English proficiency and graduate studies in the health field in Brazil

This article analyzes English proficiency as a requirement for graduate studies at the Federal University in São Paulo, Brazil, analyzing students' performance on the proficiency test and their self-assessment and the importance they ascribe to the language during this phase of their training. An exploratory study was conducted with quantitative and qualitative approaches, document analysis, questionnaires, and interviews. Graduate students rated their own English reading skills as good. They considered a command of the language essential for their professional work and acknowledged that most research in the health field is published in English. One out of four students failed the proficiency test on the first attempt. Their speaking and writing skills were limited, and the majority needed another professional to prepare an abstract in English. They considered a command of English essential for professionals seeking to stand out in a competitive world, but viewed the formal English requirement for graduate studies as an overburden. English is not most researchers' first language, thus creating a dilemma for readers as well as authors who wish to attract attention to their work. Although English is acknowledged as the lingua franca of science and mediates the current scientific publication process, the issue has become increasingly controversial.Este trabalho investiga a língua inglesa como requisito na formação dos pós-graduandos da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), analisando os rendimentos acadêmicos no exame de proficiência e nas autoavaliações em relação à língua, bem como a importância que esses alunos atribuem ao inglês nessa fase de formação. Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa exploratória com abordagens quanti e qualitativa, análise documental, questionários e entrevistas. Identificou-se que os pós-graduandos se autoavaliam como bons leitores, consideram imprescindível o domínio da língua inglesa em seu cotidiano profissional e reconhecem que a maioria das pesquisas na área da saúde é veiculada em inglês. Seus rendimentos no exame de proficiência mostram que, de cada quatro alunos, um é reprovado na primeira tentativa; falam e escrevem pouco, e a maioria necessita de outro profissional para elaboração do abstract. Consideram o domínio da língua inglesa fundamental para profissionais que buscam se destacar num mundo competitivo, mas a exigência formal na pós-graduação é considerada uma sobrecarga. Entendemos que o inglês não é a língua dominante para a maioria dos pesquisadores, o que ocasiona um dilema para leitores e autores que querem atrair o interesse para seu trabalho. Apesar de a língua inglesa ser reconhecida como a língua franca da ciência e mediar o atual processo de publicação científica, esta discussão tem sido crescente e polêmica.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Centro de Desenvolvimento de Ensino Superior em SaúdeUNIFESP, Centro de Desenvolvimento de Ensino Superior em SaúdeSciEL

Jornal de Pediatria The preceptor in pediatric residency programs: main attributes

Abstract Objective: to analyze the profile of preceptors and the attributes they consider important for the exercise of that activity in two pediatric residency programs in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: a questionnaire answered by the preceptors of two pediatric residency programs in Rio de Janeiro (one of them a university hospital) was used to collect information on gender, age, time since graduation, time working as preceptors, academic degrees, specific training in teaching, and on the attributes (up to five) that they believed a good preceptor should have. Results: of the 90 participants, 70% were women; 74% were between 30 and 49 years of age; 87% had graduated between 10 and 29 years earlier. Half reported that they did not have any specific training in teaching. The other half had attended courses on medical pedagogy and special didactics as part of their graduate studies. The most frequently cited attributes were: mentorship, focus on ethics and humanism, command of the field, ability to continue learning, and didactic skills. Conclusion: the preceptors interviewed underscored the challenges of preceptorship, an activity based on the practice of medicine and guided by professional responsibility, human relationships, organizational skills, assessment skills, and command of the field, in addition to ethical and humanistic principles and ability to continue learning. They felt, however, the need for further didactic training

Landfill leachate as nutritional source in castor bean cultivation under semi-arid conditions

ABSTRACT The relevance of using technology for the rational destination of waste from a wide range of human activities is imminently paramount. In this context, between September 2014 and January 2015, in Mossoró, RN, Brazil (5º 11' 31" S; 37º 20' 40" W), the present work was conducted to evaluate strategies for the utilization of landfill leachate as source of water and nutrients in agriculture. For this, castor bean plants (Ricinus communis L.), cv. BRS Energia, cultivated in eutrophic Red Yellow Argisol, were subjected to irrigation depth application strategies, namely: initial application of leachate corresponding to 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the irrigation depth and subsequent application of the remaining water depth percentage using public-supply water, plus one control, which consisted of irrigation with public-supply water + mineral fertilization recommended for the crop. These treatments were set in randomized blocks, with four replicates, totalizing twenty experimental plots. Mineral fertilization resulted in more expressive biometric responses at the beginning of the cycle; however, at the end, treatments based on leachate led to results, including of production, compatible with the control, especially plants irrigated with the 20% irrigation depth