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Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview, including methodology and preliminary findings, of a current and ongoing doctoral research study of the impact of national library associations. The study uses the impact assessment framework provided by IS016439:2014 Methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries. Design/methodology/approach -- If the professional associations supporting the profession are to become sustainable we need to understand the difference they make to the individual members of the profession, to the employers of those individuals and to the profession of librarianship. This study applies the framework provided by ISO 16439:2014 to the national library association environment to explore and gather evidence of impact. To align with the ISO model, impact is differentiated into impact on individuals; social impact -- institution (library or employing organization); and social impact -- community (the profession). Preliminary findings show evidence of impact in all categories. Findings -- Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews that were conducted with members of national library associations in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA during the third quarter of 2013. Originality/value -- This study contributes to research methodologies by testing the use of a qualitative assessment tool in a way that could be transferable to other associations both within and external to the library environment and to enable it to be adapted more broadly for other purposes within the library and information environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To compare diabetes‐related prescribing practices, barriers and facilitators amongst nurse prescribers in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Background: Nurses have been prescribing in the United Kingdom for many years but nurse prescribing in New Zealand is relatively recent. It is unknown whether similar system factors act to facilitate or limit prescribing. Design: A survey of 250 nurses prescribing in diabetes care in New Zealand (n = 111) and the United Kingdom (n = 139). Methods: A SurveyMonkey questionnaire was used to survey nurses about the extent of their prescribing practices, and barriers and facilitators experienced. Quantitative data were explored descriptively, and qualitative responses were grouped according to content, with quotes provided to exemplify thematic content. This study is reported following STROBE guidelines. Results: Insulin, metformin and sulphonylureas are the drugs most frequently prescribed in both countries. Considerably more New Zealand than United Kingdom nurses reported prescribing for cardiovascular and renal disease. In both countries, direct prescribing to the patient was most common, followed by remote prescribing in New Zealand and via recommendation to other prescribers in the United Kingdom. Most common barriers were lack of time and inadequate mentoring. Most common facilitators were as follows: good supervision; collegial relationships with specialists, pharmacists and peers; and ongoing education. Conclusions: These New Zealand and United Kingdom nurses are prescribing a broad range of diabetes‐related medications. Similar barriers and facilitators were identified in both countries. Adequate supervision, support from multidisciplinary team colleagues and prescribing education and guidelines are paramount. Relevance to clinical practice: Important insights on barriers and facilitators to implementation of nurse prescribing in two countries are highlighted and, despite a considerable difference in the longevity of prescribing practice, similar issues were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a best practice model that can be utilized by food system actors to assist with (re) building trust in the food system, before, during and after a food incident defined as 'any situation within the food supply chain where there is a risk or potential risk of illness or confirmed illness or injury associated with the consumption of a food or foods' (Commonwealth of Australia. National Food Incident Response Protocol. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2012). Interviews were undertaken with 105 actors working within the media, food industry and food regulatory settings across Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and the United Kingdom(UK). Interview data produced strategy statements, which indicated participant views on how to (re)build consumer trust in the food system. These included: (i) be transparent, (ii) have protocols and procedures in place, (iii) be credible, (iv) be proactive, (v) put consumers first, (vi) collaborate with stakeholders, (vii) be consistent, (viii) educate stakeholders and consumers, (ix) build your reputation and (x) keep your promises. A survey was designed to enable participants to indicate their agreement/disagreement with the ideas, rate their importance and provide further comment. The five strategies considered key to (re)building consumer trust were used to develop a model demonstrating best practice strategies for (re)building consumer trust in the food system before, during and after a food incident. In a world where the food system is increasingly complex, strategies for (re)building and fostering consumer trust are important. This study offers a model to do so which is derived from the views and experiences of actors working across the food industry, food regulation and the media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Engaging and inspiring the next generation of physician-scientists at an early stage is recognised as key to ensure the future of medical research. However, little is known about medical student perceptions of research. Objectives:We attempted to ascertain perceptions of research and research-orientated careers from medical students studying in different countries. Methods:An online questionnaire was developed, piloted, and promoted to medical students in various countries. Results:1625 responses were collected from 38 countries. Analysis was restricted to data collected from countries with >100 responses (n = 890). Less than half the respondents felt their medical school provided adequate research training. Key perceived barriers to research participation as a student included lack of time and difficulty finding mentors or projects. A significant gender disparity existed in research ambitions of students with females desiring less research involvement. The importance of barriers and satisfaction with research training differed significantly between countries. Conclusions:Students perceive a number of key barriers to research involvement and pursuit of research-orientated careers. Programmes designed to engage students with research should focus on overcoming identified barriers. Greater effort is needed to engage female students who report more significant barriers and less desire to follow research-orientated careers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose The Work-ability Support Scale (WSS) is a new tool designed to assess vocational ability and support needs following onset of acquired disability, to assist decision-making in vocational rehabilitation. In this article, we report an iterative process of development through evaluation of inter- and intra-rater reliability and scoring accuracy, using vignettes. The impact of different methodological approaches to analysis of reliability is highlighted. Methods Following preliminary evaluation using case-histories, six occupational therapists scored vignettes, first individually and then together in two teams. Scoring was repeated blind after 1 month. Scoring accuracy was tested against agreed 'reference standard' vignette scores using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for total scores and linear-weighted kappas (kw) for individual items. Item-by-item inter- and intra-rater reliability was evaluated for both individual and team scores, using two different statistical methods. Results ICCs for scoring accuracy ranged from 0.95 (95 % CI 0.78-0.98) to 0.96 (0.89-0.99) for Part A, and from 0.78 (95 % CI 0.67-0.85) to 0.84 (0.69-0.92) for Part B. Item by item analysis of scoring accuracy, inter- and intra-rater reliability all showed 'substantial' to 'almost perfect' agreement (kw ≥ 0.60) for all Part-A and 8/12 Part-B items, although multi-rater kappa (Fleiss) produced more conservative results (mK = 0.34-0.79). Team rating produced marginal improvements for Part-A but not Part-B. Four problematic contextual items were identified, leading to adjustment of the scoring manual. Conclusion This vignette-based study demonstrates generally acceptable levels of scoring accuracy and reliability for the WSS. Further testing in real-life situations is now warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, global workforce shortages have seen governments seek to recruit social work practitioners offshore; as a consequence, increasingly, mobile practitioners are navigating the opportunities and challenges posed by working and living in countries other than where they obtained their professional qualifications. This article reports a small exploratory study describing the experiences of ten social workers who qualified in New Zealand but who were practising in England, Scotland or Ireland during 2010–11. While differences in community, work and professional cultures pose challenges, the opportunity such travel provides for reflection on cultural and professional differences is found to be at the heart of participants' overall positive experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]