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Background: This pilot study aimed to investigate medication nonadherence among Taiwanese patients with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia using the Chinese version of the Two-Part Medication Nonadherence Scale (C-TPMNS) and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Medicloud system. The study revealed insights into the factors contributing to nonadherence and the implications for improving patient adherence to medications for chronic conditions. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study identified the need for further research with larger and more diverse samples to validate the preliminary findings. Methods: The study conducted surveys individuals in central Taiwan who received three-high medications and those who returned expired medications from chain pharmacies. A structured questionnaire including the C-TPMNS was administered, and additional data on medical history and HbA1c, LDL, and blood pressure levels were collected from the NHI Medicloud system. Data analysis was performed using multiple ordered logistic regression and Wald test methods. Setting interpretation cutoff point to determine medication nonadherence. Results: The study found that 25.8% of participants were non-adherent to prescribed medications. Non-adherent individuals had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg) than adherent participants. Non-adherence was also associated with factors such as lower education, single status, living alone, abnormal glucose postprandial concentration, and triglyceride levels. The C-TPMNS demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.816) and validity (area under the ROC curve = 0.72). Conclusion: The study highlighted the complexity of medication nonadherence with diverse determinants and emphasized the importance of tailored interventions. The findings underscored the need for region-specific research to comprehensively address medication nonadherence, especially focusing on adherence to medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The study also identified the need for larger, more diverse studies to validate and expand upon the initial findings and emphasized the importance of pharmacist interventions and patient empowerment in managing chronic conditions and improving overall health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the digital age, traditional didactic teaching and online learning have been modified and gradually replaced by "Blended Learning." The purpose of this study was to explore the influences of blended learning pedagogy on junior high school student learning achievement and the students' attitudes toward mathematics. To investigate the outcomes of the combination of Moodle online teaching platform and traditional instruction, a quasi-experiment was conducted using a pre-test-post-test control group design. ANCOVA and MANCOVA analyses showed that the blended learning experience benefitted students in the experimental group by having a positive effect not only on the learning outcomes, but also on their attitudes toward studying mathematics in a blended environment. Preliminary results indicated that male students and high-ability students were more motivated in the blended learning environment. Students gave positive feedback on the use of the Moodle learning platform for mathematics after experiencing blended learning.

Background: Healthcare professionals in Taiwan are exposed to a myriad of occupational health and safety hazards, including physical, biological, chemical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. Healthcare professionals working in hospitals and healthcare facilities are more likely to be subjected to these hazards than their counterparts working in other areas. Objectives: This review aims to assess current research literature regarding this situation with a view to informing policy makers and practitioners about the risks of exposure and offer evidence-based recommendations on how to eliminate or reduce such risks. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses review strategy, we conducted a systematic review of studies related to occupational health and safety conducted between January 2000 and January 2019 using MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, PMC, TOXLINE, CINAHL, PLOS One, and Access Pharmacy databases. Results: The review detected 490 studies addressing the issue of occupational health and safety hazards; of these, 30 articles were included in this systematic review. These articles reported a variety of exposures faced by healthcare professionals. This review also revealed a number of strategies that can be adopted to control, eliminate, or reduce hazards to healthcare professionals in Taiwan. Conclusion: Hospitals and healthcare facilities have many unique occupational health and safety hazards that can potentially affect the health and performance of healthcare professionals. The impact of such hazards on healthcare professionals poses a serious public health issue in Taiwan; therefore, controlling, eliminating, or reducing exposure can contribute to a stronger healthcare workforce with great potential to improve patient care and the healthcare system in Taiwan. Eliminating or reducing hazards can best be achieved through engineering measures, administrative policy, and the use of personal protective equipment. Implications: This review has research, policy, and practice implications and provides future students and researchers with information on systematic review methodologies based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses strategy. It also identifies occupational health and safety risks and provides insights and strategies to address them.