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The subject of technology looks different depending on context. There is also an epistemological complexity to technological knowledge in technology education. To gain a deeper understanding of the epistemological foundations of the subject of technology and technology teaching, the teachers' views are needed. The aim of this study is to examine how teachers discuss technology education, with a particular focus on how they talk about technological knowledge. 19 Technology teachers from compulsory school in Sweden participated. Through focus groups, teachers' views of knowledge in technology education were collected and then analysed. The results consist of three parts. Firstly, it was found that the teachers were unfamiliar with discussing epistemology in technology education. Secondly, interpreting their views of knowledge in technology education through a theoretical framework for knowledge in technology education yielded examples of knowledge from the three constituent categories: technical skills, technological scientific knowledge, and socio-ethical technical understanding. Finally, an inductive analysis revealed two categories based on the teachers' broader views of knowledge: civic capabilities and engineering capabilities. Overall, the results provide an understanding of teachers' ways of describing technological knowledge. The teachers perceived the term knowledge in a broader way than traditional epistemology, including capabilities in their descriptions. We propose a new perspective on the character of knowledge and capability in technology education, called technology education competence. The results of this study point to important aspects of the nature of the subject, which might lead to reflection about what knowledge should be considered of value in the future regarding research but especially development of curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous investigations have highlighted the importance of examining teachers' responses to the curricular reforms in science teaching proposed by the educational authorities. Science teachers' responses are shaped by their perceptions of the new measures' intentions and their level of involvement. This study analyses the evolution of the teachers´ beliefs and opinions to externally driven curriculum reform in Spain focused on developing key competences. Four secondary science teachers participated in a training programme in which a context-based approach to teaching scientific competences was implemented. The data analysis applied a scheme that differentiates the personal, internal and external focus of teachers' work. It also introduced the qualifier concept, whether their responses were seen as facilitating (F) or obstacles (O) the development of competence-based science education. The data was obtained from different settings: two individual interviews with each teacher and a focus group carried out with the four teachers The teachers' perceptions cover many aspects (20), which have all been categorized into the 27 factors included in the scheme used. The teachers' perceptions were mainly on the personal focus at all training programme settings. However, their responses also reflected factors related to the internal and external focuses, though to a lesser extent. The study´s findings show the influence of reflection on the teachers' observations and impressions, helping them elicit many factors according to Ryder´s proposal. As for the qualifiers expressed by the teachers, the evaluations depended on the teacher profile and the settings used. These considerations highlight the influence of training and experiential knowledge on professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to validate two domain-specific information privacy competency models (IPCMs); the first for online consumers and the second for users of mobile applications (apps). For the validation of the competency models, we conducted qualitative research, using interviews to collect feedback by a group of nine information privacy experts. Regarding the evaluation, the experts commented largely positively for the structure and content of the IPCMs, as well as for the extent to which they achieve the intended goals. They also provided several points for improvements, which resulted in enhancing the quality of both IPCMs. The validation of the domain-specific demonstrated that this is the first study to empirically examine the privacy competencies that users of specific technological contexts should hold. The IPCMs can be used not only by educators and privacy policy makers for the design of privacy interventions, but also by e-commerce and mobile-apps providers, who could gain important insights into the way that they can be more reliable for their users. Both consumers and users of mobile-apps could benefit from IPCMs by acquiring the necessary privacy competencies through training programs for the protection of their information privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Structured competency-based training is one of the most frequently articulated wishes of residents. Methods: A survey of 19 residents was conducted regarding their satisfaction with the resident education at a level 1 trauma center. In this article the development of a revised competency-based education concept was carried out. Results: The survey reflected uncertainty as to whether the current structures could meet the requirements of the residency regulations. The improved competency-based education concept consists of clinical mentoring, competency-based catalogs of learning objectives, regular theoretical and practical workshops as well as regular and structured staff evaluations. Conclusion: The education concept presented reflects the attempt to establish a contemporary surgical training program which will be evaluated as it progresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Globally, healthcare regulatory bodies require providers of academic programs to involve service users in the design and delivery of education, yet concrete and tested directions for operationalising this are lacking. Service users' involvement in education is often passive, ad‐hoc and tokenistic, with limited input at the program development level. Aim: To explore the co‐design processes and outcomes of a collaborative revision of an Australian post‐registration mental health nursing curriculum. Method: Using qualitative case study design, the experiences and collaborative practices of five stakeholders (one mental health service user, two carers and two academics) co‐designing a post‐registration mental health nursing curriculum were explored. Results: Commonly identified barriers to meaningful involvement were overcome through planning and collaborative execution of the group's work. Participants reported a strong sense of successful collaboration in reviewing the curriculum, trusting relationships and mutual respect. Discussion: While it was possible to support and augment stakeholder knowledge in the context of post‐registration education, co‐design processes were ultimately bound by the university's relatively inflexible bureaucratic context. Implications for Practice: To ensure effective stakeholder collaboration beyond classroom teaching, mental health nurse academics must prepare service users for the role, explaining the language and practices of the tertiary health education and nursing context. As part of co‐design processes, organisational mandates must be explored and negotiated, and mutual clarity regarding expectations and roles must be established. A Design Thinking approach can support meaningful engagement of stakeholders in curriculum development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Smartphones have become a powerful instrument in academic life for medical professions worldwide. Global lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic culminated in the closure of educational institutions and resulted in shifting to online teaching. In our newly implemented competency-based medical education curriculum (CBME) for medical graduates, self-directed learning (SDL) is one of the teachings—learning methods. Smartphones are an essential tool for SDL in medical school. This main objective of the study is to determine the usage of health apps in a tertiary care teaching hospital to encourage the medical students and compulsory rotatory residential internship (CRRI) to continue SDL process. METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted for the period of 30 days for medical students and CRRI's at a tertiary care teaching hospital. The population was selected using convenient sampling method. This anonymous questionnaire was validated by the experts and the questions encompassing knowledge, attitude and perception (KAP Survey) of the students toward smartphone medical apps was utilized for this survey. RESULTS: Out of 582 participants, only 250 students (43%) have participated in the survey. Our study shows that 95% of students were handling android smartphones, and 84% of them were using various medical applications on them and it leads to SDL. CONCLUSION: The impact of the lockdown has increased SDL. Majority of the students (51.8-69.8%) have agreed that medical apps enhanced their SDL and helped them to study independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current paradigm of competency-based medical education and learner-centredness requires learners to take an active role in their training. However, deliberate and planned continual assessment and performance improvement is hindered by the fragmented nature of many medical training programs. Attempts to bridge this continuity gap between supervision and feedback through learner handover have been controversial. Learning plans are an alternate educational tool that helps trainees identify their learning needs and facilitate longitudinal assessment by providing supervisors with a roadmap of their goals. Informed by self-regulated learning theory, learning plans may be the answer to track trainees' progress along their learning trajectory. The purpose of this study is to summarise the literature regarding learning plan use specifically in undergraduate medical education and explore the student's role in all stages of learning plan development and implementation. Methods: Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework, a scoping review will be conducted to explore the use of learning plans in undergraduate medical education. Literature searches will be conducted using multiple databases by a librarian with expertise in scoping reviews. Through an iterative process, inclusion and exclusion criteria will be developed and a data extraction form refined. Data will be analysed using quantitative and qualitative content analyses. Discussion: By summarising the literature on learning plan use in undergraduate medical education, this study aims to better understand how to support self-regulated learning in undergraduate medical education. The results from this project will inform future scholarly work in competency-based medical education at the undergraduate level and have implications for improving feedback and supporting learners at all levels of competence. Scoping review registration: Open Science Framework osf.io/wvzbx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competency-based medical education relies on a strong program of assessment, and quality comments play a vital role in ensuring its success. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of the timeliness of assessment completion on the quality of the feedback. Using the Quality of Assessment for Learning (QuAL) score 2478 assessments were evaluated. The assessments included those completed between July 2017 and December 2020 for 18 ophthalmology residents. Spearman correlation, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to assess variations in QuAL scores based on the timeliness of assessment completion. The timeliness of assessment completion ranged from 0 to 299 d with the mean time for completion being 3 d. As the delay increased, the QuAL score decreased. Feedback provided 4, 5, and 14 d post-encounter demonstrated statistically significant differences in the QuAL score. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the timeliness of feedback when there is no written comment. This study demonstrates that the timeliness of assessment completion might have an effect on the quality of written feedback. Written feedback should be completed within 14 d of the encounter to optimize quantity and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It analyzes the behavior of enrollment and academic performance of men and women in careers with low female presence. After creating a set of indexes of gender gaps and internal efficiency, a descriptive and longitudinal statistical analysis of academic registration databases of the programmatic offerings of a public university between 2014 and 2023 was performed. As a result, women apply less to engineering, but once they choose this option, they show a better academic performance. Although female enrollment has expanded, in areas such as engineering there is evidence of lags and gaps. It is women who show higher rates of retention, permanence, approval and timely graduation, in addition to presenting a significantly higher average performance. The argument of lower mathematical competencies of women to explain their professional choices in engineering is questioned. It highlights the importance of socio-educational interventions of attitudinal change that expand their choices to this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the implementation of competency-based theological education (CBTE) in an intercultural context at Northwest Baptist Seminary, examining the rationale behind the program's development and its outcomes. Topics include the shift towards CBTE for missions preparation, the integration of head, heart, and hands in theological education, and the positive impact of CBTE on student enrollment and faculty confidence.

The article focuses on the emergence of competency-based theological education (CBTE) and micro-credentialing (MC) as methods for meeting the different requirements of global Christianity, as discussed in an ICETE consultation. Topics covered include the potential applications of CBTE and MC in theological education, the problems of maintaining quality while increasing accessibility, and the shift toward more flexible and practical educational techniques to better serve the church's purpose.

As experienced physiotherapy educators in Brazil, we observed that COVID-19 elucidated challenges in the pedagogy of entry-level education overall, and directions for their remediation. In this commentary, we describe our observations with particular attention to the opportunity for digital and distance teaching and learning in Brazil's exemplary middle-income country. First, the legislation in Brazil around health professional education, specifically entry-level physiotherapy education, is described concerning distanced learning. Then, we contrast such education before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the aftermath of its peak. Our observations reinforce the need to preserve teaching and learning excellence in physiotherapy education with various approaches including distanced and digital learning; be aware of both advantages and disadvantages; and identify means of balancing these for optimal delivery and learner outcomes. Our collective experience and insights strongly support the need for change in the legislative document governing physiotherapy education in Brazil. We hope our experiences will enable other educators to evaluate their contexts, reflect on how best to deliver entry-level physiotherapy education in general and during a pandemic, and reinforce the essentiality of practical face-to-face classes in achieving physiotherapy competencies. Only in this way will global standards of practice be ensured, through quality professional education and the factors that inform and govern these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to inform training guidelines for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) by assessing current CCAP training practices and perceived gaps in trainee readiness at each stage of training. Training directors (TDs) of doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral programs offering training in CCAP completed an online survey regarding training experiences offered in their program and areas in which trainees could be better prepared. Responses from each training program were coded to characterize the program's level of specialty training using the Taxonomy for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Among doctoral programs, 30.8% met criteria for Major Area of Study in CCAP, 23.1% for Emphasis, 28.2% for Experience, and 15.4% for Exposure. Most internship programs (94.3%) and all postdoctoral programs met criteria for Major Area of Study. TDs indicated that trainees could be better prepared in areas specific and central to each level of training; timemanagementwas identified as an area for improvement across levels of training. Postdoctoral TDs identified proficiency gaps among trainees nearing independent practice that are critical for competent service delivery in CCAP, including case conceptualization, assessment, and intervention. The pattern of increased specialization later in training and identified gaps particularly near the end of training have implications for specialty training and the development of training guidelines in CCAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the late 1980s, school curriculum revisions in Japan have sought to promote capabilities and dispositions that transcend subject boundaries and are often labelled 'competencies' in international curricular discourse. This study examines policy documents over the period, showing how Japanese policymakers have sought to navigate pressures internal and external to Japan. It argues that tension between competencies and subject domains in the OECD's PISA surveys enabled both attacks on Japan's so-called yutori (relaxed) curriculum revision of 1998–1999, and subsequent responses by Japan's Ministry of Education and Science. Analysis indicates that curriculum reform in Japan has moved from a 'competency-added' revision in 1998–1999 towards a 'competency-integrated' revision in 2017–2018; the latter seeks to resolve the tension between competencies and subject content by developing broader capabilities through distinctive approaches offered by different subjects. Further research is needed to determine how well the curriculum will be translated into school practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are among the most underserved in an inequitable healthcare system. Methods: Using Arksey and O'Malley's methodology and a social determinants of health framework, we conducted a scoping review of literature on the state of practice in education of healthcare professionals in the health and healthcare needs of this population. Results: Searches found 4948 articles, with 182 included in the final review. Themes identified included gaps of not being informed by workforce needs, continued use of the medical model of care, not addressing intersectionality with racial/ethnic and other discriminations, and lack of involvement of the population in developing/evaluating programs and promising trends of development of competency‐based interprofessional programs with experiential learning. Conclusion: We provide recommendations for best practices in a concerted effort to educate a healthcare workforce equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the health needs of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many institutions of higher education have designed curricula for health professions learners based on the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice. As part of a periodic cycle of revision, in 2023, IPEC released revised competencies that, for the first time, explicitly embedded concepts of anti-oppressive practice. Curriculum designers seeking to revise their interprofessional learning activities to map onto the new competencies can benefit from the experience of a health professions graduate school in Boston, MA. Since 2021, faculty members and experts in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion have revamped a required interprofessional education curriculum to include anti-oppression competencies. They targeted narrative elements of the courses like a common reading, case studies, and simulation scenarios for revision. By using narrative to introduce anti-oppression competencies like recognizing bias, analyzing systems of power, and intervening to mitigate microaggressions, course designers encouraged learners to cultivate reflection about their relationship to the care team, the patient, and the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CBME is a skill-based curriculum focusing on the desired competencies stated to be achieved by merits. To sensitize and train the faculty about CBME, the Curriculum Implementation Support Program (CISP) workshops have been held at various colleges across India. Aim& Objective: To find out the changes in the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes among medical teachers regarding CBME following CISP training. Methods and Material: The study carried out was cross-sectional and the data was collected before and after conduction of the CISP training programme. All the medical teachers who were enrolled in the CISP training were included in the study. The outcome result for knowledge-based questions was recorded as multiple choice options and that for attitudes and perceptions was recorded with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics were calculated using numbers and simple proportions. Results: There was a significant improvement in the knowledge and perceptions of medical teachers following CISP training showing its impact. The perceived challenges as felt by the faculties also reduced substantially. Conclusions: Capacity building programmes must be conducted at regular intervals for faculties for successful implementation of all the components of CBME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationships between levels of competence and impaired physical and cognitive functions in older adults. Methods: We used a data set of the Integrated Longitudinal Studies on Aging in Japan for 2017 including 5475 community-dwelling older adults. Levels of competence were assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC). Grip strength (low grip strength: <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women) and gait speed (slow gait speed: <1.0 m/s for both sexes) were evaluated as physical function measurements, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (cognitive decline: <24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination) was used to assess cognitive function. Results: The JST-IC had areas under the curve estimated from receiver operating characteristic analysis ranging from 0.65 to 0.73 for detecting low function as assessed by these tests. Restricted cubic spline curves showed that the shape of the association between the JST-IC and impaired function depended on sex and the test used. The comparison between perfect and imperfect JST-IC scores showed significant differences in the prevalence of low grip strength in both sexes, slow gait speed in women, and cognitive decline in men. Conclusions: It may be insufficient to identify those with impaired physical or cognitive function using the JST-IC. The shape of the association with the JST-IC varies across their measurements. Our findings can help interpret JST-IC scores in the context of low physical and cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses highlights of the International Conference on the Future of Health Professions Education (HPE) 2022. Topics included impact of COVID-19 on HPE, global advances and challenges in HPE and development of the health workforce, role of university in transforming healthcare, holistic health systems approach, diversity, equity and patient-centric approaches, innovation in education and assessment, empowerment and collaboration in global health, health creation and primary care.

In this critical narrative review, we challenge the belief that single-moment-in-time high-stakes examinations (SMITHSEx) are an essential component of contemporary specialist training. We explore the arguments both for and against SMITHSEx, examine potential alternatives, and discuss the barriers to change. SMITHSEx are viewed as the "gold standard" assessment of competence but focus excessively on knowledge assessment rather than capturing essential competencies required for safe and competent workplace performance. Contrary to popular belief, regulatory bodies do not mandate SMITHSEx in specialist training. Though acting as significant drivers of learning and professional identity formation, these attributes are not exclusive to SMITHSEx. Skills such as crisis management, procedural skills, professionalism, communication, collaboration, lifelong learning, reflection on practice, and judgement are often overlooked by SMITHSEx. Their inherent design raises questions about the validity and objectivity of SMITHSEx as a measure of workplace competence. They have a detrimental impact on trainee well-being, contributing to burnout and differential attainment. Alternatives to SMITHSEx include continuous low-stakes assessments throughout training, ongoing evaluation of competence in the workplace, and competency-based medical education (CBME) concepts. These aim to provide a more comprehensive and context-specific assessment of trainees' competence while also improving trainee welfare. Specialist training colleges should evolve from exam providers to holistic education sources. Assessments should emphasise essential practical knowledge over trivia, align with clinical practice, aid learning, and be part of a diverse toolkit. Eliminating SMITHSEx from specialist training will foster a competency-based approach, benefiting future medical professionals' well-being and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Surgery has endorsed competency-based education as vital to the assessment of surgical training. From 2018 to 2020, a national pilot study was conducted at 28 general surgery programs to evaluate feasibility of implementing entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for 5 common general surgical conditions. ACGME core competency Milestones were also rated for each resident by program clinical competency committees. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of general surgery EPAs compared with Milestones. STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively collected, de-identified EPA Pilot Study data were analyzed. EPAs studied were EPA-1 (gallbladder), EPA-2 (inguinal hernia), EPA-3 (right lower quadrant pain), EPA-4 (trauma), and EPA-5 (consult). Variables abstracted included levels of EPA entrustment (1 to 5) and corresponding ACGME Milestone subcompetency ratings (1 to 5) for the same study cycle. Spearman's correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between summative EPA scores and corresponding Milestone ratings. RESULTS: A total of 493 unique residents received a summative entrustment decision. EPA summative entrustment scores had moderate-to-strong positive correlation with mapped Milestone subcompetencies, with median rho value of 0.703. Among operation-focused EPAs, median rho values were similar between EPA-1 (0.688) and EPA-2 (0.661), but higher for EPA-3 (0.833). EPA-4 showed a strong positive correlation with diagnosis and communication competencies (0.724), whereas EPA-5, mapped to the most Milestone subcompetencies, had the lowest median rho value (0.455). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-strong positive correlation was noted between EPAs and patient care, medical knowledge, and communication Milestones. These findings support the validity of EPAs in general surgery and suggest that EPA assessments can be used to inform Milestone ratings by clinical competency committees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) was incorporated into the Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum in 2019. ECE in a classroom setting is conducted through Clinical Case Discussion (CCD) using paper-based clinical case scenarios. The assessment pattern of CBME and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) includes clinical case-based questions. Therefore, assessing and developing clinical reasoning skills and critical thinking has become the need of the hour. Aim: To measure the effectiveness of the modified One-minute Preceptor (OMP) model as a teaching-learning tool for CCD to enhance the knowledge and reasoning skills of Phase I Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students and to assess the perception of students and faculty towards the modified OMP model. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India from February 2020 to May 2020. Out of 250 Phase I MBBS students, 180 who had given consent and participated in all the sessions were included. Eight faculty members voluntarily participated in the study. The faculty involved in CCD for the control and study groups were different and selected through randomisation. After a didactic lecture, a pretest was administered, and then students were divided into Control group A (n=90) and Study group B (n=90). For CCD, the modified OMP model was used for the study group and the traditional unstructured method for the control group. A post-test was given after CCD, and feedback was collected from faculty and students. Quantitative analysis of the feedback was done using a 5-point Likert scale, and open-ended questions were qualitatively assessed. Pretest and post-test scores were analysed using an unpaired t-test. Learning gain was measured, and program evaluation was conducted using Kirkpatrick's model. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the post-test scores obtained by the control group and study group (p-value <0.001). A higher normalised learning gain (0.83) was observed in the study group. The modified OMP model was perceived as an effective, interactive teaching-learning tool for CCD by both students and faculty. Conclusion: CCD using the modified OMP model significantly improved knowledge, critical thinking, and reasoning skills of students. Even after modifications to the original OMP model, the effectiveness of this model for preclinical subjects remains unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenomenon: Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) delineate major professional activities that an individual in a given specialty must be "entrusted" to perform, ultimately without supervision, to provide quality patient care. Until now, most EPA frameworks have been developed by professionals within the same specialty. As safe, effective, and sustainable health care ultimately depends on interprofessional collaboration, we hypothesized that members of interprofessional teams might have clear and possibly additional insight into which activities are essential to the professional work of a medical specialist. Approach: We recently employed a national modified Delphi study to develop and validate a set of EPAs for Dutch pediatric intensive care fellows. In this proof-of-concept study, we explored what pediatric intensive care physicians' non-physician team members (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses) constitute as essential professional activities for PICU physicians and how they regarded the newly developed set of nine EPAs. We compared their judgments with the PICU physicians' opinions. Findings: This study shows that non-physician team members share a mental model with physicians about which EPAs are indispensable for pediatric intensive care physicians. Despite this agreement however, descriptions of EPAs are not always clear for non-physician team members who have to work with them on a daily basis. Insights: Ambiguity as to what an EPA entails when qualifying a trainee can have implications for patient safety and trainees themselves. Input from non-physician team members may add to the clarity of EPA descriptions. This finding supports the involvement of non-physician team members in the developmental process of EPAs for (sub)specialty training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenomenon: Central to competency-based medical education is the need for a seamless developmental continuum of training and practice. Trainees currently experience significant discontinuity in the transition from undergraduate (UME) to graduate medical education (GME). The learner handover is intended to smooth this transition, but little is known about how well this is working from the GME perspective. In an attempt to gather preliminary evidence, this study explores U.S. program directors (PDs) perspective of the learner handover from UME to GME. Approach: Using exploratory qualitative methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 Emergency Medicine PDs within the U.S. from October to November, 2020. We asked participants to describe their current perception of the learner handover from UME to GME. Then we performed thematic analysis using an inductive approach. Findings: We identified two main themes: The inconspicuous learner handover and barrier to creating a successful UME to GME learner handover. PDs described the current state of the learner handover as "nonexistent," yet acknowledged that information is transmitted from UME to GME. Participants also highlighted key challenges preventing a successful learner handover from UME to GME. These included: conflicting expectations, issues of trust and transparency, and a dearth of assessment data to actually hand over. Insights: PDs highlight the inconspicuous nature of learner handovers, suggesting that assessment information is not shared in the way it should be in the transition from UME to GME. Challenges with the learner handover demonstrate a lack of trust, transparency, and explicit communication between UME and GME. Our findings can inform how national organizations establish a unified approach to transmitting growth-oriented assessment data and formalize transparent learner handovers from UME to GME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research suggests that social emotional competencies (SECs) influence students' disciplinary outcomes, less is known of their potential to explain racial disparities or grade level differences in those outcomes. This study used survey and administrative data from 30,494 students in grades 3–12 to examine the degree to which SECs were related to discipline outcomes, and whether the relationship differed by race or grade tier. Results indicated that students with higher SEC had fewer behavior incidents, in-school suspensions, and out-of-school suspensions. Further analyses revealed that race and grade tier were predictive of all discipline outcomes. Regardless of SEC level, Black and mixed-race students had higher behavior incidents. When race and grade tier were included as factors, the relationship between SEC and discipline was diminished. Results suggest that SECs cannot explain racial disparities in discipline, but students who report low SEC in middle and high school could potentially benefit from intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Trauma is common in the United States, increases risk of long-term adverse health effects, and individuals who experience it often find seeking medical care difficult. Trauma-informed care (TIC) builds trust and fosters healing relationships between clinicians and patients; however medical education has lacked consistent training in TIC. Using recently published competencies for undergraduate medical education (UME), this manuscript provides curricular examples across 8 domains to assist faculty in developing educational content. METHODS: The authors identified published curricula for each of the 8 competency domains using a published search strategy and publicly available database. Inclusion criteria were published works focused on UME in the United States; abstracts and curricula not focused on UME were excluded. The authors used a consensus-based process to review 15 eligible curricula for mapping with the competencies. RESULTS: Of 15 published UME curricula, 11 met criteria and exemplify each of the 8 UME competency domains. Most of the available curricula fall into the Knowledge for Practice and Patient Care domains. Most were offered in the first 2 years of medical school. CONCLUSION: Competency-based medical education for TIC is new, and most current educational offerings are foundational in nature. Additional innovation is needed in the competency domains of Professionalism, Systems-Based Practice, Interprofessional Collaboration, and Personal/Professional Development. This manuscript offers a set of curricular examples that can be used to aid efforts at implementing TIC competencies in UME; future work must focus on improving assessment methods and developmental sequencing as more students are exposed to TIC principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Ambulatory clerkships, including longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs), face challenges to assessment, including time pressure and clinical demands on preceptors. High-quality clinical assessment is critical to implementing competency-based medical education, generating valid grades, and supporting learning. This importance is further heightened with the new pass/fail scoring for US Medical Licensing Exam Step 1, discontinuation of US Medical Licensing Exam Step 2 Clinical Skills, and the growing concern for bias in assessment. METHODS: The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine's LIC spans the first 2 years with 50 students per class. In 2021-2022, the authors created a new faculty role, the clinical assessment specialist (CASp). CASps are highly trained clinical teachers who directly observe clerkship students in the ambulatory setting, provide feedback, and complete competency-based assessment forms. RESULTS: CASps completed 186 assessments of first-year (Y1) LIC students and 333 assessments of second-year (Y2) LIC students. Y2 students achieved average higher milestones and were rated as requiring less supervision compared to Y1 students. Y1 students rated CASps more favorably than Y2 students. Preceptors rated the contribution of CASps similarly across both years. Clerkship directors described benefits including identification of at-risk students and value of augmenting preceptor assessments. DISCUSSION: The CASp role may offer an innovative way to generate valid assessment of student performance, offset clinical pressures faced by preceptors, identify at-risk students, and mitigate bias, especially in an LIC. Future studies may examine assessment validity, including use in summative assessment. CONCLUSION: CASps are an innovative approach to clinical clerkship assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we, culture bearers and music educators, discuss ways of using East Asian virtual musical instruments to promote culturally diverse music activities in classrooms. We introduce affordable tablet-based virtual instruments (Korean hyang-piri, Chinese erhu, and Japanese koto) and hands-on music activities to help students gain deeper understandings of East Asian music cultures. We provide an introduction of each instrument in its acoustic and tablet-based form, appropriate instrumental techniques to express unique musical and cultural characteristics (e.g., mode, vibrato, and ornamentations), and a teaching sequence of a sample piece. Such a performance-based and culturally diverse musical experience is intended to cultivate students' intercultural sensitivity and attitudes that honor diverse cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the teaching competencies of medical residents. Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted from January to March 2017. Twenty-four panelists (six medical educators, program directors, chief residents, and residents each) from various facilities in Japan participated in the study. The consensus criterion for this study was that more than 80% of the panelists gave a rating of 6 or higher on the 7-point Likert scale (“not at all important” to “extremely important”) without any comments. The modified Delphi approach resulted in a list of 27 resident teaching competencies after three rounds. These competencies were categorized based on Harden and Crosby’s 12 roles of medical teachers. Results: Our study revealed that, of the 12 roles, residents were primarily viewed as “clinical or practical teachers,” “teaching role models,” “on-the-job role models,” “learning facilitators,” and “student assessors.” Conclusion: The 27 resident teaching competencies indicate the importance of educational proximity for residents as teachers. It is expected that this finding will contribute to competency-based resident-as-teacher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this mixed methods and multi-phased study, through a multi-round feedback and confirmation process, we established a meaningful approach to developing, revising, and finalizing a competency framework for InterProfessional Informationists (IPI). As an emerging profession, IPI has not yet been established as a formal educational program with a guiding framework. It is important both to the field of practice and to educational programming to develop a competency framework, specifically targeted to IPI, and has been informed/verified through current practice. Our process started with using the initial competency framework developed by Tang and Martin (2019) as the basis, and involved gathering comments from numerous stakeholders, including IPI students and working professionals from relevant communities ranging from health science librarians to library directors, informationists, and LIS scholars and educators. The finalized IPI framework features four levels, six competency areas, and 67 elements, with separate beginner and advanced levels for subject expertise and work practice/culture. By including a variety of voices, this comprehensive framework not only outlines relevant foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs), but also accentuates timely cutting-edge skills and forward-looking elements required of InterProfessional Informationists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space travel has transformed in the past several years. Given the burgeoning market for space tourism, in-flight medical emergencies are likely to be expected. Ultrasound is one of the few diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for astronauts in space. However, while point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is available, there is no current standard of training for astronaut preparation. We suggest an organized and structured methodology by which astronauts should best prepare for space with the medical equipment available on board. As technology continues to evolve, the assistance of other artificial intelligence and augmented reality systems are likely to facilitate training and dynamic real-time needs during space emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical schools' curricula have expanded over the decades to incorporate important new medical breakthroughs and discoveries. Their current focus and overall structures remain, however, stubbornly captive of early 20th‐century thinking, with changes having been undertaken in a piecemeal fashion. Indeed, since the notable Flexner reform in 1910, medical schools' study plans have suffered successive and typically always partial adjustments which have failed to keep up with scientific, technological and sociological change. This difficulty may be attributable to the well‐known conservatism of medical schools, where updating study plans is a process that invariably encounters numerous barriers to change. These observations were afforded detailed attention some 15 years ago when de Oliveira wrote: 'it is now perfectly demonstrated that public medical schools have not been able to adapt their operation in depth and in due time to the new demands of teaching dictated by an explosive scientific and technological development'. Recent advances in communication and information technologies, as well as the introduction of new pedagogical techniques, have the potential to bring significant benefits to medical practice and healthcare systems, but these have not in the main become properly taught and utilized. The proposition that healthcare is evolving from reactive disease care to care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory was initially regarded as highly speculative, yet systems approaches to biology and medicine are now beginning to provide experience of both health and disease at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. Medicine is a broad scientific field. In contrast to the 19th century, current medical 'sectarianism' is a positive by‐product of rapid and gratifying medical progress, and the multiplicity of new models means that the lines of evidence legitimately bearing on practice and health policymaking are already highly diverse and likely to become ever more variegated over time. Put simply, most sound decisions, by definition, will be evidence‐informed and not evidence‐based, where divergence may be as informative as convergence. Here, the most enduring lesson of history is, perhaps, that clinical medicine is constantly rediscovering its humanistic core. Complexities create opportunities for innovation. In innovative environments, high‐performing organizations are finding ways to create a culture that supports a diverse workforce preparing to deliver different models of care, with direct implications for excellence of patient experience and strong repercussions for medical education. The COVID‐19 crisis saw major increases in the use of telemedicine, virtual office visits and other forms of online contact, and these are likely to increase considerably. This particular transformation will not be easy or comfortable to make. But reconfiguration of medical education seems inevitable, fuelled by online educational technology and the need to transform clinical training to more outpatient settings with promotion based on competency and person‐centeredness, not simply time. As we prepare to enter 2024, this is an exciting time to be working in healthcare. We have more evidence than ever about how to provide high quality, person‐centered care, and to keep patients safe. Shame on us if there is any hesitation about applying this knowledge to make the healthcare experience better for patients and providers. Embracing change and making continuous improvements are essential and urgent priorities for medicine and healthcare and, as we describe in the current article, will become more and more indispensably important in our rapidly changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2022, the Association of Social Work Boards released a long called for pass rate analysis that revealed significant disparities. While many states look to cease the requirement of the Bachelors, Masters, and Advanced Generalist exams in their licensure process, status quo bias leads to hesitancy to remove the requirement of the Clinical exam. A critical review was undertaken to identify possible alternatives to the current multiple-choice competency-based exam which yielded three assessment formats (oral exams, portfolios, and performance assessment/simulations) and two alternatives (jurisprudence exams and provisional licensure). Informed by an Afrocentric lens, we undertook a social and racial policy analysis to examine alternative pathways for licensure from the perspective of a social work board member. We centered our analysis on the impacts on (1) Black social workers, who currently have the highest pass-rate disparities; (2) social workers whose primary language is not English, and (3) social workers with disabilities who have anecdotally reported difficulty with getting testing accommodations. We rated each alternative on four social equity analysis criteria of procedural fairness, access, quality, and outcomes. These ratings were computed into an overall rating for each alternative from equitable to inequitable. We found jurisprudence exams and provisional licensure have the best possibility of being equitable pathways to licensure, with potential impacts on the regulation of supervision and continuing education. Anti-racism and social justice as praxis require social work as a profession to divest from competency-based testing to eliminate racism in our own professional policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation of this paper is to solve the problem of tourism majors' lack of theoretical knowledge and professional ability by building a capacity training mechanism model based on grounded theory. The goal of the study is to optimize the ability training strategies of tourism undergraduates and improve their professional quality and competitiveness. The paper adopts the ability training model based on grounded theory, and combines with Back Propagation (BP) neural network for optimization and evaluation. By comparing the performance of different ability training mechanisms, this paper explores the best training strategies to provide support and guidance for the training of tourism undergraduates. Firstly, the employment background of the current market is studied and analyzed. By sorting out the relevant documents of grounded theory and combining with the current training strategies of tourism majors, the students' personality characteristics and the basic principles of establishing models are integrated. The Back Propagation (BP) neural network is combined with the grounded theory. The data input of the student ability model is re-optimized. The undergraduate competency training mechanism model is constructed. The results show that when the number of iterations of the network model is 500.00, the evaluation accuracy of the competency training model based on BP neural network can reach 70.00%. At this time, the evaluation accuracy of competency training model based on content analysis method is only 55.00%. In addition, the results show that with the increase of model iterations, the recognition accuracy of the ability model based on grounded theory and the ability training mechanism of content analysis method is continuously improved. However, the ability evaluation model based on grounded theory has higher accuracy, and the accuracy of ability evaluation even exceeds 78.52% when the number of iterations of the network model is 600. Secondly, through the statistics and comparison of the grading results of students of different majors, it is found that the ability training mechanism based on grounded theory can improve the overall ability level of students more significantly. The research has important reference value for promoting the optimization and perfection of students' training strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Competency-based medical education has been introduced into many health professional curricula. Based on CanMEDs, a framework has recently been developed for podiatric medicine education in Canada. This study aimed to validate the framework through a consensus of various podiatric medicine experts across Canada. METHODS: An adapted Delphi method was used for content validation. Two structured online questionnaires were used to gather expert opinions and agreement on the roles and core competencies described in the framework previously developed. The validation consensus threshold was set at a minimum of 80% agreement. The summary of comments and suggestions was used to reformulate certain items after the research team reached a consensus. RESULTS: Out of the 51 experts invited from the Canadian Podiatric Medicine Association, 19 completed the first-round questionnaire (mean podiatric experience = 24.5 years; standard deviation 17.6). After the first round, "Podiatric Expert", "Communicator" and "Scholar" roles have been modified. After these modifications, a consensus was obtained at the second round completed by 13 experts. Overall, 95% of the experts agreed that the competency framework was relevant even if some indicators would need to be adapted to suit the requirements of each province and territory. CONCLUSION: This validated framework supports the excellence and the quality of our podiatric educational program. It also promotes the adoption of a uniform education of podiatrists in Canada and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses play an important role in interprofessional pharmaceutical care. Curricula related to pharmaceutical care, however, vary a lot. Mapping the presence of pharmaceutical care related domains and competences in nurse educational programs can lead to a better understanding of the extent to which curricula fit expectations of the labour market. The aim of this study was to describe 1) the presence of pharmaceutical care oriented content in nursing curricula at different educational levels and 2) nursing students' perceived readiness to provide nurse pharmaceutical care in practice. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. Nursing schools in 14 European countries offering educational programs for levels 4–7 students were approached between January and April 2021. Through an online survey final year students had to indicate to what extent pharmaceutical care topics were present in their curriculum. Results: A total of 1807 students participated, of whom 8% had level 4–5, 80% level 6, 12% level 7. Up to 84% of the students indicated that pharmaceutical care content was insufficiently addressed in their curriculum. On average 14% [range 0–30] felt sufficiently prepared to achieve the required pharmaceutical care competences in practice. In level 5 curricula more pharmaceutical care domains were absent compared with other levels. Conclusions: Although several pharmaceutical care related courses are present in current curricula of level 4–7 nurses, its embedding should be extended. Too many students perceive an insufficient preparation to achieve pharmaceutical care competences required in practice. Existing gaps in pharmaceutical care should be addressed to offer more thoroughly prepared nurses to the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the influence of ethnic name stereotypes on the evaluation of the performance of students with Turkish migration background by teacher trainees. It is found that ethnic performance discrimination is more pronounced among teacher trainees at universities in Baden-Württemberg than at pedagogical colleges. The possible consequences for the promotion of diagnostic competencies in teacher training and for further education of teachers in the context of heterogeneity are discussed. The study emphasizes the role of teachers in the evaluation of student performance and points out possible stereotypical beliefs that can influence teachers' judgments. [Extracted from the article]

Based on the OBE (outcome-based education) concept and following the outcome-oriented educational approach, a distinctive talent cultivation plan for the Applied Chemistry major at Hefei University of Technology has been formulated, focusing on the development of students’ innovative practical abilities. This plan includes strengthening the “dual-teacher” faculty team, establishing an integrated innovation practice platform that combines the cultivation of practical abilities with professional education through “science education, competition education, and industry education”, and implementing a teaching evaluation model that emphasizes process assessment. The practical exploration in the Applied Chemistry major provides valuable reference for cultivating versatile talents with innovation consciousness and practical abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Technology has become increasingly integral in medical education, especially with the implementation of newer Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curricula. Blending conventional methods with e-learning and ensuring its effectiveness in supporting student learning requires effort and consideration. In this regard, Kolb's learning styles, introduced in 1984, can be helpful in identifying different types of learners within the student population and tailoring teaching methods accordingly to enhance student outcomes. Aim: To assess the learning styles of medical students using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, version 3.1, and to compare the learning styles with the year of study. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnairebased study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Terna Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. on 194 first and second Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students. The study included students who were present when the questionnaire was administered. The learning styles were assessed using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, version 3.1. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: The total strength of both the first and second-year batches combined was 254. Out of these, 194 students were present when the questionnaire was administered, resulting in a response rate of 76.38%. Seven incorrectly answered questionnaires were excluded from the analysis. Among the 194 valid questionnaires received, 55 students (29.41%) had convergent as their learning style, making it the most common learning style. The next most common learning style was accommodative, with 52 students (27.81%) exhibiting this style. Specifically, among the first-year MBBS students, 35 out of 108 (32.41%) had a convergent learning style, while among the second-year MBBS students, 24 out of 79 (30.38%) had an accommodative learning style. There was a statistically significant difference observed in the learning styles between the first and second-year MBBS students (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: In present study, it was observed that the convergent learning style was dominant among the medical students in the first and second years combined, with the first year being predominantly convergent and the second year being predominantly accommodative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Self-directed Learning (SDL) has been suggested as a principle of adult learning to promote lifelong learning abilities among students. Though SDL is not a new concept, there is a lack of uniform implementation across the institutions in India. The Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) proposed by the National Medical Commission in 2019 has emphasised SDL for medical students. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of an online, case-based SDL activity in Biochemistry for the first-year MBBS students. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted at Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India from May to July 2021. A purposive sampling technique was used, and 138 first-year MBBS students were enrolled for the research. The topic of lipid metabolism was chosen for SDL. Parallel to the online didactic lectures, a casebased, team-based, online SDL was implemented. Students were provided with case scenarios and were instructed to discuss the case scenarios and find answers to the accompanying questions in allotted groups for 15 days. A three-hour session was held for the presentation of the SDL, followed by a posttest and reflections of students. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The significance of the difference in pretest and post-test scores was assessed by paired t-test, and the level of significance was set at a p-value <0.05. Qualitative data were subjected to descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis of reflections was conducted. Results: The average post-test score of the participants was significantly higher by 99.3% compared to the pretest score (p-value <0.001). On average, 108 out of 138 (78.2%) agreed (agree/strongly agree) that SDL helped them to achieve the learning objectives,115 (83.3%) agreed that SDL helped them to develop as lifelong learners, 115 (83.3%) agreed that SDL helped them to develop as a health professional, and 83 (60.1%) agreed that enjoyed learning in online mode. The inclination of 110 (79.7%) students to have more SDL sessions in the future shows a behavioural change in favour of SDL. Time constraints and internet connectivity were the main challenges. Conclusion: SDL was effective and was received positively by the majority of the students. It is the need of the hour to develop lifelong learning and critical thinking among medical students and to make learning interesting with the use of case scenarios. Future research should assess the intermediate and long-term outcomes of case-based SDL on learning, behavioural changes, and its impact on patient care and the health of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Tiered Skills Acquisition Model (TSAM) which shortens orientation times for new graduates and experienced hires. Topics discussed include insight on a mobile-friendly microlearning app deployed by a nurse leader to inform and upskill the emergency department (ED) workforce, results of the 16-month post-implementation period of the microlearning app, and factors contributing to the economic cost of nursing turnover.

In this paper, I question how a researcher might fulfil the unique adequacy requirement when studying novices in a setting in which the researcher is already a member. Since novices by definition lack the expected competencies in a setting, having unique adequacy for novice methods may appear oxymoronic. However, this paper suggests that unique adequacy requires enacting specific ways of 'seeing' as part of accomplishing local order; once one is competent, it becomes difficult to enact incompetent action in a locally adequate way, suggesting one can actually lose unique adequacy. Furthermore, as any given situated involves a multifaceted set of competencies, exactly which or whose competencies are relevant is both an analysts' and members' issue to solve. With reference to examples, I discuss how analysts and members delimit the 'provinces of meaning' in the process of finding what is locally adequate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need for a cost-effective and comprehensive training model for teaching microsurgical skills to junior neurosurgical residents. The authors developed a model using chicken thigh tissue to simulate various neurosurgical procedures such as dural closure, arachnoid dissection, vessel anastomosis, and nerve coaptation. The model was used to teach microsurgical skills to a group of PGY-3 residents, who reported increased confidence and new technical strategies after the training session. The authors plan to further assess the reliability of the model as an assessment tool for surgical skills. [Extracted from the article]

This article investigates how knowledge, competence and actions develop among teachers enrolled in a Master´s degree programme in action research who have an interest in changing practices in the schools in which they teach. We draw upon the insights of seven teachers who completed the programme (part-time over four years) to examine how the Master's programme as a practice, shaped and was shaped by other practices – in this case, each teacher's practice. We employ the theory of practice architectures to analyse the ways the programme enabled and constrained the teachers' developing knowledge, competencies and actions. We show how the teachers: a) developed perspectives on their own practice through studying literature, b) collaborated and engaged in dialogue with each other, c) actively inquired into their own practice. Second, we present distinctive stories, built on the ideas of past (earlier education experiences and motives for enrolling in the programme), present (the practice of the master's programme) and future (what teachers were doing after completing their master's degrees). To conclude, we claim that professional learning for teachers needs to continue over time and that important features such as structured dialogues and inquiry-based tasks are necessary to enable change in another practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chief Minister Sindh Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar spoke at the 56th Convocation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), praising the institution's postgraduate medical education standards and administrative autonomy. However, he suggested that social responsibility should also be emphasized as a fundamental aspect. He emphasized the importance of safety and efficacy in medical institutions and encouraged graduates to apply their knowledge with empathy. The CPSP President, Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, highlighted the institution's achievements and presented gold medals to high-achieving graduates in various disciplines. Other speakers at the event emphasized the importance of respecting parents, teachers, and institutions, as well as prioritizing personal health and making positive contributions to society. The CPSP has a long history and international reputation, with thousands of fellows and specialists serving worldwide. They also collaborate with Royal Colleges in the UK to provide training opportunities for Pakistani doctors. The CPSP is committed to maintaining high standards and quality in medical education and practice. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The medical profession requires extensive knowledge and skills, making it a demanding and challenging profession. To help 1st-year medical students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds transition from a highly protected school environment to a professional course, a 1-month orientation program has been introduced by the National Medical Council in India. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feedback of 1st-year medical students on the competency-based medical education foundation course. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 1st-year MBBS students from the 2022 to 2023 batch in various medical colleges across different states. A predesigned, structured, and validated questionnaire was used to obtain feedback from students on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The feedback of 525 students was obtained and analyzed. The majority of students in all states reported 75%-100% orientation on the role of doctors in society, family practice, and national health policies. Basic life support skills were highly appreciated by most students (>55%) in all states. Computer skills were also found to be useful by the majority of students (61%). Most students (100%) reported sensitization and awareness of medical ethics and the availability of student support systems after attending the course. Field visits were rated as extremely useful, and the majority of students (52.9%) had exposure to sports and extracurricular activities. Conclusion: The foundation course aims to develop the necessary skills and leadership qualities that are essential for the overall development of an individual and an efficient doctor. Majority of the students rated the foundation course as very useful, indicating it to be a useful teaching program aiding in a smooth transition and adaptation to the various challenges throughout their professional course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Teaching and training in Radiation Oncology is only at postgraduate level with 8-10 hours of theory sessions during undergraduate course. Uniform training during the post-graduation course across the country is a major challenge as many new concepts are introduced. Aim: This study is an effort to look into various aspects of training in terms of teaching-learning and assessment. In addition, we aim to look into innovative methods that can be implemented across the country. Settings and Design: This is a survey-based analysis. Methods and Materials: Postgraduate teaching institutes in Radiation Oncology were obtained from the National Medical Council and National Board of Examination websites. A questionnaire was created with Google form and sent to the heads of departments across the country. The data were entered on a spreadsheet and the responses were analyzed using Microsoft Excel sheet. Results: Thirty-five out of 87 institutes responded out of which 40% were government institutes. Twenty-six (74%) offered MD seats with 14 (40%) having less than five teachers and 13 (37.14%) with 5-10 teachers. With uniform teaching learning method across the country, there was wide variation in formative assessment patterns. There was consensus regarding inadequate exposure in research methodology and statistics. Conclusion: There is uniformity in teaching learning methods with differing patterns of formative assessment. Innovative methods focusing on affective and skill domains with competency-based medical education will help in bringing out a competent radiation oncologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delivery of quality healthcare to meet societal needs begins with robust medical education training of health professionals. Implementation of Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) was one such step by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in sculpting an Indian Medical Graduate (IMG). India implemented the CBME from its 2019-2020 batch of medical undergraduates. Aim and objectives: This study was to understand and analyze the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges (SWOC) involved in implementing CBME in the middle of the academic year in the Anatomy specialty. Material and Methods: A convenience sample of 95 anatomy faculty members was invited to participate in the study by email from the harvested list of emails from institutional websites. A Google form of a self-structured pre-validated questionnaire was used as the study tool. The perceptions regarding the CBME curriculum and its implementation were obtained. The SWOC of CBME implementation in the anatomy specialty were deduced by mixed method analysis. Results: By voluntary response sampling method, 42 faculty members responded. Initiating the faculty development programs and revising the curriculum were perceived as strengths. A weakness was a need for more understanding of the tools and materials, such as guidebooks and competencies framework. The responders thought that the CBME had provided opportunities for their professional development. Still, the deficiency of the workforce, the poor documentation, and the lack of inter-departmental coordination were voiced as the main challenges that needed to be addressed to implement CBME effectively. Conclusion: The faculty considered implementing the CBME as an avenue for learning and growth. An ethos of collaboration, resource augmentation, and support is required to ensure productive CBME implementation. There is a need for improved quality of training material. Inclusive capacity building and training of all faculty is essential to achieving the intended objectives of CBME implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]