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The literature is lacking in studies about what specific types of learning activities are most effective for adult learners. To examine the effectiveness of a learning activity with patient interactions as compared to a learning activity without patient interactions. A convenience sample of third year Doctor of Physical Therapy students participated in this retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 47). Data were a clinical reasoning assignment, the Andragogy in Practice Inventory (API) and Intent to Use Scale, and the Behavioral Engagement Related to Instruction (BERI) protocol. Data analysis included descriptive frequencies, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests and Multivariate Analysis of Variance. Significant differences were noted between the learning activity with and the learning activity without patient interaction on several API subscales: prepare the learner, climate setting, setting of objectives and learning activities as well as in the conceptual reasoning area of the clinical reasoning assignment (p =.005, p =.036, p =.002, p =.047, and p =.038, respectively). No other significant differences were noted in other outcome variables. No significant influence of age or gender was found. This study demonstrated that, overall, both the with and without patient interaction learning activities were compatible with the preferences of the adult learner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine how proximal (home) and distal (neighborhood) environmental characteristics interact to influence obesity in early and middle adolescents. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study using the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NCSH). Participants were 39,542 children ages 11 to 17 years. Logistic regressions were used to examine the relationship between adolescent obesity and environmental factors, the relative strength of these factors, and the influence of age and gender. Results: Proximal environmental factors were stronger correlates of adolescent obesity than distal environmental factors. Sedentary behavior related to TV watching time at home was the strongest correlate of adolescent obesity overall (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.11-1.15). Parks and playgrounds (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.08-0.92), as well as recreation centers (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.97) were significant distal environmental factor correlates. Girls and middle adolescents were at less risk for obesity than boys and early adolescents (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.68-0.82; OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.96). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal the importance of proximal environmental characteristics on adolescent obesity relative to distal environmental characteristics. Obesity intervention strategies for adolescents should target sedentary behavior and opportunities for physical activity with a focus on early adolescents and boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to explore the active engagement model as a tool to illuminate the ethical reflections of student physical therapists in the context of service learning in a developing country.Methods: The study participants were a convenience sample of six students. The study design is a case report using a phenomenological perspective. Data were collected from students’ narrative writing and semi-structured interviews. The steps of the active engagement model provided the structural framework for student responses. The analysis process included open coding, selective coding, and member checking.Results: Results showed the emergence of two main themes: 1) gathering rich detail and 2) developing independent moral identity. Students’ descriptions of their relationships were detailed and included explanations about the complexities of the sociocultural context. Independent and deliberate agency was evident by the students’ preparedness to be collaborative, to raise ethical questions, to identify ethically important aspects of their practice and to describe their professional roles. The students noted that the use of the model increased their engagement in the ethical decision-making process and their recognition of ethical questions.Conclusions: This case report illustrates attributes of the active engagement model which have implications for teaching ethical reflection: scaffolding for ethical reflection, use of narrative for reflection, reflection in action, and illumination of relevant themes. Each of these attributes leads to the development of meaningful ethical reflection. The attributes of this model shown by this case report have potential applications to teaching ethical reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) are essential providers of integrated care for people in low-resourced settings with a high burden from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)., Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a CHW training program in rural Malawi integrating blood pressure (BP) monitoring into rehabilitation care., Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The participants were a convenience sample of home-based palliative care CHWs at the local hospital ( n = 59). Data collected included: a written pre- and post-knowledge test, skills competency checklist and a post-training program survey. Descriptive frequencies and paired t -tests ( a = 0.05) were used for quantitative analyses. Themes in narrative responses in the post-training survey were analyzed qualitatively., Results: Participant knowledge regarding BP monitoring procedures improved significantly on the post-test (M = 8.24, SD = 1.654) compared to the pre-test (M = 6.59, SD = 1.683), Z (49) = -5.569, p < 0.001. The pre-and post-tests were scored 0-10 points. All participants demonstrated competency in 100% of the skills. Participants reported the lack of transportation, teamwork and resources as barriers to their work. They reported trainings and opportunities to collaborate as facilitators to their work., Discussion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a training program for CHWs which integrated BP monitoring with rehabilitation care for people with NCDs. This retention of knowledge and application to clinical practice serve as strong indicators of the feasibility and sustainability of the CHW training and care delivery program in resource-limited settings., Conclusion: Our findings help demonstrate that training CHWs can be an effective way to help bridge the gap in health care access for people with disabilities in resource-limited countries., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interest., (© 2021 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)