ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Coronavirus pandemic has caused unpredictable changes in dental education and healthcare system worldwide. In March and April 2020 due to the COVID - 19 outbreak, University of Dental medicine Zagreb, Croatia, temporary closed its door to its students. However, theoretical parts of the curriculum were held online, but practical training was canceled to reduce the risk of infection. This research aimed to assess student's attitudes and perception towards importance of practical training and their preparedness for the work as a clinician. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online survey on a population of undergraduate students enrolled in academic year 2019/20. Results: 352 students participated and completed the survey. 186 students (65%) were students who were supposed to start clinical courses of which 52 (14.3%) were students of the last year of the school. The loss of clinical courses in summer semester of the academic year 2019/20 will not affect preparedness and self-confidence when working with patients in only 5.2% students of 4th and 5th year. Regardless of the extraordinary period caused by the pandemic, 56.7% students of 4th and 5th year and 46.2% students of the last year are looking forward to start clinical courses and work with patients. However, fear and discomfort with regards to start to work with patients at a time of a pandemic felt 9.6% students of the last year. Conclusions: Practical courses that were canceled because of emergency measures impacted on all of students, especially the ones who were about to start with clinical work. Although practical skills are trained on mannequins as well, working with patients is irreplaceable part of education for future dentists.
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the role of regional airports in regional and municipal crisis preparedness based on evidence from a case study in Sweden. During the summer of 2018, Sweden experienced some of the most extensive wildfires in modern time. Aerial suppression, for which airports provided the essential preconditions, played an important role in extinguishing these fires. This study includes analyses of public policies that shape the Swedish airport system as well as evidence from interviews and a workshop with stakeholders. The results show that an efficiently operated network of regional airports is critical not only for crisis management but also to ensure important societal services such as health care in sparsely inhabited regions. Moreover, access to quick transportation by air is necessary for the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, tourism industry, public institutions and private businesses. Additionally intensified by effects of both the public debate on flight shame and the COVID-19 pandemic on air-based transportation, the insights arising from this study emphasise that the currently one-sided focus on the number of passengers is an insufficient foundation for the Swedish airport system to construct a resilient base for regional development, crisis management and civil defense.
ABSTRACT
Objectives. The purpose of the study was to assess students opinion and attitudes towards online teaching during the period of emergncy measures in summer semester of the academic year 2019/2020 caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The study was performed by means of an annonimous questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a few parts that questioned students sociodemographic status, attitudes and opinion of online teaching. The data were statistically processed using SPSS software. Results. Of the total of 357 respondents, 13.1% were first year students, 19.0% second, 15.1% third, 17.9% fourth, 20.2% fifth and 14.8% last year of schooling. More than 60% reported feelings of insecurity and fear due to introduction of emergency measures in the Republic of Croatia. More than 17% found studying harder than usually, and 19.3% were not equally motivated to study. 8% of the respondents found adaptation in knowledge assessment (with PPE -gloves and face masks) as a source of stress and 13% reported taking online exams at homes stressfull. 20 % reported that suspension of practical courses affected their knowledge during knowledge assessments and 16% would master the curriculum more successfully in direct contact with the teacher. More than 88% reported awareness of risk associated with dental profession due to COVD- 19 pandemic outbreak. Conclusion. Due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, lectures and prac- tical courses were held online. The results given indicate online lectures are as valuable as on-site lecture and suspension of practical courses cant be fully compensated.