Are the Values of Nurses Related to Their Treatment Preferences for Patients with Advanced Cancer? A Cross-sectional Vignette-based Study

Objectives: This study aimed to explore nurses’ treatment preferences for patients with advanced cancer and investigate the factors affecting these preferences. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to nurses at two hospitals who had experience in cancer patient care. Nurses recorded their treatment preferences and nurses’ value considered in their preferences for two vignettes of patients with advanced cancer that differed in performance status (PS) and prognosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used in this study. Results: Of 383 nurses, 300 (valid response rate, 78.3%) responded. Multiple regression analyses revealed that regardless of patients’ prognosis or PS, nurses’ treatment preferences were associated with their values regarding respecting patient wishes and the low probability of prolonging survival through treatment. For case with one month survival prognoses, nurses valued avoidance of discomfort, associated with side effects through treatment. Nurses recommended treatment in case with prognoses of 6 months and PS of 1, while they responded with almost same percentages of recommendation of continuing and discontinuing treatment for those with prognoses of 1 month and PS of 3. Conclusions: Nurses’ treatment preferences were associated with nurses’ values. Nurses’ involvement in treatment decision-making processes after sharing goals for patients’ treatment is potentially beneficial.

Perceived barriers to implementing occupation-based intervention / Percepção de barreiras para implementar intervenções baseadas em ocupação

Abstract Introduction Occupation-based intervention (OBI) is defined as an intervention using a clients' occupation and purposeful activities as a treatment medium to achieve the client's goals. Several barriers to practising OBI have been reported in previous studies. However, limited research has been done to identify these perceived barriers to applying OBI in Malaysia's various occupational therapy practice areas. Objective This study aimed to identify perceived barriers to applying OBI in Malaysia's three main occupational therapy practice areas including physical, psychiatry and paediatric. Method A cross-sectional study design was employed, and participants were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Data was collected using an online survey from a Delphi study. Results Two hundred ninety-eight Malaysian occupational therapists aged between 22 and 56 years old participated in this study. The study identified several perceived barriers from the client factors, the contextual factors, occupation as treatment modalities and logistical issues. A statistically significant difference was found in the perceived barriers of applying OBI between different areas of occupational therapy practice (p=.013), working experience (p=.003), and position of occupational therapists (p=.001). Conclusion This study suggests that perceived barriers to applying OBI were influenced by the area of practice, working experience and position of the occupational therapists. The results highlight the need to identify potential solutions to applying OBI through research and education.

Resumo Introdução Intervenção baseada na ocupação (OBI) é definida como uma intervenção usando a ocupação dos sujeitos e as atividades propostas como meio de tratamento, para atingir os objetivos dos sujeitos. Várias barreiras com relação à prática de OBI foram relatadas em estudos anteriores. No entanto, pesquisas limitadas foram feitas para identificar essas barreiras percebidas para a aplicação do OBI nas várias áreas de prática de terapia ocupacional na Malásia. Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar as barreiras percebidas para a aplicação do OBI nas três principais áreas de prática de terapia ocupacional na Malásia, incluindo áreas físicas, psiquiátricas e pediátricas. Método Um desenho de estudo transversal foi empregado e os participantes foram recrutados usando uma estratégia de amostragem intencional. Os dados foram coletados por meio de uma pesquisa online de um estudo Delphi. Resultados Duzentos e noventa e oito terapeutas ocupacionais malaios com idades entre 22 e 56 anos participaram deste estudo. O estudo identificou várias barreiras percebidas nos fatores contextuais das pessoas, na ocupação como modalidades de tratamento e nas questões logística. Uma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada nas barreiras percebidas da aplicação do OBI entre diferentes áreas da prática da terapia ocupacional (p = 0,013), experiência de trabalho (p = 0,003) e posição dos terapeutas ocupacionais (p = 0,001). Conclusão Este estudo sugere que as barreiras percebidas para a aplicação do OBI foram influenciadas pela área de prática, experiência de trabalho e posição dos terapeutas ocupacionais. Os resultados destacam a necessidade de identificar soluções potenciais para a aplicação do OBI por meio de pesquisa e educação.

Current setup and insights of the practicing scope of physicians in China / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To analyze the setup basis and registration rules of the practice scope of physicians in China, and take into account the current situation of individual provinces, for suggestions on further revision of the practice scope of these physicians.Methods:Relevant documents on practice scope setup were retrieved from such databases as CNKI, Wanfang and Weipu databases, while relevant national policies, laws and regulations were reviewed. On-site visits were conducted to health committees and medical institutions in 7 provinces from June 2020 through December 2020. Seminars and special interviews were held with relevant management personnel and doctors of different positions, for the purpose of learning the current physician practice scope setup and their suggestions for reform. Data gained from the above methods were summarized to arrive at reform suggestions for optimizing China′s practice scope setup, with further improvement made based on expert consultation method.Results:Several setbacks were found in the setup of their practice scope in China, namely as unclear setup principles, generalized setup of the national standards, inconsistent setup standards among the provinces, prohibition of cross-category registration, and roadblocks against in changing scope of practice. As the setup of the practice scope should set free manpower, unleash vitality, and delegate power, the practice scope should be changed to three categories of " discipline" , " discipline+ technology" and " comprehensive" . Physicians should be entitled to register separately as " discipline" and " discipline+ technology" as their practice scope, with " comprehensive" practice scope approved by a simple procedure of a notice.Conclusions:The setup and modification of the practice scope should be in a general rather than detailed manner, and conducive to the development of related disciplines. Such measures should also fully unleash the vitality of Chinese physicians, and take into account of both peacetime and emergencies, and both medical service and prevention.

Experiencias de fonoaudiólogos/as en hospitales y Centros Comunitarios de Rehabilitación: ¿se modifica la práctica de atención? / Experiences of speech therapist in hospitals and Community Rehabilitation Centers: is the care practice changed?

El presente trabajo busca caracterizar las prácticas fonoaudiológicas en dos contextos de atención de la salud pública chilena (hospitalario y atención primaria -centros comunitarios de rehabilitación). Es un estudio cualitativo con enfoque micro-sociológico, que implicó la realización de entrevistas en profundidad y observaciones no participantes a dos fonoaudiólogos/as insertos en Centros Comunitarios de Rehabilitación (CCR) y dos fonoaudiólogos/as insertos en hospitales públicos. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron con herramientas de la Teoría Fundamentada y se propuso una conceptualización basada en semejanzas y diferencias de las prácticas fonoaudiológicas utilizando el software computacional ATLAS-ti. Del análisis surgen las siguientes categorías: rol del profesional, sujeto de atención, relación terapeuta-usuario/a, espacio físico y organización de la sesión, los/las participantes. Además, el principal hallazgo refiere a que todos/as los/las profesionales mencionan la relevancia de incorporar matices psicosociales en el abordaje que realizan. Sin embargo, en la práctica de todos/as los/las fonoaudiólogos/as durante la observación participante no se evidencia dicha incorporación. Los resultados permiten concluir que la conceptualización del quehacer fonoaudiológico se construye mayormente a partir del contexto laboral. Asimismo, los modelos de atención a la base (biomédico-biopsicosocial) se encuentran actualmente en un proceso de hibridación, siendo la práctica de los/las fonoaudiólogos/as situada y también influida por el contexto laboral.

The present work seeks to characterize speech therapy practices in two Chilean public health care contexts (hospital and primary care -community rehabilitation centers). It is a qualitative study with a micro-sociological approach, which involved conducting in-depth interviews and non-participant observations with two speech therapists inserted in Community Rehabilitation Centers (CCR) and two speech therapists enrolled in public hospitals. The data obtained were analyzed with Grounded Theory tools and a conceptualization based on similarities and differences of speech therapy practices was proposed using ATLAS-ti computational software. The following categories emerge from the analysis: role of the professional, subject of care, therapist-user relationship, physical space and organization of the session, the participants. In addition, the main finding refers to the fact that all the professionals mention the relevance of incorporating psychosocial nuances in the approach they carry out. However, in the practice of all speech therapists during participant observation, such incorporation is not evidenced. The results allow us to conclude that the conceptualization of speech therapy is built mostly from the work context. Likewise, the models of care at the base (biomedical-biopsychosocial) are currently in a process of hybridization, the practice of speech therapists being situated and also influenced by the work context.

Escopo de prática de médicos em atenção primária em saúde no Brasil / Scope of practice of doctors in primary health care in Brazil

O escopo de prática de profissionais da Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) e seus determinantes têm sido objeto de estudos em diversos países que buscam maneiras inovadoras para responder aos cenários de escassez e má distribuição de profissionais, principalmente de médicos. Recentemente, o escopo de prática também entrou na pauta de planejadores de Recursos Humanos em Saúde (RHS) no Brasil. Entretanto, estudos nesta temática no país ainda são escassos. A presente tese tem por objetivo investigar o escopo de prática de médicos que atuam na APS no Brasil. Adicionalmente, realizar uma revisão de estratégias de flexibilização da regulação e dos escopos de prática de profissionais de saúde que vêm sendo adotadas e recomendados internacionalmente, considerando o cenário atual da pandemia da COVID-19. Foram elaborados três estudos no âmbito desta tese. No Estudo 1, foram analisados dados de um estudo exploratório, de corte transversal, por meio de um survey on-line, com 2.277 médicos da APS, para identificar diferenças no escopo de prática de médicos que atuam nesse nível de atenção e levantar os principais fatores associados à expansão da prática em áreas rurais e urbanas no Brasil. Diferenças em relação às atividades e procedimentos realizados pelos médicos por localidade foram investigados pelos testes Kruskal-Wallist/Dunn's Post Hoc e Qui-quadrado. Os fatores associados a um escopo de prática ampliado foram avaliados por meio de regressão linear com inferência via método bootstrap. No Estudo 2, com o objetivo de delinear o perfil do médico no Brasil, considerando os determinantes e a abrangência do escopo de prática, foram analisados dados de um segundo estudo exploratório, de corte transversal, com 830 médicos de diferentes níveis de atenção. O método utilizado foi o Grade of Membership (GoM), a partir do qual foram gerados quatro perfis de médicos, considerando o grupo da especialidade de atuação, a abrangência do escopo e os determinantes: 1) aspectos pessoais; 2) formação; 3) localidade de atuação. No Estudo 3, foi realizada uma revisão de escopo (scoping review) com o objetivo de identificar as principais estratégias internacionais relacionadas a medidas de flexibilização de regulação das práticas de profissionais de saúde que vêm sendo adotadas e/ou recomendadas no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19. No Estudo 1, independentemente da localização, os resultados revelaram que médicos da APS estão praticando aquém de suas competências. Médicos rurais, no entanto, declararam realizar uma média maior de procedimentos e ações de saúde em comparação com seus pares em municípios intermediários e urbanos. Considerando a amostra geral, as variáveis relacionadas a um escopo de prática ampliado incluíram sexo masculino, trabalhar em municípios rurais, participar de programas de educação permanente e consultar protocolos clínicos, livros e artigos. No Estudo 2, os resultados sugerem que a abrangência do escopo de prática pode ser analisada por meio de quatro perfis de médicos. Os perfis 1 e 2 apresentaram maior probabilidade de um escopo de prática mais abrangente e possuem similaridades, como atuar em especialidades da APS, em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS), em áreas descritas como rurais, inseguras/violentas e urbanas com escassez de médicos. Os médicos dos perfis 3 e 4 possuem em escopo de prática menos abrangente, em especial os do perfil 4. Ambos os grupos são de médicos brasileiros, que possuem Registro de Qualificação da Especialidade (RQE) e têm maior probabilidade de atuarem em áreas urbanas sem escassez ou dificuldade de fixar médicos. No Estudo 3, a revisão incluiu 36 documentos. As seguintes estratégias foram identificadas: 1) ampliação de escopo de prática de profissionais de saúde; 2) transferência de funções e atividades de uma categoria profissional para outra (task-shifting); 3) autorização para faturamento e atendimento via telemedicina; 4) licenciamento e recrutamento de profissionais não ativos; 5) recrutamento de profissionais de outras regiões/Estados; 6) mudanças na formação e oferta de treinamento. Os três estudos evidenciam que há variações importantes na prática de profissionais, que devem ser analisadas de forma mais aprofundada. O reconhecimento dessas diferenças pode ser relevante para determinar a competência, a formação e os recursos necessários para a prática de médicos em diferentes localidades em busca de uma melhora na qualidade e acesso a serviços de saúde. O Estudo 3 revela que muitos países estão experimentando novas maneiras de potencializar sua força de trabalho em saúde durante a pandemia. Talvez uma das estratégias mais importantes em resposta a situações de escassez de profissionais tem sido a flexibilidade e a disposição para adaptar, ampliar e redistribuir as atividades da prática de profissionais de saúde. A revisão evidencia a importância em se realizarem reformas na regulação da prática de profissionais, buscando otimizar a força de trabalho em saúde existente, para que esta possa atender de forma rápida as necessidades de saúde da população.

The scope of practice of Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals and its determinants has been the subject of studies in several countries that seeks innovative ways to respond to scenarios of shortage and poor distribution of professionals, especially physicians. Recently, the scope of practice has also entered the agenda of Health Human Resource (HRH) planners in Brazil. However, the number of studies on this topic in the country is still low. The present thesis aims to investigate the scope of practice of PHC physicians in Brazil and its main determinants. In addition, carry out a literature review on strategies of reducing barriers of health professionals' scope of practice regulations that have been recommended and/or implemented internationally, considering the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed three studies within this thesis. In Study 1, we analyzed data from an exploratory cross-sectional study, through an online survey, with 2.277 PHC physicians to identify differences in primary care physicians' scope of practice and to raise the main factors associated with expanded practice in rural and urban areas of Brazil. Differences regarding activities and procedures performed by physicians per location were verified by Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's Post Hoc and Chi-square tests. Multivariate linear regression analyses were done using the bootstrap technique to identify the main factors associated with an expanded scope of practice. Study 2 aimed to define the profile of physicians in Brazil, considering their scope of practice and its determinants; we used data of a cross-sectional study, with 830 physicians of different levels of care. We used the method Grade of Membership (GoM). Four physicians' profiles were gendered, considering medical specialty, the scope of practice, and the following determinants: i: personal factors, ii. education, and iii practice location. In Study 3 we carried out a scoping review to identify the main international strategies to reduce practice barriers of health professionals' regulations that have been recommended and/or implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1 regardless of the location, the results showed that primary care physicians are practicing below their competencies. Rural physicians performed a higher number of procedures and activities compared with their peers from intermediate and urban municipalities. Within the overall sample, the variables related to a broader scope of practice included: male gender, working in rural municipalities, participating in training and continuing education programs, and consulting clinical protocols, articles, and books. In Study 2 the results suggest that the scope of practice can be analyzed through four physicians' profiles. Profile 1 and 2 were more likely to have a broader scope of practice and showed similarities concerning working o PHC facilities and specialties, in areas described as rural, unsafe/violent, and urban with a shortage of physicians. Physicians of profiles 3 and 4 have a less comprehensive scope of practice, especially those in profile 4. Both groups are Brazilian physicians who have the Qualification of Specialty Registration and are more likely to work in urban areas without physician shortage. In Study 3 the scoping review included 36 documents. The following strategies were identified: 1) enhancing health professionals' scope of practice; 2) task-shifting from one professional category to another; 3) authorization and billing of telemedicine; 4) licensing and recruitment of non-active professionals; 5) changes in education and provision of targeted training. The three studies show that there are important variants in professionals' practice, which must be analyzed in more depth. The recognition of these differences can be relevant to determine the competencies, training, and recourses required for physicians practicing in different locations, seeking to improve the quality and access of health care services. Study 3 reveals that many countries are experimenting with new ways to enhance their health workforce during the pandemic. Perhaps one of the most important strategies in response to scenarios of professional's shortage and quickly meeting the needs of the population, has been the flexibility and willingness to adapt, expand and redistribute activities of health professionals. The review highlights the importance of carrying out reforms in the professional scope of practice regulations, to optimize the available health workforce, to quickly meet the health needs of the population.

The scope of practice of primary health care physicians in rural and urban areas in Brazil / O escopo da prática de médicos na atenção primária nas áreas rural e urbana do Brasil / Alcance de las consultas médicas en la atención primaria en salud en áreas rurales y urbanas brasileñas

This study aimed to identify differences in the scope of practice of primary care physicians and find the main factors associated with expanded practice in rural and urban areas of Brazil. Data from an online survey with 2,277 primary care physicians, conducted between January and March 2016, were used. Differences regarding activities and procedures performed by physicians per area were verified using Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's post hoc and chi-square tests. Multivariate linear regression analyses were done using a bootstrap technique to identify the main factors associated with an expanded scope of practice. Regardless of the location, the results showed that the practices of the primary care physicians are below their competences. Rural physicians performed a higher number of procedures and activities compared with their peers from intermediate and urban municipalities. Within the overall sample, the variables related to a broader scope of practice included: male gender, work in rural municipalities, participation in training and continuing education programs and consultation of clinical protocols, articles and books. This study contributes with evidence that the medical scope of practice varies according to location. Recognizing and understanding the differences and associated factors for an expanded scope of practice is necessary to determine the skills and resources required for practice in rural and urban areas, collaborating in proposals of strategies to improve quality and access of health care services.

O estudo buscou identificar diferenças no escopo da prática de médicos na atenção primária e os principais fatores associados com a ampliação dessa prática nas áreas rural e urbana do Brasil. Foram usados dados de um inquérito online com 2.277 médicos de atenção primária, realizado entre janeiro e março de 2016. Foram utilizados os testes de Kruskal-Wallis/post hoc de Dunn e qui-quadrado para verificar as diferenças em relação às atividades e procedimentos realizados pelos médicos, de acordo com o local. Foram realizadas análises de regressão linear multivariada, usando a técnica bootstrap para identificar os principais fatores associados com o escopo ampliado da prática. Independente de localização, os resultados mostraram que os médicos de atenção primária estão praticando abaixo de seus níveis de competências. Os médicos rurais realizavam mais procedimentos e atividades quando comparados aos colegas de municípios intermediários e urbanos. Na amostra total, as variáveis relacionadas ao escopo ampliado incluíam: sexo masculino, trabalho em municípios rurais, participação em programas de capacitação e de educação continuada, além de consultas a protocolos clínicos, artigos e livros. O estudo corrobora evidências de que o escopo da prática médica varia de acordo com a localização. O reconhecimento e compreensão das diferenças e fatores associados à ampliação do escopo de prática são relevantes para determinar as competências e recursos necessários para a prática médica nas áreas rural e urbana, contribuindo para propostas de estratégias para melhorar a qualidade e acesso a serviços de saúde.

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las diferencias en el alcance de las consultas médicas en atención primaria, así como averiguar los principales factores asociados con las consultas practicadas en áreas rurales y urbanas de Brasil. Los datos que se usaron provenían de una encuesta en línea a 2.277 médicos de asistencia primaria, llevada a cabo entre enero y marzo de 2016. Las diferencias, respecto a las actividades y procedimientos realizados por médicos según su localización, fueron verificadas por los test post hoc de Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn y chi-cuadrados. Los análisis de regresión lineal multivariada se realizaron usando una técnica de bootstrap para identificar los factores principales, asociados con un alcance extendido de la consulta. Independientemente de la localización, los resultados mostraron que los médicos de atención primaria están realizando su trabajo por debajo de sus competencias. Los médicos rurales realizaron un número más alto de procedimientos y actividades, comparado con sus pares en municipios de tamaño medio y urbanos. En la muestra global, las variables relacionadas con un alcance más amplio de las consultas incluyeron: género masculino, trabajo en municipalidades rurales, participar en el entrenamiento y programas de educación continua y protocolos de consulta clínica, artículos, y libros. Este estudio corrobora con evidencias que el alcance de las consultas médicas varía según la localización. Reconocer y comprender las diferencias y factores asociados para un alcance extendido de las consultas, son relevantes para determinar las habilidades y recursos requeridos para realizar consultas en áreas rurales y urbanas, así como para colaborar con propuestas de estrategias en la mejora de la calidad y acceso a los servicios de salud.

Descripción de los factores que determinan la elección de prácticas clínicas de los estudiantes en el grado en terapia ocupacional / Descrição dos fatores que determinam a escolha das práticas clínicas dos estudantes de graduação em terapia ocupacional / Description of the factors that determine the choice of clinical practices of unfergraduation occupattional therapy students

Resumen Introducción La realización de prácticas en los contextos reales de trabajo supone uno de los aspectos clave en la organización, desarrollo y evaluación de los programas universitarios, tales como el Grado en Terapia Ocupacional. Además, permiten adquirir habilidades personales y profesionales, favoreciendo la integración de la teoría con la práctica, así como la identidad profesional. Método Estudio descriptivo transversal. 164 estudiantes de 2º, 3º y 4º curso del Grado en Terapia Ocupacional de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha fueron evaluados mediante un cuestionario online, tras el proceso de asignación de recursos. Se exploró la importancia que los estudiantes del Grado en Terapia Ocupacional atribuyen a su aprendizaje en recursos de prácticas y se identificaron los factores que determinan la elección de los dispositivos en los que realizarán su formación práctica. El reclutamiento de los estudiantes se llevó a cabo en el curso 2017-2018, siendo su participación voluntaria. Resultados Se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del curso académico (2º, 3º y 4º) entre las variables dependientes vinculadas con la valoración de las prácticas en el currículum académico: ayudan a solucionar problemas prácticos (p= 0,007) y enseñan habilidades interpersonales (p = 0,025). Más de la mitad de la muestra de estudiantes encuestados (51,2%) señaló la cercanía del centro de prácticas a su domicilio familiar como el factor más importante a la hora de seleccionar el dispositivo en el que realizará su formación práctica. Conclusiones Este trabajo contribuye a comprender el impacto de la toma de decisiones, así como a facilitar la mejora de dicho proceso por parte de los estudiantes, promoviendo experiencias en recursos de prácticas que resulten exitosas, así como un futuro desarrollo profesional satisfactorio.

Resumo Introdução A realização de ensino prático nos contextos reais de trabalho supõe um dos aspectos-chave na organização, desenvolvimento e avaliação dos programas universitários, como o Curso de Graduação em Terapia Ocupacional. Além disso, permite adquirir habilidades pessoais e profissionais, favorecendo a integração da teoria com a prática, assim como a identidade profissional. Método Estudo descritivo transversal. 164 alunos do 2º, 3º e 4º anos do Curso de Graduação em Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade de Castilla-La Mancha foram avaliados por meio de questionário on-line, após o processo de alocação de recursos. Foi explorada a importância que os alunos do curso de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional atribuem aos recursos de aprendizagem na prática e foram identificados os fatores que determinam a escolha dos dispositivos nos quais eles realizaram sua formação prática. O recrutamento dos alunos foi realizado no ano letivo 2017-2018, sendo sua participação voluntária. Resultados Foram obtidas diferenças estatisticamente significantes, dependendo do ano acadêmico (2º, 3º e 4º), entre as variáveis ​​dependentes vinculadas à avaliação de práticas no currículo acadêmico: ajudam a resolver problemas práticos (p = 0,007) e ensinam habilidades interpessoais (p = 0,025). Mais da metade da amostra de estudantes pesquisados ​​(51,2%) indicou a proximidade do centro de prática à casa da família como o fator mais importante na seleção do dispositivo no qual eles realizaram o estágio prático. Conclusão Este trabalho contribui para a compreensão do impacto da tomada de decisão, além de facilitar a melhoria do processo por parte dos alunos, promovendo experiências em recursos práticos bem-sucedidos, bem como o desenvolvimento profissional satisfatório futuro.

Abstract Introduction Carrying out internships within a real work context is one of the key aspects for the organisation, development and evaluation of university programmes such as the Degree in Occupational Therapy. In addition, it allows acquiring personal and professional skills, favouring this way the integration between theory and practice as well as the sense of a professional identity. Method This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. 164 students of 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the Degree in Occupational Therapy of the University of Castilla-La Mancha were assessed by an online questionnaire after the process of allocation of resources. We explored the importance that students of the Occupational Therapy Degree attribute to their learning in practice resources and identified the factors that determine the choice of devices in which they will carry out their practical training. The selection of students was made during the 2017-2018 academic year and all of them participated voluntarily. Results Statistically significant differences were obtained depending on the academic year (2nd, 3rd and 4th) among the dependent variables linked to the assessment of the internship in the academic curriculum: it helps to solve practical problems (p = 0.007) and teach interpersonal skills (p = 0.025). More than half of the sample of students surveyed (51.2%) pointed out the proximity of the internship centre to their family home as the most important factor when selecting the device in which place where they would carry out their practical training. Conclusions This work helps to understand the impact of decision making as well as to facilitate the improvement of this process for students, promoting experiences in practical resources that are successful as well as a satisfactory future professional development.

Common Scope of Practice for Advanced Practice Nurses in Korea Derived from Expert Agreement / 중환자간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to propose a common scope of practice (SOP) for 13 specialties of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in Korea.METHODS: The first draft of a common SOP was extracted from domestic and international laws with a literature review by 17 experts from the Korean Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (KAAPN). Then, the common SOP was finalized after comparing the activities of APNs in clinical settings.RESULTS: A total of 70 duties were identified and six categories were suggested for the common SOP. The SOP proposed by the KAAPN featured the following: 1) identification of and discrimination between health problems; 2) prescription and implementation of diagnostic tests; 3) treatment of injuries and diseases while implementing measures to prevent exacerbation; 4) prescription of medicinal products in line with 1) to 3); 5) referral and consultation; and 6) education and counseling. It was then confirmed that the proposed six categories in the common SOP reflected all the duties performed by APNs in clinical practice, including all 40 activities.CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used as evidence for the legalization of a common SOP for APNs. Given the increasing multidisciplinary team approach adopted in Korean hospitals, it may be desirable to establish a broader SOP to reflect the diverse duties of APNs.

Perfil profesional de los fonoaudiólogos colombianos que trabajan con adultos mayores / Professional profile of Colombian speech and language pathologists that work with elderly persons

El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar el perfil profesional de fonoaudiólogos que trabajan con adultos mayores en Colombia. Metodología: La investigación fue de tipo descriptivo; los participantes fueron 30 fonoaudiólogos quienes se encargaron de responder una encuesta. La encuesta contenía ítems relacionados con el perfil sociodemográfico, el perfil profesional, el quehacer fonoaudiológico y las percepciones sobre la población adulta mayor. Resultados: El abordaje fonoaudiológico con esta población se caracteriza por estar centrado en el escenario salud, en su mayoría el rol es el asistencial, específicamente en los procesos de evaluación e intervención en las áreas de deglución, lenguaje y comunicación Conclusiones: Los resultados permitieron caracterizar el perfil profesional y el quehacer del fonoaudiólogo con la población adulta mayor. También evidencian la importancia de continuar el trabajo con este grupo etario en función de sus habilidades y bienestar comunicativo, y de allí la necesidad de plantear estudios que pueden servir para comprender la comunicación en población adulta con y sin desórdenes.

The aim of the study was to characterize the professional profile of speech therapists who work with elderly adults in Colombia. Methodology: The study was descriptive; participants were 30 speech and language pathologists who answered a survey including items related with sociodemographic profiles, professional profiles, speech and language pathology tasks, and perceptions about the elder adults. Results: The approach to speech and language pathology practice with this population is focused on the health setting, is mainly centered on assisting patients on areas such as swallowing, language, and communication. Conclusions: The results allowed characterizing the professional profile and the speech and language pathologist's practice with the elderly adult population. They also showed the importance of working with elderly persons based on their abilities and their communicative well-being. Also, it is necessary to conduct further studies to understand communication among elderly adults with and without disorders.

A retrospective pilot study comparing data from monitoring reports to identify staffing influence on protocol deviation rates

Background: Clinical research sites are hiring more non-licensed personnel to coordinate clinical trials and to replace licensed nurse counterparts. Revised regulatory documents heavily emphasize research staff training and research activity delegation of authority. The Scope and Standards of Practice for Clinical Research Nursing, published by the American Nurses’ Association and based on role delineation studies for nurses, is the guidance document for clinical research nurses participating in research activities. Policy making related to research activity delegation of authority would be informed by data that correlate protocol deviation rates with licensure and education of research staff. Protocol deviations can lead to invalid clinical trial results, adverse events, and ethical concerns related to participant risk exposure. Outcome data are lacking, which directly compare frequency of protocol deviations by licensed nurse study coordinators to deviation rates of non-licensed study coordinators.Methods: This pilot study reviewed 45 monitoring reports for 3 clinical research studies and associated research sites staffed with licensed RN study coordinators and research sites staffed with non-licensed, non-RN study coordinators to compare deviation rates related to informed consent, protocol endpoints, participant eligibility and adverse events.Results: We identified 101 deviations. Adverse event and endpoint deviations were the highest frequency. Differences were evident in overall deviation rates; however, specific deviation comparisons failed to show statistical significance due to low sample size. Conclusions: This study illustrates a useful method for planning future studies using monitoring reports for deviation tracking and comparison across staffing levels.

Rural physicians’ scope of practice on remote islands: A case report of severe pneumonia that required overnight artificial airway management / Journal of Rural Medicine

<p><b>Objective:</b> To clarify the scope of practice on rural islands of Okinawa.</p><p><b>Patient:</b> A 59-year-old man presented to our clinic with shortness of breath. He was intubated due to acute respiratory failure caused by severe pneumonia. We could not transfer him owing to bad weather, and had to continue patient care in the clinic for more than 24 hours.</p><p><b>Discussion:</b> In remote regions, rural physicians may require a broad scope of practice from primary to tertiary care, in addition to preventive and end-of-life care.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> This case illustrates the current state of emergency care and unique scope of practice on rural islands of Okinawa.</p>