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Why you should read this article: • To learn about a training programme which develops nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals’ research skills • To understand how the training programme was evaluated • To find out the extent to which participants’ confidence in research-related activities increased during the programme. Background: Research forms an important part of clinical practice for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (NMAHPs). However, it is known there is a lack of confidence in this community in the development and use of research skills. The 4Ps Programme is a bespoke research-training programme that focuses on four areas: place, project, person and plan. Aim: To report an evaluation of the 4Ps Programme that used a survey to record the confidence levels reported by NMAHPs. Discussion: An increase in participants’ confidence was observed across all modules in the 4Ps Programme. This exceeded the standard deviation in the ‘place’ session, demonstrating genuine improvement. It was not possible to demonstrate a significant improvement in all cases. Low response rates affected the quality of the data obtained in the study, which would have benefitted from a more targeted approach to questions and better enabled the tracking of individuals’ improvement over the course of the programme. Conclusion: Participation in bespoke, targeted training related to research could lead to an increase in NMAHPs’ confidence in research-related activities. Efforts need to be made to refine the evaluation approach and improve response rates. Implications for practice: The 4Ps Programme can improve research-related confidence. Improved and further longitudinal evaluation will assess its impact in developing future clinical academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on incorporating heutagogy in radiologic science education. Topics covered include the key elements incorporated in a heutagogical design, examples of heutagogical concepts and activities for radiologic technologists and how heutagogy empowers radiologic technologists to become self-directed learners. It also discusses the key differences among pedagogy, andragogy and heutagogy in the context of education.

Trainees may be interested in careers in aging but unfamiliar with career options, leading to a shortage in the geriatric workforce. In response to needs identified at a national geropsychology training conference, a multisite faculty group developed a six-session webinar series about careers in geropsychology, detailing career options in six unique settings. Each webinar session featured a moderated discussion with a panel of four professionals currently employed in the career of interest. The webinar was advertised to clinical and counseling psychology trainees with a potential interest in age-related careers, with evaluation of the series primarily including trainees from graduate programs, clinical internships, and postdoctoral fellowships. Participants rated their attitudes and beliefs about each career option at pre- and post-discussion. On average, each webinar session was attended by 48 individuals (SD = 12, range = 33–60). At baseline, attendees reported significantly more interest in careers in clinical practice compared to other careers, and interest in university settings increased from pre- to post-discussion. Across all six sessions, participants reported increased understanding of training experiences that would be helpful in pursuing that specific career. Findings point to the feasibility and utility of webinars for enhancing interest and confidence in pursuing careers in aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunities outside patient care are expanding for physician associates/assistants (PAs). Exploring new roles beyond clinical practice has the potential for improved career fulfillment as clinicians experience increasing levels of burnout and declining satisfaction with patient care. The decision to shift to a nonclinical role may be overwhelming without knowing what positions PAs are qualified to consider. PAs are increasingly found in the fields of healthcare consulting (as medical science liaisons), medical writing, healthcare insurance, research, and academia. With the rapid growth in PA programs, the need for educators is critical and this transition creates an interesting dynamic in which a proficient clinician becomes a novice educator. This article delves into these expectations and provides guidance on making the transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Due to dwindling numbers of medical laboratory scientists (MLS), we are faced with staffing issues due to lack of visibility, recognition, low wages, and perceived lack of opportunities for upward career mobility. A brief survey of doctoral-level clinical microbiologists showed a significant number were certified, worked "the bench," and used this experience as a steppingstone to become a laboratory director or consultant. Objectives To help dispel the notion working as an MLS is a dead-end job, the authors developed an expanded national survey. Methods The survey was sent to 815 board-certified microbiologists and chemists to determine their career path. Results indicated that of 243 respondents, 41.3% were MLS certified, 47.1% had worked "the bench," and 51.9% and 63.5% became laboratory or technical directors, respectively. Conclusion Survey results provide evidence to dispel the notion that MLS and bench working jobs lack upward career mobility and may inspire students for a career in laboratory medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive impact of pathway programming on healthcare-oriented learners has been firmly established, especially in diverse populations. Conducted annually since 2019, the Arizona Mayo Clinic Career Advancement, Research, and Education Summer (CARES) program is an innovative high school pathway based on longitudinal mentorship. The three shields on the Mayo Clinic logo represent clinical practice, education, and research; through interactive teaching, demonstrations, dialogue, and daily journaling, over 70 healthcare providers expose students to a broad spectrum of healthcare careers of which most are unaware. The program emphasizes well-being, personal strengths, humanities perspectives, and life skills. Its goals include: 1) enabling students to experience career opportunities across the healthcare industry; 2) providing hands-on experience in healthcare; and 3) facilitating exploration and discovery of individual career aspirations and personality strengths. While all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply, groups underrepresented in healthcare nationally, including those who would be the first in their families to attend college, Upward Bound and STEAM participants, underresourced students receiving free or reduced-price school lunches, and the socioeconomically disadvantaged, are especially encouraged to apply. Among the initial cohort, 100% graduated from high school, matriculated into an accredited university, and indicated plans to pursue healthcare careers. The longitudinal mentoring component had the greatest impact, proving invaluable guidance to students navigating both academic and life challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an editorial focuses on the significance of mentoring relationships in the contemporary landscape of nursing practice and education, emphasizing the role of mentors in facilitating professional development and career advancement for nurse practitioners. Topics include the evolution of postgraduation programs, the need for formal support for novice practitioners, and the impact of mentorship on role transition and professional confidence.

The article shows the evolution of the radiologic technology profession. It highlights changes in radiologic technology education, technology, training and skills, as well as benefits of advances in digital radiography including efficiency in image processing, reduced operational costs and improved patient care. It identifies career options such as picture archiving and communications system administrator, commercial representatives for radiology equipment firms and radiation safety officer.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to understand the routes by which nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) pursue and sustain a research career and the enablers and barriers to career progression. Background: Robust evidence is central to practice and professional decision making of NMAHPs, with generation and translation of research arguably best led by those clinically active. Whilst countries like the UK and USA have fellowship schemes to support research career development, anecdotal reports suggest barriers exist in translating these opportunities into sustainable clinical academic careers. Design: Online survey. Methods: An online questionnaire addressing career choices, facilitators/barriers and support was emailed to 1074 past applicants (doctoral and post‐doctoral) to National Institute of Health Research fellowship schemes (awarded and rejected) in England between March and May 2017; 231 responded (25.6%). Study reporting adheres to STROBE checklist. Results: Overall, 134 doctoral and 96 post‐doctoral applicants participated; two‐thirds were from allied health professions. Most were early in their research career. Interest in research was most frequently sparked by interaction with people in research positions. Nearly half had their first research experience during their BSc project; though less often for nurses/midwives/health visitors (37.5%) than other NMAHPs (51.6%). The award of a fellowship resulted in higher likelihood of being research‐active (doctoral level). Nearly three quarters pursuing a clinical academic career indicated 'clearer career paths' and 'greater integration across clinical and academic departments' were desirable. Most common barriers related to research roles, availability of positions and funding. Conclusions: Fellowship schemes are important to NMAHPs' research careers, but there are serious challenges to establishing and sustaining a career. Relevance to clinical practice: Lack of a clear model of career progression, at national and local level, and barriers to creating joint posts impacts on capacity of clinical academics to strengthen integration of research with practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about how psychologists choose their specialty practice area, and rehabilitation psychology is no exception. Specialization and specialty certification in professional psychology have been controversial topics impacting the field during the training sequence and across the span of professional careers (Drum & Blom, 2001; Robiner & Fossum, 2017). The American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology (ABRP) has been providing specialty certification since 1995 and rehabilitation psychology was recognized as a unique specialty in 2015 by the APA's Council for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP). There are limited established training programs and minimal information about the specialty in undergraduate course materials. The current survey is intended to provide information about how people are introduced to the field of rehabilitation psychology, specialty identification, and to identify opportunities for improvement. Method: A survey of members of APA Division 22 and ABRP specialists was conducted to collect information about their exposure to and involvement in rehabilitation psychology. Results: Results from 174 respondents suggest that personal relationships are the current key means of recruitment and confirms that rehabilitation psychology has limited presence in undergraduate training. Most professionals come to identify with rehabilitation psychology after training in clinical neuropsychology and health psychology. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the current generalist training sequence does not provide sufficient exposure to, or preparation for the field of rehabilitation psychology. Recruitment opportunities should emphasize student leadership network activities and the identification of early and midcareer practitioners unaware of the rehabilitation specialty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching healthcare ethics at the doctoral level presents a particular challenge. Ethics is often taught to medical students, but rarely is medicine taught to graduate students in health care ethics. In this paper, Medicine for Ethicists [MfE] — a course taught both didactically and experientially — is described. Eight former MfE students were independently interviewed in a semi-structured, open-ended format regarding their experience in the experiential component of the course. Themes included concrete elements about the course, elements related to the broader PhD student learning experience, and themes related to the students' past and future career experiences. Findings are related to the educational philosophy of John Dewey and David Kolb's experiential learning theory. Broader implications of this work are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this essay is to provide guidance on the future development and role of medical informatics, or biomedical and health informatics, in the form of reflections. In order to make these reflections on the future of medical informatics more understandable, it seemed necessary for the author to report on his previous work as a medical informaticist, which spans almost half a century. It began in 1973 when he started to study medical informatics. In 1978, more than four decades ago, his professional work started. He retired at the end of the 2021 summer semester. This was the occasion to prepare this farewell lecture. In 20 reflections, thoughts are presented on professional careers (R 1 – 'places'), on medical informatics as discipline (R 2 – 'interdisciplinarity', R 3 – 'focuses', R 4 – 'affiliations'), on research (R 5 – 'duality', R 6 – 'confluences', R 7 – 'correlations', R 8 – 'collaboration'), on education (R 9 – 'community', R 10 – 'competencies', R 11 – 'approaches'), on academic self-governance (R 12 – 'autonomy'), on participation (R 13 – 'Sisyphos', R 14 – 'professional societies', R 15 – 'respect', R 16 – 'tightrope walk'), and on good scientific practice (R 17 – 'time invariants', R 18 – 'Zeitgeist', R 19 – 'knowledge gain', R 20 – 'exercising'). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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An editorial is presents the transition in leadership at the Minimally Invasive Therapy and Allied Technologies (MITAT) journal, with Eiji Kanehira stepping down as editor-in-chief but continuing as editor emeritus. Topics include Kanehira's extensive contributions to the field of minimally invasive surgery, his role in expanding the journal's reach and impact, and his dedication to mentoring and supporting young writers and researchers.

Pathway systems to increase the diversity of the health professions workforce are urgently needed. Students at two-year institutions have strong interest in health professions programs, but their transfer to four-year institutions is impeded by lack of information, misconstrued advising, and confusing processes. They need mentors, access to program faculty, and accurate information. This article evaluates the impact of the Student-Tailored Educational Pathway (STEP), designed to facilitate progress from two-year colleges to Bachelor of Health Professions programs at an academic health center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: physiotherapy profession plays a significant role in a health care team especially in planning rehabilitation regime and achieving maximum independency for the patient. Nevertheless, recent surveys reported unequal ratio between patient to physiotherapist which may potentially reduce the time taken for a patient to be treated or even the quality of treatment. Hence, the objective of the current study is to determine the factors and perception of Asian student towards physiotherapy career. Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey based on purposive sampling with 105 student participation. Ethical clearance was obtained prior to the study. Questionnaires were given to the physiotherapy students and then, the responses were analyzed. Results: 'Desire to help others', 'Opportunity to interact with other people' and 'Job availability' have been the most influencing factors. In the perception analysis, 'A help to society', 'Professional status' and 'Professional autonomy' were chosen. Conclusion: Our study finding suggests more proactive approach should be taken to increase the awareness of the public especially the parents, teachers, academic counsellors and media towards physiotherapy profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 90% of pediatric emergency care is provided in community emergency departments (CEDs) that care for both adults and children. Paradoxically, the majority of pediatric emergency medicine knowledge generation, quality improvement work, and clinical training occurs in children's hospitals. There is a paucity of information of perceptions on pediatric care from CED providers. This information is needed to guide the development of strategies to improve CED pediatric readiness. Objective: The objective was to explore interprofessional CED providers' perceptions of caring for pediatric patients. Methods: A preparticipation survey collected data on demographics, experience, and comfort in caring for children. Emergency pediatric simulations were then utilized to prime interprofessional teams for debriefings. These discussions underwent qualitative analysis by three blinded authors who coded transcripts into themes through an inductive method derived from grounded theory. The other authors participated in confirmability and dependability checks. Results: A total of 171 community hospital providers from six CEDs completed surveys (49% nurses, 22% physicians, 23% technicians). The majority were PALS trained (70%) and experienced fewer than five pediatric resuscitations in their careers (61%). Most self‐reported comfort in caring for acutely ill and injured children. From the debriefings, three major challenge themes emerged: 1) knowledge and skill limitations attributed to infrequency of training and actual clinical events, 2) the emotional toll of caring for a sick child, and 3) acknowledgment of pediatric specific quality and safety deficits. Subthemes focused on causes and potential mitigating factors contributing to these challenges. A solution theme highlighted novel partnering opportunities with local children's hospitals. Conclusion: Interprofessional CED providers perceive that caring for pediatric patients is challenging due to case infrequency, the emotional toll of caring for sick children, and pediatric quality and safety deficits in their systems. These areas of focus can be used to generate specific strategies for improving CED pediatric readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Role Emerging Placements (REP) are now a common feature in pre‐registration occupational therapy curricula, there is a need to expand the understanding of the impact of this experience on employability, practice and career path of qualified occupational therapists. Method: A case finding online survey was used to create a purposive sample for Thematic Analysis of semi‐structured interviews with practising occupational therapists from one UK Masters’ level pre‐registration occupational therapy program. Results: The case finding survey (n = 19) led to recruitment of six participants to be interviewed. The qualitative findings reflected the impact of a REP experience on occupational therapists’ employability, practice and career path. The complementary features of the more traditional placement and the role emergent type of placement were considered as being useful and beneficial to qualified practice regardless of setting. However, the REP additionally, had an internal and outward impact. Internally, the therapist gains a passion for occupation‐focussed practice and builds confidence to promote both self and the profession. Outwardly, the therapist can offer extra skills in qualified practice, particularly in innovative service development and delivery, thereby offering added value for employability. Conclusion: A REP experience as an occupational therapy student, can develop additional skills for qualified professional practice than traditional practice placements alone. The impact of such a placement matches with the ‘Generation Y’ traits of young adults who are now starting to emerge into training and the work place, translates well into a variety of working environments and lasts into career development. The placement model of occupation‐focussed project development and the less apprentice style learning of a REP may be influential, and could be a suitable model within traditional placements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In her presidential address at the American Occupational Therapy Association's 2017 Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration, Amy Lamb honored occupational therapy's past and embraced its future. Occupational therapy practitioners have the power to serve as change agents, demonstrating their value during everyday opportunities as they design the future of occupational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the perceptions of a career in medicine. It mentions the students studying in the triple science cohorts were identified by teaching staff as the most academically able and were offered the opportunity to participate in the study; and also mentions a general lack of awareness and understanding of both the training pathway in medicine, and the realities of being a doctor, amongst students in under-represented groups.

Background: Little is known about allied health (AH) clinical practice guideline (CPG) activity in South Africa, and particularly in relation to primary health care (PHC). This paper reports on a scoping study undertaken to establish a reference framework, from which a comprehensive maximum variation sample could be selected. This was required to underpin robust sampling for a qualitative study aimed at understanding South African primary care AH therapy CPG activities. This paper builds on findings from the South African Guidelines Evaluation (Project SAGE) Flagship grant. Methods: South African government websites were searched for structures of departments and portfolios, and available CPGs. Professional AH association websites were searched for CPGs, purposively-identified key informants were interviewed, and CPGs previously identified for priority South African primary care conditions were critiqued for AH therapy involvement. Results: Key informants described potentially complex relationships between players who may be engaged in South African AH CPGs, in both public and private sectors. There were disability/rehabilitation portfolios at national and provincial governments, but no uniformity in provincial government organisation of, or support for, PHC AH services. There were no AH primary care therapy CPGs on government websites, although there was 'clinical guidance' in various forms on professional association websites. Only two CPGs of priority South African PHC conditions included mention of any AH therapy (physiotherapy for adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Conclusion: A comprehensive and wide-reaching stakeholder reference framework would be required in order to capture the heterogeneity of AH primary care CPG activity in South Africa. This should involve the voices of national and purposively-selected provincial governments, academic institutions, consultants, public sector managers and clinicians, private practitioners, professional associations, and private sector insurers. Provincial governments should be selected to reflect heterogeneity in local economics, population demographics and availability of university AH training programs. This investigation should aim to determine the areas of PHC in which AH are engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IN AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW of the literature covering the period 2004-2016, the author presents a current picture of the situation of people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) relative to employment and careers--particularly the barriers, facilitators, and stress levels experienced by working DHH adults. First, an overview is provided of findings from recent reports on employment outcomes for people who are DHH. Second, the author reviews the literature on employment and workplace barriers, facilitators, and accommodations for people who are DHH, and relates findings about DHH people's workplace-related stress and fatigue levels and the associated issues of job demand, job control, and social support in the workplace. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings, in particular the ways in which barriers to full participation of DHH people in the labor market can be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this survey was to investigate the background of speech-language pathologists and their training needs to provide a profile of the current state of the profession in Mainland China. Methods: A survey was conducted of 293 speech-language therapists. The questionnaire used asked questions related to their career background and had a 24-item ranking scale covering almost all of the common speech-language-hearing disorders. A summary of the raw data was constructed by calculating the average ranking score for each answer choice in order to determine the academic training needs with the highest preference among the respondents. Results: The majority of respondents were female, <35 years old and with a total service time of <5 years. More than three quarters of the training needs with the highest preference among the 24 items involved basic-level knowledge of common speech-language-hearing disorders, such as diagnosis, assessment and conventional treatment, but seldom specific advanced technology or current progress. Conclusion: The results revealed that speech-language therapists in Mainland China tend to be young, with little total working experience and at the first stage of their career. This may be due to the lack of systematic educational programs and national certification systems for speech-language therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the methods used to create radiology physician extender (RPE) web-based bibliographic database. Topics discussed include benefits and concerns of employing RPEs with reference to issues such as clinical competency, cost effectiveness and education, bibliographic database consisting of collection of references to newspaper articles, reports, and patents, and consideration of MEDLINE as a bibliographic database of life sciences.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of learning about the importance of networking while shopping in the supermarket.

The article discusses research on emerging challenges and perspectives in designing a coherent master of public health (MPH) program for medical students at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). Topics discussed include the mission of HSPH to train new cohorts of public health practitioners and to prepare academicians, researchers and educators to lead population-oriented work, the traditional audiences of MPH programs and curricular emphasis for medical degree(MD)/MPH students.

Portfolio careers in medicine can be defined as significant involvement in one or more portfolios of activity beyond a practitioner's primary clinical role, either concurrently or in sequence. Portfolio occupations may include medical education, research, administration, legal medicine, the arts, engineering, business and consulting, leadership, politics and entrepreneurship. Despite significant interest among junior doctors, portfolios are poorly integrated with prevocational and speciality training programs in Australia. The present paper seeks to explore this issue. More formal systems for portfolio careers in Australia have the potential to increase job satisfaction, flexibility and retention, as well as diversify trainee skill sets. Although there are numerous benefits from involvement in portfolio careers, there are also risks to the trainee, employing health service and workforce modelling. Formalising pathways to portfolio careers relies on assessing stakeholder interest, enhancing flexibility in training programs, developing support programs, mentorship and coaching schemes and improving support structures in health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of men at senior management level in social work in Sweden, especially in social services, is explored based on three sources: questionnaires to all men who graduated in social work at Lund University, Sweden 1980–85 and 1993–2003, qualitative interviews with male social workers and secondary statistics on leadership in municipalities. The questionnaires revealed that the 1980s group were managers to a greater extent than the 1990s group. This finding is consistent with official statistics that show an essential decrease in the proportion of men in senior management in social services. Three reasons for this are found. First, the interviewees emerge as the new man to whom family is more important than gainful employment and work content more important than income. Second, due to new management working conditions for managers have deteriorated. The third reason is new kinds of careers. Instead of a vertical career male social workers can choose a horizontal career and thereby increase their professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]