11913 research outputs found
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P14 Preparing the future pharmacy workforce: competency-based undergraduate curricula for teaching, learning and assessment with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship
Full text linkBackground: Competency-based teaching, learning and assessment underpins the requirements for initial training and education of pharmacists (IETPs) in the UK as set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This competency-based pedagogic approach is conducive when teaching antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). It ensures that rather than only reciting and absorbing content, student pharmacists gain the necessary skills and behaviours to apply knowledge effectively in clinical practice. This is particularly relevant since foundation trainee pharmacists (in their fifth year after completing the pharmacy degree and before the pre-registration exam) need to show competency in independent prescribing at the point of registration from 2026. Therefore, education needs to evolve to incorporate prescribing skills including decision-making. Objectives: To develop an AMS competency framework specifically tailored for student pharmacists and relevant to the UK. Methods: A working group of academics and pharmacy practitioners from all four nations and with expertise in AMS was set up in September 2022 (NAPEG). Student pharmacists from a national organization (BPSA) and national pharmacy bodies including UKCPA, UKHSA, NHSE, NHS Wales, HIS, BSAC and RPS are members. Development of the consensus AMR and AMS competency framework for student pharmacists was coordinated by NHS England; relevant indicators from published frameworks (UK undergraduate medical students, and a UK-wide set of generic AMS competencies for undergraduate healthcare professional education) were included alongside new indicators developed by NAPEG. The results of a survey conducted across Schools of Pharmacy (SoP) aiming to determine the nature and extent of implementation of the latter generic competencies, also informed this project. To ensure consistency, the group worked with BSAC to update the Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW) website (which provides resources for pharmacy students and educators) and align to the framework domains. No ethics approval was required for this study since it did not involve any participants. Results: The final framework consists of six domains: Infection prevention and control, antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship, vaccine uptake, person-centred care and interprofessional collaborative practice. Each domain includes a competency statement together with accompanying descriptors (74) clearly outlining the knowledge and application required by the newly qualified pharmacist. To support implementation of the framework, the individual competencies were mapped to the 2021 GPhC standards for the IETPs together with the RPS Prescribing Competency Framework. This indicative curriculum was published by NHSE Workforce, Training and Education Directorate. The group has also developed a set of suggested practice-based activities aligned with the framework domains to support pharmacists supervising or assessing students on placement. Conclusions: This project is timely to support development of future pharmacists as leaders in AMS and ensure a portable workforce, since pharmacists will be independent prescribers at the point of registration from 2026. A limitation of the development is the fact that not all SoP were involved in NAPEG; however, efforts are being made to communicate curriculum content as widely as possible. Though it is not mandatory to implement this curriculum, it provides a benchmark for embedding the competencies into undergraduate pharmacy curricula and allows identification of topics that may not be adequately covered. It also promotes consistency of approach across schools
The Perspectives of Veterinary Students with Disabilities, Neurodiversity and/or Chronic Conditions on a Career in Equine Practice- A Qualitative Study
No full textIntroduction- This qualitative phenomenological study explored factors influencing veterinary students with disabilities, neurodiversity, or chronic conditions (VSDNCC) in pursuing equine practice in the UK and Ireland. Equine practice is often seen as exclusive and unsupportive (1)(2), contributing to recruitment challenges (3)(4). The study examined career influences and the impact of equine placements on their decisions.
Methods- Semi-structured interviews via Microsoft Teams explored the experiences and perceptions of VSDNCC in equine practice. Participants, aged 18–29, were recruited from UK and Irish veterinary schools through social media and referrals. The sample included six individuals with diverse diagnoses, often multiple. Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes and seven subthemes.
Results- Participants’ career decisions were influenced by factors such as work nature, environment, team dynamics, and preparedness, with perceptions varying by diagnosis. For instance, those with mobility issues considered accessibility, while neurodiverse participants focused on environmental control. Many reported ableism during equine extra-mural studies (EMS), negatively impacting their experience and career outlook. None had encountered equine vets with similar conditions, highlighting the need for relatable role models to inspire their career aspirations.
Discussion- The equine veterinary industry is often seen as unwelcoming by VSDNCC, with ableism during EMS and a lack of relatable role models reinforcing exclusion. Greater openness from equine vets about their diagnoses and adjustments, along with supportive learning environments that encourage skill-building and accommodations, could improve perceptions and inspire VSDNCC to consider careers in equine practice
Anthropocentric bias may explain research disparities between animal tool use and nest building
Full text linkScientists are not immune from bias. Studying nonhuman species objectively is inherently challenging, especially for ‘charismatic’ and ostensibly human-like behaviours. Animal tool use is a prime example: while often considered a hallmark of intelligence, the amount of research attention and public interest it generates seems disproportionate when compared with other behaviours involving similar manipulative skills, particularly nest building. Here, we reveal striking disparities in the treatment of tool use and nest building in the animal behaviour literature. We find that tool use publications are more highly cited, are more likely to be published in higher-impact journals and use more terminology suggestive of ‘intelligence’ and human-like cognition compared with nest building publications. Our findings are not confounded by taxonomic biases: these disparities persist even within studies of great apes and Corvus species. Further, we find that articles with more frequent use of ‘intelligent’ terminology are more highly cited, suggesting incentives for the use of anthropomorphic language in scientific articles. Finally, we find that tool use papers are more highly cited than nest building papers even when controlling for the use of ‘intelligent’ language, showing that both language use and behaviour have additive effects on research attention. We argue that these research disparities are partly driven by a widespread assumption that tool use requires more complex cognition than nest building. Since the cognitive mechanisms underpinning either behaviour are still not well understood, we suggest that the widespread appeal of animal tool use is partly due to anthropocentrism
Perceptions of older people regarding drone-delivered defibrillators for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a qualitative study
Full text linkIntroduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) presents a significant public health challenge. Bystander utilisation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can improve survival. Drone delivery of AEDs may improve rates of bystander defibrillation. However, whereas most cardiac arrests occur in older people, there is minimal evidence on the perceptions of older people regarding AED delivery by drone. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of individuals aged 65 years and over on the use of drone technology for AED delivery in OHCA situations.Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken to gather insights into participants’ perceptions about drone AED delivery. Responses were thematically analysed.Results: Three main themes were identified from 12 interviews conducted between May and July 2024: (1) the interaction between the human and the drone; (2) perceived societal benefits of drone AED delivery for OHCA; and (3) safety and public perception. Participants expressed complex reactions to drone-delivered AEDs, and expressed concerns about correct AED usage and the emotional difficulty of leaving a patient unattended. Many anticipated guilt about possibly being unable to use the AED effectively in high-stress situations. Participants acknowledged the potential for drones to save lives by reducing response times in OHCA, but raised concerns about safety and public education. There was a strong consensus on the importance of public education and training to build confidence in using both AEDs and drone technology.Conclusion: Although participants appreciated the rapid delivery of AEDs via drones for OHCA, they expressed significant concerns about their own ability to use the AED alongside the emotional burden associated with emergency situations. The findings emphasise the need for enhanced public education and psychological support to ensure effective bystander intervention in general. Additionally, prior to any roll-out of drone-delivered AEDs, there should be a specific programme of education to bridge the gap between technological acceptance and practical application
Advancements of Large Language Models for Enhancing Carbon Capture Technologies: A Comprehensive Review
Full text linkThis paper reviews the current research status, challenges, and prospects of applying large language models (LLMs) in carbon capture technologies. The review emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research, integrating AI into chemistry, engineering, and environmental science to address complex challenges in carbon capture. It provides a detailed analysis of how LLMs can be utilized across various stages of carbon capture, from experimental design to industry implementation, showcasing their potential to accelerate innovation. It also reveals the use of LLMs to support gathering and analyzing sustainable information, such as carbon tax, carbon footprint, and social analysis. LLMs not only show great potential in designing and discovering materials for carbon capture technologies but also are promising to accelerate the whole industry's development through their powerful data processing and pattern recognition capabilities. In addition, the review paper also discusses challenges in the application of LLMs for carbon capture technologies and future directions and prospects
Ageism and age-positive attitudes in health and social care: Examples from a study on hospital social work
No full textAgeism refers to prejudice and discrimination based on age, often against older people, and based on stereotypical views of older age as a time of frailty, dependence and vulnerability. Across Europe, older people are the most frequent users of healthcare, including hospitals. This paper reports on ageism as one of the themes that emerged from a larger study of hospital social work. Semi-structured interviews and surveys were undertaken with 108 members of hospital social work teams in the UK, exploring their daily practice. Ageism emerged as one of the key themes, as participants challenged what they saw as ageist attitudes from health colleagues, but also from the health and social care system and national government. They simultaneously resorted to ageist generalisations when talking about their own work. We argue that critical gerontology is valuable to underpin hospital social work, but we present evidence that further development is needed to fully align social work practice with critical gerontology. Reflexivity is essential to guard against developing a pervasive view of older people as sick and dependent, based on the inevitably skewed sample of the older population seen by hospital social workers and other healthcare professionals
Undergraduate pharmacy placements in the primary care clinical environment: An exploration of students’ experiences of a pilot placement
Full text linkAbstract
Objectives
To explore the experiences of undergraduate pharmacy students, undertaking a pilot placement in a primary healthcare setting.
Methods
A longitudinal placement for undergraduate pharmacy students in primary healthcare was designed in collaboration with practice management staff, doctors, nursing staff, pharmacists and academics. The placement was designed to facilitate the application of students' clinical skills and provide them with an opportunity to collect evidence of their professional development. A primary healthcare centre was identified to host the pilot longitudinal placement and pharmacy students in their third year of undergraduate study were recruited to take part. Following completion of the longitudinal placement a focus group was conducted with the students who completed the pilot to determine their experiences.
Key findings
Students reported that the longitudinal placement allowed them to become integrated into the primary healthcare team, apply knowledge they had gained during their academic studies and develop their clinical and decision-making skills. Students also valued the authentic interactions they had during the placement with other members of the multidisciplinary team and the opportunity to develop their professional identity.
Conclusions
The evaluation of this pilot suggest that placements in primary healthcare could support pharmacy students to develop their physical assessment skills, clinical decision making and apply the knowledge they have gained at university in a live clinical environment
Communication Skills, Decision-Making and Managing Conflict. Chapter 6.
No full textThis chapter considers factors associated with the topics of communication skills, decision-making and managing conflict. It includes discussion around the components of effective communication skills, using the context of situations encountered daily within the policing role, referring to policing skills. Reference will also be made to conflict resolution and will introduce some of the key influences on the decision-making process, using contemporary examples to illustrate these points
Leveraging the Applications of Value Co-creation in Bleisure Travel: Insights from Select Case Studies and Pedagogical Approach
No full textWith regard to bleisure travel, a relatively emerging concept in tourism, referring to the phenomenon that business travellers extend their business trips by adding leisure activities, this chapter discusses the use of value co-creation in bleisure travel. The emphasis of value co-creation is on how it might be possible for the clients and service providers to enhance the traveller experience in its entirety. When people travel for work but seek a business trip leisure option, there is a growing desire for highly personal and specific solutions. In view of the dynamic new demands that are surfacing from the travellers, this chapter seeks to look at the ways in which the service providers can adopt value co-creation so as to provision services that reflect their business and or personal interest. This chapter focuses on the future of learning through case study and collaborative service design teaching methodology. Lastly, it employs the case of Marriott International and its ‘Travel Brilliantly’ campaign where use of correct procedures that can enhance traveller participation and customer loyalty has been described. Such insights stress the importance of engaging in value co-creation and adapting to the trends that comprise bleisure travel to provide outstanding, individualized travel experiences
Electro-induced two-way shape memory effect from novel interpenetrating polymer networks based on poly(benzoxazine/urethane) reinforced with carbon fiber felt
Full text linkNovel two-way shape memory polymer composites (2WSMPC) consisting of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(benzoxazine/urethane) reinforced with carbon fiber felt (CFF) were developed in this work. Sequential curing, i.e., moisture curing of urethane followed by thermal curing of benzoxazine (BA-a) was used to synthesize IPNs with molecular phase separation. The thermomechanical properties and two-way shape memory effect (2WSME) of the IPNs were systematically investigated by varying the urethane content. It was found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) and 2WSME of the IPNs based on poly(benzoxazine/urethane) improved by optimizing the urethane content. Moreover, the electro-induced shape memory performance was found to be dependent on the CFF reinforcement. The results showed that the developed IPNs reinforced with CFF triggered by electric current exhibited high two-way shape memory performance, i.e., a fixity at room temperature (RT) of 97–98%, recovery to original shape at high temperature of 97–98%, and those to temporary shape at RT of 92–97%. The findings revealed that the electro-induced two-way shape memory composite from CFF-reinforced poly(benzoxazine/urethane) is a promising candidate for smart electric circuit breaker applications with highly stable reverse recovery between original and temporary shapes up to 20 cycles