information, program recommendations, and student demographics. Results Thirty-six participants completed the survey, corresponding to a 60% response rate. Participants were attracted to the pharmacy technician program due to its affiliation with a college of pharmacy, online format, and affordability. Half of respondents were actively employed as pharmacy technicians, and the self-reported certification exam passage rate slightly exceeded national averages (78% vs 70% to 71%). Participants' self-efficacy ratings for pharmacy technician competencies were high (mean rating of 4.12 out of 5). Overwhelmingly, 97% of participants agreed that the program prepared them well for becoming a pharmacy technician. Conclusion A pharmacy technician training program housed within a college of pharmacy presents one potential solution in addressing pharmacy technician workforce shortages. Participants positively viewed their training experience, with high self-efficacy ratings for pharmacy technician competencies. Moreover, national certification exam results were slightly better than national averages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Introduction: To compensate for the shortage of health workers and effectively use the available health workforce to provide access to health services at various levels of the health system, several countries are implementing task-shifting and task-sharing (TSTS). This scoping review was conducted to synthesize evidence on health professions education (HPE) strategies applied to enhance capacities for TSTS implementation in Africa. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the enhanced Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews. The sources of evidence included CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. Results: Thirty-eight studies conducted in 23 countries provided insights on the strategies implemented in various health services contexts including general health, cancer screenings, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, emergency care, hypertension, tuberculosis, eye care, diabetes, mental health, and medicines. The HPE strategies applied were in-service training, onsite clinical supervision and mentoring, periodic supportive supervision, provision of job aides, and preservice education. Discussion: Scaling up HPE based on the evidence from this study will contribute immensely to enhancing the capacity of health workers in contexts where TSTS are being implemented or planned to provide quality health services based on the population's health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address accreditation standards and to meet a need due to a disparity in health care providers engaged in direct patient care, many institutions of higher education have focused on initiatives to increase the numbers of ethnic and racial minority populations. Despite these efforts, there remains a dearth of diversity in health care. For many underrepresented minority populations (URM), numerous barriers exist to becoming a health professional. Greater levels of discrimination and bias reduce belonging and agency in URM students impacting recruitment and retention. Research has shown that discrimination and bias are antithetical to feeling a sense of belonging on college campuses for URM students. The sense of belonging for URM students has been positively linked to retention and other academic outcomes. Faculty interaction and campus environment have been correlated to sense of belonging. Thus, faculty members as mentors, advisors, and shapers of campus climate have an important role to play in supporting URM students. However, due to socialization in an oppressive society, narratives about race and racism can become entrenched. The entrenchment of racial ideologies, without tools to examine, deconstruct, and reflect, leads to little forward progress. Incorporation of mindfulness anti-oppression pedagogy provides a needed paradigm shift for allied health educators to act with intentionality as they cultivate spaces of belonging for URM students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the need for more structured educational opportunities in the hand therapy field, particularly for certified hand therapy (CHT) preparation. Topics include survey findings from current and aspiring CHTs, the role of education and practice experience, and the importance of accessible training resources for hand therapists.

The article focuses on the integration of pranayama techniques in allied health education for student well-being. Topics discussed include benefits provided by pranayama to individuals seeking to enhance their overall wellness, steps to introduce and integrate pranayama techniques into the classroom, and examples of guided pranayama videos.

Purpose To determine the predictive validity of Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Exit Exam scores for student first-time success on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and to analyze whether schools' policies on the HESI Exit Exam are associated with end-of-program student success. Methods Twenty-five radiography program directors provided retrospective data on ARRT certification exam student outcomes, and 24 program directors completed the HESI Exit Exam program policy survey. Data analysis was performed to examine the correlation between students' HESI Exit Exam scores and their first-time ARRT certification exam outcomes and to investigate the relationship between program policies and performance on both exams. Results First-time ARRT certification exam outcomes were obtained for 1265 program graduates who took the HESI Exit Exam from 2018 through 2021. Students achieving acceptable (700-749) and recommended (750-799) HESI Exit Exam scores exhibited significantly higher certification exam pass rates of 79.4% and 86.4%, respectively. ARRT certification exam pass rates were higher for those scoring 800 or above (94.5-100%). Implementation of a minimum HESI Exit Exam score requirements and a required exam preparation were significantly associated with more favorable ARRT certification exam outcomes. Discussion There was a significant positive relationship between higher HESI Exit Exam scores and more successful outcomes on the ARRT certification exam. Two program policies regarding use of the HESI Exit Exam (minimum exit exam score required, required test prep) emerged as best-practice approaches for ARRT certification exam success. Conclusion The HESI Exit Exam was predictive of success on the ARRT certification exam. The results presented in this study can be used to improve radiography education. Future research on how additional educational resources affect HESI Exit Exam and ARRT certification exam success is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess changes in student physical therapists' confidence in their ability to critically appraise research and use research findings to inform their practice after completing a weekly journal club. Methods: Thirty-four students in a doctoral-level physical therapist education program completed a questionnaire before and after participating in a weekly journal club. The questionnaire asked students to rate their confidence in critically appraising research and using research to inform their practice. Results: Over the semester, there was significant improvement in students' confidence in their ability to critically appraise research related to physical therapy practice and their confidence in using research to inform their practice. Conclusions: In general, it appears that a course-based weekly journal club can be effective for improving student physical therapists' confidence in their ability to perform some of the key functions required for evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing utilization and expanding role of breast MRI, breast imaging radiologists may encounter an increasing number of incidental findings beyond the breast and axilla. Breast MRI encompasses a large area of anatomic coverage extending from the lower neck to the upper abdomen. While most incidental findings on breast MRI are benign, identifying metastatic disease can have a substantial impact on staging, prognosis, and treatment. Breast imaging radiologists should be familiar with common sites, MRI features, and breast cancer subtypes associated with metastatic disease to assist in differentiating malignant from benign findings. Furthermore, detection of malignancies of nonbreast origin as well as nonmalignant, but clinically relevant, incidental findings can significantly impact clinical management and patient outcomes. Breast imaging radiologists should consistently follow a comprehensive search pattern and employ techniques to improve the detection of these important incidental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]