Schizophrenia – time to commit to policy change

Schizophrenia is recognised as one of the most complex and profound mental health conditions, steeped in both myth and reality. Efforts needs to be multifaceted, including policy development, treatment guidance and scientific innovation, with all stakeholders working together to ensure meaningful progress. This report delves into the unique needs of people with schizophrenia, exploring supportive measures for their well-being, practical and attainable recommendations for change. The message to all nations, policy makers, payers and healthcare professionals is clear: strive for excellence, but most importantly – start somewhere

Ambient Assistive Living (AAL) Technology for Dementia and Aging in Place: An inclusive approach to knowledge acquisition for the design community

The growing concern for safety, care and wellbeing of older people ad increase in age related health issues such as dementia, has generated a great interest in AAL technologies as a means to support the elderly and caregiver needs in daily living tasks, extend aging at home, and maintaining social inclusion for as long as possible. As technology becomes more ubiquitous in home environments, new design challenges will arise for the design/build community. Literature search revealed that there is now North American Guideline for AAL technology available. This study required an integrated design process utilizing in-person and online surveys which included interdisciplinary contributions from healthcare experts. building automation experts. interior designers and architects in the development of an educational structure fro a proposed North American AAL Technology Guideline. Research indicated that the educational structure would need to consider the developmental continuum in learning for professionals as they move from novice to expert in practice. Keywords: aging, ambient assisted living (AAL) technology, dementia, home automation, innovation models, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, professional developmental continuu

EVIDÊNCIAS EMPIRICAS DA GESTÃO DO ENSINO SUPERIOR A PARTIR DA UTILIZAÇÃO DOS MAPAS COGNITIVOS E DA COGNIÇÃO SITUADA

Na era do conhecimento, as Instituições de Educação Superior no âmbito privado necessitam de conhecimentos e práticas aplicadas que ensejam a construção de novos modelos gerenciais. Com base neste aspecto, o artigo preleciona contextualizar de que forma os mapas cognitivos podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de práticas de aprendizagem situada no contexto gerencial destas instituições. A reflexão teórica elenca termos relacionados a compreensão da organização a partir de uma analogia com o cérebro humano e os pressupostos que elucidam a construção de inteligências competitiva. De igual modo, promove a reflexão sobre a estruturação dos mapas cognitivos e de sua construção maiêutica no sentido de promover a construção do conhecimento. Para tanto, as bases metodológicas estão centradas na revisão sistemática, descrita nos procedimentos classificativos e de síntese dos dados coletados utilizando-se da base de dados Scopus e do Google Scholar publicados entre o período de 2000 e 2010. Entre outros aspectos, os resultados das sínteses permitem evidenciar a colaboração dos mapas cognitivos, a partir de uma retórica centrada na cognição e na aprendizagem situada, no sentido construtivo e estruturante de um conhecimento especifico à gestão das Instituições de Educação Superior no âmbito privado

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Acceptance in Ethnic Minority Individuals in the United Kingdom: a mixed-methods study using Protection Motivation Theory

Background: Uptake of the COVID-19 booster vaccine among ethnic minority individuals has been lower than in the general population. However, there is little research examining the psychosocial factors that contribute to COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy in this population.Aim: Our study aimed to determine which factors predicted COVID-19 vaccination intention in minority ethnic individuals in Middlesbrough, using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, in addition to demographic variables.Method: We used a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected using an online survey. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews. 64 minority ethnic individuals (33 females, 31 males; mage = 31.06, SD = 8.36) completed the survey assessing PMT constructs, COVID-19conspiracy beliefs and demographic factors. 42.2% had received the booster vaccine, 57.6% had not. 16 survey respondents were interviewed online to gain further insight into factors affecting booster vaccineacceptance.Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was a significant predictor of booster vaccination intention, with higher perceived susceptibility being associated with higher intention to get the booster. Additionally, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs significantly predictedintention to get the booster vaccine, with higher conspiracy beliefs being associated with lower intention to get the booster dose. Thematic analysis of the interview data showed that barriers to COVID-19 booster vaccination included time constraints and a perceived lack of practical support in the event ofexperiencing side effects. Furthermore, there was a lack of confidence in the vaccine, with individuals seeing it as lacking sufficient research. Participants also spoke of medical mistrust due to historical events involving medical experimentation on minority ethnic individuals.Conclusion: PMT and conspiracy beliefs predict COVID-19 booster vaccination in minority ethnic individuals. To help increase vaccine uptake, community leaders need to be involved in addressing people’s concerns, misassumptions, and lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccination