Looking in the Rearview Mirror and to the Road Ahead on Dementia & Living Well

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's and all other dementias continues to increase. Most of them will need long-term and community-based services as the disease progresses. While medical research is making advances, there is more work to be done to ensure that every person receives care that is person-centered and allows them to live with dignity and respect.

Conference Report (Re)shaping the inclusive city: the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning engages indigenous and immigrant voices, histories and lived experiences

The 62nd annual conference of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ASCP) met from Nov 2-5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. The conference brought together nearly 1,200 planning educators, researchers and students affiliated from more than thirty countries. Attendees were composed of approximately 700 faculty and more than 400 students. There were nearly 250 sessions including presentation of research papers, roundtable discussions, workshops, career information sessions and mobile sessions. The conference was the first in-person conference after two years of virtual convenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local hosts for the conference included the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University. The focal theme of the conference was "(re)shaping the inclusive city: engaging indigenous and immigrant voices, histories and lived experiences."

Identifying the Influencing Factors of Depressive Symptoms among Nurses in China by Machine Learning: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Nurses' high workload can result in depressive symptoms. However, the research has underexplored the internal and external variables, such as organisational support, career identity, and burnout, which may predict depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses via machine learning (ML). Aim. To predict nurses' depressive symptoms and identify the relevant factors by machine learning (ML) algorithms. Methods. A self-administered smartphone questionnaire was delivered to nurses to evaluate their depressive symptoms;1,431 questionnaires and 28 internal and external features were collected. In the training set, the use of maximum relevance minimum redundancy ranked the features' importance. Five ML algorithms were used to establish models to identify nurses' depressive symptoms using different feature subsets, and the area under the curve (AUC) determined the optimal feature subset. Demographic characteristics were added to the optimal feature subset to establish the combined models. Each model's performance was evaluated using the test set. Results. The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses was 31.86%. The optimal feature subset comprised of sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, physical fatigue, exhaustion, and perceived organisation support. The five models based on the optimal feature subset had good prediction performance on the test set (AUC: 0.871–0.895 and accuracy: 0.798–0.815). After adding the significant demographic characteristics, the performance of the five combined models slightly improved;the AUC and accuracy increased to 0.904 and 0.826 on the test set, respectively. The logistic regression analysis results showed the best and most stable performance while the univariate analysis results showed that external and internal personal features (AUC: 0.739–0.841) were more effective than demographic characteristics (AUC: 0.572–0.588) for predicting nurses' depressive symptoms. Conclusions. ML could effectively predict nurses' depressive symptoms. Interventions to manage physical fatigue, sleep disorders, burnout, and organisational support may prevent depressive symptoms.

Exploring the impact of an industrial placement year on students' competency development: a three-cohort, longitudinal study

PurposeDrawing on human capital theory and sustainable career theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of undertaking an industrial placement on the "Great Eight" competencies as perceived by university students and line managers.Design/methodology/approach618 students and their line managers across three cohorts (pre-COVID-19) took part in a longitudinal quantitative study. Students completed a three-wave questionnaire at the placement's start, middle, and end. Line managers completed the questionnaire during waves two and three to offer 360-degree feedback. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were applied to the dataset.FindingsThe impacts of undertaking a placement were highly variable for different competencies at the sub-scale level, although at the eight-scale level, the nuance was less pronounced. However, students self-perceived that all eight competencies increased between the start and end of the placement. Surprisingly, line managers perceived students' competencies to be higher than perceived by the students.Originality/valueThe value of undertaking a placement is often poorly measured (e.g. satisfaction) rather than competency-based outcomes, which can lead to conclusions that are overly simplistic and difficult to use in practice. Theoretically, this study advances understanding of human capital theory and sustainable career theory by understanding the role placements can play in developing human capital and preparing university students for sustainable careers. Practically, the findings of this study can help to close the university-industry skills gap by informing curriculum and placement scheme design and supporting students to acquire personal resources and signal these to prospective employers as an antecedent to career sustainability.

Salary Survey: The Age of COVID

With large shift to decentralized strategies, industry roles appear set for change Our 2022 Clinical Research Industry Salary and Employee Satisfaction Survey Report, a biennial survey of clinical trials professionals, conducted with our survey partner SCORR Marketing, shows no overwhelming deviations this year from previous years. In Figure 1 on the facing page, you can see the various functional areas and, expectedly, a higher proportion of clinical operations respondents, as that is our core content focus. [...]75% of the respondents do not receive non-cash compensation such as a car, stock options, or mobile phones. In the first five to seven years, employee value increases much more quickly than 3% a year (a typical merit increase). "Because the leaving and onboarding process is time-consuming and costly for employers, why not look to increasing the base pay via merit increases for current employees?

A six year experience of a national leadership fellowship in Northern Ireland: achieve, develop, explore programme for trainees (ADEPT)

ContextThe Achieve, Develop, Explore Programme for Trainees (ADEPT) Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme was established in response to growing recommendations to underpin healthcare reconfiguration in Northern Ireland (NI) with a collective leadership strategy. This is a Clinical Leadership Fellows programme available to specialist, general practice and dental trainees in NI as an out of programme experience year. It is recruited competitively through a scored application followed by a 3-part interview. The fellowship programme is coordinated with host organisations, who sponsor fellows to work with organisational leaders in an apprentice model and undertake a self-directed project. This leadership training was provided by the HSC Leadership Centre until 2020, which supported achievement of an Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) level 7 Certificate. The current 2021-22 cohort have joined the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) Fellow Scheme.Issue/ChallengeWith the ADEPT programme now in its sixth year and many of its graduates consultants or general practitioners (GPs), a need was identified to assess how the fellowship has shaped participant career performance, decision making and views on leadership training. This study aimed to determine the demographics of ADEPT Fellows and evaluate the impact of the fellowship as perceived by ADEPT alumni on career goals, choices, achievements, and development of leadership skills related to the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model.Assessment of issue and analysis of its causesDemographic data for all ADEPT fellows was held centrally through Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) and assessed anonymously. A mixed-methods questionnaire was composed using Smart Survey. Likert-scale questions were designed to determine the extent to which participants believed ADEPT supported their development of strong and exemplary elements of the nine dimensions of the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model. This questionnaire was split into 4 sections;demographics and project outline, self-assessment of leadership skills before and after ADEPT, career planning and progression and suggestions for programme improvement. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to all ADEPT alumni in November 2021 and remained open for 4 weeks.ImpactThis study validates the usefulness of the ADEPT clinical leadership programme both at an individual and organisational level.InterventionThere have been 46 ADEPT fellows to date (72% female;all fellows were white). ADEPT fellows were most commonly from Psychiatry (33%), Paediatrics (17%) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology (15%). There were 19 responses from the alumni cohort of 46 (41%). 75% of respondents reported that their project resulted in publication, presentation or award. Leadership skill development was identified as best in Evaluating Information and Engaging the Team, whereas skills in Sharing the Vision and Developing Capability saw less improvement. The majority felt that the fellowship had been useful in securing their position as a consultant or general practitioner and 50% went on to pursue senior leadership positions.Key MessagesThe ADEPT Clinical Leadership Fellowship delivers effective leadership training as measured by the nine domains of the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model. It provides value for host organisations through the projects undertaken and by developing doctors who are more likely to engage in future formal leadership roles. ADEPT alumni saw the value in their leadership experience and felt it should be embedded in standard postgraduate training schemes to reach a wider audience.Lessons learntA recurring theme in the healthcare sector is that doctors who have gone through years of formal training often fail to recognise the innate leadership skills they have acquired on their journey to become a consultant. This was evident within the ADEPT group as the majority did not identify themselves as leaders prior to undertaking the fellowship. Distinguishing, nurturing and reframing these skills or use outside of the clinical area are important considerations when developing leadership training in healthcare.Strategy for improvementThe programme will require ongoing review especially given the increasing demand placed on healthcare leadership from the sequelae of the COVID pandemic and an aging society with complex health needs. A ten year follow up to include opinions on the FMLM Fellow Scheme is suggested.

Exploring global careers: Individual mobility and organizational management

This chapter explores individual careers that involve living and working in different countries. Such international careers are increasingly common among global professionals. The management of global careerists is a challenge for organizations and global mobility (GM) departments due to the many micro- and mesoelements that have an influence on the outcomes of working abroad. Career counselors would benefit from understanding the key determinants of working in GM in order to refine suggested career interventions. Therefore, the chapter discusses organizational considerations, the roles of GM professionals, and their particular challenges. Moreover, it proposes a framework for GM work and presents reflections on the impact of COVID-19 on GM, delineating recent substantial changes to global careers and their impact on those who manage GM. The chapter predominantly focuses on the micro- and mesolevel perspectives and, at times, depicts the wider context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social Work Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Challenges and Future Developments to Enhance Students' Wellbeing

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, educational systems were forced to adapt to the new reality of online learning, causing practical academic specializations, such as social work (SW), to be severely affected. To highlight the perspectives of SW students during the pandemic, we used a mixed sociological approach that combined exploratory qualitative research (using the focus-group technique) with cross-sectional quantitative research. Participants who had both on-site and online SW studies before and after the COVID-19 outbreak were included in the study. The study was conducted during a period when almost all educational activities were held online. We aimed to investigate students' perceptions of the educational process during the pandemic, how their wellbeing was affected, and their perspectives on educational and professional development. Students identified advantages of online learning, such as discovering online learning tools, and disadvantages, mainly marked by concerns about their career path once practical activities were heavily limited by institutional measures and policies. Our conclusions suggest that in a post-pandemic context, universities should provide continuous feedback, integrate students' opinions into policies, offer material and technical support, facilitate access to high-quality resources, enrich the SW curricula with resilience programs, and organize peer-to-peer mentoring activities.

School Related Challenges Affecting Career Decision-Making of Grade 12 Learners in Township Secondary Schools in Gauteng South Africa

The COVID -19 pandemic has highlighted various social, economic, psychological, financial, and physical challenges that learners encounter in South Africa. Learners continue to face challenges of ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in secondary schools. This predicament makes them choose wrong careers leading to low level functioning in the later world of work. These challenges have continued to receive much attention in the media and in various policy documents. Learners continue to face challenges of ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in secondary schools. The authors of this paper argue that one of the core functions of any education system is to prepare learners to become functional citizens who are self-sufficient in their chosen and preferred careers. We argue that one way to ensure learners' success and contribution to society is by providing them with adequate and effective career counselling. It is against this background that this study explored the school-related challenges affecting career decision-making of Grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in Gauteng, South Africa. The Krumboltz Social Learning Theory of Career Development (SLTCD) served as the theoretical framework for this study. Within the interpretivist research paradigm, a qualitative multiple case study research design was adopted. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select 23 Grade 12 learners from six township secondary schools in Gauteng East District. Semi-structured online interviews were used to collect data and was analysed thematically. The findings indicate that schools lack the infrastructure required to provide learners with proper career guidance and education. The lack of access to career information services and incorrect subject combinations meant that learners were unable to choose appropriate career paths post Grade 12. We recommend that the Department of Basic Education prioritise the training and up skilling of designated educators to become specialised career counsellors in township secondary schools.

Changes in Nurses' Sense of Calling During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

This study investigated changes in nurses' sense of calling during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as possible reasons for these changes. A total of 440 nurses in Turkey responded to a single open-ended question about their work attitudes and experiences. Emergent Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) was used to analyze the responses. Results demonstrated that nurses experienced both positive and negative changes to their sense of calling, sometimes simultaneously. The most frequently cited reasons for positive changes were nurses' perceived job significance, their desire to serve humanity, and a sense of meaningful work. In contrast, terms describing their reasons for experiencing negative changes include exhaustion, underpaid, unappreciated, overwork, disengagement, risky, stress, and anxiety. This study provides the first evidence on how a sense of calling experienced by Turkish nurses has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for theory, research, and practice are explored. AD -, Department of Business Administration, Isparta, Turkey ;, Management and Organization, Burdur, Turkey ;, Department of Psychology, Fort Collins, CO, USA ;, Department of Business Administration, Isparta, Turkey

Physical to virtual: challenges and opportunities for a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative

PurposeThis paper aims to explore challenges and opportunities of shifting from physical to virtual employment support delivery prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It investigates associated changes in the nature and balance of support and implications for beneficiary engagement with programmes and job search.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on longitudinal interviews conducted with beneficiaries and delivery providers from a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative in an English region with a strong manufacturing heritage between 2019 and 2021. The initiative established prior to the Covid-19 pandemic involved a strong physical presence locally but switched to virtual delivery during Covid-19 lockdowns.FindingsMoving long-term to an entirely virtual model would likely benefit some beneficiaries closer to or already in employment. Conversely, others, particularly lone parents, those further from employment, some older people and those without computer/Internet access and/or digital skills are likely to struggle to navigate virtual systems. The study emphasises the importance of blending the benefits of virtual delivery with aspects of place-based physical support.Originality/valuePrevious studies of neighbourhood-based employment policies indicate the benefits of localised face-to-face support for transforming communities. These were conducted prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and the more widespread growth of virtual employment support. This study fills a gap regarding understanding the challenges and opportunities for different groups of beneficiaries when opportunities for physical encounters decline abruptly and support moves virtually.

Future of work - apprehensions and excitement of management graduates

PurposeThe study explores the perceptions of graduates on their employability and future of work, in light of the challenges thrown upon by new vicissitudes in the work environment. The study intends to assess the preparedness of management graduates in facing the challenges and uncertainties of the actual job market.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured and informal interviews with 65 management graduates from UK, Canada, Italy and India. The thematic analysis uncovered the concerns and areas to develop for management graduates regarding their future employability perceptions.FindingsThe authors benefited from a unique opportunity to capture the views and experience of graduates who are undergoing management education during this ambiguous period. Three major themes were developed on how to develop oneself for an ambiguous future of work which includes Psychological strengths, Skill enhancement and Future mindset. The study also unearthed the major focus areas for better employability from a graduate perspective.Practical implicationsPractical contribution comes from strategies to prepare university graduates for sustainable careers. Study hints at the importance of work experience, adaptability and skill enhancement in meeting the challenges of the future.Originality/valueFrom a global approach this is one among the first studies to look into the graduate perspective of their preparedness for future work.

Qualitative Research with Former International Students: Reflections on Conceptualization, Planning and Relational Engagement

The number of international students seeking a foreign education, particularly in Westernized countries, has grown dramatically over the past decade, and is predicted to continue to increase, despite a period of disruption due to COVID-19. Given this growth, there is a significant body of research on key insights into the initial transition experiences, both academic and personal, of international students to the host country, with a developing body of research exploring their post-study transition. Understanding these post-study transitions is important in creating policy and services that appropriately support international students. Due to the diverse and sometimes complex post-study pathways of former international students, accessing this population to conduct qualitative research can create challenges for researchers. To help address these challenges, the authors highlight three critical considerations based on their qualitative research experiences in Westernized countries with former international students, including conceptual understandings, logistical planning, and relational engagement. Moreover, the authors share examples of pragmatic solutions related to challenges with conceptual understandings, logistical planning, and relational engagement in qualitative research with former international students. The purpose of this article is to start and invite discussion around how best to reach, access, and work with former international students to expand qualitative research on the post-study experience.

Lessons Learned from Online Teaching and Their Implications for Students' Future Careers: Combined PLS-SEM and IPA Approach

As far as students are concerned, there is a well-founded relationship between academic performance and career management from which a special professional path can result, based on the multitude of knowledge, skills, and experiences acquired during the years of study. To this end, the presence and help of teachers participating in the learning process, the teaching activities they are involved in, and their own participation are determinant factors. This research aims to highlight the impact that the above factors have on the professional future of students. For this purpose, 395 respondents, including students in the bachelor's and master's cycles, were involved in the research process, to whom a questionnaire was given in electronic format during two stages: one where the didactic activity was carried out in online format and the other carried out face-to-face. Hypotheses testing was performed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The present study focuses on two main directions regarding the results obtained. Thus, with respect to the acquisition of knowledge and the development of student skills, it emerged that the effect of the content in the didactic activities on student skills and the development of competencies is strengthened by the skills and degree of involvement of the teaching staff from the university environment. Related to the management of students' careers, the analysis showed that the effect of the content in didactic activities is complemented by the accumulation of knowledge and the formation of student skills. The rigorous economic training resulting from didactic activities constitutes a main pillar in the students' future, even more so depending on how much they perceive that the topics covered in the university courses are of interest to them. The results of this study can serve as theoretical support for future research that addresses the topic of student career management and the implications of university activities on knowledge and skills. In addition, the results can support decisions for the management of higher education institutions regarding the development and implementation of university programs and educational strategies with the aim of increasing the involvement of teachers and students in the teaching–learning process.

The Value of Belonging: A Comparison of Professional Organizations' Membership Benefits

The abundance of library associations provides many choices to academic librarians about where and how to belong. This exploratory article identifies and compares benefits of library professional organizations through content analysis of the groups' websites. Examination of the benefits described on the websites of 76 organizations indicates that they have a high degree of overlap. Many benefits are also achievable by participating in other external professional activities. While data were collected just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thematic analysis of these benefits provides a framework for comparing the value of participation in formal and informal professional communities.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE ONGOING CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN THE U.S

Laboratory medicine and the services provided throughout the healthcare system remain critical components in the ability to deliver quality patient care. Over the years and as of recently, due to COVID-19, delivery of proper care has been challenged with continual staffing constraints within the clinical laboratory. While this is not a new issue, its exacerbation poses an ongoing threat to clinical laboratories nationwide and has many healthcare administrators and executives searching for viable solutions. This paper focuses on exploring the depth and breadth of the issue to get to the root of the cause(s) of the critical shortage. Once these keys issues are identified, then realistic and effective solutions can be proposed and implemented throughout the laboratory field.